Press Release

An innovative ‘Dig Once’ policy is continuing to demonstrate its value in reducing carbon emissions, minimising disruption and successfully expanding the county’s digital connectivity.

Through Light Blue Fibre, a joint venture between Cambridgeshire County Council and the University of Cambridge to commercially market the fibre assets of both the University and the Council, this forward-thinking approach is helping to yield substantial environmental and economic benefits.

The Dig Once policy, which was first introduced in 2019 as part of the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme, integrates fibre ducting into new transport infrastructure projects.

Councillors at the Council’s Asset & Procurement Committee meeting on Tuesday 15 October were given an update about the progress of Light Blue Fibre over the last year, and heard how the Council’s Dig Once Policy of installing fibre ducting into new transport schemes enables telecom operators to avoid costly retrofitting and reduces carbon emissions.

To date, over 21km of additional fibre ducting has been installed or is planned across Cambridgeshire by 2025, ensuring gigabit-capable broadband is rolled out quickly and efficiently. The policy has already prevented the release of more than 20 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of nearly half a million miles driven by an average car – while reducing the need for costly, disruptive roadworks.

Cllr Ros Hathorn, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Assets and Procurement Committee, said: “The Light Blue Fibre venture showcases the value of long-term collaboration and the importance of strategic planning to deliver greener and smarter infrastructure.

“Connecting Cambridgeshire’s Dig Once policy demonstrates how we can work together to improve connectivity while reducing carbon emissions and disruption in our communities. By integrating digital infrastructure into our transport planning, we’re not only delivering short-term benefits but also laying the groundwork for a sustainable, connected future for the region.

“So far, this policy has resulted in a huge CO2 reduction and significantly less disruption to road users, thanks to the proactive installation of ducting as part of new road projects.”

Light Blue Fibre has played a pivotal role in enabling telecom providers like CityFibre and Gigaclear to connect hard-to-reach areas, speeding up the deployment of gigabit broadband and benefiting thousands of homes and businesses. Pre-installed fibre ducting has allowed Gigaclear to avoid disruptive engineering works and provide full-fibre broadband to over 2,000 properties in Linton and surrounding communities.

In Whittlesey, fibre ducting installed under the new Ralph Butcher Causeway – built to replace the Kings Dyke level crossing – is being used by CityFibre to bring gigabit connectivity to over 5000 homes and businesses that would otherwise have been challenging to reach across busy rail lines.

Light Blue Fibre is also in discussions with a global cloud services provider to further extend the reach of its infrastructure, ensuring that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area continues to benefit from cutting-edge digital connectivity while supporting the Council’s ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Connecting Cambridgeshire

The Connecting Cambridgeshire programme, hosted by Cambridgeshire County Council and led by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, with additional funding from the Greater Cambridge Partnership, is driving improvements to Cambridgeshire’s digital connectivity infrastructure – for fibre broadband, mobile and public access Wifi coverage – and using smart technology to support economic growth and help businesses and communities to thrive.

As part of the programme, the Smart initiative brings together Cambridgeshire-based Universities, local authorities and businesses with a focus on improving the use of data, embedding digital solutions and exploring how emerging technologies can be used to develop innovative solutions to improve the quality of life in market towns across the county.

This multi-agency programme, is working with Government bodies, local councils, and external organisations, including telecoms suppliers, mobile operators and technology experts to make it easier to access public services, and help meet some of the key challenges of our age – including climate change mitigation, sustainable transport and the management of water and energy resources.

For more information visit connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk.

Witbe’s New Remote Eye Controller Update Empowers Video Service Providers to Remotely See, Control, and Monitor Their Services on Any Real Device

NEW YORK — Oct. 2, 2024 — Witbe (Euronext Growth – FR0013143872 – ALWIT), a worldwide leader in automated testing and monitoring technology for video service providers, today revealed a new version of its widely deployed Remote Eye Controller (REC) application. This latest update is packed with features that expand the REC’s monitoring, recording, and customization capabilities, boosting it into a central station for all live and on-demand video monitoring needs.

The REC now becomes a true virtual Network Operation Center (NOC), allowing providers to remotely control, monitor, and test any real device, from set-top boxes and web applications to mobile devices and smart TVs. Designed for the current operations standard of continuous post-release testing in the field – following brief intensive pre-production QA testing – Witbe’s latest technology speeds up time-to-market, giving providers a competitive edge.

A core tenet of the redesign is customization. When users log on to the new REC for the first time, they now have the option to choose how much information is displayed on their device’s streams, allowing them to tailor the software’s mosaic view to their specific needs. Users can optimize experiences whether they are accessing the REC from a mobile device, computer, or across multiple screens in their office NOC. By remotely accessing video services, users will benefit from the REC’s new ability to record a device’s live feed at any time – whether to capture an error outside of an automated testing session or record steps to reproduce an error in the field. Recordings can then be shared with the appropriate teams to escalate an issue and resolve it quickly, capturing errors that can only be seen on real devices.

In a transformative new feature, Witbe’s Remote Eye Controller will now display key performance indicators and alerts in real time on the mosaic view. When errors are automatically detected, such as live channels or on-demand assets with no audio, ad slates, or black screens, video service providers will immediately see them in the REC. This easily readable instant feedback empowers video service providers to supervise their service’s availability, performance, and video quality from one central application without the need to consult separate software for different monitoring needs – centralizing their workflow and streamlining operations.

“Witbe’s Remote Eye Controller continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing, cutting-edge needs of video service providers. This new version is the largest software update we have ever launched,” said Mathieu Planche, CEO at Witbe. “It transforms the REC from the most efficient device control center on the market into a comprehensive video monitoring application, combining video streams running on real devices in the field with alerts from automated test scenarios running on the Witbox. Witbe has made a virtual NOC for every service provider, accessible from any web browser at any time, ensuring remote troubleshooting in the field is easier than ever.”

Webinar
Witbe’s new Remote Eye Controller was previewed in September at both the IBC2024 show in Amsterdam and the SCTE TechExpo 24 in Atlanta and will be deployed for all current and incoming customers later this year. Witbe CEO Mathieu Planche will host a webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 8 revealing more of the new virtual NOC’s features. The webinar will take place at two separate times to ensure attendees from a range of time zones can listen in. To register, please follow the links below.

EMEA/APAC – 10:00am CEST: app.livestorm.co/witbe/new-rec-virtual-noc-october-8th-2024
Americas – 12:00pm EDT: app.livestorm.co/witbe/new-rec-virtual-noc-october-8th-2024

To learn more about Witbe’s technology, please visit www.witbe.net.

# # #

About Witbe (www.witbe.net)
Witbe (Euronext Growth – FR0013143872 – ALWIT) makes automated testing and proactive monitoring technology for global video service providers. The company’s award-winning technology accurately measures the Quality of Experience that viewers receive. Witbe’s non-intrusive, plug-and-play technology replicates user behavior to automatically test and monitor video services from anywhere in the world. The Witbe Software Suite allows teams to remotely access their Witbox robot, which can control, test, and monitor any video app running on a real device. The essential data collected by the Witbox can then be analyzed and shared in Witbe’s observability platform.

Witbe’s recent innovations include its streamlined Automated Testing Set, deploying automation and providing QA results faster than ever before; its popular Ad Monitoring and Matching technology to resolve dynamic ad insertion errors; its acclaimed Smart Navigate AI algorithm; and its new Mobile Quality of Experience and Video Traffic Optimization technology. Witbe has a dozen offices around the world and is proud to have customers — including Comcast, Cox, Verizon, Peacock, and Orange— in more than 50 countries. More information and further updates are available at www.witbe.net.

Link to Word Doc: www.202comms.com/Witbe/241002-Witbe-New_REC.docx

Photo link: www.202comms.com/Witbe/Remote_Eye_Controller.png
Photo Caption: Witbe’s Remote Eye Controller is now a virtual NOC for comprehensive video monitoring.

FiberSense a deep technology fibre sensing company and  the European network provider Sipartech, have today announced their partnership to deliver the world leading DigitalAsset™️ monitoring and protection service on key parts of the Sipartech network across Europe.

DigitalAsset delivers enhanced network security and availability. The state-of-the-art service provides 24×7 monitoring and real-time detection and localization of a variety of threats to fibre networks, providing total “always on” cover.  The early warning capability of the services allows for cued intervention before a break happens, delivering greater than 50% outage reduction, year on year.

“ Our collaboration with FiberSense, combined with our own proprietary solutions, brings a distinctive advantage to our network management capabilities, setting a new standard in the industry. It goes beyond traditional offerings by incorporating advanced fiber optic sensing technology across our network.  This enables us to provide enhanced real-time monitoring and proactive security measures for critical infrastructure. In today’s increasingly complex digital landscape, where new threats are constantly emerging, we are committed to ensuring network resilience and safeguarding our clients’ assets” declared Julien Santina, Founder and CEO of Sipartech.

With initial deployments across Marseille and Paris metro networks, and a full rollout across its long-haul network in early 2025, Sipartech aims to build resiliency across its European network.

Founder and CEO of FiberSense, Mark Englund indicated “FiberSense is extremely excited to be partnering with Sipartech, a leading provider of fibre networking and services across Europe. Sipartech immediately saw the benefits of deploying our DigitalAsset service across key areas of their network to deliver real-time actionable data and insights to deliver a greater than 50% reduction in cable breaks year on year. Working together we will ensure that Sipartech has market leading resilience and uptime.”     

ABOUT SIPARTECH
Sipartech is one of the leading neutral and independent infrastructure operators in Europe. Provider of dark optical fibre and very high connectivity services (optical transmission, Ethernet services, IP Transit, Internet access, cloud connectivity …) for data centres, operators, and enterprises, Sipartech deploys, operates, and maintains an extensive network of more than 34,000 km across Europe. Discover more on www.sipartech.com
Media Enquiries: contact@sipartech.com

ABOUT FIBERSENSE
The FiberSense suite of proprietary technologies leverages existing telecom fiber cables to provide valuable insights to a wide range of customers. These insights can prevent strikes to critical underground and subsea assets such as telecom, water and gas pipelines or high voltage power cables. By converting fiber into an array of sensors, FiberSense can detect, classify and track events and objects in real time, such as vehicles, pedestrians, excavators, pit tampering and route flapping events. https://fibersense.com/
Media Enquiries: info@fibersense.com

Overview

When you think of smart wearables, you might picture a sleek smartwatch or a fitness tracker, but this industry is evolving far beyond the basics. An increasing interest in wearable technology is seen from the astounding 21% of adults worldwide who own a smartwatch. Let’s take a closer look beyond the basics and see the forces shaping the smart wearable device industry, what’s driving its growth, and the trends.

Brief history and evolution of the wearable tech industry

Smart wearables have come a long way since their early days. In the 1960’s Edward Thorp created the first wearable computer. Further, the industry evolved with Casio’s calculator wristwatch, Bluetooth headsets in 2002, and a boom in devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches in 2014. What started with basic fitness trackers has evolved into high-tech gadgets that monitor health, sync with smart homes, and even enhance fashion. Today’s wearables are all about blending style with advanced tech, making them an essential part of our digital lives.

The Rise of Connected Ecosystems

Wearables are no longer just standalone devices, they’re now integral parts of larger connected ecosystems. It was estimated in 2022 that there were more than 1.1 billion wearable gadgets in use worldwide.

Whether it’s syncing with your smartphone to give you notifications or integrating with smart home devices to control your environment, the seamless interaction between different gadgets is a big part of what makes wearables so appealing. In 2020, the global wearable technology user penetration rate was 5.9%.

The future of wearables lies in the connectivity. As per observations in a survey conducted, 74% of respondents think wearing wearables and sensors will improve their ability to connect with other gadgets and the real world.

Importance   and Relevance in Today’s Market

Health and Fitness: The Heartbeat of Wearable Innovation

At the core of the smart wearable boom is our collective obsession with health and fitness. But it’s not just about counting steps anymore. Modern wearables are equipped with advanced sensors capable of monitoring everything from your heart rate variability to your sleep stages.

These devices are becoming personal health assistants, giving real-time insights into our wellness and helping in making data-driven decisions about health. As per analysis, by 2020, 30% of adult Americans used wearable technology for medical purposes. On the other hand,  over 80% of users were eager to discuss their results with their care provider, and nearly 50% of users rely on this technology on a daily basis. Additionally, a data published by American Heart Association states that an estimated 3.6 million people with heart diseases and 34 million people who are at risk use wearable.

With the integration of ECG monitors, blood oxygen sensors, and even features that can detect atrial fibrillation, wearables are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in personal health.  In this regard, cutting-edge health functions like blood oxygen saturation monitoring and sleep tracking are included in Apple’s Series 7 model, which was introduced in 2021.

And it’s not just about collecting data- these devices are able to offer actionable advice, turning them into essential tools for anyone serious about their health.

Fashion Meets Functionality

As much as wearables are about technology, they’re also about style. The convergence of fashion and tech is more apparent than ever, with wearables being designed to look as good as they perform. In a World Economic Forum survey, 92.1% of business executives predicted that by 2025, 10% of individuals would have internet-connected clothing.

Companies are collaborating with fashion brands to create devices that people actually want to wear- whether it’s a sleek smartwatch that pairs perfectly with business attire or a fitness tracker that looks just as good at the gym as it does at a dinner party.

Customization is another trend taking hold, with users wanting to personalize their devices with interchangeable bands, custom watch faces, and more. This focus on aesthetics and personalization is helping to broaden the appeal of wearables, making them a must-have accessory for a wider audience. For instance, recently Oura and Gucci teamed to track health metrics like heart rate and sleep using fashion wearables.

Sports & smart Wearables Devices

Smart wearable devices are revolutionizing the sports industry by offering advanced performance analytics and real-time feedback. Athletes use smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wearable sensors to monitor metrics like heart rate, sleep quality, and muscle strain, which helps optimize training and prevent injuries. With regard to this, the world leader in sports-specific training goods, SKLZ, introduced  SKLZ Hyper Speed, a cutting-edge wearable technology device that monitors speed, agility, and vertical leap.

Moreover, trends include enhanced integration with AI for personalized insights, improved accuracy in data collection, and the use of AR  for immersive coaching experiences. These innovations are elevating performance, enhancing training efficiency, and transforming how sports are played and analyzed. In 2020, over 27 million sports wearable technology units were supplied globally, in response to the growing demand for sports technology.

Industrial Landscape

The smart wearable device industry is booming, driven by advances in technology and increasing consumer demand for health, fitness, and connectivity. According to forecasts, the market for smart wearable devices is expected to reach USD 528.7 billion by the end of 2036, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.7% from 2024 to 2036. The market for smart wearables was valued at USD 64.9 billion in 2023.

With innovations in sensors, AI integration, and stylish designs, wearables are transforming personal and professional life, enhancing health monitoring, productivity, and user engagement across various sectors.

 The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Wearables?

The future of wearables is about more than just smarter watches or better fitness trackers- it’s about creating devices that are truly indispensable. With advancements in AI, wearables will likely become even more intuitive, anticipating our needs before we even know we have them. Imagine a wearable that not only tracks your sleep but also adjusts your alarm based on your sleep cycle, or one that detects stress and suggests a quick meditation session.

Another exciting frontier is augmented reality (AR). Wearables with AR capabilities could revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us, overlaying useful information directly in our field of vision.  For instance, Meta and EssilorLuxottica collaborated to introduce a new line of Ray-Ban Meta smart spectacles in September 2023. The updated glasses feature improved audio and cameras, over 150 distinct bespoke frame and lens combinations, and a lighter, more comfortable design. The potential applications, from navigating to gaming to workplace training, are vast.

The smart wearable device industry isn’t just growing- it’s evolving at a pace that’s hard to keep up with. As these gadgets gets smarter and more integrated into our daily routines, they’re becoming indispensable. So, whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone who likes the convenience of glancing at your wrist for updates, there’s no denying that smart wearables are here to stay, and they’re only going to get better.

However, for a more detailed analysis comprising regional, segmental, and industrial landscapes is required to have a broader and more precise perspective of the smart wearable device market.

Source:

https://www.researchnester.com/reports/smart-wearable-devices-market/5935

London, 15 October 2024

Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top global operators, and Mobily, a leading innovator in the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a new route to connect Europe to South-East Asia and thus meet the growing demand for secured and diversified connectivity between the two continents.

Under the MoU, signed during the Capacity Europe 2024 event in London, the parties agreed to leverage on Sparkle’s and Mobily’s terrestrial networks and the AAE1 cable in Jeddah to create a diversified and low latency route that will connect Italy to Saudi Arabia reaching Singapore.

With this new path, network providers, ISPs, OTTs, content and application providers as well as enterprises will enjoy reliable, low latency route in multiples of capacity levels from 10 GB to 100 GB and beyond. In addition, customers will benefit from the full expanded network of Mobily and of its partner to access their rich portfolio of services such as Layer-1, Layer-2 and IP portfolio, which provides virtual access to leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs); and also benefit from Mobily services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sparkle services in Italy and Europe.

“This new diverse route will enhance the resiliency of global network connectivity between East/Middle East to Europe, thereby supporting the growth of Data Centers and content diversification for OTTs and Hyperscalers in the region. We are happy to have this cooperation between Mobily and Sparkle for such an important project”, said Thamer A. Alfadda, SVP Wholesale of Mobily.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Mobily in the realization of this intercontinental digital corridor, in which Saudi Arabia plays a primary and pivotal role, that will enable better communication between Europe and the Indo-Pacific while accelerating the development of digital services in all the countries crossed”, said Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle.

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 33 countries.

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

 About Mobily (Etihad Etisalat Company)

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) is a Saudi company launched as the second Telecom service provider of KSA in May 2005. Mobily provides integrated services for three main sectors, individuals, businesses, and carriers. It has one of the largest wireless network coverages in Saudi Arabia and one of the widest FTTH networks in addition to diverse data centres spanned across multiple cities in KSA. Mobily lands 3 major Submarine cables in KSA as on date – AAE1, TGN (EA) & TGN (Gulf). Mobily also invested in the upcoming cables Africa1 & SMW6 to land in KSA which is expected to be operational by 2026. It is also working on various projects to enhance the diverse connectivity in the Middle East though multiple submarine & terrestrial cable initiatives in line with Saudi Arabia’s VISION 2030.

Sparkle Media Contacts:

sparkle.communication@tisparkle.com

X: @TISparkle

Neterra, a leading provider of global telecommunication services, is excited to announce the appointment of James Knowles as its new Chief Product Officer. Bringing over two decades of experience in the telecom and technology industries, James has a proven track record of leadership and product innovation, and will now help drive Neterra’s mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions to its global customer base.

James Knowles has held senior leadership roles at prominent organizations, where he developed expertise in network infrastructure, managed services, and enterprise connectivity. In his new role at Neterra, James will focus on expanding the company’s product portfolio and furthering its position as a leading provider of connectivity, Internet Exchange (IX) services, cloud solutions, and colocation infrastructure.

“I’m thrilled to join Neterra and take on the exciting challenges that lie ahead,” said James Knowles. “Neterra has a long-standing reputation in the industry for delivering high-quality services and a customer-first approach. I’m excited to work alongside this talented team and continue the company’s legacy of innovation and growth.”

Neven Dilkov, Founder and CEO of Neterra, shared his enthusiasm for James joining the leadership team: “We are delighted to welcome James to Neterra. His vast experience in product development and deep understanding of the telecoms market will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and grow. He will be a key member of our C-level team, and I am confident his contributions will accelerate our progress and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

Neterra is committed to expanding its global presence, and with the expertise James brings, the company is set to continue developing solutions that empower businesses with seamless, reliable connectivity.

News 

The deal is set to drive cloud innovation across the Middle East 

UAE based operator e& has announced a $1 billion strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to drive cloud innovation across the Middle East. The collaboration follows AWS’s launch of its second Middle East cloud region in 2022, which was backed by a $5 billion investment.

The partnership combines AWS’s sovereign cloud infrastructure with e&’s network, catering to the public sector and regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and oil and gas. The goal is to deliver cloud solutions that align with regional regulations, addressing the demand for secure and scalable infrastructure. There is an increased demand for cloud infrastructure services in the region, an issue that this partnership will directly address. 

The agreement between the two companies will see them accelerate digital transformation in the region, providing services like AI, cybersecurity, and networking. This will benefit both large enterprises and small businesses, with access to AWS’s services and marketplace helping companies modernise their operations. 

To do this, e& will use AWS’s technology to enhance its platforms, such as the streaming service Starzplay Arabia and the multi-service app Careem. e& also plans to expand its AI capabilities and smart home services, offering more customer-focused innovations. 

“This initiative aligns with the UAE’s Vision 2031, aimed at positioning the nation as a global economic hub while driving digital transformation across key sectors,” said Tanuja Randery, Vice President of EMEA at AWS in the press release. 

“Our investment in developing the skills of UAE nationals will have a positive impact on the region’s economic growth and technological leadership,” he continued. 

“Our partnership with AWS is a game-changer for our customers. By combining AWS’s advanced cloud capabilities with e&’s local expertise, we will empower businesses across the region with the tools and infrastructure to accelerate their digital transformation and become more agile to scale as they innovate faster,” echoed Salvador Anglada, CEO of e& enterprise. 

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

Also in the news:
Singtel becomes latest telco to launch AI cloud services
South Korean telcos accused of collusion, may face fines of $4bn
Hexatronic: Innovation will be needed to reach rural customers 

Network access provider Openreach (BT) has today announced that they’ve started to deploy their 1.8Gbps speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP network across the south coast city of Portsmouth (Hampshire, UK), although it’s unclear exactly how many premises will benefit, but it is “expected to reach the majority” of properties.

The work, which is expected to take around 2 years to complete, forms part of the operator’s wider deployment of full fibre connectivity, which has already covered nearly 16 million UK premises, and they’re investing up to £15bn to hit 25m by December 2026 (here), before reaching up to 30 million by 2030.

Openreach has actually had a small amount of FTTP coverage in the city for several years, although the new deployment will clearly be much more significant. The catch is that Portsmouth already has significant coverage from several gigabit-capable rivals, such as Virgin Media and CityFibre. In addition, Glide has a modest deployment in the city, while both OFNL and Hyperoptic have a fairly small presence.

Martin Williams, Openreach Partnership Director, said:

“We’re bringing ultrafast broadband to Portsmouth and letting local people know what to expect. This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we’re working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.

Wherever possible, we’ll use our existing network of ducts and poles to avoid roadworks, new street furniture and disturbance. But there may be places where we need to install new poles, underground ducts and fibre cables because it’s the only way to make sure households get included in the upgrade.”

The service itself, once live, can be ordered via various ISPs, such as BT, Sky Broadband, TalkTalk, Vodafone and many more (Openreach FTTP ISP Choices) – it is not currently an automatic upgrade, although some ISPs (e.g. TalkTalk) have now started to do free automatic upgrades as older copper-based services and lines are slowly withdrawn.

News

Kia’s new Connect 2.0 platform will leverage Airtel’s IoT technology and its extensive network across the country

This week, a new partnership between Kia India and Airtel Business will see the car manufacturer begin embedding Airtel’s IoT tech within their connected vehicles

Kia’s vehicles – both with traditional internal combustion engines and electric motors – will be embedded with Airtel eSIMs, allowing the vehicles to connect to Airtel’s mobile network, as well as to the operator’s ‘Airtel IoT Hub’. This will not only provide the vehicles with connectivity, but will also support telematics and infotainment, enhanced safety features, and firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updates.

The platform will also allow for custom data plans to meet users’ specific needs, while also providing data security and privacy.

Kia says its Connect 2.0 platform is focussed on five key areas – Vehicle Management, Convenience, Remote Control, Safety and Security, and Navigation – all of which will be supported by Airtel’s IoT platform.

“As part of our 2.0 transition, we are introducing the OTA (Over-the-Air) Kia Connect Diagnostics, unlocking the possibilities of Software-Defined Vehicles where IoT technology becomes fundamental to our offerings. We are excited to partner with Airtel Business whose future-ready solutions will seamlessly integrate with our vehicles, ensuring robust data security and privacy,” said Hardeep Singh Brar, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Marketing at Kia India. “With Airtel’s extensive network, we will further enhance the customer experience that Kia is renowned for and deliver global technologies tailored for the Indian consumer. This collaboration will empower Kia vehicle owners with advanced analytics and real-time insights, providing essential metrics.”

Airtel’s IoT system is already well established in India, connecting 33 million devices, represeting around 55% of the domestic market.

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

Also in the news:
Singtel becomes latest telco to launch AI cloud services
South Korean telcos accused of collusion, may face fines of $4bn
Hexatronic: Innovation will be needed to reach rural customers

News 

The company is joining the race for AI uptake to boost revenue and operational efficiency 

At the company capital markets day last week, Deutsche Telekom announced new targets for 2027, aiming to boost growth by using more AI and benefiting from its global scale. The company expects its revenue to grow by an average of 4% per year, with adjusted EBITDA AL increasing by 4-6%. It also projects free cash flow AL to reach around €21 billion by 2027. 

“We are taking the next step,” said Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom in a press release. “In recent years, our strategy has made us the undisputed number one in Europe. We have almost consistently achieved or even exceeded our targets and are now worth more than all of our comparable companies on our home continent combined. In the future, for example, the even greater use of artificial intelligence will help us to expand this position.” 

The company will also invest in expanding its fibre-optic and 5G networks, aiming to reach 17.5 million homes with fiber in Germany and increase 5G coverage in Europe from 78% to 95% by 2027. 

In related news, this week Deutsche Telekom subsidiary T-Systems has deepened its nearly 20-year partnership with Broadcom, becoming a VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) Pinnacle tier partner—the highest level in Broadcom’s Advantage Partner Program. This status highlights T-Systems’ expertise in delivering advanced cloud solutions and helping customers adopt new digital technologies. 

As a Pinnacle partner, T-Systems will offer managed private cloud services globally, including VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) solutions. These services help companies modernise their infrastructure with secure, resilient cloud platforms. T-Systems will also support the VCSP White Label model, enabling other partners to offer VMware services under their own brand. 

“The partnership with Broadcom is an important component of our multi-cloud strategy. Complemented by our Hyperscaler solutions, we can provide our customers exactly what they need. Always and worldwide,” says Ferri Abolhassan, CEO of T-Systems and board member of Deutsche Telekom in a statement. 

Join us at next month’s Connected Germany, 5-6 November in Munich. Get last minute discounted tickets here! 

Also in the news:
Singtel becomes latest telco to launch AI cloud services
South Korean telcos accused of collusion, may face fines of $4bn
Hexatronic: Innovation will be needed to reach rural customers