Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich among sanctioned oligarchs

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich is among the latest Russian oligarchs to be sanctioned by the UK today.

Abramovich made the bulk of his wealth from selling assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The assets were acquired far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatisation initiative.

Between 2000-2008, Abramovich was the governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. He is allegedly a confidant of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin...

10 March 2022 | Legislation & Government

Vodafone UK waives Ukraine call and roaming fees

Vodafone UK is waiving all call fees to Ukraine in addition to providing free data roaming to customers in the country.

Ahmed Essam Shelbaya, CEO of Vodafone UK, tweeted:

https://twitter.com/AhmedShelbaya/status/1497191194887135269

In addition to the decision to help people keep in touch with their loved ones, Vodafone is making a donation to relevant humanitarian efforts.

“We will also donate, through the Vodafone Foundation, up to €500k from its...

25 February 2022 | Operators

Meta promised free internet but it ended up costing

Meta (formerly Facebook) promised free internet access to cash-strapped users in developing countries, but it ended up costing them.

The company profits from having as many people as possible online and using its services—so while the initiative is welcome to help individuals get connected who may not otherwise be able to afford to, it’s not entirely altruistic.

However, according to documents obtained by whistleblower Francis Haugen and published by The Wall Street...

26 January 2022 | Networks

Vodafone will begin shuttering 3G in 2023 to improve 4G/5G services

Vodafone has announced plans to begin shuttering its 3G network in 2023 to focus on improving 4G/5G services.

The operator says that less than 4 percent of data traffic across its network is now delivered via 3G—compared to over 30 percent in 2016. By the end of this year, the amount of 3G traffic is likely to have dwindled even further.

With the vast amount of traffic carried over 4G – and increasingly 5G – it makes sense for Vodafone to improve those...

25 January 2022 | 5G

China Mobile share price retreats following Shanghai debut surge

China Mobile’s share price has retreated following a surge after it listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The world’s largest mobile operator by total subscribers was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) following the Trump administration’s decision to restrict investments in Chinese technology firms.

China Mobile’s shares increased by ~8.5 percent from its offering price of 57.58 yuan but over the next six hours had returned to around its offering...

5 January 2022 | China Mobile

O2 is gifting data to Big Issue sellers this Christmas

O2 is getting in the festive spirit by gifting free data to hundreds of Big Issue sellers.

The free data, given as part of the National Databank initiative, will help the sellers to access essential online services and go cashless to help them grow their business.

Over 200 Big Issue sellers will receive 7GB of data per month in addition to unlimited texts and calls to help them keep in touch with friends and family.

Rodney Lyall, a Big Issue vendor based in...

29 November 2021 | Operators

Vodafone’s latest IoT solution aims to end water industry stagnation

Vodafone has launched a new IoT solution that aims to “accelerate change” in the water industry.

While many industries are embracing digital transformation – enabled by Industry 4.0 technologies – the water industry has largely remained stubbornly stagnant.

Anne Sheehan, Business Director at Vodafone UK, said:

“There is growing demand on the UK water companies to increase efficiency and reduce wastage. We’ve worked closely with the water industry to...

18 August 2021 | IoT

Vodafone partners with Mavenir to develop indoor OpenRAN solution

Vodafone and Mavenir have developed a small cell OpenRAN solution for indoor network coverage.

The solution is designed for businesses with medium to large office spaces and uses OpenRAN to support interoperability and prevent vendor lock-in.

Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said:

“So far, OpenRAN deployment has focused on outdoor connectivity, but there is significant potential for this technology in the office environment.

A simple...

8 July 2021 | LTE

Enea’s industry-first schema extends 5G Core to manage 4G data

Enea claims to have created the first virtualised data schema to extend 5G Core to manage 4G network data.

The schema enables mobile operators to map 4G and 5G data models into a single customisable view from the 5G Core to the edge.

Roland Steiner, Senior Vice President for Telecoms at Enea, said:

“Data is at the heart of 5G and operators need genuine agility to maximise their potential. But network providers have struggled to manage 4G and 5G data on their...

7 July 2021 | Networks

UK satellite firm OneWeb receives a $500M boost from Bharti

UK-based LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) satellite firm OneWeb is continuing a big news week with a $500 million investment from Bharti Global.

OneWeb received $1 billion from the UK Government and Bharti Global last year.

Rt. Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, MP, Secretary of State, BEIS, said:

“Today’s additional $500 million investment in OneWeb by Bharti marks yet another vote of confidence in the company from the market. It’s clear that investors see a strong future for...

30 June 2021 | Networks