Mobile data traffic in Europe to almost triple within five years

The GSMA predicts that mobile data traffic in Europe will almost triple over the next five years, fueled by the expansion of 4G networks in central and eastern Europe and improvements in 5G coverage and capacity.

The analysis shows that 5G subscribers are interested in adding high-bandwidth services like gaming, extended reality, and video streaming, which will require continued network investments by operators expected to spend over €198 billion upgrading networks by...

23 November 2023 | 5G

5G-Advanced poised for enterprise success, but challenges persist

The rapid adoption of 5G in the past three years marks a significant milestone, making it the fastest-adopted cellular generation to date. However, a report commissioned by InterDigital and conducted by ABI Research warns that 5G has yet to fully realise its potential in unlocking new business opportunities.

The report outlines that while the foundational development of 5G has enhanced network capacity, speed, and latency, mobile operators have struggled to tap into the enterprise...

15 November 2023 | 5G

Global operators to lose $3B to OTT channels

A study by Juniper Research has revealed a substantial surge in Over-the-Top (OTT) business messaging.

The report forecasts a staggering increase from 100 billion messages in 2023 to a projected 375 billion messages in 2028. The driving force behind this shift is the diminishing quality of SMS networks, prompting enterprises to explore alternative channels.

The study suggests that the decline in SMS network quality is attributed to the growing prevalence of fraud,...

13 November 2023 | Operators

Qualcomm cuts satellite-to-phone partnership with Iridium

Qualcomm has cut its partnership with satellite communications firm Iridium to provide satellite-to-phone services.

The partnership was initially announced in January 2023 and was broadly seen to be Android’s alternative to Apple’s partnership with Globalstar last year to launch its own satellite-powered emergency SOS feature for iPhone and Apple Watch.

Despite the successful development and demonstration of the technology by both companies, the primary reason cited...

10 November 2023 | Hot Topics

Groundbreaking trial aims to bring 5G to the Baltic Sea

LMT, in conjunction with technical port services provider LVR Fleet, has successfully completed a trial that aims to bring 5G to the Baltic Sea.

The trial – conducted on the Daugava River in Riga, Latvia – showcased seamless 5G communication from shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship. The maritime concept shows how 5G connectivity can be achieved over open waters.

The concept operates on the multi-hop principle, where the 5G network signal is relayed from one ship to...

9 November 2023 | 5G

Rural 5G deprivation hinders nearly a million Brits

A recent study commissioned by Vodafone UK and conducted by WPI Economics has shed light on a significant digital divide prevailing in Britain's most deprived communities.

Titled 'Connecting the Countryside', the report revealed a striking contrast in 5G accessibility between rural and urban areas. According to the findings, 46 percent of rural deprived areas are 5G not-spots—in stark contrast to just 2.7 percent in urban deprived communities.

The study pinpointed five...

8 November 2023 | 5G

NTT partners with Toyota and US startup on driverless vehicles

Japan's leading telco, NTT, has announced plans to conduct tests on driverless vehicles in collaboration with Toyota and invest in US-based startup May Mobility.

A spokesperson for NTT has revealed the company aims to commence trials with autonomous buses and taxis as early as 2025. The company is set to invest approximately 10 billion yen ($66.91 million) in May Mobility.

While the Nikkei newspaper initially reported joint vehicle development between NTT and Toyota,...

7 November 2023 | IoT

Telecom Italia approves €19B sale of fixed-line network to KKR

Telecom Italia (TIM) has given the green light to the €19 billion sale of its fixed-line network to US private equity firm KKR.

The move is particularly notable as TIM becomes the first major telecoms group in a European country to part ways with its landline grid.

Italy views this asset as nationally strategic. The country has been working diligently to bridge its digital divide with the rest of the European Union, making the sale a crucial step in its digital...

6 November 2023 | Broadband

Nokia Bell Labs breakthrough reconfigures networks with human speech

In a step towards autonomous network management, Nokia Bell Labs has revealed a pioneering research breakthrough called Natural-Language Networks.

Nokia Bell Labs’ latest innovation empowers networks to be operated through simple speech or text prompts, marking the latest collision of AI and telecoms.

Natural-Language Networks bring forth a new era of simplicity and responsiveness in network management. By harnessing the power of AI, these networks comprehend users'...

1 November 2023 | Networks

Vodafone Spain is being sold to Zegona for €5B

Vodafone has confirmed the sale of its Spanish operations to Zegona Communications, in what it says is a bid to reshape its portfolio for future growth.

The deal, valued at €5 billion, comprises a cash consideration of €4.1 billion and up to €0.9 billion in Redeemable Preference Shares (RPS).

Upon completion, Vodafone will continue to provide services to Vodafone Spain under a pre-agreed annual service charge of approximately €110 million to ensure a seamless...

31 October 2023 | 5G