Virgin Media O2 UK Switches on First 5G Standalone Small Cells
After launching their commercial 5G Standalone (SA) mobile network during February 2024 (here), O2 (Virgin Media) has today followed that up by claiming to have become the “first UK operator to switch on 5G standalone small cells“. Customers in Birmingham city centre will be the first to benefit from the faster mobile broadband kit (up to 300Mbps). Small cells are like mini shoebox sized mobile (radio) base stations, which have been designed to deliver limited coverage (usually up to around...
Mobily and Telecom Egypt to deploy Red Sea submarine cable
News The two companies first signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the cable in 2022 Saudi Arabian telco Mobily has partnered with Telecom Egypt to launch the first submarine cable connecting Saudi Arabia and Egypt through the Red Sea. The new cable, which will be wholly owned by Mobily, aims to improve connectivity and meet the growing demand for internet services in both countries. The cable will land at two stations: Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and Duba in Saudi Arabia. The connection...
Channel Islands 5G Boost as Sure Complete Airtel Vodafone Acquisition
Mobile and broadband operator Sure, which serves the English Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, has announced the completion of their move to acquire rival Airtel Vodafone. The deal also signals the start of their pledge to invest £48m into building a new “world-class” 5G mobile network across the islands. The deal, which only became possible after the States of Guernsey recently voted to temporarily suspend local competition law in order to allow the pair to merge (here), will also...
SK Telecom announces “AI Infrastructure Superhighway”
News The announcement comes after the company joining the Telco AI Alliance earlier this year SK Telecom has announced a new initiative to expand its AI capabilities by creating an “AI Infrastructure Superhighway.” The national network will rely on advanced data centres, cloud-based GPU services, and Edge AI technology. CEO Ryu Young-sang outlined his vision for the project at the company’s recent SK AI Summit 2024, explaining that SK Telecom aims to position South Korea as an AI leader in...
CMA set to approve Vodafone–Three merger
News Network upgrades and price protections have been proposed by the CMA to keep the market competitive The Competition and Markets Authority has given the Vodafone–Three merger the provisional green light, if both companies commit to major network upgrades and customer protections, according to a new press released published this week. Back in September, the CMA had released its provisional findings, which raised concerns that the deal could lead to higher prices and reduced service...
Connexin completes first stage of significant Project Gigabit contract
Press Release Lightning-fast broadband on schedule to hit rural Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire by 2025 5th November 2024 – UK-based smart technology and digital provider Connexin has successfully completed the first stage of its Project Gigabit contract for the provision of hyperfast broadband to over 34,000 rural homes in Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire. The £58 million contract, awarded in January 2024 by the UK government, will see Connexin roll out lightning-fast, reliable...
Connexin Begin Rollout of FTTP Broadband in Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire
Alternative UK broadband ISP Connexin has today issued a short progress update to state that they’re about to enter the build phase on their £58.6m (state aid funded) Project Gigabit contract for rural parts of Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire (Lot 10), which aims to expand their full fibre (FTTP) network to cover 34,320 hard to reach premises. The operator hasn’t said much about the contract since it was announced back in February 2024 (here), although it sometimes takes a few months for...
ISP Fibrus Top 100,000 Customers on UK FTTP Broadband Network
Infracapital-backed network provider Fibrus, which has spent several years rolling out their gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across rural parts of Cumbria (England) and Northern Ireland, has announced that they’ve just connected their 100,000th customer (up from 90,000 on 31st Jul 2024). The operator, which has so far built their full fibre network to cover 400,000 UK premises (up from 375k on 26th Aug 2024) and claims to be “fully funded to complete” their...
Event highlights: Broadband Communities Summit West
Events A look back at the top stories that came out of Broadband Communities Summit West last week in San Diego, California Broadband Communities Summit West attracted community leaders, property owners, network infrastructure builders, and internet service providers to San Diego. Dozens of topics were highlighted in the summit’s agenda. Here’s a look back at some key highlights. Boldyn Networks shares secrets behind success on military bases Boldyn Networks is spearheading over 90 network...
CMA Give Provisional Green Light to Vodafone and Three UK Merger
The Competition and Markets Authority has today appeared to give a “provisional” approval to Vodafone and Three UK’s recently tabled commitments (here) under their proposed merger agreement (here), which were intended to placate concerns that the deal could result in a “Significant Lessening of Competition” (SLC) in the mobile market. But it will require changes. The merger itself, which would see Vodafone retain a 51% slice of the business and CK Hutchison (Three UK) hold 49%, has repeatedly...