As Portugal’s telecom operator Nos marks two years of 5G services, it declares readiness to launch services on a new 5G standalone infrastructure. Despite the slower than expected progress, Nos’s move signifies a key contribution to the sector. Intriguingly, the viability and potential benefits of this new infrastructure remain a matter of debate. With collaborations with Nokia and Ericsson, Nos envisions a surge in ultra-low latency services.
In an intriguing shift, Telefónica, the Spanish telecom titan, is exploring potential profits from selling its Tech unit, stirring up future predictions. Insider details reveal engagement with multiple financial institutions and a goal to retain majority control, a factor that might affect investor incentive. Amid this, the Tech division’s impressive financial growth and its strategic significance in enterprise technology are undeniable.
Distinguished selections, momentous awards, and unprecedented telecom innovations marked the recent proceedings. Notably, Telia Company’s Global IoT Connectivity solution won the B2B Service of the Year, while PT Telekomunikasi Selular took laurels in the Digital Transformation Programme category.
In a strategic move to meet the escalating demands of the 5G era and burgeoning broadband connectivity in India, Nokia has joined forces with Bharti Airtel for a significant overhaul of the optical network infrastructure. The project aims to deliver ‘massive capacity,’ enhanced reliability, and cost efficiency for enterprises, operators, and hyperscalers in the region.
5G technology is quickly escalating into an exciting, innovative space, largely due to a process called network slicing. This technique enables a vast number of dynamic network slices, each with unique attributes defined by its user. Despite being in the primary stages, an array of business opportunities are on the horizon like gaming, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), IoT, and mobile edge computing, as the technology advances. Critical remote services, such as remote robotic surgeries requiring ultra-reliability over latency, become possible with robust and reliable 5G slices.
The 2023 Asian Games offered a glimpse into the future of event tech, from eSports to AI-driven systems. Among the innovations, a standout was ‘RADICAL’, an intelligent digital solution by Huawei and China Mobile Zhejiang, designed to manage intense 5G traffic, ensuring an exceptional experience for attendees.
As the digital revolution persists, Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are redefining traditional revenue streams, with data monetisation being key to their success. CSPs have transitioned from solely facilitating connectivity to enabling fascinating digital technologies. They’re effectively tapping into the vast quantities of data from their networks to drive valuable insights. For instance, Vodafone Portugal, aided by Celfocus, successfully converted raw data into significant insights to improve operational effectiveness.
In a groundbreaking revelation, Telus, Canada’s foremost operator, announced the successful two-way communication between smartphones and IoT devices, using Echostar T1, a geostationary Earth orbit satellite. Partnering with TerreStar and Skylo, Telus accomplished this feat using a specially-designed connectivity platform, highlighting the potential for remarkable connectivity throughout Canada, even in remote areas. As this technology differs significantly from regular D2D communication, Telus’s breakthrough is set to redefine the future of connectivity in previously unreachable corners of the country.
Against a robust backdrop of escalating system complexity, cloud-native DevOps emerges as a promising tool to simplify system development. Leveraged by Internet giants and SMEs alike, it’s heralded for boosting innovation efficiency and expediting industry monetization. Yet, its implementation is not without hurdles, as highlighted by China Mobile Jiangsu’s experiences. Their collaboration with Huawei, however, turned the tide, unraveling the potential of agile delivery and intelligent O&M to drive business growth.
SpaceX’s Starlink is paving the way for direct-to-mobile services, thanks to a progressive partnership with T-Mobile. Going beyond termianls, the ambitious endeavor could allow unmodified smartphones to directly connect with satellites. Beginning with text messaging in 2024, comprehensive voice and data services are slated to follow in 2025. However, AT&T and the Rural Wireless Association express concerns about possible interference with commercial networks, prompting fierce debate over the fine lines of regulatory procedures.
