More bad news for any broadband ISPs that were planning to launch faster packages based off Openreach’s forthcoming Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) tiers, which push top download speeds to 1.2Gbps and 1.8Gbps (both offer 120Mbps upstream). The current service pilot has just been extended for yet another 3 months. The original pilot started in December 2022 (here) […]

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has written to the Office of the Telecoms Adjudicator (OTA) as part of efforts to encourage the adoption of changes to improve phone number porting between providers, ideally in time for the revised launch of the One Touch Switch (OTS) migration system for broadband ISPs. At present the OTS system, […]

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The trial was undertaken at the AZ centre in Bangkok 

Chinese firm ZTE has partnered with Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand’s leading mobile operator, to launch the world’s first dynamic RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) trial in a mmWave network. 

RIS is a multi-antenna technology that uses electromagnetic metamaterials to extend base station coverage by intelligently reflecting or transmitting wireless signals. This results in improved coverage with both low costs and low carbon emissions.  

By incorporating dynamic functionality, ZTE’s dynamic RIS technology achieves beam sweeping and user tracking. 

In the trial, ZTE used the RIS product in the AIS mmWave network with 400MHz of bandwidth. 

According to ZTE, users in the trial were able to maintain a consistent downlink rate of over 1.6Gbps, and an uplink peak rate of over 260Mbps, in an office room larger than 400 square metres. 

mmWave frequencies can provide 5G networks with high speeds and capacities, but they also present challenges, such as a shorter range and poorer signal propagation. Dynamic RIS technology could be a potential solution to these issues, allowing mmWave to be considerable expanded without the need for as many additional base stations. 

“Our collaboration with ZTE has provided us with the opportunity to explore the application of RIS technology in mmWave communications, leading to groundbreaking achievements. We believe that this technology will accelerate the arrival of the 5G-A era and deliver unprecedented communication experiences to users,” said Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations and Support at AIS. 

ZTE claims that the trial represents an important milestone in the mmWave communication field, which has the potential to revolutionise the global communications industry for the future of areas such as smart cities and Internet of Things (IoT). 

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Also in the news: 
Ericsson and TDC NET launch Denmark’s first 5G Standalone network
Vodafone to begin UK’s largest Open RAN rollout
Vodacom and Eskom sign virtual power wheeling deal 

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BT is set to deploy technology from Infovista, a French network lifecycle automation specialist, in an effort to improve “operational efficiency and customer satisfaction” 

As part of the deal, Infovista will utilise their existing solution, the Ativa™ Suite, to improve troubleshooting with intelligent pattern discovery, correlation, analysis, and alarm generation. 

The new automated processes are designed to minimise fixed voice outages and service interruptions.  

Infovista claims that their technology can reduce the resolution times for CSPs by more than 66%, which will streamline customer relations processes, reducing response times to network problems by quickly identifying the root causes of disruptions.  

“CSPs are under pressure to constantly improve the quality of experience they provide, while simultaneously reducing operational costs… This use case shows how automating daily tasks can help CSPs such as BT both drive operational efficiency and improve customer experience and satisfaction,” said Franco Messori, Chief Product & Transformation Officer at Infovista. 

“BT is committed to developing and delivering next-generation services that continue to put our customers at the core of what we do and to deliver better outcomes. This means digitally transforming our own operations and using the power of automation across our network, infrastructure, services and operations,” said Reza Rahnama, BT Group’s managing director for mobile networks. 

Want to keep up to date with all of the latest international telecoms news? Sign up for Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

Also in the news:
Ericsson and TDC NET launch Denmark’s first 5G Standalone network
Vodafone to begin UK’s largest Open RAN rollout
Vodacom and Eskom sign virtual power wheeling deal 

The LSBUD (Line Search Before You Dig) organisation, which provides an online asset search facility to UK civil engineering firms for underground pipes and cables, has published their annual Digging Up Britain 2023 report and revealed that telecoms remained the most active industry when it comes to searching before digging. The report notes that, during […]

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A summary of all the essential financial news in the telecoms world this week

Vodafone Ukraine releases half-year results 

In the release of its half year report, the firm saw revenue reach UAH 10.4 billion ($283.3 million), a 5% year-on-year increase. 

The company increased its capital investments by 75%, spending over UAH 2 billion ($54.2 million) on repairs and winter preparations, caused by the ongoing war. 

Net profit jumped 242% to UAH 2.266 billion ($61 million)) as a result of less currency effects than the year earlier 

The subscriber base in Q2 compared with Q1 remained stable at 15.2 million customers. This is an 8% decrease year-on-year due to millions of customers being displaced by the war, resulting in fewer active mobile users .  

The firm also recently announced the acquisition of ISP Freenet, a provider of fixed broadband services. Vodafone Ukraine acquired a 90.1% stake in the firm for UAH 746 million ($20.1 million). 

 

Ciena reports sales increase 

In their third fiscal quarter, Ciena reported revenue of $1.07 billion, a 23% increase on Q3 last year, when revenue reached $868 million. 

The firm reported better than expected financial results, which they claim is due to the growing demand for their hardware from cloud computing providers. 

“We delivered excellent results for the fiscal third quarter with strength across all regions,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO of Ciena. “We are encouraged by increased customer activity that, when combined with our elevated backlog, market leadership and expanding addressable market, we believe will drive growth and market share gains going forward.” 

“It is a catch-up quarter from the supply-chain constraints of the previous year,” he continued. Because of this, however, the firm noted that revenue will not continue to grow at this pace continuously. 

On Thursday trading, shares were priced at $49.33, up 14%. 

 

5G network slicing value to hit $19 billion 

A new study from ABI research has estimated the 5G network slicing market to be worth $19.5 billion by 2028, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 106%. 

Current 5G slicing revenue stands at $309 million (as of 2022). 

The report found that a combination of complexities and issues with cloud-native tooling adoption will result in continued market growth though at a slower pace. 

“5G Slicing continues to promise new value creation in the industry,” said ABI Research senior analyst Don Alusha. “However, as reflected in multiple ABI Research market intelligence reports, a solid software and cloud-native foundation must be in place for that promise to materialise. That, in turn, is a prerequisite for a wider diffusion of 5G core adoption, an architecture that provides native support for 5G slicing.” 

 

Telec Networks enters into administration 

UK based telecoms infrastructure company Telec Networks has entered into administration. 

The firm, formed in 2022, is headquartered in Grimsby with operations in Ipswich and Norfolk. 

During the year until March 2022, the firm turned over more than £24 million, but cash flow was impacted by the postponement of a major contract and changes in customer payment terms.  

Within the same year, its fixed assets were valued at £1.8 million and current assets over £11 million, while net assets amounted to nearly £5 million. 

“It is unfortunate that Telec Networks has been forced to cease trading and enter Administration, due to a combination of challenging circumstances that reflect the difficult trading climate for many businesses in a number of sectors, where delays in starting contracts and late payment by clients inevitably lead to a squeeze on cash, which may be terminal if not addressed,” said managing director Andrew Watling. 

 

Intel to invest $1.2 billion in chip production 

Intel has announced future investments of $1.2 billion in chip production in Costa Rica over the next two years.  

In 2021, Intel began assembly and test operations at its Costa Rica plant, which employs over 2,000 people. The new funds will be used to upgrade these facilities to meet the demands of producing future semiconductor products.  

“The objective is for our operations to maintain the highest corporate standards and for us to continue being a key player in the growing global demand for semiconductors,” said Ileana Rojas of Intel Costa Rica in a statement. 

Last month, the US State Department partnered with the Costa Rican Government to grow the country’s semiconductor ecosystem, a move funded by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. 

Want to keep up to date with all of the latest international telecoms news? Sign up for Total Telecom’s daily newsletter  

Also in the news:
Ericsson and TDC NET launch Denmark’s first 5G Standalone network
Vodafone to begin UK’s largest Open RAN rollout
Vodacom and Eskom sign virtual power wheeling deal

The Shell Petroleum Company, through its 100% owned subsidiary Impello Limited (“Shell”), has today caused no big surprises by announcing that the Octopus Energy Group has acquired its retail energy and broadband ISP business – Shell Energy (UK and Germany) – for an as yet undisclosed sum. At present, Shell Energy UK is home to […]

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The Connected Britain Awards recognise the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions, and programmes that are shaping Britain’s digital future. 

This year we’ve had a record number of entries across our 15 categories. 

Join us at the end of Day One at Connected Britain when the winners will be revealed! 

The full 2023 shortlist is as follows:  

B2B Service Provider of the Year Award – Sponsored by Digital Infrastructure 

Finalists: 

Gigabit Networks 

Giganet 

ITS Technology Group 

Pangea 

Truespeed 

Vodafone Business UK 

  

Broadband Provider of the Year Award – Sponsored by VETRO 

Finalists: 

Brsk Ltd 
Fibrus
Giganet 
Lightning Fibre
Truespeed 

Wessex Internet 

Wildanet 

    

Digital Skills Award 

Finalists: 

Dorset Council – Embedded digital champions 

Innovation Nottinghamshire – 5G Careers Programme 

Kent County Council (Digital Kent) 

Lloyds Banking Group and We Are Digital 

Vodafone Business & Enterprise Nation – business.connected   

  

Enterprise Solution of the Year 

Finalists: 

Eseye Infinity IoT Platform 

IFS Planning & Scheduling Optimization (PSO) 

Jetty 

Qualcomm Technologies, Wi-Fi 7 Networking Pro Series platforms 

VETRO 

Vitruvi Software  

  

Project Rollout Award  

Finalists: 

CityFibre 

County Broadband Ltd 

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) and LCR Connect 

Lothian Broadband Networks (LBN) 

Openreach 

Truespeed 

  

The Access Innovation Award 

Finalists: 

Avanti Communications 

 DexGreen Ltd 

Lothian Broadband Networks (LBN) 

Norfolk County Council 

Scottish Water and Atos using Starlink 

    

The Barrier Removal Award  

Finalists: 

CityFibre 

Intelligens Consulting with with Renfrewshire Council 

Kent County Council – Kent Wayleave Toolkit 

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) 

Lothian Broadband Networks (LBN) 

Trenches Law 

    

The Community Improvement Award  

Finalists: 

Coventry City Council #CovConnects 

FullFibre – Fibre Heroes’ Community Investment Fund 

Get Online London 

Greater Manchester Combined Authority – Get Online Greater Manchester: for care leavers 

Ogi, ‘Cefnogi’ Community Fund 

Sunderland City Council’s local connectivity shapes communities fit for the future 

Three Discovery 

Wildanet 

    

The Full Fibre ISP Innovation Award – Sponsored by Calix 

Finalists: 

Brsk Ltd 

Gigabit Networks 

Giganet 

Hey! Broadband 

Hyperoptic 

TalkTalk Wholesale Services 

  

    

The Industrial Innovation Award 

Finalists: 

Dexgreen Ltd – Virtual Buddy Training App 

Neutral Wireless – Private 5G Network Deployed for King Charles III’s Coronation 

Prodapt OpenFibreXchange 

Vodafone – 5G SA Slicing 

Zeti Limited   

  

The Smart Places Award – Sponsored by ITS 

Finalists: 

Connected for Success: Welcome to Sunderland, City of Smart 

FarrPoint Western Isles IoT Project 

Living Map Ltd 

NYnet Ltd / North Yorkshire Council 

Virgin Media O2 Business and partners. Greater Manchester Local Full Fibre Network programme 

  

    

The Wireless Innovation Award 

Finalists: 

EdgeQ 

Freshwave and the City of London Corporation 

Jangala 

Neutral Wireless – Private 5G Network Deployed for King Charles III’s Coronation 

Quickline Communications 

Scottish Water, Blackspot Networks and Atos 

    

The Rising Star Award 

Finalists: 

Chris Founds, CJ Founds Associates 

Franck Courbon, Ethicronics 

Haseeb Ahmed, NETS International Ltd 

James Harris, Cable Giants Ltd 

Liam Ceaplen, Jetty 

Phil Bairsto, Freedom Fibre 

    

The Sustainability Award – Sponsored by euNetworks 

Finalists: 

FarrPoint Western Isles IoT Project 

iLOQ Oy – iLOQ 5 Series Battery Free Locking Solution 

KCOM 

Openreach 

Wildanet 

Zayo: Zeus 

    

Startup of the Year Award 

Finalists: 

Artifeel
AssetHUB
Emu Analytics
Groundhawk io
Inteliports
Jetty
Lumilinks
SecHard
Stacuity
Weaver Labs 

 

Who will win? Find out at the end of Day 1 of Connected Britain 2022!  

Book your ticket here 

Inverness-based ISP BrawBand (HighNet), which currently sells home broadband services over CityFibre’s Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network in cities such as Inverness, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Edinburgh, has today announced that they plan to double the coverage of their service by adding several additional areas. Under the new plan, BrawBand will work to provide its gigabit broadband service […]

The non-profit Silver Voices organisation, which campaigns on behalf of senior UK citizens, has withdrawn its support for UK broadband ISP BT’s transition to Digital Voice (phone) services after the provider allegedly “reneged” on a deal with the group to help safeguard the interests of those over the age of 70. Just to recap. The […]