DALLAS, Texas, USA, Apr. 25, 2024 – DZS (Nasdaq: DZSI), a global leader of broadband networking and AI-driven cloud software solutions, today announced it has appointed Scott St. John as Chief Customer Officer, reporting directly to CEO Charlie Vogt.

Mr. St. John will be responsible for leading global sales for DZS and will be focused on driving accelerated revenue growth across the Americas and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) regions. Communication service providers (CSPs) in these regions continue to undergo a multi-year broadband networking upgrade cycle with a shift towards open and software defined networking, supported by “broadband everywhere” initiatives led by multiple government-funded stimulus projects and private investments that are taking place around the world. DZS’ enhanced broadband networking and AI-driven cloud software portfolios are ideally suited to address this opportunity following three years of targeted innovation and three strategic acquisitions that have created a truly differentiated network edge focused portfolio ready to position CSPs for services agility and future success.

“Scott was instrumental in leading ADVA’s significant sales growth during his more than five-year tenure leading up to the ADVA/Adtran merger,” said Mr. Vogt.” DZS will benefit from Scott’s experience and 20-plus years of sales leadership knowledge and trusted relationships with service providers and channel partners across the Americas, EMEA and ANZ, complementing the momentum we have created over the past two years. The timing of Scott’s arrival aligns well with our recently released and differentiated 50G-ready OLT platforms, optical edge ROADM, home broadband and cloud software solutions. We are active in numerous service provider optical transport, fiber access, network assurance, orchestration, and home broadband software management projects and I am confident that Scott will accelerate our team’s ability to convert these technology and solution trials into our next wave of growth as we progress through 2024 and enter 2025.”

DZS continues to gain traction with service providers in its strategic growth markets of the Americas, EMEA and ANZ, including recent wins with tier-one operators in multiple regions. Since 2022, the company’s vision, strategy and technology initiatives have led to the introduction of award-winning and category-defining optical, access and cloud software solutions. Complementing the company’s optical and fiber broadband focused innovation and aligned with the most demanding service provider requirements, DZS successfully acquired and integrated the core assets of ASSIA (AI-driven cloud software), RIFT (automation, orchestration and network slicing software) and Optelian (optical networking platforms).

“Under Charlie’s leadership, DZS has transformed into a market disruptor, and I am looking forward to joining his management team and accelerating the company’s growth as we capitalize on the significant network expansion opportunities ahead of us based on the normalization of service provider buying patterns fueled by government broadband stimulus programs and the more than 25 large scale service providers trials underway around the world,” said Mr. St. John. “Broadband has become a utility-like service and with the maturity and acceleration of artificial intelligence changing the way CSPs automate, optimize and analyze the performance of their networks, it’s an ideal time to leverage the company’s unique position in the industry, bolstered by best-in-class optical, access and cloud software technology. DZS is poised to take market share and grow top-line revenue and I am excited to lead that charge.”

Mr. St. John has an extensive track record over the past 25 years leading global sales teams and consistently driving revenue growth. Prior to DZS, he served as Chief Sales Officer for ADVA until the merger with Adtran where he managed a global team of over 450 employees and increased sales to approximately €700 million per year.

Gunter Reiss will continue to serve as Chief Marketing Officer and lead Business Development for DZS. reporting to the CEO.

“With the momentum DZS has across the Americas, EMEA and ANZ regions, the timing of Scott joining our leadership team is ideal, allowing me to focus 100% of my time on the numerous marketing and business development initiatives underway,” said Mr. Reiss. “Scott’s expertise in successfully implementing global go-to-market strategies and deploying complex networking solutions will serve our customers and channel partners extremely well as they upgrade their communications networks.”

About DZS Inc.

DZS Inc. (Nasdaq: DZSI) is a global leader of broadband networking and AI-driven cloud software solutions.

DZS, the DZS logo, and all DZS product names are trademarks of DZS Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the beliefs and assumptions of the Company’s management as of the date hereof. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those risk factors contained in the Company’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. In addition, additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic climate may give rise to or amplify many of these risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. DZS undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information see: www.DZSi.com.

DZS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dzs_innovation

DZS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DZSi/

Press Inquiries:
Kenny Vesey, Thatcher+Co.
Phone: +1 973.518.3644
Email: kvesey@thatcherandco.com 

Plano, TX – Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN), a global provider of real time communications technology and IP optical networking solutions to many of the world’s largest service providers, enterprises, and critical infrastructure operators to modernize and protect their networks, today announced plans for a major network modernization program with Verizon to retire legacy TDM switching platforms and replace their function with modern cloud-based technologies.

“Our continuous goal at Verizon is to provide the most advanced technologies for our customers while simultaneously improving our cost of operations and advance our sustainability efforts in power consumption,” said Eric Lia, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Verizon. These network upgrades will allow us to rapidly decommission legacy central office equipment while improving overall quality and reliability of service, and reducing our environmental footprint.”

Verizon is leveraging Ribbon’s portfolio of Voice Products including the vC20 Call Controller, G5 Line Access Gateway, G6 Universal Media Gateway, virtual and Cloud-native Session Border Controllers, and other products which allows for the consolidation and replacement of equipment with energy efficient, software-centric platforms while maintaining full feature functionality.

“Service providers across the US are saddled with the regulatory, technical and financial risks that come from maintaining decades-old switching infrastructure that still supports services to millions of consumers and businesses in the US. In fact, our recent operator survey revealed that 64% of them consider this a major challenge,” said Evan Kirchheimer, Research VP, Telco and Service Provider Telecoms, Omdia. “With this announcement, Ribbon and Verizon are embarking on a transition to modern, virtual and cloud-based systems that help operators reduce risk and operational expense. This should allow them to focus more resources on innovation for both consumer and business customers.”

“Verizon has always been at the forefront of building the most advanced networks. A key part of this success is constantly looking for new innovative ways to provide their customers with the latest technologies. This new program significantly accelerates the ongoing work they are doing to modernize telecom infrastructure, and we are very excited to partner with Verizon providing products and migration services expertise,” said Bruce McClelland, Ribbon CEO. “We’re proud of our decades-long partnership and of our continued ability to deliver success-based transition models that drive digital adoption.”

About Ribbon
Ribbon Communications (Nasdaq: RBBN) delivers communications software, IP and optical networking solutions to service providers, enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors globally. We engage deeply with our customers, helping them modernize their networks for improved competitive positioning and business outcomes in today’s smart, always-on and data-hungry world. Our innovative, end-to-end solutions portfolio delivers unparalleled scale, performance, and agility, including core to edge software-centric solutions, cloud-native offers, leading-edge security and analytics tools, along with IP and optical networking solutions for 5G. We maintain a keen focus on our commitments to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, offering an annual Sustainability Report to our stakeholders. To learn more about Ribbon, please visit rbbn.com.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  

The information in this release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including those regarding the expected benefits from use of Ribbon Communication’s products, are forward-looking statements. The actual results of Ribbon Communications may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Ribbon Communications’ business, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of Ribbon Communications’ most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements represent Ribbon Communications’ views only as of the date on which such statement is made and should not be relied upon as representing Ribbon Communications’ views as of any subsequent date. While Ribbon Communications may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point, Ribbon Communications specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

Investor Contact

+1 (978) 614-8050

ir@rbbn.com    

Media Contact

Catherine Berthier

+1 (646) 741-1974

cberthier@rbbn.com

CEA-Leti Selected to Coordinate Two EU Projects for Developing ‘First-Class’ 6G Capabilities and Contributing to Standardization

Engaging Multiple EU Partners, the Projects Will Apply Intelligent Sensing and AI-Enabled Learning Technologies

GRENOBLE, France – April 25, 2024 – As part of the European Union’s drive to support a multifaceted approach to addressing 6G challenges and promises, CEA-Leti has been chosen to coordinate two projects to help build first-class 6G technology capabilities and boost standardization efforts across Europe.

The two projects were among 27 chosen in a competitive proposal process by an EU partnership that divided €130 million between the projects. “These projects present a significant stride towards advancing smart networks and services, offering breakthrough innovations, experimental platforms and large-scale trials, driving world-class research and shaping the world’s digital connected future,” said the group, called the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU).

6G-DISAC (Distributed Intelligent Sensing and Communication) and 6G-GOALS (Goal-Oriented AI-enabled Learning and Semantic Communication Networks) launched their three-year projects in January with multiple EU collaborators.

The two projects mark the first time a single RTO or company has been chosen to coordinate two competitive EU proposals in the same initiative. CEA-Leti has coordinated several EU projects, including the recently completed RISE-6G project. That SNS JU effort developed a disruptive new concept as a service for wireless environments by dynamically controlling wireless communication for brief, energy-efficient and high-capacity communications on a variety of surfaces, such as such as walls, ceilings, mirrors and appliances.

6G-DISAC

This project will develop and innovate on a widely distributed intelligent infrastructure compatible with both real-world integration constraints, new semantic and goal-oriented communication and sensing approaches, and the flexibility requirements of future 6G networks. It will apply theoretical approaches and operational and standards-compatible, distributed joint communication and sensing, by leveraging the expertise of world-leading network vendors, verticals, SMEs, research laboratories and academic institutions spanning the value chain.

Current approaches to integrated communication and sensing use centralized architectures and pass sensed information through a centralized controller.

“This project will bring the integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) vision into reality, going well beyond the usual restrictive standalone or localised scenarios, by adopting a holistic perspective, with large numbers of connected users and/or passive objects to be tracked,” said Emilio Calvanese Strinati, coordinator of the project and CEA-Leti’s smart devices & telecommunications strategy program director.

“With demonstrations that validate the vital 6G-DISAC concepts, the project will revolutionise various applications, from extended reality and robot-human interaction to vehicular-safety functions and improving communication key performance indicators (KPI) with sensing-aided communications,” he explained.

In addition to defining use cases and designing an innovative network architecture, the 11 6G-DISAC partners will develop novel physical-layer waveforms, distributed sensing and communications methods, optimised resource-allocation methods and protocols.

Specific targets include:

tracking connected user equipment (UE) and passive objects,
performing ISAC with many distributed base stations, efficient distributed signal processing and machine learning for semantic ISAC, and
incorporating extremely large multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technologies and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, and intelligent sensing activation.

“While addressing these fundamental and practical challenges, the team will focus on distributed implementation of ISAC, unlocking real sensing applications and providing a multi-perspective view of networks in space and time for tangible communication gains,” Calvanese Strinati said.

6G-GOALS

This project is designed to reduce data traffic by conveying only the most relevant information and produce data-efficient, robust and resilient protocols that can adapt to network conditions and communication objectives using modern AI/ML techniques.

“As wireless mobile communication requires ever-higher data rates and 5G’s scope expands to include massive and ultra-reliable low-latency links, wireless evolution has been pressed to solve the technical problem of reliable data exchange between two end-points,” said project coordinator Calvanese Strinati.

“The 6G-GOALS project will take the wireless system design to its next stage by considering the significance, relevance and value of the transmitted data and transforming the potential of the emerging AI/ML-based architectures into a semantic and goal-oriented communication paradigm, offering a solid step toward cooperative generative AI technologies,” he said.

Semantic communication is instrumental to induce reasoning and shared understanding among intelligent agents by exchanging pragmatically selected information in which its meaning to the receiver is designed to efficiently accomplish a goal or a task. With current approaches, data is sensed and transferred from sensors to the destinations without prior semantic extraction functions.

A recent paper written by 6G-GOALS participants noted that advances in AI technologies have expanded device intelligence, fostering federation and cooperation among distributed AI agents. These advancements impose new requirements on future 6G mobile network architectures.

“To meet these demands, it is essential to transcend classical boundaries and integrate communication, computation, control, and intelligence,” the paper, “Goal-Oriented and Semantic Communication in 6G AI-Native Networks: The 6G-GOALS Approach”, reports.

“These projects are fundamental to explore the capabilities of AI/ML solutions on the networks of the future, especially dealing with joint communication and sensing and semantic communications,” said Mauro Boldi Renato, EU project program coordinator at TIM (Telcom Italia). “Working with CEA-Leti represents a solid basis for their success and for bringing European industry towards implementation of 6G around 2030.”

“The exploitation of 6G-DISAC and 6G-GOALS project results will represent a transformative step for manufacturers and 6G industrial players, like NEC Corporation, by fostering the development of distributed intelligent networks and semantic/AI-driven communication strategies,” said Vincenzo Sciancalepore, principal researcher at NEC Laboratories Europe GMBH/ Germany and a member of the 6G-DISAC team. “Such an unprecedented approach will enable more efficient, flexible, and responsive network infrastructures that can support advanced applications, such as extended reality and automated mobility, meeting the increasing demand for high-capacity, low-latency and sustainable communication.”

6G-DISAC Partners

Coordinator: CEA-Leti/France
Technical Manager: Chalmers Tekniska Hogskola AB/Sweden
Innovation Manager: Nokia Networks/ France
Telecom Italia Spa/Italy
Orange S.A./France
Ethniko Kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon/Greece
Institut Polytechnique De Bordeaux/France

NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH/Germany
NEC Italia S.P.A/Italy
Robert Bosch GmbH/Germany
RadChat AB/Sweden

6G-GOALS Partners

Coordinator: CEA-Leti/France
Technical Manager: Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni/Italy
Innovation Manager: NEC Laboratories Europe GMBH/ Germany
NEC Italia S.p.A/Italy
Telecom Italia S.p.A/Italy
Eurecom GIE/France
Aalborg Universitet/Denmark
Hewlett-Packard/France
Hewlett-Packard Italiana S.R.L/Italy
Toshiba Europe Limited UK
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine UK
Singapore University of Technology and Design

About CEA-Leti (France)

CEA-Leti, a technology research institute at CEA, is a global leader in miniaturization technologies enabling smart, energy-efficient and secure solutions for industry. Founded in 1967, CEA-Leti pioneers micro-& nanotechnologies, tailoring differentiating applicative solutions for global companies, SMEs and startups. CEA-Leti tackles critical challenges in healthcare, energy and digital migration. From sensors to data processing and computing solutions, CEA-Leti’s multidisciplinary teams deliver solid expertise, leveraging world-class pre-industrialization facilities. With a staff of more than 2,000 talents, a portfolio of 3,200 patents, 11,000 sq. meters of cleanroom space and a clear IP policy, the institute is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley, Brussels and Tokyo. CEA-Leti has launched 75 startups and is a member of the Carnot Institutes network. Follow us on www.leti-cea.com and @CEA_Leti.

Technological expertise

CEA has a key role in transferring scientific knowledge and innovation from research to industry. This high-level technological research is carried out in particular in electronic and integrated systems, from microscale to nanoscale. It has a wide range of industrial applications in the fields of transport, health, safety and telecommunications, contributing to the creation of high-quality and competitive products.

For more information: www.cea.fr/english 

Press Contact                                                                                

Agency

Sarah-Lyle Dampoux

sldampoux@mahoneylyle.com

+33 6 74 93 23 47

Delivered by Digital Catapult – the UK authority on advanced digital technology, the SONIC Labs programme is supported by Ofcom and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), to determine the practical viability and performance of Open RAN solutions. The next phase of the programme will assess how well Open RAN works in practical outdoor settings, mimicking the conditions faced by mobile network operators, to provide valuable insights that will shape the future of telecommunications infrastructure worldwide.

Lindsey Fussell, Group Director, Network and Communications at Ofcom said: “The expansion of SONIC Labs to outdoor testing marks the start of an exciting phase for this innovative project. This is an important opportunity for the companies involved to test their products in a real world, outdoor environment – which includes managing the many challenges that come with operating a network outdoors. We’re looking forward to working with this latest group of companies, as the project continues to develop insights that can help shape the telecoms networks of the future.”

Open RAN technology revolutionises wireless networks by enabling interoperability between different vendor products, fostering competition and innovation. This allows for greater flexibility and potentially lower costs in network deployment and operation, demonstrating the strategic global value of the SONIC Labs programme. The programme has established a commercially-neutral, collaborative, environment for testing the interoperability and integration of Open RAN products and services to accelerate market suitability. 

Testing Open RAN outdoors poses numerous challenges including weather conditions, background noise, coverage footprint, signal strength, and regulatory hurdles such as council restrictions and spectrum licences. Overcoming these complexities is essential for validating the efficacy and viability of Open RAN solutions in real-world settings, and the SONIC Labs programme aims to tackle these challenges, driving innovation and accelerating Open RAN deployment.

The new cohort members will be the first to use SONIC Labs’ outdoor facility and include Accelleran, G REIGNS, LIONS, VVDN, and Pegatron. In addition to the five companies using the outdoor facility, ALPHA Networks will primarily use the SONIC Labs indoor facility located in Digital Catapult’s London headquarters. Over the course of the programme, all participants will also measure key performance indicators to improve Open RAN’s commercial viability, positioning the UK at the forefront of Open RAN innovation. 

Anju Day, CEO of LIONS said: “The SONIC Labs programme elevates the global multi-vendor integration of O-RAN to a stage aligned with practical deployment. It takes one step further from previous O-RAN testing activities that focused on standards compliance, interoperability, and performance requirements. Cohort 5 shifts focus to actual outdoor field deployment, applications, and licensed spectrum, fostering collaboration among different O-RAN product suppliers for real-world scenarios. LIONS proudly offers its 8T8R outdoor RU product for high-density UE applications and anticipates fruitful collaboration with teams from CUDU and RIC suppliers.”

Facilitating outdoor testing of Open RAN is important for the technology’s development, as new test-cases for Open RAN are explored and new applications of the technology are discovered, including streaming video content using Open RAN infrastructure. Building on the success of the SONIC Labs programme to date, the new cohort members will showcase the success of testing and deploying Open RAN solutions outdoors, as well as challenges and lessons learned, enabling Digital Catapult to pave the way for future advancements in global telecommunications infrastructure. 

Dritan Khaleshi, Co-Director of SONIC Labs said: “Success of this new phase of the SONIC Labs programme will be driven in part by granting access to both our outdoor and indoor facilities to the new cohort of vendors, as well as offering technical support and opportunities for collaboration with industry. We will also continue to connect vendors with the wider telecommunications ecosystem to present new opportunities for investment and collaboration, as a significant contribution to the global charge in accelerating Open RAN innovation.”

To find out more about how to join the SONIC Labs programme, visit https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/expertise/programmes/programme/sonic-labs/

Rural UK ISP Wessex Internet, which is deploying a full fibre (FTTP) gigabit broadband network across isolated parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Somerset in England, has today named the 20 locations where their new network has gone live during just the first three months of 2024 (Q1).

At present the provider’s existing network footprint is vaguely said to cover “tens of thousands of homes” (some of this may include their old fixed wireless network too), while their current business plan targets an “additional” 150,000 premises by 2027 through a combination of subsidised and unsubsidised capital investment.

Despite the region where they operate suffering from one of the wettest winters on record for 130 years, network delivery teams have battled the elements to bring services to some incredibly challenging locations. They found mole plough routes across flooded plains, spliced cables al fresco under storm umbrellas, and were careful to keep up their standards when making final installations through village streets and muddy gardens.

Wessex Internet’s 20 New Fibre Locations (Live)

In Dorset
Bishops Caundle
Chaldon Herring
Hilton
Milton Abbas
Pimperne
Shillingstone
Sixpenny Handley
Witchampton
Wool

In Somerset
Chilthorne Domer
Hornblotton
Limington
Marston Magna
Yenston & Whitechurch
West Camel
Yeovil Marsh

In Wiltshire
Donhead St Andrew
East Knoyle
Sedgehill & Semley

In Hampshire
Martin
Rockbourne
Whitsbury

Sadly, the announcement didn’t provide any figures for premises passed, either in terms of those that are ‘Ready for Service’ (RFS) or the built network footprint. But we do expect the following outcome from their new Project Gigabit contracts: North Dorset (Lot 14.01 – £6m to cover 7,100 premises), the New Forest – Hampshire (Lot 27.01 – £14m to cover 10,500 premises), South Wiltshire (Lot 30 – £18.8m to cover 14,500 premises) and Dorset and South Somerset (Lot 14 – £33.5m to cover 21,400 premises).

Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said:

“I would like to give credit to all of our teams who’ve been working hard on the ground during these challenging recent months, to ensure we keep on track with our plans to bring ultrafast broadband to rural and other hard-to-reach communities that are often overlooked by other suppliers.

It is heartening to hear from customers that they don’t just appreciate having access to a service that they never thought would be possible, but also that they recognise and appreciate the considerate way that our teams approach their work. That thanks goes from our civils operatives, splicers, garden teams and home installers building the network, to our customer service and sales teams involved in setting customers up and helping them out if they have problems.

It has been exciting to welcome many new colleagues to Wessex Internet over the past few months as the company meets our ambitious plans to bring exceptional internet to even more people. We will continue to grow our workforce to fulfil the recently awarded government contracts, so I encourage applications from anyone who wants to work for a company that values a customer-focused approach and where hard work and problem-solving is appreciated.”

Prices for their full fibre packages start at £29 per month for a 100Mbps (15Mbps upload) tier on a 12-month term, but this only comes with a meagre 100GB data allowance (£44 for unlimited), and you’ll have to pay £49 (one-off) for activation. By comparison, their top unlimited usage plan will give 900Mbps (450Mbps upload) for £79 per month, which is fairly expensive by today’s standards, albeit still good if nobody else can supply FTTP.

News

The ‘world first’ was achieved via a partnership between Korean Air, Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Telecom (KT), Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction

This week, Korean Air has announced the successful demonstration of their urban air mobility (UAM) operating system, a system which could become the foundation upon which commercial flying taxi services could be launched by 2025.

The project has seen Korean Air work alongside numerous partners, most notably Hyundai, which provided the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft via its subsidiary Supernal, and KT, which supplied the 5G network connectivity underpinning the project.

The demonstration itself saw the eVTOL aircraft flown in a 10 different scenarios, described as a mixture of ‘normal and abnormal operations’.

Gather gathered from the tests will reportedly be used to inform future UAM operations in “high-density urban environments”.

“Korean Air will continue to engage in various UAM initiatives, and work to validate and enhance government-established UAM concepts and procedures to develop the UAM ecosystem in Korea,” said the airline in a statement.

The testing comes as part of the South Korean government’s wider efforts to make progress in the emerging field of UAM. In 2022, the government launched its K-UAM Grand Challenge programme, seeking to bring together various industry players, including aircraft developers, airspace designers, and air traffic management operators, to help develop the UAM ecosystem and commercialise UAM in central Korean cities by 2025.

This Korean Air consortium was one of a number of participants, with another notable consortium featuring rival telco SK Telecom and Hanwha Systems, the former of which last summer invested $100 million in flying taxi specialist Joby Aviation to expand their efforts.

Keep up to date with all the latest telecoms news from around the world with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

Also in the news:
South Korea to invest $7 billion in AI semiconductors
Swisscom expands 5G partnership with Ericsson
Daisy Group set to acquire 4Com for £215m

The Fusion Fibre Group, which is both a UK internet provider and Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network builder, has today announced that the first homes in the rural Yorkshire (England) village of Stockton on the Forest can now access their new gigabit-capable full fibre broadband network after a £350k investment.

The local roll-out required FFG to invest £350,000 of its own money (no government vouchers were used) and the new network currently covers 377 premises (Ready for Service), which should increase to 492 once the local deployment is finally completed in the near future. The per premises cost of £711 would appear to suggest a fairly efficient build for this area.

After making their network live in late-February 2024, FFG has been busy installing fibre into local homes and businesses, while also expanding the network out to cater for more properties within the community.

Fusion Fibre Group’s Head of National Sales, Gary Spooner, said:

“This new network marks a major milestone in our mission to provide full fibre connectivity to rural communities across the county. And, it wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of the Digital York Team.”

Customers of the service can expect to pay from £24.99 per month for a 200Mbps speed, which includes a TP Link wireless router and free standard installation. By comparison, their top 1000Mbps package will set you back £44.99 per month. New customers may also be able to get their first 6 months of service for free on a 24-month term.

SpaceX is seeking approval from Ofcom for a variation of its existing gateway licence, which would enable Starlink’s mega constellation of ultrafast broadband satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to improve its capacity, such as by expanding the number of gateway antennas at several UK sites and adopting additional bands.

The operator currently has 5,874 LEO satellites in orbit around the Earth (altitudes of c.500-600km) and they’re in the process of adding thousands more by the end of 2027. Customers in the UK typically pay from £75 a month for a 30-day term, plus £449 for hardware (currently discounted to £225 or £150 if refurbished) on the ‘Standard’ plan, which promises internet latency times of 25-50ms, downloads of c. 25-100Mbps and uploads of c. 5-10Mbps.

In order to operate this network in the UK, the provider currently holds several NGSO (Non-Geostationary Earth Station) gateway licences, which help to connect their NGSO system to the internet via large dishes on the ground. SpaceX wants to update four of these to help boost capacity and “serve growing demand for its broadband services” (mostly to serve their latest Gen 2 satellites).

Specifically, SpaceX is seeking permission from Ofcom to expand the number of antennas hosted at four of its remaining seven sites – Fawley (licence number 1293217), Isle of Man (licence number 249304/1), Wherstead (licence number 1293534) and Woodwalton (licence number 1293303). The gateway sites are currently authorised to operate up to 9 Ka-band parabolic antennas; they serve customers in the UK and adjacent countries.

SpaceX’s Request to Ofcom

➤ An additional 24 antennas at Fawley, Wherstead and Woodwalton, bringing the total number of antennas at each of those sites to 32. It plans to operate these new antennas in the bands: 27.5-28.0525 GHz, 28.4445-29.0605 GHz, 29.4525-30GHz.

➤ An additional 32 antennas at its Isle of Man site, bringing the total there to 40. SpaceX already has access to all the frequencies it wishes to use (27.5-30GHz) at the Isle of Man site.

“Our initial assessment is that SpaceX’s requested variation should not unduly affect other licenced NGSO services, future NGSO services, GSO services or Fixed links operating in the same user frequencies,” said the regulator’s consultation, which will remain open for responses until 31st May 2024.

Separately, satellite operator Inmarsat (Viasat) has applied for an NGSO Earth Station Network Licence for its new GX-10 non-geostationary orbiting (NGSO) satellite system (here). “Inmarsat has stated it plans to use GX-10 to extend the coverage of its existing Global Xpress satellite system over the polar region, providing satellite communication services to government, defence, aero and maritime commercial customers,” said Ofcom.

Inmarsat’s proposed service area covers latitudes above 65N and their satellites will also provide intermittent service over parts of the UK, although this isn’t their main focus. The service will use the Ka-band frequencies 19.7 – 20.2GHz and 29.5 – 30GHz. Ofcom are consulting on all this until 31st May 2024, but have provisionally proposed to approve the request.

News

The plastic waste removed is the equivalent weight of five double decker buses 

UK mobile operator Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has announced that it has successfully removed 65 tonnes of single-use plastic from its operations and products since 2021. 

The effort is part of the company’s Better Connections Plan, which broadly commits to ensuring the business operates in a sustainable and ethical way. One of the plan’s primary aims to achieve zero waste operations and products by the end of 2025. 

In partnership with engineering company Technetix, VMO2 has removed almost 18 tonnes of single-use plastic from the equipment and tools used by engineers. This includes eliminating plastic bags, foam, blister packs, and plastic straps from packaging. The company has also replaced plastic ties with paper ties on cables. 

Collaborating with logistics firm GXO, the company has also reduced single-use plastic from packaging containing products sent to cable customer by 94%. 

Additionally, adopting plastic-free packaging for product delivery and returns has allowed the company to prevent approximately 22 tonnes of single-use plastic going to waste each year. 

“GXO and Virgin Media O2 are working together to create a supply chain that is as environmentally responsible as it is efficient and reliable,” said Meagan Fitzsimmons, GXO’s Chief Compliance and ESG Officer in a press release. 

“Companies have to reduce single use plastics from their supply chain to meet regulatory requirements and environmental goals. These results show what’s possible with a best-in-class partnership,” she continued. 

In related news, this week it was revealed that VMO2 was one of three operators (in addition to Three and Vodafone), who had their plea for a deadline extension of the first phase of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) denied by the UK government. 

Dean Creamer, the head of Building Digital UK (the government body overseeing the project) confirmed this week that the authority has denied a request by the three mobile operators to delay the first phase deadline by 18 months.  

The current deadline to remove all ‘partial not-spots’ is in June. Only EE, the UK’s largest operator, met this deadline so far, doing so in January. Last October, The Telegraph reported that Vodafone and Three in particular were operators were “miles behind” in the project, according to unnamed sources. 

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

Also in the news:
“We’ve out innovated China”: US Commerce Secretary slams Huawei chip tech
Uzbekistan’s Perfectum partners with Nokia for 5G
Meta shares tumble after Zuckerberg reveals AI spending increase    

News

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to classify broadband services as a Title II telecommunications service, restoring net neutrality

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

A long-anticipated vote to restore net neutrality has forbidden internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid prioritization of lawful content.

Both the White House and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) supported the FCC’s push to restore net neutrality, which approved at their April 25 meeting.

The vote reclassified broadband as a common carrier service, and subjected broadband service to regulatory oversight in regard to consumer pricing.

Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) celebrated the vote and released a joint statement in the moments after the FCC’s decision.

“Net neutrality ensures advocates, activists, and organizers can freely speak their minds and voice their views,” the statement read. “Net neutrality ensures the internet remains a democratic space where commerce and communication can thrive.”

Sen. Markey and Wyden, who first proposed net neutrality bills back in 2006, said they started the fight for net neutrality more than 17 years ago.

“Despite the efforts of greedy internet service providers and big telecommunications corporations, we are delivering on the opportunity, accessibility, affordability, and empowerment that are the hallmarks of a free and open internet,” their joint statement read.

Reaction has also come in from Gigi Sohn, the executive director of the American Association for Public Broadband.

Sohn took exception to the FCC’s decision to forbear required contributions to the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) and called the decision puzzling. The USF is know for funding connectivity to schools and libraries, and to rural health care facilities.

“The agency chose to make it needlessly difficult for a future FCC to reverse course, no matter how much the contribution factor might rise,” Sohn said. “‘Unforbearing’ has no precedent at the agency and would cause a political and legal firestorm.”

Sohn’s statement said it was ‘mind-boggling’ that the FCC “is now effectively shutting the door to a permanent subsidy.”

In addition to funding rural connectivity, the USF provides a $9.25 subsidy called Lifeline, which is used to fund mobile service.

Sohn said today’s action by the FCC “not only puts the future of the low-income broadband subsidy at risk, but also that of every other universal service program, including the E-Rate and Rural Health Care programs.”

A statement from Shirley Bloomfield, the CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, was released to the media shortly after the FCC’s vote.

Bloomfield said her organization is “deeply concerned” about the issues surrounding forbearance of USF obligations after the decision.

“We will need to review the item once released to determine precisely how it discusses and addresses these issues,” she said. “But it would be a missed opportunity indeed if the FCC has effectively tied its own hands to consider thoughtfully and enact future universal service contribution reforms due to firm forbearance that is difficult to unwind in the future.”

Previously, Bloomfield has voiced concerns that the FCC’s proposed restoration of net neutrality, stating that the proposal “neglects the significant diversity and complexity of the broader online ecosystem” by homing in on last-mile retail ISPs as part of an effort to make sure subscribers in high-cost areas are not paying higher rates.

Her statement after Thursday’s FCC vote expressed disappointment that those concerns were not heeded.

“Today’s order appears to reinstate a regulatory framework that focuses upon only one sliver of the broader online ecosystem and, while we need to see the precise details of the item, we are concerned that the order could impose burdens on smaller broadband providers in particular in the course of doing so.”

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