In a remarkable feat of engineering, Openreach, the UK’s leading digital network provider, is illuminating approximately 60,000 new premises every week, equivalent to the size of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. With a commitment to a £15 billion investment, the company aims to connect 25 million buildings by 2026, with a subsequent target of 30 million by the end of 2030.
Verizon Public Sector has clinched a $15 million task order to upgrade voice and data services for the U.S. Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division. The contract, granted under the federal government’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) procurement initiative, will witness Verizon integrating innovative technologies and services for voice across MWR’s global locations.
In a significant step for Deutsche Glasfaser’s growth strategy, it has elected to utilize Ekinops’ Ekinops360 platform to overhaul and unify its optical transport network across Germany. Deutsche Glasfaser’s choice, after extensive evaluation of several competitive tenders, was driven by a desire for a unified system that provides automation in service provisioning, rapid market-entry industry-leading cost-effectiveness.
In the third quarter of 2023, the North American Optical Transport equipment market experienced a 4 percent year-over-year contraction, according to a recent report by Dell’Oro Group, a leading source for market information in telecommunications, security, networks, and data centers. This stands in stark contrast to the global market, which saw a positive trend for the third consecutive quarter, growing by 6 percent year-over-year outside the North American region.
In a groundbreaking move, AT&T has selected Ericsson as the primary supplier for its Open RAN equipment, set to handle 70% of its wireless traffic by the close of 2026. The five-year agreement, valued at an impressive $14 billion, signals a significant shift in the North American telecommunications landscape. Under the deal, Ericsson will replace some of Nokia’s equipment in specific areas of AT&T’s network.
Elliott Investment Management criticizes Crown Castle’s underperformance, pushing for an overhaul, including a new leadership team and board. Boldyn Networks activates a ‘small cell’ near King’s Cross, partnering with EE to boost coverage and speed in London. AWS expands Amazon Bedrock with new generative AI features, including leading models, customization options, and safeguards. Windstream’s Kinetic is launching a $32.5 million fiber project in Georgia, partnering with an electric cooperative, aiming to connect 17,000 homes and businesses in Colquitt County.
Mitratel is significantly expanding its telecom mast portfolio with the purchase of 803 towers from Gametraco Tunggal, marking a strategic move beyond Java Island. This $113 million acquisition not only increases Mitratel’s infrastructure landscape but also welcomes 1,327 new tenants. The company’s ongoing investment in fiber optic networks aims to enhance tower operations, and crucially support the anticipated deployment of 5G networks in Indonesia.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s recent acquisition of MNC Play marks a strategic expansion into the fibre-to-the-home market, promising new options for customers and advancement in Indonesia’s digital transformation. Inclusion of MNC Play’s fibre optic network into the IOH portfolio fortifies their position in the market.
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), NTT DOCOMO, and SKY Perfect JSAT join forces with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to turbocharge Japan’s telecom services. The partnership seeks to leverage Project Kuiper’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network, offering a breadth of connectivity to enterprises and government entities despite the nation’s geographical challenges. The strategic emphasis is on utilizing Kuiper’s capabilities for redundant communication networks, covering even hard-to-reach locations ramping up continuity of services after emergencies and natural disasters.
Bridging the gap between past and future, the Cayman Islands are preparing to modernise their underwater cable system, crucial for their international data traffic. Despite serving admirably for decades, the two existing cables are nearing their operational longevity. As such, a $1.69 million partnership with CMC aims to overhaul connectivity, counting on expertise from firms like WFN Strategies and SBM International.
