The Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) in Wales has signed a new agreement that will allow rural ISP Voneus to install their fixed wireless gigabit broadband network equipment on top of local street lighting columns, which will make it easier for them to expand into the county’s poorly served rural communities.

The announcement notes that the provider will use this to send its wireless signal from “column to column … meaning long distances can be traveled into more rural areas“. This will almost certainly adopt the same approach as we’ve seen elsewhere (here), which involved the use of Cambium Networks’ 60GHz cnWave (Terragraph) wireless network technology.

At present there are no details on the provider’s future roll-out plan for the county and so it’s difficult to know how many premises will benefit from this agreement or where, although it’s worth noting that Openreach’s full fibre (FTTP) lines have already reached around two thirds of the entire county. But Voneus’ wireless network doesn’t require masses of new trenching, making it fairly quick and less disruptive to deploy.

Customers of the new wireless network can currently expect to pay from £25.99 per month (normally £38.99) for symmetric speeds of 250Mbps (inc. free router and installation) on a 24-month minimum term, which rises to £49.99 for 900Mbps (normally £74.99). The first month of service is also being offered for free.

Ilan Scorah, Director of Strategy and Planning at Voneus, said:

“Our partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council is another significant milestone for Voneus helping broadband connectivity in rural Carmarthenshire, where connectivity has often been a challenge. Strengthening our partnerships with local authorities helps lead the way for better digital access which we know can make a substantial difference in fostering economic growth, enhancing educational opportunities, and improving overall quality of life.”

Cllr Hazel Evans said:

“I am thrilled to have this new agreement with Voneus in place. It’s a positive step towards bridging the digital divide in the harder to reach rural areas of the county. Building working relationships to better the services of residents and businesses in Carmarthenshire is integral to the region and I hope that we can continue to collaborate with providers to improve broadband connectivity in our rural communities.”

However, it’s worth noting that Voneus are currently going through a bit of a difficult period, which this month saw them drop out of the Government’s £12m (state aid) Project Gigabit broadband roll-out contract for Mid West Shropshire (here) and suffer a spate of complaints about their legacy network (here). But the operator has still been pulling in tens of millions in fresh investment from Global Connectivity PLC via Rural Broadband Solutions Holdings Limited (RBSHL).

Network testing firm Ookla (i.e. Speedtest.net, Downdetector.co.uk) has used its crowdsourced data to examine how 5G mobile (mobile broadband) networks performed across a selection of major world cities, including London in the UK, during last year’s New Year’s Eve (Dec 2023) celebrations.

The study essentially analysed how 5G networks coped with the “surge in demand and change in traffic patterns” at New Year, across a selection of major cities featuring some of the largest New Year celebrations around the globe. As part of this, they focused in on median performance alongside the slowest 10th percentile, in order to evaluate the spread of performance from the median user to those experiencing more challenging network conditions.

Firstly, in terms of upload speed (this is most important when sharing social media content from big events), half the cities in their analysis recorded 10th percentile upload performance of less than 1Mbps, with speeds ranging from 0.30Mbps in Berlin, to 6.09Mbps in Dubai. London delivered a median average upload speed of 9.42Mbps, while those in the slowest 10% suffered 0.77Mbps.

It was a similar picture for New Year revellers based on download speeds and latency, albeit with far better overall performance. Dubai topped the table with a median download of 493.55Mbps and a 10th percentile score of 97.52Mbps, while Bangkok came last with a median of 63.25Mbps and a 10th percentile of 2.72Mbps. By comparison, London delivered a mid-table median of 109.12Mbps and a 10th percentile of 12Mbps.

As for latency (milliseconds), the fastest was Rio de Janeiro with a median of 25ms and a 10th percentile of 54ms, while the slowest was Tokyo on a median of 45ms and a 10th percentile of 64ms. Sadly, London was the 2nd slowest on a median of 42ms and a dramatically worse 10th percentile of 116ms (the slowest 10th percentile city was Sydney on 232ms).

The results are something that some people may find interesting, while also helping to highlight areas where mobile network operators may need to invest. But there aren’t too many earth-shattering revelations above, and it would have been more useful had Ookla released this back in January 2024, when the data was still fairly current and thus more reflective.

London focused UK broadband ISP G.Network, which has deployed a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across 361,000 “connectable” premises in parts of London (here), has today begun a new discount that cuts the price of their 300Mbps (100Mbps upload) package to just £20 per month on a 24-month term (£30 thereafter).

The special price, which will be available to order until 4th February 2025, also includes free installation, unlimited usage, a pledge of no mid-contract price hikes, an included router and free parental controls.

New residential customers can sometimes also get up to £150 towards any early termination charges payable when ending their existing broadband agreement before the end of their minimum term. But at the time of writing, we aren’t sure if this applies to the new offer (will update late this morning).

The North Yorkshire Council (NYC) has called on the UK government to help it find funding and solutions for the remaining 11,000 properties in the county that, once existing roll-outs of gigabit-capable broadband ISP networks have completed, will likely still be left without access to “decent internet connections“.

The original state-aid backed Superfast North Yorkshire (SFNY) project, which was supported by £100m of investment (£85m from public sources) and completed a few months ago (here), previously helped more than 200,000 extra premises to access faster broadband speeds via a mix of different technologies (FTTC, FTTP, Fixed Wireless etc.) and operators (Openreach and Quickline).

Since then Quickline has scooped up the £73.5m (state aid) Project Gigabit broadband roll-out contract for North Yorkshire (Lot 31), which over the next few years will aim to extend their 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) network to reach an additional 36,300 premises in hard-to-reach (usually rural) parts of the county. Quickline also intends to use their own complementary commercial deployment to push beyond that contracted figure.

However, despite the progress, the NYC has warned that the current projections suggest that around 11,000 premises in the county will still be left without access to “decent internet connections” (they don’t define this). At present over 95% of premises in the county can access speeds of 30Mbps+ and more than 75% can get a gigabit (1000Mbps+) broadband service, most of which have been delivered via commercial deployments.

Carl Les, Council Leader and NYnet Board Member, said:

“A great deal of work has been undertaken in recent years to ensure that there are far better connections for tens of thousands of people in North Yorkshire.

I would urge the Government to build on the work that has been already undertaken by ourselves here in the county and make sure that every home and business has access to superfast broadband connections.

We cannot have a technology divide between our urban and rural areas, which means you are disadvantaged simply by where you live for decent access to the internet.”

For its part the government’s Project Gigabit programme still has around £2bn left to be committed over the next few years. But a good chunk of that will no doubt go toward future build contracts for other parts of the UK (i.e. mostly Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a few remaining bits of England also in the procurement pipeline), which should still leave a fair bit for allocation under a future phase of the programme.

The government are otherwise still pondering over the best approach for what remains, which will be difficult as the cost per premises passed rises disproportionately as you look toward ever more remote, sparse and thus challenging rural communities. This is why Project Gigabit’s coverage goal is usually expressed as “nationwide” or c.99% of premises by 2030, since those in the final sub-1% are often too expensive to reach via fixed lines (i.e. tiny communities can cost hundreds of thousands or even a few million pounds to serve).

The expectation is that those who living in the most challenging “Very Hard to Reach Areas” may require a more diverse mix of solutions involving fixed wireless, mobile (4G, 5G, 6G), satellites and some fibre optic lines. But precisely what approach the government will take is still the subject of much speculation, and this is only going to grow as more local authorities reach the same stage as North Yorkshire.

However, we should add that commercial deployments, such as with respect to Openreach’s future plans to reach up to 30 million premises with FTTP by 2030, could still have a positive impact in helping to bring down North Yorkshire’s 11,000 premises figure. But it’s too early to know how much of an impact, as they haven’t yet released the build plan for that phase.

News 

The acquisition was first announced back in March

Swisscom has officially received the green light for its acquisition of Vodafone Italia, following approval from both the Italian Competition Authority and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT). With regulatory hurdles cleared, Swisscom is now set to complete the deal by the first quarter of 2025. 

Last week, the Italian Competition Authority approved the transaction, accepting a series of behavioural commitments proposed by Swisscom. These include continuing to provide wholesale services to interested operators in line with Fastweb’s current practices, as well as sharing relevant information in any public tenders where Fastweb or Vodafone Italia is the supplier. An independent trustee will oversee the implementation of these commitments for the next three years. 

MIMIT granted unconditional approval for the deal on 19 December 2024, confirming the change of control over Vodafone Italia’s spectrum licenses. This followed positive assessments from the Italian Authority for Communications and the Italian Competition Authority. 

The merger of Fastweb and Vodafone Italia is expected to deliver substantial benefits to Italian consumers and businesses by combining their strong fixed and mobile infrastructures and expanding their range of services. The merger will create Italy’s second-largest fixed-line broadband operator behind Telecom Italia (TIM). This, they said, will create around €600 million in savings through increased scale and a more efficient cost structure. As part of the transaction, Vodafone will provide some service to Swisscom for the next five years. 

With regulatory approvals now in place, Swisscom anticipates that the acquisition will be finalised in early 2025, marking a new phase for the company in the Italian telecom market. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter  

Also in the news:
Equinix to buy BT’s Irish data centre business for €59m
World’s first 5G-A region in Mobile AI Era launched
Part 1: Some US broadband industry predictions as we approach 2025

Viewpoints

With the recent election behind us, there’s a noticeable shift in broadband industry sentiment.

By: Jason Malmquist, EVP, Head of Software and IT Services Business at CHR Solutions

To read the first part of this viewpoint series, click here.

Following the election, industry stakeholders are cautiously optimistic now about potential improvements in financing conditions, strategic network expansion, and the evolving competitive landscape. As we look to 2025, several key trends and challenges are emerging in the broadband industry; here are my top predictions.

1. Interest rates and cost of capital could stabilize

With political uncertainty temporarily out of the way, there’s hope for a more stable economic environment. We could see a reduction in interest rates and cost of capital. This would encourage providers to think more strategically about network investments. With financing a significant constraint over the past few years, any decrease in these costs could empower broadband companies to invest more confidently in their infrastructure.

2. Renewed focus on operational efficiency

During 2024, there were slower network buildouts and a shift toward operationalizing existing networks. Providers turned their attention to converting network passings to paying customers, a trend that’s likely to continue in 2025. While some new builds may resume, the frenetic pace of 2023 will not return. Instead, ISPs are looking at ways to optimize customer acquisition and improve ROI on existing networks. Expect to see targeted buildouts where demand is highest and a continued emphasis on streamlining operations.

3. Consolidation in the broadband space

A significant buzzword for 2025 is consolidation. Industry players and analysts are predicting that we’ll see more mergers and acquisitions this year because the convergence of high infrastructure costs and increased competition is driving many smaller providers to consider alliances or acquisitions as a way to stay competitive. Interestingly, even some co-ops—historically resistant to merging—are discussing consolidation. While co-op mergers may still be unlikely, this growing dialogue indicates that the landscape could shift as companies look for ways to scale efficiently and meet demand.

4. Starlink’s growing influence

In a surprising turn, Starlink’s influence on the broadband sector is growing. Providers are voicing more concern about the competitive threat posed by Starlink’s satellite internet service, especially with recent reports indicating that Starlink wasn’t significantly included in many broadband plans but may soon become a viable part of the ecosystem. While it’s not poised to replace traditional ISPs, Starlink’s coverage and appeal in underserved areas has made it a real competitor. In light of this, ISPs may need to reconsider their strategies, especially in rural regions where Starlink can offer a viable alternative.

5. Increased automation in service delivery

Indications are that during 2025, we will likely see a push toward greater automation in service delivery. From order processing to scheduling, the demand for seamless customer experiences is fueling automation across the board. Providers want to streamline the entire sales and onboarding process—from self-order systems to door-to-door sales tracking, shortening timelines and improving service reliability. The belief is that enhanced automation will enable ISPs to handle higher customer volumes more efficiently, driving both cost savings and customer satisfaction.

6. Rising cybersecurity threats for ISPs

Cybersecurity is no longer just a concern—it’s a critical risk that ISPs must address. Today’s cyber threats are sophisticated and coordinated, often executed by criminal organizations with ample resources and expertise. Smaller ISPs, especially in rural or underserved areas, are particularly vulnerable, as they may lack the IT infrastructure and security staff to defend against targeted attacks. These risks are significant: a security breach can lead to prolonged service outages, loss of customer data, and lasting damage to a company’s reputation. Therefore, ISPs need to prioritize cybersecurity, incorporating more advanced defenses and, ideally, dedicated teams or partnerships to mitigate these threats.

In summary …

The broadband industry will be defined by strategic expansions, a focus on efficiency, competitive pressure from satellite providers, and the urgent need for cybersecurity in 2025. It’s a complex environment, but with the right mix of innovation, automation, and strategic planning, providers can capitalize on opportunities and address the emerging challenges. By staying adaptable and vigilant, ISPs can navigate the evolving landscape and continue to deliver essential connectivity to their customers.

Click here to read Part 1: Some broadband industry predictions as we approach 2025 by Bob Bartz, VP of engineering at CHR Solutions.

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News 

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval

Equinix has announced it will acquire BT Group’s datacentre business in Ireland for €59 million. The deal includes two datacentres in Dublin, located in CityWest and Ballycoolin, covering a total of 150,000 square feet.

This acquisition follows BT’s strategic review of its international operations and is part of the company’s shift toward an asset-light model. By stepping away from owning and operating datacentres, BT aims to focus more on its core strengths in cloud, networking, and security, while partnering with global companies like Equinix to deliver scalable datacentre services to its customers.   

Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, explained that this deal marks an exciting new phase for the company’s datacentre business in Ireland. “This announcement with Equinix marks an exciting new chapter for our datacentre business in Ireland. The deal builds on our existing successful partnership with Equinix and ensures that customers will benefit from top-tier datacentre services nationally and globally, allowing BT to specialise in our core strengths in cloud, networking, and security,” he said in a press release. 

Equinix a digital infrastructure company, has a long-established presence in Ireland. With this acquisition, Equinix will strengthen its position in the Irish market, offering customers more robust interconnection services through its vast global platform.  

“This acquisition of assets from our existing facility enables us to continue to offer exceptional interconnection services from our unique global platform, augmenting the €35 million annual contribution to national economic output arising from Equinix’s direct and indirect spend, measured in 2022,” added Peter Lantry, Managing Director of Equinix Ireland. 

In the coming months, Equinix will work closely with BT to ensure a smooth transition of the datacentres, with minimal disruption for customers. The two facilities will soon be fully integrated into Equinix’s global network. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news direct to your inbox from Total Telecom 

Also in the news:
Part 1: Some US broadband industry predictions as we approach 2025
Part 2: More US broadband predictions as we approach 2025
Europe is the top target for hacktivists, Orange Cyberdefense report reveals 

Contributed Article 

This month, at the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit 18th edition in Dubai, the world’s first 5G-A region in the mobile AI era was launched. Under the theme ‘Global. Regional. Digital.’ the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit spotlit the industry’s main trends, including 5G, cloud, data centers, and digitilisation

The launch followed a panel discussion, in which a group of ten industry professionals gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities in advancing 5G technology in the Middle East. Key points included the need for cross-industry collaboration, open APIs, and spectrum utilisation.  

The panelists included: 

Fayez Abu Awad, Policy Director, MENA, GSMA 

Khalid Al Awadi, Manager, Broadcasting and Space Services, TDRA UAE 

Hasan Alshemeili, Head of Technology Planning, du 

Dr. Ayman Elnashar, VP of Technology Strategy, Architecture & Innovation, e& 

Ramy Boctor, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Qatar 

Stelios Savvides, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Oman 

Hicham Siblini, Chief Technology and Infrastructure Officer, Ooredoo Qatar 

Allen Tang, President of ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Dept, Huawei MECA 

Zoran Lazarevic, Chief Technology Officer, Ericsson MEA 

Mohamed Samir, VP Middle East Market, Nokia 

Etisalat and du highlighted their 5G network coverage and speed achievements, with Etisalat covering 99% outdoor populated areas. The discussion emphasised the importance of AI in network management and the potential for 5G to enhance digital transformation across different sectors. 

“We believe that 5G advanced influence in the Middle East will help accelerate digital transformations by enhancing connectivity across different sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation,” said Hasan Alshemeili, Head of Technology Planning at du. 

“When moving to 5G Advanced, we are more in need of cross industry collaboration, an aspect which the GSMA is actively working on,” said Fayez Abu Awad, Policy Director, MENA at the GSMA. 

5G Advanced, also known as 5.5G, is the next evolution of 5G technology, designed to enhance current networks while paving the way for 6G. This upgrade will deliver even faster speeds, lower latency, and improved coverage, making it ideal for applications like connected vehicles, industrial automation, and immersive technologies such as AR and VR. By integrating AI, 5G Advanced networks will be smarter and more efficient, capable of handling more devices and optimising performance in real time. 

The Middle East is already becoming a world leader in 5G-A, having become a global leader in 5G already. According to the GSMA, 5G networks now cover 75% or more of the population in the GCC states, whilst also increasing investment in 5G standalone (SA) and 5G-Advanced use cases. 

For example, earlier this month, UAE-based operator du launched its 5G-Advanced Commercial Innovation Centre in Dubai, aimed at exploring how the capabilities of 5G-A can create innovative new services.  

The Innovation Centre will work to develop new services in the consumer, home, and enterprise segments, leveraging 5G-A’s improved capabilities over traditional 5G, including speeds of up to 5Gbps, lower latency, and greater capacities. 

The event finished with the launch ceremony celebrating the joint efforts of regulators, operators, and vendors, and in positioning the Middle East as a global leader in 5G-Advanced technology. 

The launch “symbolises a new era of connectivity and innovation. Everyone here’s presence underscores the collaboration and technological strides that have made this milestone possible.” 

Looking ahead, the launch of the world’s first 5G-A region marks a major step forward in next-generation connectivity. With the Middle East leading the way, the focus will now be on expanding 5G-Advanced applications, from smart cities to immersive digital experiences. 

The milestone highlights the power of collaboration between regulators, operators, and vendors. As investments and innovation continue to grow, the region is set to play a key role in shaping the future of mobile AI and advanced connectivity worldwide. 

Viewpoints

The broadband industry is poised for significant change as we move forward into 2025

By: Bob Bartz, VP of Engineering at CHR Solutions

To read the Part 2 of this viewpoint series, click here.

New technologies and evolving challenges are driving innovation and adaptation with respect to how we expand connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas. As a result, and based on my three decades of experience in telecommunications and broadband engineering, I thought I’d share some key predictions for the year ahead — from the rise of satellite solutions like Starlink to advancements in engineering tools and the ongoing challenges of permitting.

1. Starlink’s expanding influence on wireline broadband

We’re seeing Starlink make more of an impact on the broadband landscape than initially expected, particularly in rural and remote areas. The company’s constellation of low-earth orbit satellites has become a viable alternative to traditional wireline builds, which have become cost-prohibitive. Starlink’s reach into underserved regions will not only change the way we think about connectivity but also how federal funding is allocated.

The implications here are profound. As Starlink continues to evolve, government agencies may begin re-evaluating their funding priorities to better support a hybrid broadband model. By blending satellite and wireline solutions, broadband needs can be addressed in a more balanced way, focusing resources where they’re most effective. I anticipate that in 2025, federal funding will increasingly accommodate this hybrid approach, thus reshaping the landscape of rural broadband builds.

2. Enhanced imagery: The next frontier in broadband engineering

The role of imagery in broadband engineering is evolving, with enhanced and high-resolution imagery becoming a crucial tool for efficient project planning and risk mitigation. In the past, we relied on imagery mainly for initial assessments and mapping, but I see it becoming indispensable for real-time decision-making.

Drone technology, in particular, is a game-changer – even in this space. Drones provide high-resolution aerial images that allow engineers to capture data about terrain and vegetation with exceptional precision. With the ability to conduct aerial surveys over hard-to-access or expansive areas, drones eliminate the need for time-intensive, costly ground inspections, speeding up the design process and minimizing risks from changing environmental factors.

This combination of enhanced imagery and drone technology allows us to address challenges more efficiently, as it reduces the need for repeat site visits and cuts down on project costs, all of which accelerates the deployment of broadband infrastructure. In 2025, I anticipate that drones and high-quality imagery needs to be standard tools in broadband engineering, helping us streamline projects and build networks that are resilient to environmental changes.

3. The permitting process: A rising challenge

In my view, permitting is now the second biggest roadblock to broadband deployment, right behind funding. Submitting a permit application is usually just the start of a long, complex process. The real challenges come with tracking its status, adjusting designs to accommodate permit requirements, and managing communications with permitting authorities—all of which can drive up costs for providers.

This ongoing permitting process also adds significant overhead, particularly for projects where multiple layers of bureaucracy can lead to delays. In 2025, I believe we’ll see a renewed push to simplify permitting processes at local, state, and federal levels. However, until those reforms take effect, providers should prepare for the increased time and costs associated with permit management and compliance.

Left to right: By: Bob Bartz, VP of Engineering and By: Jason Malmquist, EVP, Head of Software and IT Services Business at CHR Solutions.

Moving forward

The broadband industry is on the brink of transformative change. Starlink’s expanding role, the rise of enhanced imagery in engineering, and the complex permitting landscape each bring their own challenges and opportunities.

By leveraging these insights, broadband providers can make informed decisions, overcome obstacles, and help bridge the digital divide. We’re on a path toward broader, more accessible connectivity, and 2025 promises to be a year where we see meaningful strides in that direction.

Click here to read the Part 2 of this viewpoint series, by Jason Malmquist, EVP and head of software and IT services business at CHR Solutions.

Join the conversation about connectivity in North America. Click here to learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025.

Viewpoint

[Beijing, China, December 16, 2024] Huawei announced today that Forrester, an international authoritative organization, recently released The Zero Trust Edge Solutions Landscape, Q4 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the “Report”), which provides an overview of zero trust edge solutions (secure access service edge or SASE technologies like SD-WAN, ZTNA, SWG) of 25 vendors. This report provides an authoritative definition and overview of the zero trust edge market. Huawei has been named among notable vendors for two consecutive years.

The report analyzes the business value of SASE and covers the market maturity, technologies, and application scenarios of SASE solutions provided by different vendors. The report allows readers to identify potential partners who are the right fit for their organizations to implement a zero trust edge security model.

Huawei Xinghe Intelligent SASE Solution Building an Intelligent Security Protection System for Enterprises

In an increasingly complex network security environment, zero trust architecture has become the key for enterprises to ensure business continuity and cope with uncertainty. Huawei is one of the world’s first mainstream vendors to develop SASE solutions and has won multiple international security awards.

As more services are moved to clouds and more people are opting for hybrid working, enterprise branch networks face tremendous security challenges, and network security incidents occur one after another around the world. To address these challenges, Huawei’s Xinghe Intelligent SASE Solution provides a network security system featuring intelligent detection, collaboration, and integration by leveraging the cloud-network-edge-endpoint integrated architecture.

Intelligent detection: Huawei has made a breakthrough in the lightweight file emulator technology, which can unpack files in milliseconds. The lightweight Site AI model on the local gateway and 18 small AI models on the cloud are used to detect unknown threats, improving the detection rate to 95%.

Intelligent collaboration: Huawei’s HiSec Endpoint uses the innovative threat source tracing graph engine to accurately identify ransomware, achieving a 100% ransomware detection rate. With endpoint-network-storage collaboration, once ransomware is detected on one node, the information is synchronized to all network and storage devices for them to take protective measures.

Intelligent integration: Huawei’s unified security analysis platform has over 8000 inference rules and automatically delivers matching rules to automatically handle 99% of security events on the entire network in seconds. Branches do not need to assign dedicated maintenance personnel, improving operation efficiency by 100 times.

Huawei’s Xinghe Intelligent SASE Solution has been recognized by governments and enterprises in the finance, energy, transportation, education, healthcare, and other sectors around the world, helping them deploy zero trust architecture and build a next-generation security system for future business development.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to invest in the research and development of new technologies based on customer needs and help customers build a secure zero-trust network environment in the intelligent era.