SoftBank’s recent €473m acquisition of a 51% stake in Cubic Telecom indicates a growing confidence in connected vehicles’ market. Cubic’s unique software – already utilized in around 17 million vehicles worldwide – allows manufacturers to add new functionality over-the-air, enhancing safety and performance. According to McKinsey & Co, by 2030, 95% of new vehicles are anticipated to be connected, revealing the tremendous potential of this sector.
The race for 5G supremacy is intense, and LexisNexis IPlytics explores the landscape in their 2023 report. CEO Tim Pohlmann notes a significant surge in 5G patents, with the top 10 players owning 76% of declared patent families. The US leads in patent volume, followed by China and Europe. Huawei dominates the top 50 ranking. Pohlmann emphasizes the role of Chinese companies, particularly Huawei, in shaping the 5G sector, extending their influence to the automotive industry
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.
The GSMA annual report depicts a thriving European mobile industry, contributing over €910 billion to the economy in 2022 with projections to hit the €1 trillion mark by 2030. Despite impressive mobile coverage across Europe, certain challenges persist. The report suggests mobile operators need to make sustained investments in networks to meet global competition, and regulatory reform is crucial. Yet, some caution that this could lead to higher prices and no increase in investment, exemplified by the US situation.
The online retailer, musicMagpie, recently confirmed preliminary dialogue with telecom giant BT and investment firm Aurelius, creating ripples in the wireless tech marketplace. While BT harbors plans to extend its EE customer division’s footprint in the pre-owned smartphone market, musicMagpie’s potential sale throws a thrilling spin to proceedings. It’s a pivotal situation in a rapidly evolving telecommunications world, requiring stakeholders to recalibrate their strategies to mirror the dynamic customer needs. Meanwhile, noteworthy events unfold elsewhere in the sector, promising fascinating updates.
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.
IDC predicts a promising future for the semiconductor industry, driven by AI advancements and a stock level recovery. With a refreshed outlook signaling sustainable growth, the firm anticipates global chip revenue of $526.5 billion in 2023. Progress can be seen in the revised revenue forecast for 2024, hinting at a 20.2% year-on-year growth to $633 billion.
The UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology earmarked £36 million from its budget for 10 regions, highlighting a drive towards 5G innovation. Projects range from enhancing port operations to supporting advanced manufacturing and boosting tourism. However, an interesting aspect to note is the unique applications, including agricultural advancements in Sussex and the creation of 5G science parks in Oxfordshire.
Emerging from the tech world, the AI Pin—an innovative, screen-free wearable gadget—incorporates artificial intelligence to facilitate verbal engagement and numerous other unique functionalities. Embedded into a shirt, it provides easy, hands-free access to information and personal communication. It features an unusual ability to support nutritional goals, leveraging computer vision technology to identify various food items. Functioning on the tailored OS, Cosmos, the AI Pin tries to simplify user interaction with AI, by veering away from the conventional method of downloading or launching apps. With no need for smartphone pairing and its claim of not eavesdropping on user’s conversations, it offers a fresh take on consumer technology.
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.
