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SpaceX says it will gradually replace its first-generation satellites with larger, more advanced alternatives

This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has confirmed that it will allow SpaceX to gradually replace its existing first-generation Starlink satellites with second-generation satellites.

SpaceX has roughly 6,281 Starlink satellites in orbit around the Earth, which are used to provide global coverage for communication services. The company currently has permission from the FCC to expand this total to 12,000 Starlink satellites, with its ultimate goal being to increase the scale of the constellation to roughly 42,000 devices.

However, having first been launched in 2019, some of these satellites are nearing the end of their five-year lifespan. As such, SpaceX has been applying to the FCC to be allowed to replace defunct satellites with newer models.

According to SpaceX, these new satellites will be equipped with “advanced beam-forming and digital processing technologies”, which will allow for “narrower beam capabilities to provide more targeted and robust coverage” of broadband services.

This new beamforming tech was a point of contention for satellite operator Dish Network, which said the tech could potentially cause interference with their existing services. However, the FCC dismissed these arguments, noting in its authorisation statement that it ‘disagreed’ that the technology would result “in SpaceX violating Commission and ITU EPFD (equivalent-power flux density) limits”.

SpaceX says it will replace existing satellites only when they reach the end of their commercial lifespan, which is typically around five years. Exactly how fast this means the entire existing constellation will be transitioned is unclear.

It is worth noting here that SpaceX is also in the process of launching satellites cable of direct-to-cell (DTC) connectivity, allowing customers to access their communication services directly via their normal smartphone, without the need for a Starlink terminal. So far, the company has launched over 100 of these DTC satellites, though it is forbidden to use them commercially until it receives approval from the FCC.

Unfortunately for SpaceX, the path to approval could be a difficult one, with both AT&T and Verizon this week writing to the FCC to again raise issues of potential service interference.

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Meet our Top 20 Telco AI Champions!
Are AI and Sustainability Compatible?
Singtel partners with Bridge Alliance to boost GPUaaS offering

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The deal will support SK Telecom’s ambition to launch a GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offerings across South Korea 

SK Telecom has this week announced a partnership with AI developer Lambda to expand cloud services in South Korea. 

In December, the two companies deploy NVIDIA GPU clusters in SK Telecom’s Gasan data center in Seoul, aiming to support AI cloud business opportunities around South Korea 

“SKT shares in our vision to make GPU compute as ubiquitous as electricity,” said Lambda CEO and co-founder, Stephen Balaban in a press release.  

“Given the rapid pace of AI innovation happening in South Korea, we’re excited to partner with SKT in their mission to transform their company and country into a global AI powerhouse,” he continued. 

“Through our strategic partnership with Lambda, we are able to bolster SK Telecom’s leadership in AI services and capabilities while unlocking new business opportunities,” said Kim Kyeong-deog, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Division at SK Telecom. 

For SK Telecom, the partnership will help support the rollout and scaling of burgeoning AI cloud services, including GPUaaS.  

SK Telecom is a founding partner of the Global Telco AI Alliance, which was launched in June in partnership with Deutsche Telekom, e&, Singtel, and SoftBank. The five companies have agreed to develop Large Language Models (LLMs) that are specifically designed to meet telco needs, in areas such as improving customer interactions via digital assistants and chatbots. Each company will invest in the JV equally, “to support its initial working capital requirements to develop the Telco LLM”. 

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Also in the news:
Meet our Top 20 Telco AI Champions!
Are AI and Sustainability Compatible?
Singtel partners with Bridge Alliance to boost GPUaaS offering  

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The funds will be used by the newly formed European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) to set up a new facility in Dresden

This week, the European Commission has given the greenlight to a German plan aiming to use €5 billion to build a new semiconductor plant in Dresden.

The plant will be built and run by ESMC, a joint venture being set up by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Bosch, Infineon, and NXP.

TSMC, based in Taiwan, is the largest semiconductor company in the world, and has been expanding its operations in both Europe and the US in respond to surging demand and geopolitical tensions between the US and China. Bosch and Infineon are also natural partners in the enterprise, with both already operating their semiconductor facilities in Saxony.

ESMC will operate as an open foundry, allowing any company to place orders to chip production. Special provisions for chip production will also be made for European SMEs and universities, ensuring that the plant will support European businesses and R&D efforts.

In explaining its decision to greenlight the investment, the Commission explained that the new facility will be the “first-of-a-kind”, filling a technological niche not currently served by the existing semiconductor ecosystem.

“This new centre qualifies under the European Chips Act as a first-of-a-kind facility. It will manufacture products that are not present or planned in any other facility across Europe. That means this facility is also entitled to national financial support,” said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

“ESMC will be the first open foundry that will produce silicon wafers with 28/22nm and 16/12nm technology nodes, using FinFET technology with logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency and embedded non-volatile memory technology processes,” explained the Commission in its more detailed assessment. “These specific technologies differentiate it from other existing capacity and complement the production capacities needed by European customers.”

The Commission added that it expects the development have wider positive effects for the European chip supply chain, making it less reliant on the US and China.

It is worth noting here that the chips being produced by ESMC will not be the most advanced available on the market – TSMC, for example, is already producing 3nm chips for use in smartphones, data centres, and other high performance computing applications. But while ESMC’s 28/22nm and 16/12nm technologies may be less advanced, they are far more widely utilised in automotive and industrial applications, both of which mainstays of the German economy.

ESMC is expected to be operational at full capacity by 2029, at which point it will be producing 480,000 chips annually, primarily for automotive and industrial applications.

In recent years, semiconductors have recently become a major technological battleground on the global stage, with China, Europe, and the US all racing to develop their domestic capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign powers.

In the US, the CHIPS Act has set aside $52 billion in subsidies for the semiconductor industry, which has spurred numerous companies to plan new fabrication plants on US soil, including Intel, Samsung, and TSMC.

While China’s subsidy programmes remain largely opaque, estimates suggest they are even larger than the US’s, potentially totalling around $142 billion. The latest batch of funding was announced back in May, with the government creating a state-backed investment fund of $47.5 billion to invest in the industry.

The scale of these investments from the US and China has left Europe scrabbling for semiconductor relevance between the two superpowers. The European Chips Act is set to mobilise €43 billion in funding until 2030 to support European projects. Combined with private investments, the Act has already generated investments of €115 billion, according to von der Leyen.

Can Germany become the lynchpin of Europe’s semiconductor strategy? Join the discussion at this year’s Connected Germany event live from Munich

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Crowdfunded mobile network operator Honest Mobile, which harnesses Three UK’s network via a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement, has today announced the launch of a new ‘Family Plan’ that is “designed to make managing multiple SIMs easier, saving 20% compared to standard individual plans“.

The new plan, which is available to families or groups of up to 10, can also be combined with Honest Mobile’s loyalty discount for further savings (i.e. rewarding customers by reducing bills every month, up to 30%). This comes in addition to an app that makes it easy to manage your family’s SIMs in a single account and bill.

Just to be clear, the loyalty discount means that bills for existing customers drop by 0.41% every month you stay with Honest Mobile, which rises up to 30%.

For a 30-day rolling plan you will get:

➤ Unlimited data, UK messages and minutes: A family of four will pay £80/month, dropping to £70 with the loyalty scheme after two years

➤ 10GB data, unlimited UK messages and minutes: Drops from £56 to £49

➤ 4GB data, unlimited UK messages and minutes: Drops from £43.20 to £37.80

Andy Aitken, co-founder and CEO of Honest, said:

“Broadband and mobile network providers have set the bar shockingly low. Even though Ofcom is stepping in to curb price hikes next year, major networks still have loopholes to get around these measures. People across the UK are fed up, with Honest research revealing top complaints as poor signal strength or coverage (37%), mid-contract price hikes (31%), and a lack of rewards programs (24%).

At Honest, we believe telecoms can—and should—do better, especially when families are already grappling with rising bills. Our Family Plan cuts out unexpected costs and confusing contracts, helping families save money and spend less time dealing with telecom issues, and more time with one another.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. and COLOGNE, Germany — Aug. 15, 2024 — German broadcaster RTL Deutschland has added eight new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels to its video streaming service, expanding the number of viewing options for customers of its streaming service RTL+. The new FAST channels are powered by Harmonic’s VOS®360 Media SaaS, which simplifies all stages of media processing, including advanced playout, powerful graphics insertion, premium OTT encoding and distribution.

Integrating additional FAST channels into RTL Deutschland’s existing ecosystem was successfully handled by netorium, an application integrator from Wiesbaden. netorium ensured a smooth deployment leveraging its deep knowledge of RTL’s technical infrastructure and longstanding partnership with Harmonic.

During the integration, it was necessary to consider existing adjacent systems and ensure compatibility with various end devices. The implementation was carried out as an iterative process, allowing for flexible adjustments and testing. netorium provided consultancy, design, implementation and project management services, and continues to support the system.

Andre Prahl, chief distribution officer at RTL Deutschland, commented, “What particularly impressed us was the ability to easily launch eight channels. We had no high investment costs, as we operate the channels entirely on a software as a service model. This allows us to adapt the offering very flexibly to viewer preferences.”

RTL Deutschland uses the new channels as themed offerings for some of its most successful content formats, enabling the broadcaster to effectively target specific customer groups.

“For video streaming services to thrive, they must be precisely targeted to relevant viewers,” said Gil Rudge, senior vice president, products and Americas sales, video business at Harmonic. “With our VOS360 Media SaaS, RTL Deutschland can rapidly create and deliver FAST channels to retain existing customers and attract new ones.”

Running on the public cloud, Harmonic’s end-to-end video platform provides agility, resiliency, security and scalability. Leveraging the VOS360 Media platform, RTL can easily create and deploy additional FAST channels at scale. The VOS360 Media platform is based on a flexible business model that allows RTL Deutschland to only pay for what they use.

Harmonic will showcase the latest innovations in video streaming and broadcast delivery at IBC2024, Sept. 13-16 in Amsterdam. To schedule a meeting with Harmonic at stand 1.B20, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/ibc/. Further information about Harmonic and the company’s solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com. Additional information about netorium is available at www.netorium.de.

# # #

About netorium
Founded in 2002 netorium has since been developing individual solutions for media-creating companies in the areas of playout, storage, streaming and workflows together with customers and selected partners. Customers include public and private television stations as well as other media creating companies facing technological changes along their value chain. Currently, the focus is on digital transformation incl. Video over IP, audio, transcoding, automation, QM, distribution, archiving, etc. With its know-how and experience netorium solves these challenges – locally on the ground, in the cloud and hybrid. As application integrator netorium translates the individual requirements into technologies and profitably combines them into an effective whole that is fit for the future. The basis of the netorium solutions are the products of the partner manufacturers.

About RTL Deutschland
RTL Deutschland is Germany’s leading entertainment company, spanning across all types of media: TV and streaming, print and digital, radio and podcasts. It is home to some of the country’s strongest media brands from RTL to Stern, Brigitte to Vox and Geo to NTV, and operates Germany’s largest streaming service RTL+, with around 4.9 million subscribers and a cross-media offer including series, films, music, podcasts and audiobooks. RTL Deutschland owns 15 TV channels, more than 10 premium magazines, a broad podcast portfolio and numerous digital offerings.

About Harmonic
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enables media companies and service providers to deliver ultra-high-quality video streaming and broadcast services to consumers globally. The company revolutionized broadband networking via the industry’s first virtualized broadband solution, enabling operators to more flexibly deploy gigabit internet services to consumers’ homes and mobile devices. Whether simplifying OTT video delivery via innovative cloud and software platforms, or powering the delivery of gigabit internet services, Harmonic is changing the way media companies and service providers monetize live and on-demand content on every screen. More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements concerning Harmonic’s business and the anticipated capabilities, advantages, reliability, efficiency, market acceptance, market growth, specifications and benefits of Harmonic products, services and technology are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties more fully described in Harmonic’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Harmonic as of the date hereof, and Harmonic disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Harmonic, the Harmonic logo and other Harmonic marks are owned by Harmonic Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Link to Word Doc: www.202comms.com/Harmonic/240815-Harmonic-netorium_RTL.docx

Network benchmarking firm Opensignal has published new analysis of the “competitive headwinds” facing Three UK in the mobile market, which finds that the operator’s struggles are “driven by a low subscriber base and high churn resulting from many factors“. But it also warns that the situation could get worse if the proposed merger with Vodafone is rejected.

Just to recap. The proposed mega-merger (here), which has been promoted by both operators as something that would be “great for customers, great for the country and great for competition” (i.e. resulting in a £11bn investment to upgrade the country’s 5G mobile broadband infrastructure), would see Vodafone hold a 51% slice of the business and CK Hutchison (Three UK) retain 49%.

However, opponents of the deal warn that it could result in several negative outcomes, such as the potential for higher prices due to the lessening of competition at both the retail and wholesale (MVNO) level via the reduction in primary network operators from four to three.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has yet to approve the deal, have also questioned whether the claimed customer benefits will actually materialise. The authority similarly stated that both operators would in fact “continue to compete with each other, as well as with other mobile operators, in a broadly similar way as today” if the deal didn’t go ahead.

What does Opensignal say?

The new analysis from Opensignal leverages data from their Subscriber Analytics solutions to offer insights into the level of competitive churn at Three UK. The data suggests that the operator has been “struggling competitively” (i.e. it has a small subscriber base and high competitive losses relative to its market share), although this much was already obvious from their financial results.

For example, over the last year, Three UK has seen more and more of its losses going to virtual operators (MVNO) on their own network (primarily iD Mobile [Currys] and Smarty – the latter is Three’s own sub-brand).

Opensignal concludes that Three’s struggles are driven by a low subscriber base and high churn resulting from many factors “including the halted expansion of its 5G network and pressure from both its own budget sub-brand and competitively from MVNOs such as iD Mobile“, which compete heavily on price and offer flexible contracts.

“If these issues are not addressed they could lead to an even more precarious financial situation for Three, making it even harder for Three to resume 5G expansion if the merger were not to happen for some reason. This in turn could lead to even more Three customer churn as other providers have more capital to invest in their networks,” said Opensignal.

The reality here is that CK Hutchison would most likely have to find a way of pumping more investment into Three UK, assuming the merger didn’t proceed.

Press Release

Nokia has announced that it has been selected by TIM Brasil (TIM) to expand its 5G radio access network (RAN) coverage across 15 Brazilian states from January 2025. This partnership will increase the number of municipalities with access to 5G, bringing the benefits of secure, ultra-high-speed connectivity to a wider population. The expansion will also enable enterprises in these regions to digitalize their operations, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.

Under the deal, Nokia will supply a range of equipment from its industry-leading 5G AirScale portfolio, including baseband, Massive MIMO radios, and Remote Radio Head products. These are all powered by its energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology and combine to provide superior coverage and capacity.

TIM will utilize Nokia’s intelligent MantaRay Networks Management system, which incorporates AI functionalities, for improved network monitoring and management. Nokia will also provide services, including digital deployment, optimization, and technical support services.

Marco Di Costanzo, CTO at TIM Brasil, said: “This agreement is a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership with Nokia, highlighting our mutual dedication to technological innovation. As 5G continues revolutionizing connectivity, we are committed to extending these advancements to more Brazilians. This will benefit industries and consumers with new services, solidifying TIM’s position as Brazil’s leading 5G provider based on the number of sites.”

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: “We are thrilled to partner with TIM to expand their 5G network in Brazil. This collaboration demonstrates our dedication to providing cutting-edge technology that empowers TIM to deliver the fastest and most reliable 5G connectivity to their customers. Our best-in-class, energy-efficient radio solutions will play a key role in achieving this goal.”

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

Also in the news:
Meet our Top 20 Telco AI Champions!
Are AI and Sustainability Compatible?
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The Chinese government continues to funnel money into its domestic chip capabilities in order to reduce reliance on US technology 

The Shanghai Semiconductor Industry Investment Fund (SSIIF), managed by the local government to support the city’s chip industry, has doubled its size to around $2 billion after a recent funding round.  

The new funds were primarily contributed to by state-backed entities based in Shanghai, in the city’s strategic push to bolster its semiconductor industry amid ongoing US sanctions targeting China’s tech sector. 

This cash increase is expected to enhance the SSIIF’s ability to finance crucial semiconductor projects aimed making China less reliant on foreign technology.  

Since its establishment in 2016, the SSIIF has been instrumental in supporting major players in the local chip industry, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China’s largest chip maker. 

The latest funding boost into the SSIIF comes on the heels of Shanghai’s launch of a new $6.2 billion Integrated Circuit Industry Parent Fund in July 2024. This fund , part of the Made in China 2025 plan, aims to bring China’s semiconductor industry up to international standards by 2030.  

The move underscores China’s intention to reduce its dependence on foreign technology, particularly after the export controls imposed by Washington. The US has imposed strict sanctions on China, restricting its access to advanced semiconductor technology, including chips, equipment, and software. These measures target Chinese firms like SMIC and block them from acquiring the critical US-made tech required to produce the most advanced chips. 

While China has certainly made rapid technical progress in semiconductors in recent years, the US government remains unphased. Earlier this year, the US secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo dismissed Huawei’s latest chip technology breakthrough powering its latest smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro, describing it as “years behind what we have in the United States”. She also confirmed that the US would not trade with China on technologies that affect national security. 

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

Also in the news:
TIM partners with Nokia to expand Brazilian 5G
Sky signs major broadband deal with CityFibre
Meet our Top 20 Telco AI Champions! 

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The move should give CityFibre a huge competitive boost as they look to take on market leader Openreach  

Sky and CityFibre have announced a long-term partnership allowing Sky to offer full fibre services over CityFibre’s network.  

As the UK’s largest altnet, CityFibre’s network currently reaches 3.8 million premises, with plans to expand to at least 8 million in the coming years. CityFibre is also a key player in the Government’s Project Gigabit Programme, with contracts in place obliging them to cover a further 1.3 million rural homes with their fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) network.  

From 2025, Sky will be able to use this network to offer a new range of multi-gigabit speed capable packages to customers. 

“Sky’s new partnership with CityFibre will mean we can provide fast, reliable and great value broadband to more homes across the UK. This will mean we are able to reach even more people with full fibre, which is essential for the modern home,” said Amber Pine, Managing Director of Connectivity at Sky in a press release. 

“This partnership with Sky is a huge vote of confidence in our business and has cemented CityFibre’s position as the UK’s third digital infrastructure platform. With demand for digital connectivity continuing to grow, CityFibre’s network can provide the quality and reliability that people need and the infrastructure competition the UK deserves,” echoed Greg Mesch, CityFibre CEO. 

Sky currently serves its existing 5.7 million broadband customers on BT’s Openreach network, as such this new deal is likely to be a severe blow to the incumbent. According to a Telegraph article released today, roughly £1bn has been wiped off BT’s market value as a result.

Last month, Openreach lost a record number of customers, nearly 200,000 between April and June, amid growing market competition from altnets such as CityFibre.  

This morning’s partnership announcement sent BT shares down 5%. 

Join Greg Mesch at this year’s Connected Britain, 11-12 September in London. Get tickets here! 

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Network operator ICUK, which provides wholesale connectivity solutions to ISPs, has today informed ISPreview that they’ve launched version 22 of their portal (Control Panel) with support for Ofcom’s new consumer broadband and phone migration system – One Touch Switch (OTS).

The change means that ICUK’s resellers can now “effortlessly manage switch messages and customer transitions between service providers,” at least they can once OTS goes live from 12th September 2024 – this is even available to resellers with customers that have third-party services. “To our knowledge we are the only wholesale supplier who is offering our partners a fully managed path to the One Touch Switching hub,” said ICUK’s Paul Barnett to ISPreview.

“This feature streamlines the entire switching process, ensuring a smoother experience for both resellers and their end customers. ICUK has taken a bold step in offering this service without additional charges beyond the standard TOTSCo (Telecoms One Touch Switching Company) fees for services held within the ICUK platform,” said the announcement.

ICUK is a recognised Managed Access Provider (MAP) with TOTSCo, and their software is said to be suitable for supporting OTS regardless of whether you use ICUK’s connectivity and voice services, or a competitor.