Bangkok, Thailand – November 27, 2024 – Compax Software Development PTE Ltd., the software arm of Compax Digital Group (“Compax Digital”), and Thailand’s AGTR Group Co., Ltd., (“AGTR Group”), announce the formation of MVNO.SERVICES Co., Ltd., a new joint venture designed to transform Thailand’s mobile service sector.

MVNO.SERVICES will leverage on Compax Digital’s cutting-edge technology suite with AGTR Group’s extensive expertise in MVNO operations and local market insights, to launch a mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA) and enabler (MVNE), providing a seamless end-to-end platform that empowers businesses and organizations with Support, Connectivity, and Technology to launch and operate mobile services as mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) in the country.

Aligned with National Telecom Reform Goals

The establishment of MVNO.SERVICES comes at a pivotal time and is directly aligned with Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission’s (NBTC) recent announcement of urgent policies to intensify competition and lower telecom costs in the market. A key initiative in these policies is the support of an easy-to-connect MVNA/MVNE platform designed to facilitate the entry of new MVNO players into the Thai market.

Driving Digital Transformation and Fostering Innovation

The joint venture reflects the partners’ commitment to driving digital transformation in Thailand and enhancing accessibility to affordable and innovative mobile services. By enabling more operators to enter the market, MVNO.SERVICES will empower businesses and deliver new value to consumers across the country.

Executive Quotes

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey to redefine what’s possible in Thailand’s mobile industry,” said Leopold Kojeder, CEO, CompaxDigital Holding. “By combining our global technological expertise with AGTR Group’s MVNO and local market knowledge, MVNO.SERVICES will set a new benchmark for innovation in the Thai telecom sector.”

Nungnapha Rasmussen, CEO of AGTR Group Co., Ltd., added, “This collaboration marks a turning point for Thailand’s telecom industry. MVNO.SERVICES is designed to lower barriers to entry for businesses eager to launch mobile services, enabling them to deliver innovative and compelling mobile offerings while fostering a more competitive and dynamic market.”

Aligning with a Global Trend

The creation of MVNO.SERVICES aligns with broader trends in global telecommunications, where enabling platforms are increasingly recognized as key drivers for innovation and competition. By equipping businesses with the tools and expertise needed to succeed, MVNO.SERVICES aims to democratize access to the telecom market, and create a more inclusive, competitive, and innovative ecosystem in Thailand.

### End Of Press Release ###

About MVNO.SERVICES

MVNO.SERVICES provides a full turnkey solution that significantly reduces the costs, time and complexity of launching and operating successful MVNOs. MVNO.SERVICES include ongoing support from local market experts and seasoned MVNO specialists, telecom network connectivity, along with a flexible state-of-the-art technology platform to make MVNOs run smoothly and successfully.

About CompaxDigital

Compax Digital is a leading provider of innovative BSS/OSS solutions, empowering telecommunications companies worldwide to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and drive business growth. With a focus on agility, modularity, and cutting-edge technology, CompaxDigital delivers solutions that meet the evolving needs of the modern telecom industry.

News

Allera will be replaced by telecoms veteran Claire Gillies from April next year

EE CEO Marc Allera has announced that he will step down from the role at the end of March next year, having spent nine years with BT Group.

In a statement, Allera said he was “proud to have led an incredible team through enormous change in the market” over the past nine years.

“In that time we have transformed every aspect of our operations to deliver great service to our 25m customers across the UK, with everything they need for our fast-moving world of technology. We’ve created a fantastic platform for growth, and I wish Claire the very best for the future,” he said. “While I’m looking forward to the next chapter, I’ll be leaving with great memories of my time at BT and EE, and want to thank every single one of my colleagues who has contributed to our success together.”

BT CEO Allison Kirkby described Allera as an “outstanding leader”, thanking him for his years of service as well as his support over the past year as she transitioned into the CEO role.

Allera has yet to announce his next professional role, saying in a LinkedIn post that it is “the right time for me to move on to a new chapter in my career, and a new challenge. I’ll let you know what that is when the time is right.”

Commenting on the move, analysts highlighted Allera’s many achievements at BT/EE, praising his leadership and strategic guidance.

“He has overseen the first UK commercial launches of 3G (at Three UK), 4G (at EE) and 5G (at BT/EE), surely a unique triple. Among his other achievements he managed that rare thing, a (rightly) widely-regarded-as-successful large scale telecoms merger/integration with BT and EE, a deftly handled exit from BT Sport, and has navigated seemingly endless regulatory pricing rule changes with ease,” said James Barford, Head of Telecoms at Enders Analysis in a LinkedIn post.

“I’m really proud to have led my incredible team through enormous changes in our market, constantly evolving and adapting our company at every stage of the journey. From the creation of EE 12 years ago, the integration of EE with BT, our launch into gaming and new verticals, and most recently our joint venture in sport with Warner Bros Discovery are just some of the major moves I am proud to have been part of and led the team through,” he said.

“This should not come as a huge surprise as it has been on the cards for some time. Arguably there is not much left for him to do,” said telco analyst Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight. “He has successfully managed numerous transitions of brands and platforms, most recently spearheading the new EE as the consumer facing brand for the company. Played a key role in offloading assets like BT Sport and reshaping consumer to be a driving force for future growth. The unit is in a far better position which will need tweaks here and there for the successor.”

Allera is set to be replaced by Claire Gillies, a telecoms veteran of 23 years, whose most recent role was as President of Bell Canada’s Wireless and Consumer Divisions.

“I am beyond excited to take this role at such an important British company. BT and EE are two of the UK’s most iconic brands leading the industry and connecting people to the things that really matter. I can’t wait to join Allison and the broader BT team as we pursue our mission to become the UK’s most trusted connector of people, devices and machines.”

Allera will remain in the role to aid in the transition until March 31 next year, with Gillies formally set to take over the role on April 1.

The UK’s telecoms landscape is changing rapidly. Join the operators in discussion at Connected North 2025 live in Manchester

Also in the news:
Sweden asks Chinese ship to return for investigation after Baltic Sea cable damage
Australia regulator dishes out midband spectrum for private networks
BT unveils new managed SASE service 

News

Change is in the air at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with a new review of rules around submarine cables, the first such review since 2001. That, and comments from President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be FCC chair signal a new scrutiny toward the government’s approach to broadband infrastructure. 

1. Carr says ‘important discussion’ needed about BEAD’s future
   FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said the commission will have to have an important discussion about the future of the BEAD program. 

1. FCC chairwoman announces intention to leave office
   Jessica Rosenworcel, the chairwoman of the FCC, has announced her intention to leave the FCC effective Jan. 20, 2025. 

1. FCC launches first review of submarine cable rules since 2001
   The Federal Communications Commission has voted to launch a major review of licensing rules surrounding submarine cable rules. 

1. Carr tells reporters FCC is ‘unlikely’ to revisit past Starlink decision
   Reuters is reporting that President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be FCC chairman believes the commission is unlikely to revisit a decision to withhold funds from Starlink. 

1. New white paper reimagines multifamily connectivity
   Exploring some key insights from the 20for20/RETTC White Paper, The State of Multifamily Connectivity 

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) has today revealed the list of winners from their annual 2024 INCA Awards event, which aims to recognise and celebrate the top alternative networks (altnets) and ISPs from across the UK. Suffice to say that it was a good night for Brsk (Netomnia), Ogi, Quickline, Wessex Internet and others.

As usual, the winners were all decided by a panel of five “independent” industry judges (here), which included a mix of people from various network operators, consultancy and analyst firms.

The awards were then handed down last night at INCA Summit’s Award dinner in Wales. “The Altnets have continually shown that they are not only ensuring greater choice for broadband consumers, but that their role towards advancing the UK’s broadband infrastructure and digital ecosystem is critical,” said INCA CEO Paddy Paddison. “INCA’s annual awards give us the opportunity to unite the sector and celebrate the outstanding achievements and dedication of the organisations and individuals improving fibre and gigabit access.”

Winners of the 2024 INCA Awards

• The Customer Acquisition Award: Brsk

Recognised for leading the way in customer engagement and service. As the industry pivots from network expansion to increasing customer take-up, Brsk has excelled in understanding customer needs and creating compelling service offers. Their innovative strategies in communication and service delivery highlight their commitment to growing broadband accessibility.

• Outstanding Delivery of New Infrastructure Award: Ogi

Wales-based broadband company, Ogi, received the award for their remarkable achievements in bringing high-quality broadband infrastructure to underserved regions. This award honours organisations that stand out in the pace and scale of their network deployment, despite the challenges faced over the past year. Ogi’s accomplishments exemplify their dedication to tackling these challenges head-on and seizing new opportunities to enhance digital infrastructure.

• Sustainability Award: PlatformX Communications (PXC)

Recognised for their pioneering approach to eco-friendly practices within the ICT sector. With climate change as a pressing concern, the award celebrates organisations that place sustainability at the core of their strategy. PXC’s efforts to reduce emissions and champion environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives demonstrate their leadership in promoting a greener future for the industry.

• Best Social Value Award: Quickline

Earned for their commitment to driving social inclusion through providing reliable connectivity for rural areas. This award recognises initiatives that ensure no one is left behind in the digital era, whether through community projects of partnerships that deliver skills, devices, and essential connectivity. Quickline’s efforts have made a meaningful different to individuals and communities, underscoring the vital role of connectivity in modern society.

• Best Public Sector or Community Project: Wessex Internet

Awarded for their expertise in coordinating and collaborating on projects that bridge the gap between public and private sectors. This award acknowledges the critical role of local authorities and public bodies in advancing digital connectivity. Wessex Internet’s work exemplifies the success that can be achieved when communities and public sector partners come together to provide inclusive, community-focused connectivity solutions.

• Technical Innovation Award: ACOME Group

Celebrating their groundbreaking contributions to network technology. As the industry advances, this award highlights innovations that play a crucial role in transforming connectivity. ACOME Group’s solutions have demonstrated the power of innovative hardware and software in meeting the sector’s evolving needs.

• Outstanding Contribution Award: Ogi’s CEO, Ben Allwright

Received the Award for his enduring commitment to the industry. This award honours individuals or organisations that go above and beyond, with Ben’s leadership marking a significant impact on broadband access. His work has left a lasting influence, embodying dedication to the industry’s continued progress.

• Rising Star: Quickline engineer, Katrina Brown

Recognition of her remarkable skills and contributions as an emerging leader. This award celebrates those new to the sector who show resilience, enthusiasm, and readiness to tackle challenges. Katrina’s determination and potential distinguish her as a future leader, making her a standout talent in the field.

Telecoms and broadband giant BT Group has today announced that the CEO of their UK Consumer Division (EE), Marc Allera, is to step down from the role on 31st March 2025. The operator also confirmed that Claire Gillies would then become CEO-Designate and a member of its Executive Committee on 10th December 2024, as part of a transition process.

Marc has become somewhat of a familiar face as EE’s boss, having held the position of CEO since as far back as January 2016, before taking on the expanded role of Consumer CEO at both BT and EE, following the merger. More recently he also became the Chairman of the joint venture between BT Group & Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT Sports) and, earlier this year named, was named Chair of the Board for Jagex.

Marc’s replacement, Claire Gillies, is similarly experienced and is said to have more than 23 years’ experience in telecoms, having worked at Bell Canada since 2000 in a variety of senior leadership roles. Most recently, she was President of Bell Canada’s Wireless and Consumer Divisions where she ran a business generating CA$14bn (c.£8bn) in revenues with more than 8,000 colleagues and over 20 million customer subscriptions.

Allison Kirkby, CEO of BT Group, said:

“Marc has been an outstanding leader of BT’s Consumer unit, contributing significantly to the company’s growth, and to multiple key initiatives such as leading the team through the integration of EE into BT Group, the creation of the BT Sport joint venture with Warner Bros Discovery, and launching New EE as our lead consumer brand.

I am also grateful to Marc for his support to me this year, and for the support I know he’ll give to Claire as they work alongside each other over the next few months. As he moves on beyond BT in the Spring of next year, we all wish him every success.

I’m delighted to welcome Claire to BT. She brings a wealth of international telecoms experience and has a track record of driving growth in both consumer focused and retail businesses. She will be a brilliant addition to our team as we continue to grow BT’s Consumer division, and EE into the UK’s leading consumer brand for converged connectivity.”

Claire herself added that she was “beyond excited” to take on the new role. But changes of management can often foreshadow changes in company strategy, although today’s announcement doesn’t appear to signal any particular divergence from the operator’s existing plans for their Consumer Division.

Contributed Article

by Rakuten Symphony

At Telecoms World Asia 2024, a familiar theme echoed in the halls: a certain virtualization leader’s post-acquisition pricing has reached untenable levels.  

Here’s the twist: they may actually have done you a massive favor.

Why? These rising costs are a wakeup call. They are forcing operators to take a hard look at whether legacy platforms—once the backbone of networks—can support the demands of modern telecom operations.

The cracks in the foundation are becoming increasingly obvious:

• Legacy inefficiency: Legacy platforms have heavy overhead and are cost-prohibitive for edge deployments and modern workloads.
• Operational drag: Updates and changes are hard to keep up with in distributed environments, hampering innovation and adaptability.
• Complexity creep: Bolting on new functionality to old architectures only makes systems more unwieldy, harder to manage and a licensing nightmare.

Now, pricing shifts are forcing a decision, creating a “good” problem.

This is your moment

Rakuten understands the letdown of realizing legacy platforms can’t deliver speed, automation or economic efficiency. We saw it ourselves while building our own highly distributed cloud.

We spent years building a platform that could meet modern telecom network needs. It might be the right platform for you too, especially if your operations could benefit from:

• One architecture to seamlessly manage legacy VM-based and cloud-native workloads.
• Automation at scale to deploy updates in parallel across thousands of locations.
• Simplified operations that include one platform, one license and zero added complexity.

It’s time to break free from old limitations and look toward the future. In fact, some operators have already started on this journey.

If you’re ready to rip off the band-aid, get ahead of the curve, eliminate inefficiencies and reap the rewards of automation, please reach out to us.

And maybe thank your legacy provider for making the decision that much easier.

Considering the move to a modern cloud? Contact Rakuten Cloud today to learn more.   

The UK Government (DSIT, UK Space Agency) has today announced the launch of a new £3.5m “Very Hard to Reach Programme“, which will conduct three projects that seek to use hybrid networks (e.g. a mix of satellite, fixed wireless and 5G/6G mobile technologies) to help improve broadband connectivity in remote rural areas.

At present a little over 85% of UK premises can already access gigabit-capable broadband services via a fixed line connection (usually FTTP or Hybrid Fibre Coax), which is largely thanks to commercial deployments. The government’s existing £5bn Project Gigabit scheme (around £2bn of this has yet to be used) is similarly working to help lift this up to deliver “nationwide” (c.99%) coverage by 2030.

However, it’s long been recognised that some of the premises in that final 1% will simply be far too expensive for even Project Gigabit to upgrade, which is why both the past and present governments have been busy exploring alternative networking solutions to help resolve the issue of “very hard to reach” areas.

As part of this, the government has today published a new call for expressions of interest in delivering future satellite services for very hard to reach areas, which will see DSIT and the UK Space Agency working alongside the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme. The call is focussed on three different projects (these must include an element of match funding):

The Three Rural Broadband Projects

1. Nomadic Multi-orbit User Terminal Demonstrator (UK funding limit – up to £500,000)
2. Papa Stour Service Demonstrator (UK funding limit – up to £1 million)
3. Rathlin Island Service Demonstrator (UK funding limit – up to £2 million)

The first project aims to provide portable gigabit-capable internet speeds, with satellite (LEO/GEO) terminals designed to be mounted on vehicles to improve connectivity for users such as local authorities, farmers, emergency services, and the events and hospitality sector. In two specific rural and remote islands in Shetland (Papa Stour) and Northern Ireland (Rathlin Island), two other projects will test hybrid networks to see if they could be used to support further locations unable to connect to traditional networks.

In case anybody has forgotten, Papa Stour was also the site of another very similar rural satellite and wireless broadband trial involving OneWeb’s LEO satellites and Clarus Networks during 2023, under the previous government (here). The new project similarly proposes testing a hybrid satellite-wireless solution using LEO and GEO terminals to boost connectivity for both residents and tourists, with distribution being handled by a wireless network on a “whole community” basis, without needing many on-site personnel to sustain it.

Chris Bryant, UK Telecoms Minister, said:

“Digital infrastructure is essential for our modern way of life. But for too long, many businesses and communities have felt left behind.

This is why we must do whatever it takes to ensure we harness technological innovation to enrich people’s lives and tackle exclusion, rather than entrench existing inequalities. These pilots, for instance, will help shape the next generation of connectivity, using a combination of satellite technology and mobile networks to test innovative new services that could be a real game-changer for remote and rural communities.”

The government contends that, by integrating advanced space technologies and addressing local challenges, these projects have the “potential to significantly enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and improve the quality of life for residents in some of the UK’s most isolated regions“. This is true.

However, we’ve now seen quite a few projects and trials like this over the past 2-3 years, yet very little has emerged in the way of a cohesive programme to help make such alternative solutions readily available for more locations – as demand requires.

A Webinar will be held with interested parties at 11am on Thursday 5th December 2024 to explain further details around the call and application process. The call for expressions of interest itself is due to close at midday on Friday 31st January 2025 and the UK Space Agency aims to notify all applicants of the results of their expressions by the week commencing Monday 10th February 2025. But the rest of us won’t learn the final outcome until the week commencing Monday 17th April 2025.

Alternative network operator Grain (Grain Connect) has announced that they’re expanding their gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband network into the town of Ashington in Northumberland (England). The operator’s network currently reaches 220,000 UK premises RFS (21st May 2024) and has already connected 30,000 customers.

The local roll-out in the town, which ultimately aims to reach “thousands of homes” (we don’t get anything more specific than that), is currently entering the construction phase. After that, the “first customers” are then due to be connected sometime during “early 2025“, although it’s unclear how long the build itself will take to reach completion.

Grain’s decision to expand into Ashington is not totally unexpected, as they already have a limited deployment in nearby Blyth. On the other hand, the altnet will face some competition, not least from the well-established and wide coverage of existing gigabit-capable broadband networks via Openreach and Virgin Media (nexfibre). Some smaller providers, like Fibrenest, also have a very limited presence in the town.

Richard Cameron, Grain’s CEO, said:

“We’re not just delivering faster internet; we are also saving customers a significant amount on their monthly broadband bill. Whether you’re streaming your favourite shows, working from home or gaming, we’re helping to build a more connected Ashington.”

The ISP is celebrating this expansion with some exclusive offers for early birds in the town. Locals will be able to sign up for their 150Mbps package this November for just £19.99 per month, with the first 3 months of service being offered at half price (£9.99). Customers will also get free installation.

The operator’s full fibre network can also be found in parts of 59 other UK locations (plus over 150 new build housing developments), which includes a lot of small-to-modest sized patches of various urban cities and towns like Leicester, Liverpool, Accrington, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Scarborough, Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness, Hartlepool, Hull, Newport, Sunderland, Blackburn and so forth.

News 

The trial paves the way for bringing satellite-enabled messaging to customers in remote areas across Europe 

Deutsche Telekom, Qualcomm, and Skylo Technologies have completed what they claim is Europe’s first successful trial of text messaging direct-to-handset over satellite.  

The trial, conducted in Greece by Deutsche Telekom’s local subsidiary Cosmote, saw the Cosmote’s terrestrial mobile network integrated with Skylo’s GEO satellite network, allowing the device user to send and receive SMS messages. The devices used were equipped with a Snapdragon® X-80 5G Modem-RF System and integrated NB-NTN satellite connectivity. 

The messages were sent over Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum and were based technically on 3GPP’s Release 17 specifications for Direct-to-Handset (D2H) connectivity. This will allow customers to send and receive text messages globally, even in areas without traditional mobile coverage, using their regular phones, with no ad-ons or additional hardware.  

Perhaps the biggest advantage here is the use of commercially licensed MSS spectrum, which is available on a pan-European basis, allowing devices to roam seamlessly across international borders.  

“Soon, subscribers won’t have to think twice about coverage before texting, whether they’re on a remote island in Greece or venturing in regions without cell coverage – it’ll be a part of their cellular service. The future of satellite connectivity is strong integration into carrier networks and we’re excited to partner with Deutsche Telekom which has been paving the way for these new services”, said Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO and co-founder of Skylo in a press rel ease. 

The technology could play a key role in improving coverage for rural communities, enhancing emergency response, and providing reliable connectivity wherever it is needed. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom newsletter 

Also in the news:
Sweden asks Chinese ship to return for investigation after Baltic Sea cable damage
Australia regulator dishes out midband spectrum for private networks
BT unveils new managed SASE service 

News 

The investigation was launched after two cables were severed in the Baltic Sea last week 

Swedish Prime Minster Ulf Kristersson has requested that a Chinese ship return to Swedish waters as part of an ongoing investigation into the damage of two subsea cable systems in the Baltic Sea last week. 

Last Sunday, the 218km BCS East-West Interlink cable, which connects Gotland, Sweden, and Lithuania, was damaged and taken offline. The next day, the C-lion-1 cable between Helsinki, Finland, and Rostock, Germany, was also severed. This cable is the only direct link between Finland and mainland Europe.  

European governments said at the time that they feared the damage was an intentional act of sabotage on behalf of malicious state actors and started an immediate investigation. As the damage to both affected cables occurred in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone (the area of the sea to which a country has exclusive rights), this investigation is being led by a team of Swedish prosecutors. 

Following the initial phases of investigation, it was quickly discovered that the Chinese bulk carrier ship Yi Peng 3 was in the area at the time the cable damage occurred. As such, Swedish authorities are now requesting that Yi Peng 3 returns to Swedish waters to cooperate with investigators.  

The Chinese ship is currently anchored in international waters within Denmark’s exclusive economic zone. 

“From the Swedish side we have had contact with the ship and contact with China and said that we want the ship to move towards Swedish waters,” PM Kristersson told a press conference this week. 

The PM was keen to stress that, at this stage, there is no accusation of malice, but that “this is the second time in a relatively short period of time that there have been serious physical cable breaches.”  

This is in reference to an incident in October last year, when a gas pipeline and submarine telecoms cable connecting Finland and Estonia were both severely damaged. Swedish officials described the damage as “purposeful”, and investigations are ongoing. 

Join us at next year’s Submarine Networks EMEA, the industry’s most important subsea cable event! Get your discounted tickets here 

Also in the news:
Australia regulator dishes out midband spectrum for private networks
BT unveils new managed SASE service
Amazon doubles Anthropic backing to $8bn in largest ever venture investment