More Latest Insight – Page 240
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Premium
3G sunsets accelerate amid re-farming push
After Germany and the Netherlands, more Vodafone businesses are laying out plans to repurpose 3G spectrum for 4G and 5G networks.
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Vodafone ties with O2 to tidy up mid-band spectrum
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with Vodafone trading blocks with O2, while BT opted to buy preferable positions outright. Vodafone–O2 swap ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
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Public Affairs
Sees.ai gets all-clear for BVLOS drone flights
VfUK drone partner achieves UK-first permission. Tests to be carried out at three nominated sites. OpCo flags separate drone trial collaboration with Ericsson and Lidar tech for remote cell site inspections.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Deegan questions Spain's 5G investment policy
5G- and VR-powered maintenance deal on Italy’s railways; call for network investment reform in Spain.
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Strategy & Change
Cornerstone exit could be early item on VM-O2 agenda
Indications made that prospective JV’s Cornerstone stake seen as non-strategic, and could be jettisoned in name of “national champion” Grand Plan. Sale would raise cash for higher strategic ambition of fibre expansion. Liberty “gearing up” for talks with partners to team up on Gigabit rollout. Fries showing willingness to ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BT warns “Quantum Apocalypse” might happen in 2024
Optical research expert says quantum computers could crack current public-key cryptosystems within a few years. Ubiquitous fibre connectivity particularly vulnerable to attack. BT sees QKD — “fighting quantum with quantum” — as key in safeguarding national critical infrastructure.
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Products & Services
Vena: BT launches “smart” broadcast network
BT Media & Broadcast division unveils Vena as end-to-end broadcast platform. Enabling remote production at core of new service, reflecting expedited industry-wide transition during pandemic. Two “major broadcasters” already on the books. Evolution pending in existing Media & Broadcast partnerships.
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Operations
Deutsche Telekom Pan-Net adds Austrian DCs
Three new data centres added to Pan-Net’s Europe-wide footprint of 17. Project manager Lazova flags DCs ready for “application onboarding” .
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach offers a hand in all-IP migration
InfraCo launches Call Waiting List as part of analogue shutdown educational campaign. Customers encouraged to sign up for guidance and advice on digital migration, in bid to hang up analogue lines by the end of 2025.
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Deutsche Telekom people moves: Stenzel leaves DTCP
DTCP MD, Advisory Till Stenzel makes tracks, while ex-BT CTIO Karonis is added to Advisory Council. Magenta Telekom’s Schauerhuber leaves after lengthy tenure. Cesar Martinez takes the helm at T-Sys North America. New blood at T-Mobile: Youngblood named Chief Security Officer.
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DT puts Access 4.0 through its paces in Stuttgart
“Fully functioning” Access 4.0 platform up and running in city central office. Nationwide rollout not expected until next year, once OSS/BSS processes are better understood and can be automated. And Höttges posts LinkedIn blog reminding his readership that Germany is All-IP and ready to reap the benefits.
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Innovation (R&D)
hubraum unveils first Accuracy Unlocked cohort
Incubator hothouse’s new startup accelerator goes live. Forty -six applicants whittled down to just 13. Potential investment on the table for startups with “most promising” GNSS use-case.
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT and SAP win technical brief for EU’s Digital Green Certificate
Technical development gets underway in race to meet June deadline. Sum of around €15m has been allocated for the technical system. Parliament proposes EU COVID-19 certificate as an alternative name.
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Vodafone Germany switches on standalone 5G
“LTE training wheels” are off in Europe’s first 5G SA network. Ericsson, Nokia, OPPO, and Qualcomm share 5G limelight. VfD ushers in low latency and network slicing. Ten 5G data centres by 2023.
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T-Mobile Czech Republic gives notice of 3G retirement
Switch-off planned for end-November, with NatCo lending helping hand to small minority of those in line to be affected. Operator follows in footsteps of domestic peers.
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Premium
TPG to lead hybrid shared network trials
Proof-of-concept testing now underway in New South Wales, with TPG Telecom named “lead mobile network operator”. Nokia and Optus involved. Decade-long ambition to build multi-operator network now has 2023 launch date.
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Products & Services
Vodafone Italy’s GameNow goes live
Edge-based gaming platform was first announced in September 2019.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT edges towards virtual reality
Group engagement in multiple digital twin projects signals rising interest in services that exploit new AR, VR, and mixed reality technologies.
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Products & Services
Plusnet set to join FTTP party
BT-owned service provider to roll out FTTP-based broadband offering later in 2021, with “new” wireless router on the way too.
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Consumer (B2C)
Consumer moves up a gear on customer support
Bridget Lea keen to enhance engagement with customers, at home or in-store. New ‘door-to-door’ device repair service set for launch. Division attempting to ensure service resilience, with post-pandemic consumer habits under watchful eye.