AST SpaceMobile attracts investments from AT&T, Google and Vodafone

AST SpaceMobile has attracted significant investments totalling $206.5 million from industry giants AT&T, Google, and Vodafone. The investment includes $155 million as a strategic infusion and an additional $51.5 million to be drawn from the company's existing senior-secured credit facility.

This latest investment round underscores confidence in AST SpaceMobile's technology and its position in the emerging space-based cellular direct-to-device market. The company aims to...

19 January 2024 | Hot Topics

UK invests £88M in Open RAN initiatives transforming mobile connectivity

The UK Government has invested £88 million into 19 groundbreaking Open RAN initiatives under the Open Networks Ecosystem (ONE) competition.

Open RAN technology represents a paradigm shift in how mobile networks are built. Rather than relying solely on a single company's equipment, it allows various companies' technologies to be interoperable.

Nick Johnson, Head of UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), said: 

“The Government’s funding to tackle...

14 September 2023 | 5G

UKSA announces £15M satellite communications fund

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has unveiled a £15 million fund to support British firms revolutionising satellite communications.

Ideas that could be eligible for funding include satellite constellations, ground systems, or the provision of new services.

Science Minister Nusrat Ghani commented:

“I am proud to be representing the UK space sector as we discuss our ambitions ahead of the ESA Council of Ministers next month. There are a series of important...

17 October 2022 | Legislation & Government

Research: The leading 5 sectors for 5G investments

Research commissioned by World Wide Technology (WWT) has uncovered the leading five sectors for 5G investments.

Investors are excited about 5G and its potential returns. Among the investors surveyed for the research, 92 percent are either invested – or plan to invest – in companies that depend on 5G.

In declining order, the top five sectors identified for 5G investments are:

Cloud computing (identified by 72% of VCs and investors)Smart mobility (70%)Media and...

15 February 2022 | 5G

UK satellite firm OneWeb receives a $500M boost from Bharti

UK-based LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) satellite firm OneWeb is continuing a big news week with a $500 million investment from Bharti Global.

OneWeb received $1 billion from the UK Government and Bharti Global last year.

Rt. Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, MP, Secretary of State, BEIS, said:

“Today’s additional $500 million investment in OneWeb by Bharti marks yet another vote of confidence in the company from the market. It’s clear that investors see a strong future for...

30 June 2021 | Networks

Altice takes 12.1% stake in BT due to ‘compelling’ full-fibre opportunity

French telecoms giant Altice has taken a 12.1 percent stake in BT to become the company’s largest stakeholder.

Altice, a company owned by billionaire Patrick Drahi, has established a UK subsidiary for the purposes of holding a stake in BT.

Despite acquiring such a sizable stake in BT, Altice UK says that it does not intend to make a takeover bid of the country’s largest telecoms operator.

Altice UK says its interest in BT is due to the “compelling...

10 June 2021 | Networks

UK’s National Cyber Force is unveiled after months of speculation

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially unveiled the National Cyber Force (NCF) after months of speculation about its existence.

On Thursday, PM Johnson pledged £24.1 billion for the military over the next four years to 

cement the UK’s position as the largest defence spender in Europe and the second-largest in NATO after the US.

“The international situation is more perilous and more intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold...

20 November 2020 | Legislation & Government

French Finance Minister: ‘We won’t ban Huawei from investing in 5G’

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has said the country will not ban Huawei from investing in 5G, in stark contrast to the UK.

Speaking to France Info radio, Le Maire said that sensitive locations would be protected by there would not be a “blanket ban” on Huawei.

The position is similar to the UK’s initial approach when the country permitted Huawei to have a role in national 5G networks back in January. At the time, the UK also attached conditions that Huawei...

21 July 2020 | Legislation & Government