Vodafone has announced an ambitious plan to launch 300 Business IT Hubs across the UK, aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with comprehensive IT and communication solutions. This initiative seeks franchise partners to establish these hubs, which will function as independent entities under the Vodafone brand, providing localized IT support.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has breathed new life into a stalled initiative aimed at extending 5G network coverage to America’s rural areas. The rejuvenated program, named the 5G Fund for Rural America, seeks to allocate $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G connectivity to 14 million homes and businesses in regions currently overlooked by operators due to financial impracticalities.
In an ambitious move following its planned merger with Three UK, Vodafone has announced a significant enhancement of its network capabilities across Scotland, targeting a comprehensive deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) technology. By 2034, the telecom giant aims to cover 89% of Scotland with this advanced network, promising a substantial boost in national productivity valued at approximately £9 billion by the end of the decade.
A cutting-edge initiative partnered with South Tyneside Council aims to transform a port into an innovation hub in the maritime sector utilizing 5G cameras and IoT sensors. This endeavor, backed by a £37 million grant from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is set to pilot electric port operations, advanced transportation systems, live streaming, and smart farming.
In a recent unveiling, Qualcomm announced the introduction of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, poised to revolutionize a range of smartphones from brands such as Honor, iQOO, realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi in the upcoming months. This cutting-edge chip is designed to democratize premium features for a broader audience, previously exclusive to high-end models, by incorporating select advanced capabilities directly from its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 series.
Avaya, a global leader in customer experience solutions, today launched its inaugural edition of the CX Force 2024 awards, designed to spotlight and celebrate the innovators, strategists, and pioneers dedicated to reshaping the world of customer experience recognising the individuals who create meaningful change and set the benchmark for exceptional experiences. The inaugural edition of Avaya’s CX Force awards are founded in partnership with the International Avaya User Group (IAUG), a community that allows Avaya users to connect and share ideas that are transforming the industry and are co-sponsored by Constellation Research, the Silicon Valley-based technology research and advisory firm.
The global enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) is set to significantly boost spending in edge computing infrastructure and services, with projections from IDC indicating a jump to $232 billion this year, marking a 15.4% increase from the previous year. This surge reflects the growing demand for technologies that facilitate faster and more efficient data processing closer to the source of data generation.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez MP addresses the need for shared infrastructure to tackle excessive fibre network duplication. She spotlights rural areas, where public perception of full fibre deployment is significantly affected by perceived uncontrolled infrastructural rollout. This prompts a change in guidelines to involve communities in the roll-out process, helping operators extend their networks without hindering local approval.
Telecom leaders discussed the challenge of monetizing 5G. Vodafone’s ‘The Great British Telecoms Switch’ campaign offers BT customers savings and compensations to switch providers. A Pew Research Center survey found U.S. teens have a complex relationship with smartphones. Verizon’s report shows a 129% rise in mobile network traffic over 5 years. Iliad aims to become the fifth-largest mobile operator in Europe by 2024.
Internet connectivity in West Africa is in a fragile state due to substantial damage to critical undersea cables resulting in limited or non-existent service in regions including Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Benin. The impact is reportedly extreme, with ripple effects reaching as far as South Africa. Telecom giants MTN and Vodafone linked the disruptions to these cable issues.
