Dutch 5G auction: KPN, Odido, and VodafoneZiggo secure crucial spectrum

Netherlands’ telecoms regulator announced this week that KPN, Odido, and VodafoneZiggo have each successfully acquired 100 MHz of spectrum in the coveted 3.5GHz band.

The long-awaited auction, which raised a total of €174.4 million, saw each operator secure their spectrum allocation for just over the reserve price.

KPN invested €58.4 million, VodafoneZiggo paid €57.5 million, and Odido (formerly T-Mobile Netherlands) acquired its share for a comparable amount....

2 July 2024 | 5G

Nokia and Telefónica partner to boost Spanish private 5G networks

Nokia and Telefónica have announced a three-year agreement to develop the private 5G network market in Spain. The collaboration aims to enhance productivity, worker safety, and sustainability across key mission-critical industries such as ports, manufacturing, and logistics.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nokia will deploy 100 units of its advanced solutions, including Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), Modular Private Wireless (MPW), MX Industrial Edge (MXIE), and Industrial...

1 July 2024 | 5G

Amazon’s Starlink rival Project Kuiper delayed again

Amazon has once again delayed the launch of its first production satellites for Project Kuiper, the company's ambitious rival to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet constellation.

In a blog post, Amazon revealed that it is preparing to ship the first completed production satellites to launch sites "this summer." However, the actual launch is not expected to occur until October at the earliest.

"We're targeting our first full-scale Kuiper mission for Q4 aboard an Atlas V...

28 June 2024 | Broadband

Nokia to acquire Infinera and sell submarine network business for €350M

Nokia to acquire Infinera to boost optical networks and sell submarine network business for € 350 million

Nokia has announced an agreement to acquire Infinera, a global supplier of innovative open optical networking solutions and advanced optical semiconductors.

The transaction values Infinera at $6.65 per share, equating to an enterprise value of US$2.3 billion, as shared by the company. This represents a 28% premium to Infinera's closing share price on June 26, 2024, and a 37% premium to the trailing 180-day volume-weighted average price.

The acquisition structure allows...

28 June 2024 | Networks

Bringing SpaceX to the wild: Is Starlink Mini right for backpackers?

Bringing the internet to the wild: Is Starlink Mini right for backpackers?

SpaceX has introduced Starlink Mini, a new portable solution to access the internet-from-space service that is already in use on boats, planes, by "van-lifers," in Amazonian villages, and in rural homes across over 75 countries.

The Verge reports that the new Starlink Mini is a DC-powered device as thick as a laptop and incorporates a Wi-Fi router into the dish itself. Although it's tiny, the Mini is no slouch and can achieve speeds of more than 100 Mbps. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk...

25 June 2024 | Digital Transformation

US 5G performance surges as carriers deploy mid-band spectrum

The US is experiencing a significant boost in 5G performance as major carriers deploy newly acquired mid-band spectrum. Recent data from Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence reveals substantial improvements in download speeds and network quality across the country.

T-Mobile has maintained its leadership position, leveraging additional 2.5 GHz spectrum acquired in Auction 108. The carrier's median 5G download speed increased by an impressive 29.64 Mbps in just one month, reaching 287.14...

24 June 2024 | 5G

Nordic satellites targeted by Russia after Sweden’s NATO accession

Swedish authorities have accused Russia of deliberately targeting the country's satellite networks with "harmful interference" shortly after Sweden's accession to NATO earlier this year.

This information comes from a previously unreported letter dated June 4, sent by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations agency based in Geneva.

The PTS has requested that the ITU's radio regulations board address...

21 June 2024 | Hot Topics

Three UK cuts energy usage with Ericsson’s AI-powered tech

Three UK has achieved a more sustainable network through the deployment of next-generation AI-powered hardware and software solutions from Ericsson.

Over the past 18 months, Three has worked with the Swedish telecoms giant on a network modernisation initiative aimed at boosting energy performance. The efforts combine Ericsson's industry-leading energy-efficient radios with cutting-edge AI and data analytics.

"Three UK's collaboration with Ericsson marks a milestone in...

19 June 2024 | Networks

KPN and ABP form tower company amid rising data demand

KPN and Dutch pension fund ABP have entered into an agreement to form a new tower company, known as TowerCo. This partnership aligns with KPN's ‘Connect, Activate & Grow’ strategy, aiming to optimise the value of its passive infrastructure assets while maintaining strategic flexibility.

The agreement comes in response to the surging consumption of data and the deployment of new technologies. With the growing demand for network expansion and densification, KPN recognises...

5 June 2024 | 5G

Committee warns UK set to miss 4G coverage target

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee's report on the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme reveals critical issues in meeting the UK government's 95% 4G coverage goal by December 2025.

Launched in 2020, the SRN aims to improve 4G coverage from 91.4% to 95% of the UK landmass. Despite a steady increase to 93.1%, sustaining this progress becomes increasingly challenging as the remaining areas are harder to reach.

The report highlights that three out of four mobile...

3 June 2024 | Legislation & Government