Vodafone Romania awards Ericsson major 5G RAN contract

Vodafone Romania has selected Ericsson as a key partner to upgrade its radio access network (RAN) infrastructure and roll out 5G technology across the country.

The six-year agreement will see Ericsson provide 5G RAN products and solutions to boost network speeds, reduce latency, and improve reliability for Vodafone customers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ericsson will serve as Vodafone Romania's primary 5G RAN partner, deploying its cutting-edge technology to...

Unified Communications 2024: Exploring the future of workplace collaboration

As organisations adapt to an increasingly hybrid workforce, the need for seamless connectivity and collaboration has never been greater.

A two-day event on Unified Communications will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on 5-6 June 2024 that brings together thought leaders and technology experts to discuss the innovations shaping the future of workplace communication.

Day 1

Kicking off the event, the opening panel will delve into ‘The Future of Workplace...

Dell’Oro forecasts RAN market downturn to continue

The global Radio Access Network (RAN) market will continue its downturn over the next few years, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group.

Dell'Oro forecasts that RAN revenues will decline at a compound annual growth rate of one percent through 2024. This comes on the heels of massive 40 percent growth from 2017 to 2021, when the market was boosted by initial 5G network builds.

Growth stabilised in 2022 but is expected to drop sharply in 2023, led by a pullback in...

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...

Databricks unveils AI-powered intelligence platform for telcos

Data and AI company Databricks has launched a new unified data and AI platform tailored specifically for telcos.

The Data Intelligence Platform for Communications offers communication service providers (CSPs) a comprehensive foundation for their data and AI requirements. It enables them to obtain a holistic view of their networks, operations, and customer interactions without compromising data privacy or confidential intellectual property.

Built on an open lakehouse...

SpaceX exchanges first texts using its ‘Direct to Cell’ satellites

SpaceX has demonstrated its new "Direct to Cell" capabilities by exchanging texts between mobile phones on Earth using satellites in orbit.

On 2 January 2024, SpaceX launched six new satellites designed to connect with standard unmodified mobile devices. The company wasted no time putting them into service, transmitting texts less than a week later using T-Mobile's cellular spectrum.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1745246204118925711

Receiving replies from the...

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...

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...

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...

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...