In a significant move to bridge the digital divide, Colorado is investing $113 million from its Capital Projects Fund (CPF) in 27 broadband projects. These initiatives aim to connect nearly 19,000 homes and businesses, underscoring the state’s commitment to improving internet access.
BT is pushing the envelope, repurposing fading street cabinets, once integral for broadband and phone hookups, into sophisticated EV charging points. Amid a direct-to-home fiber revolution, redundant units could fuel a UK-wide EV charging network, starting in East Lothian, Scotland.
Navigating the shift from traditional to cloud-based communication systems amidst a growing hybrid work culture, HCS steps up to provide sustainable solutions. With a new division dedicated to this transition, the telecom giant anticipates significant returns and business expansion.
Ooredoo drives Qatar National Vision 2030 with a widespread fiber rollout, covering 99.9% of households, maintaining high service levels and introducing innovative technologies. Vodafone UK advocates for the implementation of 5G SA technology, citing its transformative impact on industries, such as renewable energy and agriculture. CableLabs has made strides in deploying 10G network in 2023, advancing DOCSIS 4.0 technology, issuing CPON architecture specifications, and accelerating FTTP adoption. Microsoft’s new Copilot key represents a groundbreaking addition to Windows keyboards, integrating AI seamlessly and signaling a significant shift after three decades.
In a strategic move to gain a foothold in India’s expanding telecommunications market, Elon Musk’s satellite communications constellation, Starlink, is reportedly considering a stake in Vodafone Idea (Vi). As of 2024, Starlink boasts a constellation of over 5,500 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, providing commercial services in more than 60 countries to approximately 1.5 million subscribers.
In a dynamic year for the cable industry, Comcast took center stage with the successful launch of DOCSIS 4.0, surpassing its commitment to be in the market by the second half of 2023. Unveiling a groundbreaking symmetrical multi-gig service boasting speeds of up to 2 Gbps, Comcast initially introduced this innovation in Colorado Springs, followed by Atlanta and Philadelphia. While plans for a nationwide DOCSIS 4.0 rollout in 2023 are in the pipeline, specific markets remain undisclosed.
In a strategic move to enhance their presence in the North West of England and the Midlands, Freedom Fibre and VX UK have announced a merger, forming a new entity named Freedom Fibre Limited. The combined operation will cover a substantial footprint of 285,000 premises, with Neil McArthur, founder and CEO of Freedom Fibre, leading the helm along with the current senior leadership team from Freedom Fibre.
In a groundbreaking development, Project Kuiper has revealed the successful testing of advanced optical communications payloads on its prototype satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2. The optical inter-satellite link (OISL) capabilities, previously kept confidential, demonstrated the ability to maintain 100 Gbps links over a distance of nearly 621 miles during testing in October.
In the third quarter of 2023, Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data reveals a robust global uptrend in fixed network speeds. The median download speed for fixed networks worldwide reached an impressive 83.95 Mbps, marking a substantial 19% increase from 70.3 Mbps in the same quarter of 2022.
Several prominent German telecoms associations, including ANGA, Bitkom, BREKO, BUGLAS, and VATM, have united in a call to the German government, urging a reduction in funding for fibre-optic projects. Citing concerns over the overwhelming response to the German Gigabit funding program, the associations propose a cut in funding to €1 billion between 2024-2026.
