Community broadband ISP B4RN, which typically works with volunteers inside rural villages to deploy their new 10Gbps full fibre (FTTP) network across parts of England, has today celebrated the effective completion of their resilient 400Gbps ring network across the North of England by uploading a new video of their work. Firstly, the usual recap. B4RN […]

The CEO of Vodafone Group, Margherita Della Valle, has revealed that their proposed mega-merger with Three UK (CK Hutchison) is being reviewed by the Government under the National Security and Investment Act 2021, which reports suggest is linked to CKH’s perceived ties to China and any potential risks of access to sensitive national infrastructure. The […]

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Yemeni telecoms operators say they fear Houthis may destroy submarine cable infrastructure as part of the ongoing conflict

Vague threats from Houthi rebels have Yemeni telecoms operators fearing that local submarine cable infrastructure could be in jeopardy.

Late last year, a Houthi-linked Telegram channel published a map showing submarine network infrastructure in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf alongside a message that appeared to imply these cables could become targets for future aggression.

“There are maps of international cables connecting all regions of the world through the sea. It seems that Yemen is in a strategic location, as internet lines that connect entire continents — not only countries—pass near it,” read the post.

The Red Sea is a vitally important thoroughfare for international data traffic, allowing data to travel from Asia and Africa into the Mediterranean Sea and on to Europe via the Suez Canal. The Red Sea’s floor plays host to 16 submarine cables that reportedly carry around 17% of the world’s internet traffic, including crucial military communications for the surrounding region.

Perhaps the most important of these cables is the Asia-Africa-Europe (AAE-1) cable, which spans over 25,000km and connects Southeast Asia to Europe. Damage to the AAE-1 or accompanying cables could have major ramifications not only for the local economies that rely on them for connectivity but also for the international data community.

In recent months, this fact has become more pertinent with Yemeni Houthi rebels conducting a drone-led attack campaign against commercial shipping in the region in retaliation for the ongoing war in Gaza. This has led to major bombing campaigns in Yemen by Western powers, with the conflict expanding to include around a dozen countries.

But could this conflict realistically come to also encompass submarine cable infrastructure? The realities of such an attack seem unlikely. While the general location of submarine infrastructure is published by the community in order for maritime traffic to avoid damaging the cable, locating the cable accurately enough to attack it from the surface would be very difficult without precision equipment. Similarly, getting close enough to attack these cables without submersibles – particularly in an area constantly patrolled by various naval vessels – would be a risky business.

On the other hand, the part of the seabed where the cables pass near the Yemeni coast is notably shallow, reaching depths of only about 100m. While this would be of little help to the Houthis when it comes to locating the cables themselves, it does make the prospect of damaging these cables more feasible using conventional means; for example, using submersible explosives similar to the sea mines that the Houthi’s have deployed in the Red Sea for numerous years.

If a cable were to be damaged, the repair process would likely be arduous. There is only a very limited number of cable ships available internationally to perform the repairs, many of which would have to travel for days or even weeks to reach the location of the break. Couple this with the added complexity and security requirements of working on a cable in troubled waters like the Red Sea and cables could take months to repair.

For now, the Houthis’ veiled threats to submarine cable infrastructure seem to be little more than hot air, but they do highlight a growing appreciation for the critical role that submarine cable infrastructure plays in global economy – and the far-reaching impact disrupting these systems could have for the international community.

How are global conflicts impacting international data traffic? Join the submarine networks community in discussion at this year’s Submarine Networks EMEA conference

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The funding is part of the UK’s national quantum strategy, which was published in March last year and commits £2.5 billion to the development of quantum technologies over the next decade 

Today, the UK government has announced that it will invest £45 million in the country’s quantum sector as part of its ongoing commitment to become a quantum-enabled economy by 2033. 

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund and the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) will invest two thirds of the investment (£30 million) to relevant companies via a competition to help develop and deliver world-leading prototype quantum computers. The funds will support the competition winners to set up quantum computing testbeds, providing a controlled environment in which scientists can study quantum bits – the basic unit of information in a quantum computer. This will enable them to test and validate new algorithms and technologies, as well as exploring how to scale up these technologies in future. 

The remaining third (£15 million) comes from the Quantum Catalyst Fund, which aims to accelerate the use of quantum technology in the public sector. More specifically, it aims to speed up the process of the integration of quantum solutions across varying policy areas, such as in healthcare, where it could be used to detect early signs of dementia, or in energy sector, where it could help manage the electricity grid. 

“The UK is already one global leader in quantum and to maintain that position this government will continue to invest in this transformational technology propelling the UK into a new era of technological prowess and economic growth,” said Science Minister, Andrew Griffith MP in a press release. 

Quantum technologies are one of the UK government’s five critical technologies set out in the UK Science and Technology Framework, the government’s approach to transforming the UK into a science and technology superpower by 2030. The other four key technologies are: AI, engineering biology, future telecommunications, and semiconductors. 

“We are on the brink of a quantum technology revolution that is poised to transform diverse industries from the financial sector to healthcare, and UKRI is committed to ensuring the UK’s place at the forefront of this,” said Dr Kedar Pandya, executive director of cross-council programmes. 

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

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Broadband ISP Exascale, which is building their own gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to around 2,000 premises – mostly around Telford and Wrekin, has joined with the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust (SNCT) to extend their network to the poorly served Wappenshall Junction redevelopment project in Shropshire (England). Due to its historic importance, Telford and Wrekin […]

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According to 4iG, the deal will capture a large share of the rapidly growing data traffic market between Asia, East Africa, and Europe 

Telecom Egypt and Hungary-based telecoms group 4iG have signed the terms of cooperation on a joint venture to build a subsea cable between Albania and Egypt. The deal, which was first announced last October through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, will see the creation of to the first every subsea cable linking the two countries. 

The cable will create a high-capacity intercontinental connection linking Africa and Asia  to Europe via Egypt and the Red Sea, and onwards to the Mediterranean. As well as Albania, the cable will also include a branch to Italy, with the option to extend the cable to other Mediterranean destinations such as Greece and Cyprus. 

“Our strong market presence in Albania gives us the opportunity to make the additional onshore investments necessary for the success of the project and to open a new data gateway to Europe in cooperation with Telecom Egypt,” said 4iG Group Chairman Gellért Jászai. 

Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, who was present at the signing, emphasised that Egypt desires to grow its international digital infrastructure capacity, given that more than 90% of international data traffic between East and West passes through the country.  

“Work is underway to establish another five international subsea cables through international alliances,” he continued. 

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

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A selection of the month’s most important stories from the US telecoms market, with commentary from Maddie Hicks, lead conference producer for Connected America 

SpaceX begins launching next-gen satellites for direct-to-mobile services: With US mobile giant T-Mobile already signed on as a major partner, Elon Musk’s latest upgrade to the Starlink satellite constellation will see the company deliver connectivity directly to unmodified smartphones – a move he says could eliminate ‘not-spots’ across the country.  
Hewlett Packard Enterprise closes in on $13 billion Juniper Networks acquisition: HPE believes its purchase of Juniper will help boost its AI and 5G capabilities, helping it carve out a more significant share of the networking market. 
FCC urges Congress to approve more funding for Affordable Connectivity Programme: With ACP funding running out, the FCC are one of numerous industry bodies fighting for more funding to keep the broadband subsidy programme afloat.   
AT&T, Google, and Vodafone partner for $155 million investment in AST SpaceMobile : Starlink is not the only option in the burgeoning direct-to-device satellite connectivity market, with three major players throwing their money behind SpaceX’s rival AST SpaceMobile. 
The US has narrow window “to get back on track” with spectrum strategy: As data demand continues to rise, time is running out for US policymakers to revise their approach to spectrum strategy, according to the CTIA. 
Reunited: Dish Network and EchoStar complete merger: Charlie Ergen’s telecoms empire is reunited, with wireless network operator Dish reabsorbed by its once parent company, satellite operator EchoStar.  

“For many consumers, the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is devastating news. Unless additional funding is approved soon, the FCC projects that funding will run out in April. This leaves the 23 million households currently enrolled in the program facing a time of immense uncertainty regarding their internet access. The end of the ACP is likely to exacerbate the digital divide, potentially leaving millions of people unable to afford broadband.

The first month of 2024 also proved that direct-to-device satellite communications technology is likely to be increasingly important in the American telecoms landscape. With both AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX strengthening their partnerships with major operators, parts of the USA that are unreachable by terrestrial networks could soon have mobile connectivity.

Join the Total Telecom team at Connected America on March 12-13 to hear experts from across the telecoms ecosystem discussing the most pressing connectivity topics! Get your ticket today.“

– Maddie Hicks, lead conference producer for Connected America

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Leicester-based broadband ISP Gigabit Networks has today announced that they’ve extended the availability of their full fibre (FTTP and Ethernet) services and packages, via CityFibre’s national UK network, to include the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Renfrewshire for the first time. The internet provider’s platform can also cater for homes and businesses, as well […]

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Telenor’s Thai unit, Total Access Communication (Dtac), was merged with rival True Corp early last year

This week, Norwegian telco group Telenor has announced it will book an 8.04 billion Norwegian kroner ($760.3 million) impairment in Q4 2023 for its investment in True Corp.

The company’s shares had fallen from 8.15 Thai Baht ($0.23) at the start of 2023 to 5.05 Baht ($0.14) at the end of the year, hence the necessity of recognising the impairment.

But despite the share price dropping by around a third, Telenor remains positive on its True Corp investment.

“This mark-to-market alignment has no cash implication and does not reflect any changes to Telenor’s view on the outlook and ownership of True,” Telenor said in a statement. “The Dtac–True Corporation transaction remains positive for Telenor and True Corporation remains a key asset.”

Telenor currently holds a 30.2% stake in True Corp, the Thai mobile operator resulting from the merger of Telenor’s Dtac and Charoen Pokphand Group’s True Corp last year.

The $7 billion merger, which had been in the works since 2021, was finally completed in early 2023.

The controversial deal faced significant delays, with detractors arguing that reducing the number of players in the Thai mobile market to just two would negative impact competition and drive up consumer prices.

Since the merger’s completion, the newly combined True has faced significant costs in integrating Dtac’s network, as well as the ongoing rollout of its 5G network.

The company is also embroiled in a dispute with rival operator National Telecom (NT) related to interconnection charges, with a tribunal in October ordering True to pay NT almost $200 million. True is appealing the ruling.

Keep up with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

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The new Freely platform, which is designed to be a broadband internet (streaming) based evolution and replacement of the UK’s existing Freeview (inc. Freeview Play and Freesat) TV service, has today given a first look at some of its features and confirmed that it will officially launch in Q2 2024. Freeview is a good but […]