News

Mobile networks

July 14, 2020 14 Jul'20
Huawei technology banned from UK national comms infrastructure

After NCSC advice, and accepting billions in cost and a significant delay to 5G roll-out, UK government takes decision to remove so-called high-risk tech supplier’s 5G products from mobile network, and begins assessment of risk to fixed fibre nets
July 14, 2020 14 Jul'20
Yorkshire Water teams with BT to turn on tap for NB-IoT

Narrowband internet of things pilot scheme examines potential to optimise the management of utility firm’s estate and provide greater access for local businesses in South Yorkshire to take advantage of IoT advancement to boost economic growth
July 13, 2020 13 Jul'20
Consistent trust gap in contact-tracing apps in US, Europe

Survey of more than 16,000 users in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain about mobile applications for Covid-19 tracking reveals global consensus that user trust needs to be rebuilt by giving citizens choice and control
July 13, 2020 13 Jul'20
Half of UK organisations question the relevance of SD-WAN in Covid-driven remote workplace

Research reveals confusion among UK organisations concerning SD-WAN, with optimised WAN covering many bases already and over half of firms leaning towards SASE solutions to meet their requirements

July 10, 2020 10 Jul'20
Automotive-telecoms consortium claims successful completion of intelligent transportation project

Test results show new automotive technology is a reliable and high-performing solution, say partners
July 10, 2020 10 Jul'20
UK mobile operators warn removing Huawei tech would cost ‘low billions’ and take five years

Vodafone and BT warn parliamentary committee of serious potential effects on cost, network service availability and 5G roll-out of removing Huawei tech from networks
July 07, 2020 07 Jul'20
Nokia accelerates Open RAN availability with performance, security enhancements

Leading communications technology supplier announces update in open radio access network solutions to support more rapid development of open innovation ecosystem and telecom supply chain
July 07, 2020 07 Jul'20
UK contact-tracing app development leaders fail to reveal launch date

Described as not being a silver bullet on its own, the UK’s contact-tracing app is also a silver bullet that won’t be fired any time soon, as leaders of development project struggle to convince Lords committee of progress to date
July 06, 2020 06 Jul'20
Radius aims to get ahead of the curve with new telecoms division

Converged technology, mobile and fixed line telecoms provider’s new division aims to help companies get the ‘smartest approach’ to their operations
July 06, 2020 06 Jul'20
Vodafone claims UK standalone 5G first

UK operator says standalone wireless technology will support capabilities such as network slicing, bringing efficiency benefits in mission-critical services

July 06, 2020 06 Jul'20
UK government defies critics and leads acquisition of sat tech firm OneWeb

Government plans to deliver UK’s first sovereign space capability through constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, but $500m investment is criticised
July 03, 2020 03 Jul'20
Virgin Media, Cisco unveil first-ever commercial deployment of OpenRoaming at Canary Wharf

Wireless communications based on new connectivity aims to ‘dramatically’ improve efficiencies for more than 20,000 businesses, entrepreneurs, independent retailers, bars, cafes and workspaces in London’s Docklands
July 02, 2020 02 Jul'20
Cops take out encrypted comms to disrupt organised crime

The UK’s National Crime Agency, alongside other law enforcement agencies in France and the Netherlands, have busted illicit arms and drugs rings after disabling an encrypted comms platform
July 02, 2020 02 Jul'20
Telco edge to accompany 5G roll-outs in APAC

Pilot projects are underway in the Asia-Pacific to deploy telco edge infrastructure to support high-bandwidth, low-latency applications
June 30, 2020 30 Jun'20
Optus to test 5G mmWave technology

The Australian telco is testing mmWave technology using the 26GHz band at four locations in Sydney
June 25, 2020 25 Jun'20
CBI: Digital economy needs joined-up regulations and gigabit broadband

The coronavirus pandemic has shown the need for fast, reliable networking across the UK. The CBI is urging the government to do more
June 25, 2020 25 Jun'20
Nokia takes O-RAN leap with 5G AirScale Cloud commercialisation

RAN product designed to help operators generate revenue from 5G services, enable flexible end-to-end network slicing and meet IoT technology and business requirements
June 25, 2020 25 Jun'20
Ericsson, Nokia to power Singapore’s 5G networks

European telecoms network suppliers Ericsson and Nokia have been selected by Singapore telcos to deploy the country’s two standalone 5G networks
June 24, 2020 24 Jun'20
Two-thirds of UK adults to work remotely more often after Covid-19

Research commissioned by Ciena reveals how coronavirus pandemic will likely change UK internet usage, as increased use of online home working applications is complemented by commensurate rise in online education
June 24, 2020 24 Jun'20
Microsoft Teams usage growth surpasses Zoom

Aternity’s latest Productivity Tracker sees Microsoft fight back against conferencing tool that has enjoyed stellar growth since the Covid-19 lockdowns began
June 23, 2020 23 Jun'20
Viavi introduces 3D geolocation for 5G networks

Looking to ‘command’ 5G infrastructures, network monitoring and assurance technology firm unveils what it claims is first patented 3D 5G geolocation system
June 23, 2020 23 Jun'20
UK counts the cost as Ireland presses ahead with contact-tracing app

Irish eyes smiling as Republic’s heath executive said to be on verge of giving greenlight to Covid-19 tracker app, while UK reveals £11.8m cost of development to date for no return as yet
June 23, 2020 23 Jun'20
Nokia claims US live C-band network demo first

Ahead of the expected US spectrum auction in December 2020, Nokia completes first successful US-based 5G trial in C-band
June 22, 2020 22 Jun'20
Global 5G subscriptions to hit nearly three billion by 2025

5G will account for a fifth of mobile subscriptions by 2025 in Southeast Asia and Oceania, underscoring the keen adoption of emerging technologies in the Asia-Pacific region
June 22, 2020 22 Jun'20
TalkTalk targets teleworkers with business-grade broadband

UK mobile network operator aims to take advantage of mass increase in home working, which will likely persist into next year and beyond, by offering medium and enterprise-sized businesses packages for reliable connectivity
June 22, 2020 22 Jun'20
Telus turns on first wave of Canadian 5G network

Operator announces latest part of its infrastructure evolution with 5G network designed to enhance the coverage, speed and reliability for customers across Canada
June 19, 2020 19 Jun'20
Home workers increase digital activity but raise broadband performance issues

Research finds lockdown prompts more engagement with the latest technology and gadgets for the home, but a quarter are concerned about a reduction in broadband performance
June 18, 2020 18 Jun'20
iPhone issues see UK government dump centralised model for Covid-19 contact-tracing app

Department for Health makes U-turn on contact-tracing app after trial finds distances are not measured well enough, with particular detection problems for app users with Apple iPhones
June 18, 2020 18 Jun'20
EE, Nokia claim first for 4G LTE air-to-ground network for emergency services

Air-to-ground network uses commercial 4G LTE, enabling emergency services personnel to rely on uninterrupted communications throughout UK
June 17, 2020 17 Jun'20
Data privacy fears emerge as German contact-tracing app downloaded 6.5 million times in first day

After prolonged development path, Germany’s Corona-Warn-App launches to almost immediate success and almost immediate controversy regarding anonymity
June 17, 2020 17 Jun'20
Malaysia’s telco industry on edge amid new developments, appointments

Spotlight trained on newly appointed key regulatory personnel that could see a change in Malaysia’s telco policy, including a deferment of 5G roll-out
June 16, 2020 16 Jun'20
Ericsson upgrades 5G forecast as research finds mobile networks take added strain from Covid-19

While social distancing and keeping millions at home have put significant demands on infrastructure, with systems that support healthcare, education and businesses of all types under stress, telecoms networks have stood up to the task, says research...
June 16, 2020 16 Jun'20
Industry-wide consensus needed to put autonomous vehicles on the map

Shareable geospatial mapping data will be key to the predicted roll-out of self-driving vehicles in 2030, and the UK is in the fast lane to lead development of these regulations
June 15, 2020 15 Jun'20
University Hospitals Birmingham calls on BT for remote diagnostic station

UK’s largest health trust sets up clinicians to work with multidisciplinary teams for remote clinical support in real time over a converged 4G/5G and Wi-Fi network
June 12, 2020 12 Jun'20
Minister downgrades status of UK contact-tracing app from vital to ‘cherry on cake’

Scientists warn of fundamental flaws of Bluetooth technology in proximity measurement function of much-delayed app
June 12, 2020 12 Jun'20
5G at ‘tipping point’ as Nokia reveals biggest drivers for enterprise 5G

While analyst believes ‘enormous’ investment required and lack of killer apps put 5G growth in doubt, comms tech giant Nokia paints picture of IT decision-makers making tracks with next-gen infrastructure
June 11, 2020 11 Jun'20
Evidence emerges of slow increase in global mobile cellular network times

Smartphone users may have seen the worst of the negative impact from the coronavirus pandemic on their cellular experience, with time connected to Wi-Fi networks decreasing, Opensignal research finds
June 09, 2020 09 Jun'20
Huawei launches charm offensive to fight ‘high-risk’ label

Global communications technology provider begins fightback against perceived high-risk status and stresses its fundamental role in UK telecoms as it finds itself under further attack from UK and US politicians
June 08, 2020 08 Jun'20
South Korea takes global 5G leadership

Initial Omdia market assessment shows home of Samsung as the world’s powerhouse for establishing and commercialising 5G networks
June 05, 2020 05 Jun'20
Police chiefs working with Public Health England on contact-tracing security

Police force representatives are in talks with Public Health England over operational security concerns arising from the NHS Test and Trace coronavirus contact-tracing scheme
June 04, 2020 04 Jun'20
Elisa enjoys 5G base station energy, emissions reductions from Nokia liquid cooling

Finnish telecoms operator reduces potential expenses of its base stations by up to 30% and emissions by approximately 80% through liquid cooling
June 04, 2020 04 Jun'20
Outlook for 5G remains positive despite Covid-19

While the current health crisis and economic uncertainty will have a short-term impact on adoption of the next-gen network, analyst insists future for 5G remains bright with more than a billion global 5G connections by 2022
June 04, 2020 04 Jun'20
UK employees complain of lacking tools to work at home effectively

Even though employees expect to continue working remotely for the foreseeable future, a significant proportion of teleworkers lack access to the required technological equipment
June 04, 2020 04 Jun'20
Malaysian minister backtracks on spectrum allocation decision

Amid reports of a surreptitious decision to allocate spectrum to five Malaysian operators, the communications minister rescinds his own order, calling for a more transparent review of the allocation process
June 03, 2020 03 Jun'20
Worldwide user spending on cloud-based web conferencing technology will grow by nearly 25% in 2020

Global workplace restrictions will drive expansion of cloud conferencing user base throughout 2020, but growth will taper off next year
June 03, 2020 03 Jun'20
Telefónica Deutschland, Bell Canada select Ericsson as 5G network partner

Ericsson scores wins for next-generation infrastructure technology on both sides of Atlantic for both core and radio segments
June 02, 2020 02 Jun'20
Revved-up electric vehicle market to drive associated connected services to 270% growth

Projected end of sales of petrol-engined cars set to propel higher adoption of electric vehicles and generate boom in connected vehicle tech to $378m by 2024.
June 02, 2020 02 Jun'20
Vodafone gives six months’ free business broadband to UK SMEs

UK telco introduces scheme to help UK small businesses attempting to cope with new phase in Covid-19 lockdown
June 02, 2020 02 Jun'20
Enterprises planning future with 5G and Wi-Fi 6

Deloitte study shows advanced wireless technologies increasingly seen as a ‘force multiplier’ for emerging technologies including AI, IoT, cloud and edge computing
June 01, 2020 01 Jun'20
SmarTone deploys Ericsson Spectrum Sharing to open the gates to 5G-based smart city

Hong Kong operator deploys 5G broadly across territory using dynamic spectrum-sharing technology
June 01, 2020 01 Jun'20
GSMA, O-RAN team to open up 5G networks

Collaboration aims to accelerate an ‘industry-wide consensus’ on the adoption of open, interoperable interfaces and radio access network virtualisation
May 29, 2020 29 May'20
Wireless Broadband Alliance calls for single global Wi-Fi network

Global wireless ecosystem consortium unveils WBA OpenRoaming to offer automatic and secure connection of billions of devices to millions of Wi-Fi networks
May 29, 2020 29 May'20
Qualcomm aims to tap into Wi-Fi 6E with ‘world’s most advanced’ mobile wireless portfolio

Hot on the heels of FCC action described as milestone and watershed moment for innovation that will supercharge connectivity, wireless processor giant aims to cash in on new wireless standard
May 29, 2020 29 May'20
O2 completes Innovate UK cyber security project blueprint for self-driving cars

Leading UK telco O2 finalises projects to protect data integrity of connected cars as part of major UK project into autonomous vehicles on UK roads
May 29, 2020 29 May'20
Mobile industry makes ‘rapid’ progress towards 5G despite Covid-19

BPI Network Survey suggests operators are rethinking security in the light of 5G network traffic, and shows “dramatic” increase in connected devices and new mission-critical use cases
May 28, 2020 28 May'20
Covid-19 calculated to cause 18% drop in net new IoT devices in 2020

Fleet management, heavy transport vehicles, equipment, fixed assets and digital signage are among the internet of things applications hit hardest by the pandemic
May 28, 2020 28 May'20
UK government unveils NHS Test and Trace service to combat Covid-19

UK government unveils framework to stop the spread of coronavirus, but contact-tracing launch date not revealed
May 27, 2020 27 May'20
EE network sees fivefold leap in Zoom users, 45% increase in voice calls, apps since lockdown

Research from mobile operator highlights changing habits of UK citizens during lockdown, with video conferencing seeing massive leap
May 26, 2020 26 May'20
Huawei hits out at fresh UK network probe

UK cyber security agency confirms it will conduct a new investigation into the security-worthiness of Huawei’s 5G technology
May 26, 2020 26 May'20
Ericsson enables commercial 5G network for Telia in Stockholm

Swedish operator lays the foundations for the next phase of digital transformation with 5G network designed to open up new user experiences and accelerated innovation in areas such as entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing and transport
May 26, 2020 26 May'20
Nokia joins the Open RAN Policy Coalition

Finish comms tech provider reinforces its commitment to the development of future secure mobile radio technologies for 5G by joining open and software-defined network technology consortium
May 26, 2020 26 May'20
Lack of clarity around 5G fuels misconceptions about next-generation networks

Revolutionary potential of next-generation 5G network is huge, but research suggests key messages are not hitting home with businesses or consumers
May 26, 2020 26 May'20
Thailand gears up for 5G

Thai government forms 26-member committee to develop a roadmap for 5G adoption and address roadblocks related to the recall of unused spectrum from state agencies
May 22, 2020 22 May'20
Small firms seize digital lifeline to get back to business

Research shows Covid-19 crisis has kick-started a small business digital revolution to power recovery, with over a quarter of firms responding to running their businesses remotely with videoconferencing
May 22, 2020 22 May'20
Coronavirus: How MyIX is keeping Malaysians connected

Malaysia’s MyIX internet exchange has been classed as critical national infrastructure, with member telcos adding more capacity to meet the surge in demand for internet services
May 21, 2020 21 May'20
UK contact-tracing app set to miss official launch date as Google, Apple release API

Government ministers aim to shore up contact-tracing strategy after junior minister concedes much-publicised app set miss-stated start date and Silicon Valley giants officially launch API for apps that follow different route than NHS
May 20, 2020 20 May'20
Nokia, KDDI trial fully virtualised 5G cloud RAN

Finnish comms tech supplier Nokia adds to portfolio of customers trailing its cloud RAN solutions in deal with leading Japanese operator KDDI, including Nokia AirScale
May 19, 2020 19 May'20
Ericsson extends 5G reach with China Telecom, China Unicom

Leading Chinese operators tap Swedish comms tech giant for 5G core portfolio systems, including cloud packet, NFVI, dynamic orchestration and spectrum sharing
May 19, 2020 19 May'20
Doubts mount over effectiveness of UK contact-tracing app

Studies from BCS and Anomali reveal that a significant proportion of the UK population is not prepared to download the Covid-19 contact-tracing app
May 19, 2020 19 May'20
Huawei: US using technological strengths to ‘crush’ companies outside its own borders

Chinese tech giant hits back at White House decision to extend technology ban and says it will ultimately be self-harming
May 18, 2020 18 May'20
Worldwide comms services industry projected to take limited hit from Covid-19

Coronavirus pandemic has changed some trends in the global telecom services market, but operators have adapted quickly and temporarily pushed aside some earlier priorities, says IDC
May 14, 2020 14 May'20
Vodafone aids Covid-19 fight with added capacity for NHS Scotland, and introduces IoT thermal camera

Comms tech to the fore in assisting key workers at temporary coronavirus facility in Glasgow, while heat detection camera combining thermal imaging and IoT capability will help facilitate people’s return to work
May 14, 2020 14 May'20
UK’s contact-tracing app targeted by scammers

Even though it is only operational on the Isle of Wight as a beta test, the UK government’s coronavirus contact-tracing app has already attracted the attention of cyber criminals
May 14, 2020 14 May'20
SK Telecom brings quantum security to the masses

The South Korean telco is readying the world’s first 5G smartphone equipped with a quantum random number generator chipset
May 13, 2020 13 May'20
Comms tech firms eye partnership opportunities with provider community

In latest example of growing trend, Virgin Media Business signs strategic partnership with integrated cloud communications platform to extend voice and unified communications portfolio
May 13, 2020 13 May'20
European comms bodies set up standards group, call for vigilance on contact-tracing apps

New ETSI group will develop standardisation framework for secure smartphone-based proximity tracing systems, helping to break Covid-19 transmission chains
May 12, 2020 12 May'20
Vodafone shrugs Virgin move as it posts steady financial year

UK operator claims to have defied the odds and bucked the market in last financial year but warns of impact of Covid-19 on business
May 11, 2020 11 May'20
Contact-tracing app hits teething troubles as minister confirms changes could be made

UK contact-tracing saga continues as UK government releases details of impact assessment on the app and admits that adaptations and even total change in form are not off the table
May 07, 2020 07 May'20
UK said to be on verge of major technology shift for Covid-19 contact-tracing app

Technology community awash with reports of potential sea change in much-publicised and much-criticised app away from controversial centralised database
May 07, 2020 07 May'20
Contact-tracing app fails to protect privacy and human rights

Reassurances over the security and human rights implications of NHSX’s approach to developing its Covid-19 contact-tracing app are insufficient, says the cross-bench Human Rights Committee
May 07, 2020 07 May'20
UK comms market set for shake-up as O2 and Virgin Media confirm merger

Coming-together of leading fixed-mobile provider and cable network provider will create genuine competition to BT/EE
May 07, 2020 07 May'20
Industry 4.0 transformation reaches communications inflection point

Survey finds huge potential for investment in advance 4G and 5G technology among industrial organisations
May 06, 2020 06 May'20
UK comms experts continue to question contact-tracing app

Academics and comms industry experts challenge UK government scientists on their defence of NHS contact-tracing app, in particular the issue of centralised data gathering
May 06, 2020 06 May'20
Telcos lose out in early enterprise 5G business

Research reveals that industries and enterprises are ready to reap the benefits of 5G, but warns that service providers need to learn how to satisfy this demand
May 05, 2020 05 May'20
Singapore to test 5G in Industry 4.0 trial

Trial, spearheaded by IMDA, IBM, Samsung and M1, will test the use of 5G, along with AI and IoT technologies, in manufacturing
May 05, 2020 05 May'20
UK contact-tracing app developers hit back at effectiveness and privacy doubts

Pre-eminent scientists continue to defend NHS contact-tracing app from criticism of its effectiveness and the use of centralised data gathering
May 05, 2020 05 May'20
Building security and privacy into contact-tracing apps

Governance and data decentralisation are among measures that organisations can take to allay security and privacy concerns over contact-tracing apps, according to RSA
May 04, 2020 04 May'20
SK Telecom, Deutsche Telekom form joint venture to combat coronavirus

Telecoms giants extend working relationship to expand global 5G ecosystem by accelerating 5G deployment in Europe and exchange their respective technological expertise once the situation with Covid-19 improves
May 04, 2020 04 May'20
UK transport research body calls for safer in-vehicle technologies

Voice-controlled systems are the future of autonomous, according to TRL, whose recommendations follow a report into Apple CarPlay and Android Auto demanding improved standards in voice-activated infotainment systems
May 01, 2020 01 May'20
5G on the ropes as Covid-19 set to land $51bn blow on global mobile services industry

Research predicts mobile revenue will drop 4.1% worldwide because of pandemic, with European operators taking a particular heavy hit
May 01, 2020 01 May'20
Global contact-tracing apps take divergent routes to beat Covid-19

Telecoms will play a key role in controlling the coronavirus through contact-tracing apps that can mitigate its spread. But that will only be the case if population masses actually use the apps – and that’s not guaranteed for a variety of reasons
April 30, 2020 30 Apr'20
Coronavirus: Young employees struggle with remote working

Communications tools identified as key pain point and hindering productivity for young UK workers
April 29, 2020 29 Apr'20
IT Priorities 2020: SD-WAN soars as collaboration and communications no longer on back burner

At the start of the year, networking professionals looked likely to invest in monitoring, converged architectures and WAN technologies, while unified communications was in decline and collaboration of minimal interest
April 29, 2020 29 Apr'20
Nokia closes capacity and customer experience tech deal with Bharti Airtel

Third-largest telco in the world’s second-largest telecoms market takes up Nokia Single Radio Access Network to enhance capacity and improve 5G readiness
April 28, 2020 28 Apr'20
Ericsson scores further 5G RAN win with True Corporation Thailand

Thai comms operator engages the Swedish technology provider to enable smooth, fast and cost-effective 5G network evolution in three regions
April 24, 2020 24 Apr'20
NHSX reveals full details of UK Covid-19 contact-tracing strategy

National Health Service’s digital innovation unit aims to allay fears over privacy and confidentiality in forthcoming contract-tracing app
April 23, 2020 23 Apr'20
Coronavirus: RAF flies in for UK contact tracing app test

NHS announces test at air base of app designed to alert users of the close proximity of those carrying or having symptoms of Covid-19
April 23, 2020 23 Apr'20
Public authorities set to receive expanded surveillance powers

UK government wants to extend the number of public authorities able to obtain communications data using mass surveillance
April 23, 2020 23 Apr'20
5,400% growth forecast for enterprises using WhatsApp Business APIs

Unprecedented and extraordinary growth forecast for business version of WhatsApp, with growth from just 992 to 55,000 users expected over the next five years
April 23, 2020 23 Apr'20
ABB Power plugs into Ericsson 5G tech to increase factory productivity

Ericsson gears up for the post-coronavirus world with confidence in 5G and reveals project for its 5G-ready Industry Connect with global leader in power technology