Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News

Reports suggest the company is preparing to divest of its Chilean unit, while at the same time making plans to buy Liberty Global’s stake in the UK’s Virgin Media O2

Telefonica is taking the next step in its withdrawal from South American, appointing Citi to oversee the sale of its Chilean unit, according to a report from El Confidencial.

Estimates suggest that the unit could be worth up to €1 billion.  

Telefonica has gradually been reducing its presence in Latin America since 2019, with the company saying it would instead focus on its key markets of Brazil, the UK, Spain, and Germany.

This transition has seen a notable acceleration this year, following the surprise ousting of longstanding executive chairman José María Álvarez-Pallete and his replacement by Indra’s Marc Murtra in January. So far in 2025, Telefonica has already agreed to divest of its operations in Argentina, Peru, and Colombia.

This week, Murta presented the company’s first quarterly results under his guidance, with these divestments contributing a significant financial hit to the companies bottom line. Telefonica booked a net loss of €1.3 billion in its Q1 financial reporting, €1.2 billion of which came from the discontinuation of the Argentinian and Peruvian units.

In Telefonica’s core markets, however, the company fared better, reporting a profit of €427 million.

“The results for the first quarter meet our expectations, while free cash flow reflects the usual seasonality. The Group’s results will improve throughout the year, in line with our forecasts for 2025,” said Telefonica COO Emilio Gayo in a related statement.

Speaking of the company’s core markets, reports suggest that Telefonica is considering taking full ownership of its Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), its UK joint venture with Liberty Global. Sources say that Murtra has held discussions with advisors on the plan, but no formal decision has yet been made.

Telefonica denies such discussions are underway, saying the company is “happy with the current situation”.

Buying out Liberty Global would be an expensive endeavour; VMO2 has recently been valued at £31.4 billion, with a problematic debt pile of £21.8 billion. Given that one of Murtra’s key focusses in Telefonica’s ongoing strategic review is to reduce the company’s own leverage – which currently stands at around €25.8 billion – such an acquisition would be challenging.

That said, there are options available. Under the original merger terms, the joint venture partners can seek an initial public offering three years after the deal’s close in 2021. Alternatively, they can also sell their stake directly to a third party once five years have passed – a deadline that would be reached next year.

Also in the news:
Germany appoints first ever digital minister
Signify and Cornerstone to deploy city-wide multi-operator wireless network through street lighting
BT opens new flagship Manchester office

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Rome, 15 May 2025

Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top global operators, announces the results of the Artificial Intelligence Sparkle Network Assurance (AISNA) project aimed at implementing artificial intelligence in its Network Operation Center (NOC) dedicated to managing and monitoring the international network.

Developed in collaboration with Engineering – a leader in digital transformation for businesses and public administrations – AISNA enables the automation of monitoring, management and quality improvement activities, thereby reducing the risk of errors and misalignments, and allowing faster responses to customer support requests.

By simplifying access to information and automating more repetitive tasks, the solution has reduced by 30% the operational handling time of alerts at the NOC and by up to 80% the average execution time for massive network update campaigns. Furthermore, thanks to AI’s ability to analyze email content, summarize key information and automatically update tickets, it has been possible to reduce by approximately 3,000 hours per year the time spent on customer reporting and by about 700 hours per year the time spent on RFO (Report for Outage). This has allowed staff to focus more on direct customer interaction and problem resolution, with a positive impact on the overall quality of service.

“Sparkle is engaged in several projects aimed at improving customer and employee experience through AI, as well as enriching our market proposition. The AISNA project, focused on network management, has been a top priority for its impact on customers and operations,” said Lorella Scalcione, Chief Information Officer of Sparkle.

“Thanks to this project,” confirms Danilo Decaroli, Head of Operations at Sparkle, “our NOC is now able to interact with customers even more promptly and transparently, while also operating more efficiently and with a greater focus, reducing the burden of repetitive activities in favor of customer care and problem solving.”

About Sparkle

Sparkle is TIM Group’s Global Operator, first international service provider in Italy and among the top worldwide, offering a full range of infrastructure and global connectivity services – capacity, IP, SD-WAN, colocation, IoT connectivity, roaming and voice – to national and international Carriers, OTTs, ISPs, Media/Content Providers, and multinational enterprises. A major player in the submarine cable industry, Sparkle owns and manages a network of more than 600,000 km of fiber spanning from Europe to Africa and the Middle East, the Americas and Asia. Its sales force is active worldwide and distributed over 32 countries.

Find out more about Sparkle following its X and LinkedIn profiles or visiting the website tisparkle.com

Media Contacts:

sparkle.communication@tisparkle.com

X: @TISparkle

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Broadband and telecoms giant BT Group has reportedly taken the decision to shift its remaining international business into a new standalone division, which is expected to comprise over 8,000 staff and will report separately from the company’s UK business.

BT has been gradually reducing their international operations for some time as part of wider cost cutting plans, which was most recently reflected in the agreement to sell their often troubled Italian business (BT Italia S.p.A) to Retelit for an undisclosed sum (here). Prior to that, we also covered the acquisition of their Irish wholesale and enterprise business unit – ‘BT Communications Ireland Ltd.‘ (BTCIL) – by the Speed Fibre Group (here).

According to the FT (paywall), the move to carve out their international business into a standalone unit could make it easier to sell, or possibly even merge with another network operator. But there’s also the potential for further redundancies and some other short-term challenges, such as with respect to the fact that BT has historically opted not to separate their financial disclosures between units (i.e. it’s currently hard to value the new unit).

In an internal memo sent to staff today, BT is reported to have said that the decision would give BT “the best chance of success” in both domestic and international markets, particularly as their competitors are said to have “gained strength”. The former chief of BT’s Business division, Bas Burger, is expected to run the “industry leading” new unit.

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The ITS Technology Group, which has built various open access full fibre broadband and Ethernet networks (“Faster Britain“) across urban parts of the UK for businesses and ISPs, today claims to have “become the first UK provider” to successfully trial the delivery of dedicated internet access services over 50G PON broadband tech (both in the lab and via a live business environment).

The claim is somewhat debatable, since Openreach recently conducted its own test of the 50Gbps (Gigabits per second) capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology with Nokia (here), which connected to a residential property in Ipswich (Suffolk, England). Similarly, Ogi are working toward a similar trial of 50G PON in Wales (here), while Netomnia are working with Adtran to conduct a commercial launch (here), but this has faced delays.

In the case of ITS Technology, the new trial was conducted with Nelson-based Limitless Digital Group and is the first of “several planned tests” across the UK. ITS said they’re building a bank of scalable, real-world use cases to support the roll-out of 50G-PON and shape how next-gen networks are adopted by enterprise, public sector, infrastructure partners, and smart city developers.

During the trial the ITS team observed 50G-PON speeds of 41.8Gbps downstream and 19.2Gbps upstream. This was while using combi-optics to deliver GPON and XGS-PON services, allowing ITS to deliver 50G-PON leased line services over existing networks without disruption to service.

Breaking news.. more to follow..

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

A new newspaper report claims that CityFibre is allegedly engaged in “discussions” with Fern Trading, a subsidiary of Octopus Investments, over the potential acquisition of the Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network built by All Points Fibre Networks (APFN) – itself reflecting an earlier consolidation of Jurassic Fibre, Swish Fibre and Giganet.

CityFibre currently aspires to cover up to 8 million UK premises with their new full fibre network – representing c.30% of the UK (they’ve already done 4.4 million or 4.2m as ready for service). But their original target of hitting that by around 2025 will not be achieved, and the operator has instead made no secret of their desire to boost their growth via mergers and acquisition (M&A) of smaller alternative networks.

In fact, CityFibre has only relatively recently completed or announced the consolidations of several altnets, including LitFibre and Connexin (here). But a separate report has also indicated that the network operator already has “up to” 850,000 homes served by other alternative networks “under M&A exclusivity“ (here), which suggests that even more deals are imminent.

According to The Times (paywall), the acquisition hungry provider is now said to be eyeing up the network assets of APFN for a possible deal (note: CityFibre and APFN already have a wholesale access agreement). The newspaper claims that “discussions” have taken place, although it’s unclear to what level this occurred, and Fern Trading itself has responded to say that APFN “is not for sale“.

However, we’d take that “not for sale” remark with a pinch of salt, particularly as they suffered a pre-tax loss of £35.2m for 2023 and are under similar strains to everybody else. In addition, it’s not clear whether their comment was only in reference to APFN the company or their network assets, or both. Furthermore, there isn’t much in the way of overbuild between CityFibre and APFN’s network across England, which would make them a potentially good fit.

In terms of network size, the FT uses an estimate from Enders Analysis to suggest that APFN’s infrastructure could reach 568,000 premises by the end of March 2025. But an independent estimate of ‘Ready for Service’ (RFS) premises published by Thinkbroadband put them closer to 298,000 premises in March 2025. Sadly, APFN have not shared an official figure in some time.

Finally, CityFibre itself is currently still in the process of trying to secure a £500m equity financing deal with existing investors (here), which is expected to be supported by £1bn of incremental debt funding – potentially enough liquidity to keep them fuelled through to mid-2027. The possibility of further deals may well hinge, at least in part, on the outcome of this.

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Broadband-based live TV streaming service Freely, which is supported by major UK TV broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 etc.) and is designed to be an evolution of the existing Freeview service (inc. Freeview Play and Freesat), has confirmed that they’re finally “considering” the development of a streaming media device.

Freeview Play is now a somewhat dated platform and one that remains centred around on-demand content, while Freely viewers will be able to easily browse and watch live UK TV channels together with on-demand content streamed straight to their smart TV via the internet (IPTV) – without the need for an aerial connection or new set-top-box (depending upon device support).

Just to be clear. Freely, which launched over a year ago (here), will not be replacing the Freeview and Freesat platforms and should, at least for now, be seen as more of a complement – a different kind of service that helps to make broadcast TV more accessible. The change is important because the age of traditional terrestrial TV signals, which came via the airwaves, is expected to gradually come to an end as gigabit-capable broadband nears almost universal UK coverage by 2030 (currently c.86%).

However, one of the biggest roadblocks to adoption of Freely’s platform today remains its limited availability, which has seen the new service deployed across a variety of new TV sets but not much else (some major TV manufacturers are also still missing from their supported device list). But customers of most existing internet-connected TVs, as well as popular TV streaming boxes and sticks, have all been excluded.

The good news is that yesterday’s speech by Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, at the Lowry Theatre in Salford, appeared to confirm that Freely was finally looking at the possibility of developing its own streaming box to support the service.

Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, said:

“At the BBC we have been working hard to build digital platforms and content to meet changing audience needs, enriching our offer and welcoming the possibilities of a post broadcast world.

We think now is the time to confirm an IP switchover in the 2030s, setting out the conditions and providing certainty to ensure success.

There are huge benefits, financially and socially, and we want to play our part, working with Government, with our sector and beyond to help – building trust that a digital world can work for all. The BBC can play a key role in innovating to ensure that the new world is inclusive and accessible.

To help, we want to double down on Freely as a universal free service to deliver live TV over broadband. And we are considering a streaming media device with Freely capabilities built in, with a radically simplified user interface specifically designed to help those yet to benefit from IP services.”

The big caveats above are Tim’s use of the word “considering” (not particularly definitive) and the fact that they seem to be looking at putting out their own streaming box, rather than talking about getting Freely on to existing TVs and streaming devices. Still, at least they’re talking about it now, which is a step in the right direction.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Press Release

The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP) has officially been approved as a registered training provider for the Level 4 Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE) apprenticeship — a move that directly responds to the UK’s growing need for skilled telecoms engineers.

After more than a decade of supporting apprenticeships across the industry, this marks a major evolution for the ITP, transitioning from talent advocate to hands-on training provider. Backed by leading employers including Vodafone and Cornerstone, the programme is designed to meet urgent industry demands for future-ready engineering talent.

“This is a significant shift for the ITP and for the sector,” said Charlotte Goodwill, CEO of the ITP. “We’re stepping up to not just support apprenticeships, but to deliver training — ensuring learners are equipped to meet the standards the industry needs.”

The CNFE standard focuses on the skills required to build and maintain mobile infrastructure – including 5G – at a time when pressure on UK connectivity has never been higher. By delivering this programme directly, the ITP is closing the gap between industry expectations and apprentice preparedness.

Since 2013, the ITP has placed thousands of apprentices into the telecoms sector. Achieving provider status allows the organisation to take a more active role in developing the next generation of engineers, shaped by real-world demands and employer feedback.

Vodafone and Cornerstone — supporters of the ITP’s work — welcomed the announcement.

“We’re proud to support the ITP as they take this next step,” said Andrew Murchison, Access Assurance Manager at Vodafone. “The CNFE standard is key to delivering the connectivity the UK needs, and apprenticeships like this are vital for creating lasting career pathways in our sector.”

“As the industry evolves, it’s essential that training evolves with it,” said Andy Train, CNO at Cornerstone. “We’re pleased to support the ITP in helping to develop a highly skilled, future-ready workforce that reflects the needs of our networks and partners.”

For more on developing your career, make sure you attend Connected Britain in September and remember you can earn CPD points for participating.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Press Release

New GSMA Global Spectrum Pricing Report finds spectrum costs have risen sharply as a percentage of revenues, increasing the cost burden on operators and constraining critical network investment

The GSMA today released its latest ‘Global Spectrum Pricing Report’, highlighting that average spectrum prices have not reduced in line with operator revenues over the last decade — putting significant pressure on their ability to invest in essential network infrastructure.

The report shows that, whilst both consumer prices for mobile services and the average cost of spectrum have fallen, the overall cost burden on mobile network operators (MNOs) has actually risen sharply. Global cumulative spectrum costs now account for 7% of operator revenues, a 63% increase over the past ten years. Meanwhile, the average revenue generated per megahertz (MHz) of spectrum has declined by 60% over the same period. Although costs per MHz have fallen by up to 75% in some bands since 2014, operators have increased spectrum holdings by 80% over the same period to cope with bandwidth demand, driving up the overall cost.

A gigabyte of data is far more affordable today than ten years ago, with operators experiencing a staggering 96% fall in revenue per GB between 2014 and 2024. However, these falling revenues, when combined with the proportionately high cost of acquiring spectrum, restrict operators’ ability to invest in expanding and improving mobile networks, particularly 4G and 5G. The report shows that higher spectrum costs correlate directly with lower network coverage and reduced mobile speeds, impacting consumers and slowing the development of digital economies worldwide.

Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, said: “The mobile industry sits at the heart of the digital economy, enabling services and opportunities that transform lives. But a dollar can only be spent once, and high spectrum costs can choke investment at a time when the need for affordable, reliable connectivity has never been greater. Governments and regulators must prioritise spectrum pricing that reflects market realities and fosters long-term digital growth. By ensuring spectrum is affordable, they can unlock faster network expansion, better service quality, and greater digital inclusion for all of their citizens.

The Global Spectrum Pricing Report also highlights that public policy choices — such as setting artificially high reserve prices, creating artificial scarcity, and attaching onerous licence obligations — have often contributed to inflated spectrum costs. In some countries, spectrum costs can reach as high as 25% of operator revenues.

The GSMA urges policymakers to adjust spectrum prices in line with current market conditions and the economic realities faced by operators. With nearly 1,000 spectrum licences set to expire worldwide by 2030, upcoming renewals present a critical opportunity to reset pricing policies to drive investment in the next generation of mobile networks.

Also in the news:
Verizon to deploy private 5G network at Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium
AllPoints Fibre Networks unveils aquila
VMO2’s Recycle for Business service processes 45,000 devices 

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Press Release

In theory the possibilities of IoT are endless, but in practice there are still limits to what is achievable with existing types of connectivity. Despite the telcos’ efforts to ensure seamless global communication – ensuring cellular connectivity everywhere and at all times – the investment needed to extend mobile technology to regions where it is commercially difficult to justify building terrestrial base stations is challenging.

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are primed to address these challenges, but until now, have been technically constrained. That’s all about to change. With the evolution of 5G and 6G technologies, we’re entering an era where companies investing in satellite communications could soon make seamless cellular standard connectivity, even in the most remote areas, a reality.

Kevin Cobley and Richard Jacklin of Plextek explain how 5G and 6G integration with NTN has the potential to transform global connectivity with Direct-to-Device (D2D) communication.

From Backhaul to Direct-to-Device

While the intersection between cellular technologies and space and satellite communications has existed since the early days of 2G and GSM, when it comes to reaching remote and hard-to-reach areas, satellites have primarily been used for backhauling.

This process involves transporting traffic from the base stations to the mobile switching centre via satellite links, microwave radio links, or other methods of communication. However, current satellite coverage for mobile devices usually requires bulky antennas or offers very low data rates.

With 5G and 6G, satellites are now being considered for direct connectivity between base stations and user devices. This shift to D2D communication means devices – like smartphones or IoT sensors – can connect directly to a satellite without a ground-based intermediary. The benefits are enormous: global connectivity, no black spots in coverage, higher throughput, and access even in the most isolated areas. But it also means overcoming significant engineering challenges.

Overcoming Technical Hurdles 

One of the main challenges in space and satellite communication is efficient frequency usage. High spectral efficiency is a hallmark of 5G, enabling more effective use of the frequency spectrum. However, achieving this in space-based systems and user devices is anything but straightforward. Large antennas are often impractical, making it essential to adopt lightweight, compact, and efficient solutions that maintain performance. Another critical factor is the integration of antennas and radios – particularly in massive MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) systems, which require numerous antenna elements. This has driven a shift toward fully integrated units, where the antenna becomes a core part of the electronics.

Another major hurdle is the power budget for handset-to-space communications, especially considering the constraints of both devices and orbiting base stations. The distance between a mobile device and a satellite is significantly greater than between a terrestrial base station and a mobile device (300 to 500 kilometres versus 15 kilometres). That alone creates a major power challenge. Satellites often spend extended periods in eclipse, during which they cannot generate power because they are on the dark side of the Earth. This limitation necessitates careful power management strategies.

And finally, higher latency as a result of distance between device and satellite compared to device and terrestrial network, will need to be mitigated so as not to impact the user experience. While it is not possible to eliminate latency, it is possible to minimise its impact. One way is to perform edge processing in space instead of relying on the bent pipe method that relays data back to and from Earth for processing. This approach provides the best user experience but is power-intensive.

To manage and balance these interlinking challenges, a system-level approach is essential – one that combines technical expertise, particularly in RF front-end design, low-loss and low-power solutions, with key design-for-excellence principles such as scalability, manufacturability, and testability.

Conclusion

The integration of 5G and 6G technologies with satellite networks has the potential to reshape global connectivity, but in practice the possibilities of IoT are still limited by current forms of connectivity. D2D communication could ensure reliable, low-power data transmission from remote sensors without requiring a local network. In defense, it could offer resilient and rapidly deployable networks. And for consumers, the dream of flawless mobile coverage – whether on land, at sea, or in the air – would finally become a reality. However, D2D is not without its challenges. Businesses need to invest in the specialist engineering expertise to navigate the harsh realities of space – such as radiation, extreme temperatures, and launch-related stresses – while designing products that are scalable and cost-effective.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Broadband and phone provider Virgin Media (O2) has today launched another trial to support their Digital Landline Switchover (DLS) programme (i.e. migrating old analogue landline phones to IP-based services), which this time focuses on giving support to telecare users in Cardiff (Wales) in order to help them make the switch.

Just to recap. Virgin Media first restarted their DLS scheme in April 2024 (here), which came after it was paused at the end of 2023 as part of their commitment under the previous Government-led charter that had been designed to limit risks for vulnerable users. The process has since been further tweaked via the new Government’s Telecare National Action Plan (TNAP).

However, the switch is a particular concern for the c. 1.8 million people who use telecare devices / alarms in the UK (e.g. elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people), many of which are located in rural and isolated areas. Sadly, a lot of those telecare systems haven’t been updated to work with the newer Internet Protocol (IP) based voice / phone services, which is despite the telecare industry having plenty of years to prepare.

In response to this Virgin Media has already been conducting initial trials of a new approach to the switchover alongside the TSA, which provided enhanced support to telecare users, such as engineer visits and a commitment to ensure that everything works before completing the process (here).

The new trial in Cardiff, carried out in collaboration with telecare advisory body, the TEC Services Association (TSA), and Telecare Cardiff, builds on the first trial by working to “identify, contact and provide comprehensive support to telecare customers” (i.e. Virgin Media customers in Cardiff with fall alarms, personal alarms and lifeline devices). This will all take place “over the next month“.

Features of the New Trial

➤ Using Virgin Media O2 and Telecare Cardiff dual-branded letters, emails and texts to reach customers

➤ Ensuring Virgin Media O2’s UK-based customer care agents arrange switching appointments, with Telecare Cardiff providing follow up calls if necessary

➤ Telecare Cardiff and the TSA providing bespoke training sessions for Virgin Media O2 engineers to familiarise them with their specific in-home equipment and advise on how best to support shared customers. Engineers have committed to never leave a customer without a working landline or telecare device, with monitoring of the landline service continuing after they leave the property.

The customers who will be contacted as part of this trial have been identified thanks to the use of a secure data sharing agreement (DSA) between Virgin Media O2 and Telecare Cardiff, helping identify people who use both services. In Cardiff, 1 in 10 telecare users were previously unknown to Virgin Media O2 but have been identified after signing the data sharing agreement.

In addition to working with Telecare Cardiff, customers of other private telecare companies in the area who have been identified via alternative means – including self-identification directly to VMO2 – will also be taking part in this trial. Virgin is calling on anyone who may need additional support, particularly in the Cardiff area, to contact them as soon as possible and let them know they are using a telecare device.

Gareth Lister, Director of Connectivity at VMO2, said:

“With our decades-old copper network rapidly reaching end-of-life, it’s essential we move to digital voice so we can continue offering reliable services for years to come in Cardiff and beyond. We know how important it is to get this right for our customers, particularly those who rely on landline services and who use care alarms.

Working closely with Telecare Cardiff, we’ve been able to better identify and communicate with our shared customers, offering the on-hand support they need for a smooth migration today, while also giving them the confidence and reassurance they deserve both now and in the future.”

With the network becoming more fragile day by day, there has never been a more pressing time for all local authorities and telecare providers to step up and play their part. We urge others to follow Cardiff’s lead and sign data sharing agreements to ensure no one is left behind.”

The broadband provider added that related migrations across the UK are due to continue and ramp up towards the end of the year, with VMO2 also renewing its call for all remaining local authorities and telecare providers to “step up and establish essential data-sharing agreements to ensure all vulnerable customers can be identified and supported“.