Mobile network operator Lyca Mobile, which is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that runs off EE’s (BT) national platform, has today launched a new range of mobile “Fan Plans” that are specially tailored toward supporters of West Ham United Football Club. The West Ham United Fan Plan is the first bespoke commercial initiative launched […]

News 

The deal, announced in February this year, had a deadline of 15th August 

Intel has mutually agreed to terminate its $5.4 billion deal to acquire Israeli chipmaker Tower Semiconductor after being unable to get timely regulatory approval, the companies said today. 

Reports suggest that the termination of the deal has come after failure to get regulatory approval from the Chinese authorities (namely The State Administration for Market Regulation).  

Due to the size and significance of this potential acquisition to the global semiconductor supply chain, regulatory bodies worldwide must give their approval. According to reports from the FT, sources close to the deal noted the extreme difficulty in obtaining Chinese approval for a US company to acquire a chip fabrication plant because of the strong export rules placed on Chinese firms, as well as the sour geopolitical relationship between the two countries.  

“After careful consideration and thorough discussions and having received no indications regarding certain required regulatory approval, both parties have agreed to terminate their merger agreement having passed the August 15, 2023 outside date,” said Tower Semiconductor in a statement.  

The two companies had a deadline of 15th August by which to complete the takeover; now this deadline has passed, Intel will be forced to pay Tower Semiconductor a termination fee of $353 million, as per the terms of their initial agreement. 

Intel first announced its intentions to acquire Tower Semiconductor back in February 2022.  The deal would see Intel use Tower Semiconductor’s technology to grow its own portfolio, global footprint, and manufacturing capabilities in an attempt to combat rising demand.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said his respect for Tower Semiconductor “has only grown through this process and we will continue to look for opportunities to work together in the future.” 

As regulatory blockages in such situations are not uncommon, the outcome is not totally unexpected. US listed shares in Tower Semiconductor have been trading below the proposed purchasing price of $53 for some time as confidence the companies would complete the deal began to dwindle. Shares of Tower Semiconductor fell around 9% in both the US and Israel this week. 

Join the discussion on the global semiconductor industry at this year’s Total Telecom Congress – book your tickets here! 

Also in the news: 
Liberty Global and Infosys sign $1.64bn Horizon deal
Poland’s ‘largest ever’ broadband subsidy draws 300 applications
Italian government signs MoU to take minority stake in TIM’s NetCo  

News 

The company say move will create up to 300 ‘high quality, good paying jobs’, which will be added to the firm’s current workforce of 1,400 people 

This week, US Adtran announced the expansion of its telecommunications equipment manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, aimed at supporting the domestic production of fibre equipment.  

The company will invest up to $5 million in the project, which will include the scaling up of its production of optical line termination equipment and onshoring the manufacturing of optical network terminals.  

The move is heavily motivated by the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) programme, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which dedicates $42.45 billion in public funds to expanding internet access in America. In a recent allocation announcement, the Federal Communications Commission state of Alabama, for example, is set to receive $1.4 billion in funding to expand broadband access across the state.  

However, to make use of these funds, successful applicants must pledge to only purchase equipment produced in the US, part of Biden’s ‘Made in America’ drive for domestic manufacturing after years of offshoring. 

As a result, companies seeking to benefit from BEAD-funded manufacturing contracts will need to expand their domestic production capabilities, hence this latest move by Adtran.  

“The Internet for All initiative is not just a connectivity program, it’s a jobs program – for the people who build the networks and for the people who make the equipment those networks need,” said Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator. “If network equipment can be made in America, it should be made in America. Companies like Adtran are stepping up and answering that call.” 

The news comes just days after Nokia announced that it will partner with manufacturing firm Sanmina Corporation to produce fibre optic network equipment at the latter’s factory in Wisconsin, with the company also seeking a slice of the lucrative BEAD funding. 

How is the US broadband market evolving? Join the operators in discussion at next year’s Connected America conference live in Dallas, Texas 

Also in the news:
Russia’s 2035 telecoms strategy seeks to tackle 5G spectrum woes
Australian govt launches Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation programme
SK Telecom to invest $100m in AI firm Anthropic   

Contributed Article

by Winncom Technologies

Playing with Lego building blocks is a lot of fun. You fit each piece into the other and develop a shape that resembles your imagination.

Cambium Networks makes it easy to plan, deploy and manage wired or wireless broadband networks, with our solutions, network operators of all types can select the best technology for every point in the network while making sure that all the pieces fit well together. Elements are onboarded and managed through one platform to allow for solid connectivity and deliver exceptional digital experiences.

Cambium Networks has been the go-to solution for broadband wireless network infrastructure when ISPs are looking for a robust solution they can rely on for stability, reliability, and ease of use. Our broadband fabric weaves together numerous networking standards and reduces complexities, helping network operators create purpose-built, reliable networks that are cost efficient and secure.

Cambium’s ONE Network provides a complete networking infrastructure portfolio along with cnMaestro X single pane of glass management for the entire network that enables enterprises and service provider operators to:

Simplify operations with a secure converged network. With a comprehensive view from edge to cloud, network operators can easily manage ONE network fabric of multiple types of technologies from a central location. Technologies include:

Indoor, outdoor and wall plate Wi-Fi access points, including Wi-Fi 6/6E
Indoor and hardened switches
Security and SD-WAN solutions
Fixed wireless point-to-point and point-to-multipoint solutions at 3 GHz CBRS, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 28 GHz and 60 GHz
Fiber optics full-featured Combo (GPON/XGS-PON) technology
Quality of Experience (QoE) optimization of end user experiences

Implement intelligent automation across all elements. Operational efficiency is achieved through automation. In addition to centralized management, with a single converged network, the system automatically applies best practices. It’s like having your best technician on every installation, upgrade, and provisioning task.

Releasing future-proof technology is always the mind of Cambium Networks engineers, as we aim to equip our partners and customers with solutions that can help meet their customers’ demands. With the rise of AR/VR alongside multiple 4k and 8k streaming devices, the need for higher bandwidth is real, and we see this as an exponentially increasing need.

To meet this demand and leverage the capabilities of wired and wireless convergence, we partnered with Winncom Technologies to make sure our customers get adequate support from the design phase all the way to post-deployment.

Winncom Technologies, a global value-added distributor of wireless and wired broadband equipment, offers the most advanced forms of communication solutions on the market today.

With a far-reaching international scope, Winncom remains at the forefront of the global technology marketplace, demonstrating a reputation for quality products, a full range of network infrastructure and access products, and a customer-centric business model.

We offer the most notable product portfolio, scalable solutions, world-class customer service, and outstanding engineering services and support.

Winncom’s senior-level engineers are experienced and proficient in start-to-finish RF design and engineering services. From link budget calculations and propagation coverage designs, Winncom engineers are ready to offer their expertise to ensure that your network runs efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively. Our engineers have been through rigorous education and training courses, not to mention countless hours of experience in the field. With the very best tools in hand, trust Winncom to design, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot even your most complex wireless communication infrastructures in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Want to hear more from Winncom? You can find them at booth 48a at Connected Britain 2023, the UK’s largest digital economy event.

Also in the news:
Sky Business considers buying up TalkTalk B2B unit
Australian govt launches Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation programme
SK Telecom to invest $100m in AI firm Anthropic  

Hull-based network builder MS3, which is working to roll out a 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) broadband ISP network to cover 500,000 premises across the North of England by the end of 2025 (here), has today announced a partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain (CNB) to help them “offset their carbon footprints“. In order to establish […]

Sad news today as another alternative builder of full fibre broadband, Truespeed, has confirmed to ISPreview that a good chunk of its workforce are now facing redundancy (possibly c. 150) and the rollout of their 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to homes in the South West of England is due to slow. At present Truespeed’s […]

News 

The firm claim that they are the first home internet provider to offer a product designed to maintain connectivity during a storm-related power outages, with the device offering a four-hour battery life 

In the newest addition to its home internet devices suite, Comcast has launched its ‘Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi’, which, as the name implies, is designed to be used as a backup for weather associated power outages. 

During a power outage, the device switches automatically from the compromised fixed broadband network to a 4G LTE network, allowing home devices to remain online. Comcast suggests that the average US power cut lasts around two hours, and the firm’s new device features a battery life of four hours. 

“Not only does Storm-Ready Wi-Fi extend coverage to deliver our best-in-class Wi-Fi to hard-to-reach corners of the home, but it also gives customers the peace of mind that their connection at home can continue even when the power is out,” said Emily Waldorf, Senior Vice President of consumer Internet services at Comcast Cable. 

Naturally, the device will only be able to perform this function when within range of a 4G LTE signal and, once connected, service speeds will be lower than the original fixed-line services, with download speeds reduced to 30Mbps and upload speeds to 7Mbps. 

When not being used to connect to the mobile network, the device acts as a Wi-Fi range extender, helping to boost connectivity to areas of the home that are difficult to reach. 

Comcast offers a similar product to businesses named Connection Pro, which offers up to 16 hours of backup connectivity during outages. 

The company claims that the product is the first of its kind to provide coverage during stormy weather. However, Amazon owned Wi-Fi firm Eero also offers home cellular backup home through the Ring Alarm Pro with built-in Eero support, and other providers offer some form of back up cellular connection through a phone or other hotspot. 

How is the US Wi-Fi market evolving in 2023? Join the telecoms ecosystem in discussion at Connected America 2024? 

Also in the news:
Liberty Global and Infosys sign $1.64bn Horizon deal
Verizon gains full access to C-band after satellite exodus
Cisco to buy-out Telenor from Working Group Two JV 

Startup Stories

Tell us about your startup
At CeneReality, we’re not just a startup; we’re visionaries in the realm of immersive tech, pioneering the uncharted territories of virtual and augmented reality. Our mission? Empowering businesses to leap into the next digital frontier, elevating their narratives in a world where reality meets imagination. Our essence revolves around designing spaces that aren’t just virtual but are alive, dynamic, and 100% interactive. As digital explorers, we see a future where the web’s boundaries are only limited by imagination, and we’re poised to guide businesses on this transformative journey.

Imagine a world where your aspirations are vividly realized, pixel by pixel. Our adept team, armed with avant-garde tools like synthetic imagery, evocative animation, and immersive AR & VR, transforms your ideas into digital masterpieces. Dive in with CeneReality and let us architect a digital dimension where your brand’s narrative comes alive like never before.

What is your USP?
CeneReality is an embodiment of innovation where technology meets art. Our USP lies in our profound ability to fuse state-of-the-art AR & VR technologies with impactful digital narratives. Beyond just offering immersive experiences, we tailor-make digital realms that resonate emotionally with each viewer, ensuring every virtual space becomes a journey in itself. But what truly sets us apart is our dedicated team: passionate professionals deeply rooted in the realms of virtual and augmented reality. Their diverse skill set spans custom software development, intricate 3D modeling, dynamic animation, and interactive design. We’re not just technologically adept; we’re storytellers at heart. In the evolving landscape of VR and AR, CeneReality doesn’t just adapt; we pioneer, always ensuring that your message is not only seen but profoundly felt.

What is your relationship with the telecom sector?
CeneReality and the telecom sector share an intricate, intertwined relationship. As pioneers in the realm of virtual and augmented reality, the very backbone of our groundbreaking experiences rests upon the robust capabilities offered by the telecom industry. Our transformative VR and AR solutions demand high-speed, unfaltering connectivity — something only a cutting-edge telecom infrastructure can deliver. Recognizing this symbiosis, we’ve strategically aligned ourselves with key players in the telecom world. One of our flagship projects, a pioneering virtual agency, was sculpted hand in hand with Algérie Télécom. This partnership not only showcased our expertise but also underscored the telecom sector’s pivotal role in bringing such innovations to the masses. As we continue to chart new territories in VR and AR, we also become catalysts, driving the telecom industry towards greater advancements. Our commitment to innovation, married with the prowess of the telecom sector, is a testament to what collaborative excellence can achieve.

How have you got to your current stage of development?
CeneReality embarked on its transformative journey in 2020, starting with the ambitious 3D/VR reconstruction of the ancient city of Timgad. This project was pivotal, showcasing our capabilities and setting the tone for our commitment to preserving cultural heritage through state-of-the-art technology. By breathing life into history, we demonstrated the vast potential of VR in bridging the past with the present.

Building upon the success of the Timgad project, we continued to explore innovative applications of virtual and augmented reality to transform the digital landscape. Our vision, combined with dedication and a continuous embrace of emerging technologies, paved the way for a series of successful endeavors.

Our team, comprised of experts who share a passion for VR and AR, played an instrumental role. Encouraging continuous learning and fostering collaboration, we viewed every project as an opportunity to refine our methodologies and approaches.

Our strategic collaborations, especially our significant partnership with Algérie Télécom, further bolstered our position in the industry. Feedback from both our partners and the end-users has consistently guided our evolution, ensuring we stay aligned with market needs.

All in all, our journey, from the immersive experience of Timgad to our current array of projects, has been marked by unwavering commitment, invaluable partnerships, and the consistent pursuit of innovation in the realm of immersive technology.

Why did you establish the business?
CeneReality was born out of a profound belief in the transformative power of immersive technologies. As passionate advocates for virtual and augmented reality, we recognized the vast untapped potential these tools held for revolutionizing various sectors, from education and tourism to business and entertainment.

We were especially drawn to the idea of merging the tangible and digital realms to create experiences that could both educate and captivate. The reconstruction of the ancient city of Timgad was an initial testament to this vision, allowing individuals to step back in time and witness the grandeur of the past through a modern lens.
Moreover, with the rapid digitization trends globally, we saw an opportunity to position Algeria at the forefront of this technological revolution in the region. We aimed to offer local businesses and institutions the tools to enhance their digital strategies, making them more interactive, engaging, and meaningful.

In essence, CeneReality was established to bridge the gap between vision and reality, leveraging the power of VR and AR to create transformative experiences, and to cement Algeria’s place in the global digital narrative.

Who inspired you?
Undoubtedly, the global quarantine of 2020 played a pivotal role in shaping the direction and ethos of CeneReality. During this period, when the world came to an almost standstill and people were confined to their homes, the desire for exploration and experiences remained undiminished. It was during these trying times that we envisioned the 3D reconstruction of the ancient city of Timgad.

Our main inspiration came from the idea of transcending physical boundaries through technology. With Timgad’s reconstruction, we aimed to let people travel back in time, experiencing the splendor of ancient civilizations right from the comfort of their homes. The powerful blend of history, technology, and the unique circumstances of the quarantine spurred the inception of our startup.

In essence, while global tech visionaries and our national heritage provided the foundational inspiration, it was the unique challenges and contemplative environment of the 2020 lockdown that truly ignited the spark for CeneReality. Our goal became clear: use immersive technology to bridge the past and present, making history accessible and engaging, especially in times when physical exploration seemed almost impossible.

What does the future hold for your business?
For CeneReality, the future is teeming with opportunities and advancements. We envision becoming a global leader in immersive technology, expanding our offerings beyond Algeria and into the international arena. Our primary aim is to enhance and democratize the virtual reality experience, making it more accessible and engaging for users worldwide.

We’re actively researching and investing in the latest technological trends to stay at the forefront of the VR and AR industry. We believe that the intersection of AI, IoT, and immersive technology will play a pivotal role in the next wave of digital experiences, and we’re gearing up to be pioneers in that space.

Collaborations and partnerships are also on the horizon. By forging alliances with global tech giants, cultural institutions, and educational bodies, we aim to bring richer, more diverse experiences to our platform.
Furthermore, as the global demand for virtual experiences in real estate, telecom,education, tourism and heritage preservation surges, CeneReality plans to cater to this need by launching specialized solutions tailored for these sectors.

In essence, the future for CeneReality is about scaling new heights, pushing technological boundaries, fostering global collaborations, and continually redefining the way users experience the world virtually. Our journey has only just begun, and the road ahead promises innovation, growth, and transformative experiences.

Meet CeneReality at Total Telecom Congress
The team will be present in the Startup Village at Total Telecom Congress in Amsterdam this November. Make sure you don’t miss your chance to meet them, visit the website totaltele.com/congress

News

The drafted legislation would see a mechanism created to share spectrum between the military, state security services, and commercial operators, even granting the military emergency powers to shut down networks

A new draft of Russian’s 2035 telecommunications strategy could see the Russian military gain significant powers over civilian mobile networks, including the right to disable them if a state emergency is declared.

According to a report from Kommersant, the new bill includes a new mechanism through which Russian military and security services can share mobile spectrum with commercial operators. This shared spectrum will reportedly be managed by a dedicated third party, which the report suggests could be Russian censorship agency Roskomnadzor.

For the mobile operators, this shared spectrum could provide a boost in service quality for customers, providing much needed additional capacity. On the other hand, it will give the military far greater influence over public networks, both in terms of monitoring and service provisioning.

The report notes that the new telecoms strategy will also enable the military to seize control of civilian networks if a state of emergency is declared. This includes the right to shut off networks entirely if desired.

Overcoming spectrum struggles

The Russian military’s relationship with civilian mobile spectrum is already a complicated one, particularly when it comes to 5G. Years of disjointed spectrum policy have left many of the prime 5G spectrum bands, including the so-called ‘golden band’ of 3.4–3.8GHz, partly occupied by state apparatus, including the Federal Protective Service (FSO), the Federal Air Transport Agency, the Ministry of Defense, and the Russian space agency, Roskosmos.

Seeking to rectify this issue, the Russian mobile operators set up a joint venture in 2017, now known as New Digital Solutions, aiming to work together on 5G spectrum strategy and research.

“The lack of frequencies suitable for creating 5G networks in Russia is one of the most significant constraints. The JV has a very large amount of work ahead of releasing radio frequency resources, taking into account the whole range of issues – regulatory, organisational, technical, economic,” explained Rostelecom president Mikhail Oseevsky back in 2021.

But despite some progress in clearing certain spectrum bands, challenges in this area persist, with a Beeline (VEON) spokesperson last year noting that there was still “significant technical limitations in the use of existing radio services using the main spectrum band for the development of 5G mobile networks over the 3.4–3.8GHz band”.

Now, the new telecoms strategy is seeking to overcome this challenge by simply banning commercial operators from the 3.4–3.8GHz band, reserving it for state usage and pushing the commercial network operators towards alternative frequencies.

“Explicitly, the draft strategy will include a ban on the use of the golden band,” explained Maxut Shadayev, head of Russia’s Digital Development Ministry. “We will develop 5G. There are other available bands for 5G, for example, 4,400-4,990MHz.”

Challenges extend beyond midband

The Russian operators’ spectrum woes are not confined to the mid-band. Russian operators theoretically hold the rights to use the valuable 700MHz low-band spectrum for 4G and 5G services, but these bands are currently occupied by broadcasters. In fact, backed by a number of regulatory rulings, the broadcasters have proven loath to migrate their services away from these frequencies, attempting to charge the mobile operators exorbitant prices in exchange for doing so.

The government’s sympathy for the broadcasters in this battle may be wearing thin, however, with the government was now considering ordering the broadcasters to vacate the spectrum.

“They believe that the operator must pay. They made an assessment, received some estimated amount, and the number was quite high; the operators are not ready to pay that much for it,” explained Shadayev, noting the government was exploring the possibility of “removing the spectrum in principle”.

Want to keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world? Sign up to receive Total Telecom’s daily newsletter direct to your inbox

Also in the news:
Sky Business considers buying up TalkTalk B2B unit
Australian govt launches Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation programme
SK Telecom to invest $100m in AI firm Anthropic  

Business focused UK ISP and Managed Service Provider (MSP) Connectus, which is also busy building a gigabit-capable full fibre broadband network to several sites, has been awarded Safe Contractor accreditation following a lengthy and detailed audit of all their existing safety systems. The award is a fairly common one for operator’s to pursue when they’re […]