5G and security: The dual telecoms challenges facing the new UK government

As the newly elected Labour government takes office in the UK after 14 years of Conservative rule, industry leaders are calling for urgent action on cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.

The recent high-profile cyberattacks on critical organisations like the NHS and MoD have exposed significant vulnerabilities in the UK's digital defences, prompting experts to demand a more robust approach to cybersecurity and accelerated 5G rollout.

Mark Coates, VP EMEA at Gigamon,...

5 July 2024 | 5G

Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 extend network sharing

Vodafone UK and Virgin Media O2 have announced a landmark agreement to extend and enhance their mobile network sharing arrangement for over a decade.

The agreement, which builds upon the existing partnership between the two telecom giants, is largely independent of the proposed merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK. However, should the merger receive regulatory approval, the deal includes provisions for Virgin Media O2 to acquire spectrum from the newly formed entity, dubbed...

3 July 2024 | 5G

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

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

GSMA Open Gateway: Unlocking mobile networks’ potential with APIs

In a new report, the GSMA has provided an update on its Open Gateway initiative first introduced in 2023.

Open Gateway leverages mobile networks' global reach by providing access to network capabilities through common application programming interfaces (APIs). One year on, the initiative boasts nearly 50 operator sign-ups—representing about two-thirds of the global mobile market share.

The initiative's success hinges on the deployment of its APIs. Currently, 17 APIs...

20 June 2024 | 5G

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