In a significant move for Spain’s telecom sector, the Spanish government has officially sanctioned the merger between Orange and MasMovil, following the European Union’s approval last month. This decision paves the way for the creation of Spain’s largest telecom operator, marking the culmination of a deal valued at approximately €18.6 billion.
In a significant move to ensure the smooth transition of landline services to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the UK government has announced an expansion in the roster of telecommunications companies committed to safeguarding vulnerable customers. The initiative, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), now includes Openreach, CityFibre, and several others, alongside initial participants like BT and Virgin Media O2.
The lapse of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to auction spectrum has reached a one-year milestone, casting a shadow over the United States’ telecommunications landscape and its position on the global stage. This standstill not only reflects the pervasive partisanship and dysfunction within the US government but also threatens the country’s innovative edge and economic competitiveness.
Deutsche Telekom and the satellite company Viasat have recently enhanced in-flight internet connectivity for flights to and from Cyprus by activating three new ground stations. These stations are part of an expansion that strengthens the European Aviation Network (EAN) in the Eastern Mediterranean, bringing the total to 300 ground network antenna sites across Europe.
Mobile Experts released a report on the growth of Private LTE and 5G in sectors like offices and schools. EnGenius launches the EOC655 series for outdoor connectivity, designed for smart cities and public safety. UK Altnets have urged the government for harsh penalties against fibre infrastructure vandalism. Klika Tech won the 2024 IoT Global Awards in the “Smart Cities, Government & Utilities” category.
The 5G Open Innovation Lab (5G OI Lab) has officially introduced eleven new startups from around the world to its Spring program, marking the beginning of its fifth year in operation. The 5G OI Lab has become a beacon of innovation and technological progress in the 5G and Edge technology space, supporting a total of 129 startups since its inception. These startups have collectively raised over $2.23 billion in venture capital, thanks to the support of industry giants like AT&T, Comcast, Microsoft, and Intel, among others.
Verizon’s laudable initiative, Verizon Innovative Learning, has achieved a milestone by bringing digital skills training to seven million students, aiming to address digital inclusion. Their ongoing efforts focus on underserved Title I schools, providing them with an integrated technology curriculum, advanced tech tools and free internet connectivity.
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, BT’s Division X unveiled a significant advancement in their technology offerings, introducing a multi-million-pound investment in a narrowband Internet of Things (NB IoT) network. This move is poised to revolutionize the IoT landscape across various sectors, promising a new era of smart cities and advanced agriculture. Chris Keone, the Managing Director of Division X, shared insights into how this technology is setting the stage for futuristic urban environments and industry transformations.
Manx Telecom’s strategic partnership with Aqua Comms promises to bolster the Isle of Man’s telecommunications infrastructure by introducing secured subsea fibre accessibility. The move aims to meet growing digital demands, enhancing the island’s connectivity in terms of security, capacity and resilience. This expansion also future-proofs the needs of data centre users and fibre broadband consumers by catering to emerging technologies.
Fastwyre Broadband, a legacy communications company, is investing $65 million into amplifying its fiber-optic infrastructure throughout Louisiana. The objective is to deliver unparalleled internet speeds, championing both residential and business connectivity requirements. CEO, Chris Eldredge, outlined the company’s profound commitment to fostering digital empowerment within local communities.
