Samsung and Princeton University join forces on 6G research

Samsung Research America (SRA) has joined Princeton University's new NextG Corporate Affiliates program, bringing industry and academia together to advance research on 6G wireless networks and related technologies. 

Launched last year within Princeton's School of Engineering and Applied Science, the NextG initiative aims to spur innovation across networking, sensing, and other key areas that will underpin next-generation data infrastructure.  

As a founding...

13 February 2024 | 6G

Ericsson, Qualcomm and BT conduct 5G SA network slicing trial

BT, Ericsson, and Qualcomm have successfully conducted a trial showcasing the capabilities of 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing.

The trial – conducted at Adastral Park, BT Group’s hub for research and innovation – demonstrated the potential for differentiated connectivity for both consumers and enterprises using Ericsson’s 5G Core and Radio Access Network technology, powered by devices equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Mobile Platform.

Greg...

8 February 2024 | 5G

Virgin Media O2 launches UK’s first 2Gbps residential broadband 

Virgin Media O2 has become the first major UK broadband provider to launch a residential 2Gbps service, dubbed Gig2, and introduce symmetrical download and upload speeds across all speed tiers as an optional add-on for customers.

The new blisteringly fast Gig2 broadband service, which offers speeds more than 28 times faster than the UK average, is enabled by XGS-PON full-fibre technology and builds on Virgin Media's existing 1Gbps Gig1 service.

Gig2 will be available...

7 February 2024 | Broadband

Verizon deploys over 130,000 O-RAN radios

Verizon has deployed over 130,000 O-RAN capable radios – including massive MIMO antennas – as part of 15,000 O-RAN compliant cell sites utilising virtualised baseband units. This marks a major milestone in Verizon’s transition to Open RAN architecture, which promises greater flexibility, innovation, and supplier diversity in the radio access network ecosystem. 

The open and interoperable interfaces enabled by O-RAN standards allow different hardware and software components...

6 February 2024 | 5G

RootMetrics: Three overtakes EE for best UK 5G network 

RootMetrics has unveiled its latest UK mobile report based on over 600,000 tests conducted in the second half of 2023.

The results cover the entire spectrum of user experiences, spanning the UK, individual nations, and 16 prominent metropolitan markets. Here's a breakdown of how the key players—EE, Three, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone—performed during this extensive testing period.

EE maintains overall dominance

For the 21st consecutive time, EE clinched the...

29 January 2024 | 5G

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

Wi-Fi Alliance begins Wi-Fi 7 certification

The Wi-Fi Alliance has begun the certification process for Wi-Fi 7, ushering in a new era of wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 provides confidence to end-users they’ll benefit from new features designed to enhance performance and connectivity across various environments.

The latest iteration of Wi-Fi promises significant advancements, catering to emerging technologies such as multi-user augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR). The...

9 January 2024 | Broadband

EchoStar completes $26B acquisition of DISH Network

EchoStar has announced the completion of its $26 billion acquisition of DISH Network. The deal combines two of the nation's largest providers of satellite and wireless services into one telecoms giant.

Under the terms of the agreement, DISH Network has become a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. All outstanding shares of DISH Network's common stock have been converted into shares of EchoStar stock, valuing the transaction at approximately $26 billion. The conversion rate for...

3 January 2024 | 5G

Connected Nations: UK full-fibre broadband reaches 17M homes

A record-breaking 17 million UK homes now have access to full-fibre broadband, according to Ofcom's latest Connected Nations report released today.

The report highlights the advantages of full-fibre broadband, emphasising its increased reliability and resilience compared to traditional copper-based networks. 4.6 million households have already made the switch.

Analysis indicates that providers experience fewer faults on their fibre networks, contributing to a smoother...

19 December 2023 | Broadband

Over 330K premises benefit from UK connectivity fund in 2023

The UK has invested over half a billion pounds this year to boost connectivity for more than 330,000 premises. The announcement comes alongside a £33 million investment to connect more than 17,000 homes and businesses in rural Derbyshire to high-speed broadband.

This announcement for Derbyshire follows earlier contracts awarded in Shropshire, Cambridgeshire, New Forest, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampshire, North East Staffordshire, and Oxfordshire—bringing total investment to over...

15 December 2023 | Broadband