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Press Release

SailGP, the global league that is redefining sailing, is getting a major tech upgrade from the fastest 5G network in the nation. T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS), SailGP’s exclusive U.S. 5G partner, is returning to the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on Governors Island, June 7–8, with next-level 5G innovation. By deploying its 5G Advanced Network Solutions (5G ANS) — including hybrid and private networks along with network slicing — T-Mobile is powering smarter race operations, sharper camera angles and lightning-fast data delivery. The result: a more immersive and responsive experience for fans at home and real-time insights that help teams perform at the highest level on the water.

“Connectivity is driving the next generation of live sports,” said Callie Field, President, T-Mobile Business Group. “With SailGP, we’re showing the world how 5G Advanced Network Solutions can unlock experiences that were once impossible, drawing fans into the heart of the action and giving teams new tools to elevate their performance on the water. That’s the kind of innovation our customers rely on — we don’t just help them lead the way; we help them stay ahead of what’s next.”

With a T-Mobile 5G-connected network, fans will get real-time HD views from new angles, and teams benefit from faster data and sharper decision-making tools. Here’s how this year’s 5G upgrades are transforming what fans see, how officials make calls and the way races unfold on the water:

• Additional cameras for immersive broadcast footage. New camera technology will equip racing catamarans with dozens of hardened, wireless cameras and AI-enabled race markers, providing dynamic, multi-angle views of the action. Cockpit cameras capture up-close, high-intensity footage of onboard strategy and crew performance, while race mark-mounted cameras capture wide-angle, water-level shots that show the broader race dynamics and environmental conditions.
• AI-enabled, autonomous buoys. Outfitted with IoT sensors and onboard instrumentation, these smart race marks collect real-time environmental and race data from all over the course. Between races, the buoys reposition themselves autonomously to adapt to changing wind and water conditions — helping ensure fair, dynamic racing while capturing more of the action for both broadcast production and officiating.
• Advanced predictive AI capabilities. Predictive AI plays a pivotal role in both broadcast production and race adjudication. By analyzing millions of data points from boats and AI-enabled race marks, it not only forecasts where the most thrilling action is about to unfold — guiding cameras to capture those moments in real time — but also informs officiating decisions. All data is transmitted to SailGP headquarters in London, where race officials use it to monitor maneuvers, enforce rules and ensure fairness with split-second precision.

“SailGP is redefining sailing with the help of our partners like T-Mobile, and at this elite level of sport that demands precision — from both the athletes and from the technology behind them,” said Warren Jones, SailGP’s Chief Technology Officer. “Out on the water, we’re dealing with constantly shifting conditions and no fixed placements, so everything has to work in real time. T-Mobile’s 5G lets us stream telemetry to London in milliseconds and adjust camera angles on the fly, so officials can make the right calls and fans don’t miss a second.”

Record-Breaking Speeds on Open Water
T-Mobile’s record-breaking 5G performance at sea is redefining live sports broadcasting. While traditional broadcasts rely on uplinks of just 10–30 Mbps, enough for one or two HD streams, T-Mobile’s network can deliver speeds that support more than 16 simultaneous HD livestreams. This broadcast-grade infrastructure operates seamlessly in one of the most challenging environments on the planet, enabling high-quality video from boats and buoys in real time. Powered by a 5G hybrid solution from 5G ANS — combining both public and private networks to broadcast from multiple points on Governors Island — T-Mobile is leveraging the full strength of public and private networks to deliver incredible performance. The result approaches fiber-like speeds and reliability, without the need for physical hardware — an especially impressive feat on the water.

“T-Mobile’s 5G tech is changing the way we race,” said Mike Buckley, U.S. SailGP Team Athlete and Team CEO. “This year’s new onboard cameras give fans an up-close look at just how much coordination, power and precision it takes to race an F50. And for us, having real-time data from every boat and buoy means fairer calls, smarter strategy, and a deeper connection between what happens on the water and what fans experience in the moment.”

What’s Next for Innovation
Looking ahead, the collaboration between SailGP and T-Mobile opens the door to even more innovation. Early explorations include adding live drone footage to enhance aerial coverage — complementing footage captured by helicopters — while continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in real-time broadcast technology.

For more information on how T-Mobile is leveraging advanced tech through 5G Advanced Network Solutions for customers, visit https://www.t-mobile.com/now.

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Also in the news:
Charter and Cox reveal agreement to combine companies
BT in final talks to sell 50% stake in TNT Sports to Warner Bros Discovery 
BT creates standalone international unit as strategic restructuring continues 

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News

A new multi-year deal will see Eutelsat’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation support Orange’s terrestrial networks

This week, Orange and Eutelsat have deepened their existing partnership, leveraging the satellite operator’s LEO offerings to support enterprise and government customers, as well as bolstering mobile backhaul.

The deal will combine the satellite network with Orange’s terrestrial networks, aiming to provide seamless connectivity to these customers even in highly remote locations.

“It is of strategic importance for Orange to invest in the unique LEO European solution that provides best in class, resilient, tailored and sovereign digital connectivity services to serve our customers wherever they are located,” said Jean Louis Le Roux, EVP Orange International Networks. “The partnership with Eutelsat for OneWeb services is of vital importance to support their digital transformation.”

Financial details of the deal were not revealed.

Eutelsat operates 35 geostationary satellites and over 600 LEO satellites, having merged with British satellite operator OneWeb in 2023.

Orange first partnered with Eutelsat back in 2020, purchasing capacity on its EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to cover the entire French territory. Earlier this year, the deal was expanded to cover Orange’s operations in the Middle East and Africa.

Alongside Eutelsat, Orange also has deals with Starlink “in certain geographies, particularly in Africa”, according to CEO Christel Heydemann.

The company is also working to develop its own “sovereign solution” with its satellite subsidiary Nordnet.

In related news, reports this week suggest that Eutelsat is in discussions to raise €1.5 billion in order to further expand its LEO capabilities.

The company has already secured the procurement of 100 new satellites, which are aimed at launch by the end of 2026, but says that a further 340 will be needed to meet its obligations to the EU’s IRIS² project.

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Also in the news:
SWR deploys Europe’s first ’Rail-5G’ Wi-Fi  
BT accelerates fibre rollout amid cost cuts
AT&T agrees $5.75 billion deal for Lumen’s consumer fibre assets

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Whitepaper

An AI-powered user-centric approach to network performance will underpin the internet of the future, argues Wi-Fi specialist Aprecomm

Not all data traffic passing through a network is equal. This is the premise at the heart of Aprecomm’s latest whitepaper, ‘Beyond QoS: Why QoE is the Future of Internet Performance Monitoring’, exploring why Quality of Service (QoS) needs to evolve to Quality of Experience (QoE) to truly benefit customers.

QoS is a set of metrics that have been the mainstay for internet service providers for decades when it comes to measuring and adjusting network performance. In short, QoS refers to a range of networking technologies-based metrics that combine to guarantee customers reliably receive a certain level of service, as defined by predetermined Service Level Agreements (SLAs). To do this, these technologies track a variety of network parameters, including bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss, allowing the network to be adjusted based on the needs of specific use cases.

But QoS is a product of its time. Conceived when each customer had few connected devices on the network and data usage was largely predictable and homogenous, QoS had relatively little thought for the end user’s experience beyond the consumer premises equipment (CPE).

Now, however, even home networking is hugely complex. Each individual interacts with a myriad of connected devices every day, with use cases as diverse as streaming 4K video, to video conferencing and online gaming. Each of these online activities has unique network requirements; streaming, for example, will benefit from maximised throughput, while low latency and jitter reduction will be more important for gaming.

QoE takes these needs into account with a deeper understanding of each application’s precise needs, allowing the network to adapt to deliver an optimised experience, rather than simply meeting minimum service requirements.

HiSense, agentic AI, and the age of the intelligent network

This more holistic approach to customer experience is at the centre of Aprecomm’s Evolv® AI-engine, which continuously tracks and scores QoE delivered by each app on the network. Every use case is given a value on Aprecomm’s patented HISense (Happiness Index Sense), which is based on various weighted metrics including latency, packet loss tolerance, bandwidth, application statistics, and network parameters. This is then cross-referenced with each application’s unique performance tolerances, allowing Aprecomm’s agentic AI platform to make real-time network optimisation adjustments without human intervention.

In addition to real-time network adjustments, the platform uses AI and machine learning models to learn over time, identifying usage patterns and recognising variations, helping to predict and mitigate traffic concerns before they arise. In this way, the platform manages the network autonomously, not only improving customer experience but also reducing operating costs for the ISP.

Differentiating service with QoE

The shift from QoS to QoE represents a fundamental change in how network performance is evaluated and managed. Minimum service level are no longer accepted by customers, who are increasingly looking for better, more intuitive, and more fulfilling experiences. By embracing a user-centric approach, QoE-based approach to network monitoring, ISPs can differentiate themselves in a competitive market and continue to scale autonomously as user network demands grow increasingly complex.

Read more about the future of network performance monitoring with Aprecomm’s whitepaper ‘Beyond QoS: Why QoE is the Future of Internet Performance Monitoring’.

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New customers looking to sign-up with Virgin Media (O2) may like to know that the ISP has today refreshed some of their home broadband packages today and is also offering a 9th Gen iPad 64GB in space grey when they purchase an 18-month MegaVolt package online, at least while stocks last.

The MegaVolt package costs £88.99 per month for 1130Mbps speed broadband, including their WiFi guarantee (30Mbps in every room or £100 back), 240+ TV channels and subscription services (including Netflix standard with ads, Sky Sports HD and Sky Cinema HD), a 250GB O2 SIM with data roaming (up to 25GB), a Hub 5 router and customers can choose a subscription service (Disney+, McAffee, Amazon Prime Video or Audible) for 6 months at no extra cost.

In addition, from now until 11th June 2025, customers that refer a friend or family member to VMO2 can pocket a £70 referral fee (a £20 boost on the standard £50 referral) when they take Virgin Media broadband or a VMO2 Volt package.

The discounts on Virgin Media’s standalone broadband packages have also changed, with prices now starting at £25.99 per month (normally £54) on an 18-month term for 125Mbps and rising up to £36.99 for 1Gbps (normally £78) with free set-up. The provider’s top 2Gbps package is currently still £69.99 (£84 after 18-months).

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has this morning announced that new and upgrading customers on their ‘Pay Monthly Plus’ or ‘Ultimate Plan’ (phone, tablet, or SIM only) can make the most of any unused 4G or 5G data (mobile broadband) each month as it will now roll over to their following months’ airtime allowance.

For example, if a customer on an eligible plan has a 50GB data allowance but only uses 30GB, the remaining 20GB will roll over – giving them 70GB to use at no extra cost the following month. If they then use 60GB of that data, no additional rollover applies, and their tariff will reset to the customer’s standard monthly allowance (in this case 50GB) for the next cycle.

Both the Plus Plans and Ultimate Plans from O2 offer other benefits and savings too, such as additional destinations to roam in (more than the standard 49 destinations), a 3-year mobile phone warranty and the ability to Switch Up, a perk that allows customers to switch their handset for any new phone of their choice, every 90 days.

Christian Hindennach, CCO of VMO2, said:

“We understand the need for flexibility – life is not always predictable – which is why we are always looking to evolve our plans and perks to meet life’s shifting needs. Data rollover is the latest benefit we are bringing to O2 customers to help keep them connected and entertained when they need it the most – at no extra cost.

Data rollover joins a host of other value enhancing benefits O2 customers can enjoy. From inclusive EU roaming, to 20% off airtime costs with Multisave, and a huge range of experiences and rewards on Priority, we’re committed to enriching life’s most important moments for our customers.”

Naturally this doesn’t benefit O2’s unlimited data plans and the double data Volt benefit is also excluded. Any data that does automatically get rolled over will last for 1 monthly billing cycle only.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News

Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington have both announced plans to leave the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at the end of this week

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Two FCC commissioners have announced plans to leave office at the end of this week.

The departures will leave only two seated FCC commissioners: Ana M. Gomez, a Democrat, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Republican.

The commissioners leaving, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington, will both be concluding their service on Friday, according to statements posted to the FCC’s website.

Starks, a Democrat, has been seated as an FCC Commissioner since 2019.

Simington, a Republican, has been seated since 2020.

In a farewell statement posted to the FCC’s webpage, Starks said serving on the FCC as a commissioner has been the highlight of his career.

“I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved together,” he stated.

Simington, meanwhile, said he believes the FCC will remain “in excellent hands” under Carr’s leadership.

In his statement, Simington said he’ll “remain committed to advancing the cause of limited government, free speech, and American innovation.”

The departures will leave a party-line split among the two seated commissioners.

Meanwhile, the seat once held by Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC’s former Democratic chairwoman, has still not been filled.

Olivia Trusty, who has been nominated to replace Rosenworcel, is awaiting her final confirmation in the U.S. Senate.

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Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.

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Podcasts

Greg Wilson, the CEO of Ripple Fiber, spoke to Beyond the Cable at Fiber Connect in Nashville to discuss the ISP’s recent headline-making moves

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

It has been a busy 2025 so far for Ripple Fiber, as was highlighted by Greg Wilson, the ISP’s CEO, in a recent appearance on Beyond the Cable.

Speaking on the podcast, which was recorded at Fiber Connect in Nashville, Wilson said Ripple Fiber has been executing a defined pre-existing plan.

Recently, the ISP made headlines by completing their strategic merger with Hyperfiber, and increasing their debt capacity to $350 million.

Wilson said Ripple Fiber and Hyperfiber grew up alongside each other as companies. He noted that Hyperfiber was an investment from the same group of investors that has supported Ripple Fiber.

He said the companies shared aligned practices, so that it would be easy to consolidate them into one company someday.

“We decided that time was right,” Wilson said.

He added that the merger makes the ISP “a really strong player in the market.”

“It lines us up well,” he said.

Wilson said the ISP sought additional capital to pursue their build plan. Additionally, he said Ripple Fiber’s investors and partners have been phenomenal to work with.

“We said we need more capital, they said, ‘they’re there,’ and they delivered,” he said.

To listen to the full interview with Wilson on Spotify, click here.

Apple Podcasts listeners, meanwhile, may click here to listen.

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Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.

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Mobile network operator Vodafone has today launched a new 4G and 5G-ready mobile data (broadband) Travel eSIM service, which now extends to 206 destinations on 700 networks – supported by its GenAI system for customer service. But they’re still just one option in a growing sea of similar services, where standing out is difficult.

The new service – travel.vodafone.com (also available via the iOS and Android app stores) – typically offers a choice of mobile data packages ranging from 1 to 150GB (GigaBytes), with up to 90 days of runtime and mobile hotspot function for multiple devices. But the prices and offers do vary a bit between countries, much as you’d expect.

A variety of data packages are available to choose from, including data top-ups and build-your-own-bundle options, along with the ability to create mobile hotspots. Standard voice calls and text messages are not included, and customers can continue to use these services via their existing or roaming mobile price plans as normal.

Vodafone are also aiming to complement their Travel eSIMs with corresponding services, including travel insurance, and making it widely available through strategic partnerships with other organisations. The first of these is Uber One, which is offering Travel eSIMs in 44 European countries as part of its new member promotion.

Travel eSIM – How it works

There are four steps to use Vodafone’s Travel eSIM:

1. Select a data package on travel.vodafone.com

2. Receive QR code by email

3. Activate eSIM when you arrive abroad

4. Surf, stream and navigate directly

In terms of customer support, Vodafone said they’ll cover this in various languages using their GenAI virtual assistant, SuperTOBI, which can apparently “understand and respond to complex customer enquiries faster and better than traditional chatbots“. But the use of AI support tends to be a bit of a marmite topic for consumers.

Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone, said:

“With our new digital platform, we are offering users of all networks across the world a worry-free, easy-to-use travel experience in more than 200 countries. The Vodafone Travel eSIM service is set to be the ideal international data service for any mobile user.”

The usual caveats with eSIM do apply here, which means that it acts as a complement (not a replacement) to your existing mobile SIM/plan – this tends to require a bit of extra end-user management in order to avoid bill shocks when abroad (i.e. make sure to disable data on your main SIM/plan, so that the eSIM becomes primary when roaming abroad). You’ll also need an eSIM compatible Smartphone/device.

Prices start at €4/£3.50/$4 for European packages, €6/£5.50/$6 for North America, €8/£7/$8 for the Middle East and €10/£8.50/$11 for data in Africa. But Vodafone doesn’t currently offer ANY “unlimited data” plans, which puts it behind some eSIM travel providers like Holafly. But it’s rates for data capped packages do seem reasonably competitive (e.g. 50GB over 30 days in the USA for £30.50).

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Network operator CityFibre, which has so far built their 5.5Gbps speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network to cover 4.4 million UK premises (4.2m Ready for Service), has today confirmed the completion of their “primary” £15 million build across the market town of Wokingham in Berkshire (England).

CityFibre originally started this deployment at the end of 2022 (here). The operator’s new network has since laid 1,211km of dense full fibre and is now ready for service to over 19,000 homes, covering around 82% of local homes and most businesses in the town.

While the primary-build is now complete, CityFibre said they would continue to explore opportunities to connect more homes and businesses, including flats, new-build homes, business parks and homes on private roads.

Neil Madle, Partnership Manager at CityFibre, said:

“Our completed rollout in Wokingham represents an exciting leap forward for digital connectivity across the town. With the UK’s top-tier digital infrastructure now in place, residents, businesses, and public institutions will benefit for generations to come.

Wokingham is a town full of opportunity and ambition, making it a key project for us. Full fibre is essential to the long-term growth of the UK market, and we look forward to building on our success, driving the town’s future economic development.”

The operator’s main gigabit-capable broadband rivals in the town are Openreach (BT) and Virgin Media (inc. nexfibre), which both have modest to very good coverage of the area. But a number of alternative networks also have some smaller patches of coverage in the town, such as Glide, Hyperoptic and Trooli etc.

CityFibre, which has so far attracted 550,000 (March 2025) live customers and have nearly upgraded their entire network to 10Gbps capable XGS-PON technology (here), currently still aspires to cover up to 8 million UK premises with their new full fibre network (funded by c.£2.4bn in equity, c.£4.9bn debt and nearly £1bn of BDUK / public subsidy) – representing c.30% of the UK. But quite when they’ll reach that point is unclear.

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The UK communications and media regulator, Ofcom, is reportedly preparing to kick off a new recruitment process – at the government’s (DSIT) behest – to find a replacement for the organisation’s current Chair, Michael Grade (Lord Grade of Yarmouth), who has been in the role since May 2022 and previously held senior positions at the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Grade’s four-year term is officially due to run until 30th April 2026, although there has been no suggestion that he will exit the role before that date. At the same time, Sky News reports that, according to “insiders“, there was also little prospect of him seeking to be reappointed for a second term in the job. Chair’s often change when government’s change.

Readers might well have forgotten by now, but Ofcom’s previous attempt to find a new Chair (starting in 2020 after Lord Burns agreed to step down) ended up being a long-winded, complex, and sometimes highly controversial affair (here) – the process was even restarted at one point. The new Labour government will hopefully be aiming for a smoother ride this time around, but it remains to be seen whether that will be the outcome.

The next Chair’s greatest areas of focus are likely to be on Ofcom’s ever expanding role in the regulation of internet content, as well as the switch to IP based TV services (away from terrestrial signals via the air waves), the future roll-out of 6G mobile and their approach to the next big phase of fixed line telecoms regulation in 2031 (the current 2026 market review is more about continuity than radical change).

In addition, Ofcom may well be handed more responsibility for Data Centres, which were recently re-classified (here) as being part of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Whoever wins the top job will also be required to give up any non-executive roles that could cause a conflict of interest.