Countries across East and Southern Africa are grappling with a widespread internet outage caused by faults in several submarine cables. According to Cloudflare Radar, which tracks internet disruptions, Tanzania is among the hardest hit, experiencing a significant drop in internet traffic to only 30% of its normal levels.
Ofcom’s annual report, “Connected Nations,” provides a comprehensive update on the state of broadband and mobile services in the UK. The report reveals a noteworthy advancement, indicating that 78% of the UK now enjoys gigabit-capable broadband, marking an 8% surge from the previous year’s 70% coverage.
Viasat, Inc., a global front-runner in satellite communications, has launched its innovative Business Choice internet service plans, ushering in a new era of high-speed and reliable connectivity for small-to-medium businesses nationwide. These plans cater to businesses in the most remote areas, where traditional internet services fall short, enabling them to leverage essential digital tools for optimal operations.
In a swift response to Tuesday’s widespread cyber-attack, Kyivstar, the Ukrainian subsidiary of global digital operator VEON Ltd., has successfully restored mobile internet services nationwide, encompassing all communication standards, including 4G. International roaming services have also been reinstated within the past 24 hours, marking a significant recovery effort.
BT Group has taken a bold step into the future of content delivery with an innovative concept known as Multicast-Assisted Unicast Delivery (MAUD). This technology takes a fresh approach, replacing the traditional individual internet stream with a more efficient consolidated flow. Not only is this technology seamless for consumers, it also delivers substantial resource savings. Furthermore, in an era of environmental consciousness, MAUD offers up to a 50% bandwidth reduction during peak times, resulting in lower energy usage.
The White House’s recent call to Congress for increased funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has significantly stirred the telecommunications sector. Putting forth a request to extend the ACP’s operations, the Biden Administration aims to stretch free and discounted internet provision to eligible households until December 2024.
The GSMA’s recent State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report reveals intriguing trends in global smartphone use. While a majority, about 57%, of the global populace now connects to the mobile internet, there’s a stark division in technology adoption. Most users in developed markets rely on 4G or even 5G-enabled devices, while developing regions substantially depend on older 3G and even 2G tech. Surprisingly, the pace of mobile internet user growth also appears to be decelerating. So, how can the world’s telecom industry respond to the challenges of this digital divide? An engrossing discussion waiting to happen at the upcoming Total Telecom Congress!
Orange Marine continues to assert dominance in the subsea cable industry with the sophisticated ‘Sophie Germain’, an innovative vessel designed for comprehensive undersea cable care. This 100 meter long ship is home to a 450 kW ROV for precise optic cable maintenance. Moreover, it not only enhances connectivity globally, but also makes strides in sustainability by significantly reducing fuel consumption and slashing emissions. Remarkably, in a field with only 60 cable ships worldwide, Orange Marine introduces innovation that may reshape the future of global telecommunications infrastructure.
Calix, Inc. sets a new benchmark in the telecommunications landscape with its innovative solution, Calix SmartBiz™, now reaching the UK market. This transformative service specifically facilitates the 5.5 million SMEs across the UK, providing alternative service providers a fresh approach to offer customised, comprehensive solutions including managed Wi-Fi and enhanced network security services.
CityFibre’s full fibre network in the UK now reaches 3 million premises, a rapid expansion when considering it connected 2 million just a year earlier. Recent key milestones include securing wayleave permissions and financial support totalling nearly half a billion pounds. Technological strides include the market launch of its XGS-PON service offering potential speeds up to 10Gbps. As these advancements continue to transform broadband, stay tuned for updates.
