Rural broadband ISP Beacons Telecom, which in 2020 began to build their own 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across parts of Powys and Monmouthshire in Wales (here), has revealed the next locations to benefit from their rollout and say they’re on track to deliver 15,000 premises by the end of 2022. At our last update in […]

NEWS

Reports suggest Huawei 5G enabled mobile phones will return to the market as soon as next year, despite ongoing US sanctions.

People familiar with the company’s plans suggest that less advanced chips made by Chinese companies, but that will enable 5G, will be utilised in place of Kirin chipsets which are designed by HiSilicon and manufactured by TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co) – that are now unavailable due to the tight US restrictions.

The devices will be reworked versions of existing devices, not completely new models, and will probably offer a less compelling user experience than previous generation Huawei 5G devices and especially compared to rival Apple’s iPhone 14.

Huawei is working to claw back market share after US sanctions in 2019 caused it to plunge, with a resulting 50 percent fall in consumer smartphone-led revenues year-on-year in 2021.

A person familiar with Huawei’s plans said “This company cannot wait endlessly and needs to bring 5G phones back to the market as soon as possible,”

“Huawei has lost its leading position in the mobile phone market to American sanctions years ago. Now even their domestic market share keeps dwindling.”

Huawei is seeking to reclaim its position as the world’s biggest smartphone vendor, an objective seen as a matter of national importance to Beijing. According to Will Wong, an analyst at research company IDC “China’s technology self-sufficiency plan could be a potential driver in helping Huawei to join the 5G competition”.

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s consumer business group, admitted in a media interview in July that the group was “the only manufacturer selling 4G phones in the 5G era”, which he said was “a joke”.

RELATED CONTENT: HUAWEI NAVIGATES US SANCTIONS TO MAKE A PROFIT IN 2020

The post Huawei needs to bring 5G phones back to the market first appeared on Total Telecom.

Mobile and broadband giant Virgin Media and O2 (VMO2) is introducing a series of measures to “bolster its support for employees during the cost-of-living crisis“, which among other things will include a new targeted support payment (£1,500 for many UK employees) alongside more flexible leave policies. The changes, which make for an interesting contrast against […]

NEWS

As the price of energy soars across Europe, Orange has revealed a plan to save 20 MW of power this coming winter

With the Russian invasion in Ukraine resulting in a stymied flow of gas to Europe, energy prices are rising sharply across the continent. With an energy crisis on the horizon, households and telcos alike are scrambling to come up with solutions to lower their energy bills and Orange thinks they have one.

This week, Orange has announced a multifaceted energy saving plan in France that aims to save around 20 MW of power over the coming winter, around the same amount as the instantaneous consumption of a medium-sized city of 40,000 people.

The plan revolves around reducing its electricity consumption at peak times by between 5% and 10% for one hour each day. At this time, the several thousand fixed network installations will be operated by electric batteries.

According to Orange, the plan should have no negative impact on their customers.

“In an uncertain geopolitical and economic context, we share the French government’s concerns and we have developed a concrete plan to support the national energy saving initiative,” said Christel Heydemann, the new Orange CEO, who took over the role at the start of the year. “By offering to cut consumption at several thousand technical sites for one hour, we will reduce our instantaneous power requirements by up to 10%, without impacting the service offered to users. But I must point out that networks are crucial for an effective society. We must work together to avoid load shedding measures this winter.”

Additional measures to ensure Orange’s energy consumption will be reduced include setting its offices’ ambient temperature to 19°C, shutting off store window lighting no later than 30 minutes after closing, and potentially closing some of its “quieter work spaces” on days when they have few visitors.

Beyond moving to reduce their own power consumption, Orange will also be encouraging its customers to do likewise, including sending them SMS messages promoting energy-reducing tech behaviours like enabling standby mode for their Livebox and TV set-top box.

Further customer support will also be introduced in the form of services and offers aimed at helping customers to reduce their energy footprint.

Also in the news:
Optus confirms 2.1 million customers affected by cyberattack
Cloud Metro: Reimagining metro networks for sustainable business growth
Vodafone UK and Three confirm talks over a potential merger

The post Orange details winter energy saving plan first appeared on Total Telecom.

For the past 24 years, the World Communication Awards have recognised innovation and excellence for global telecoms, and today continues to be the most revered mark of achievement in the industry.

The awards have evolved to recognise major trends and technologies, with categories that are revised every year to ensure their ongoing relevance to the rapidly evolving communications ecosystem.

The instantly recognisable sail trophy can be found in the offices of many of the leading telcos of the world, and is held in such high esteem due to the transparency and rigor of our judging process that ensures that every organisation the makes the shortlist or wins an awards is truly world class.

The post World Communication Awards 2022 | 1 November 2022 | Grand Connaught Rooms, London first appeared on Total Telecom.

Press Release

Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) task order means Verizon will upgrade technology and network infrastructure for embassies in nearly 260 locations across the globe

Verizon announced a new Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract to modernize the global communications infrastructure and provide IT services for each of the Department of State’s (DOS) U.S. embassies, consulars, and other key locations around the globe.

The contract, worth $1.58 billion over the next 10 years, includes implementation and management of network solutions for the Department’s non-domestic footprint, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

“We are uniquely qualified to provide the Department of State with powerful solutions to their global network consolidation and management needs,” said Maggie Hallbach, Senior Vice President, Public Sector at Verizon. We have supported the Department of Defense and other national security and civilian customers with global critical infrastructure and communications for more than three decades.”

The contract includes a proven management approach using experienced Verizon Public Sector teams, clear processes and technology-enabled tools to deliver all service on time and according to service performance standards.

Verizon Public Sector has been a market leader in capturing EIS task orders from the federal government, including recent wins with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Defense.

From Open RAN to AI to sustainability, join the US telecoms community as they discuss the industry’s hottest issues at the upcoming Connected America conference 

Also in the news:
Optus confirms 2.1 million customers affected by cyberattack
Cloud Metro: Reimagining metro networks for sustainable business growth
Vodafone UK and Three confirm talks over a potential merger

The post Verizon secures $1.58bn govt contract to modernise US embassy infrastructure first appeared on Total Telecom.

NEWS

Up to 99.9% of returned equipment can be re-used or recycled

Back in December 2021, BT announced a new business-wide plan, aiming to ensure that the company’s growth was responsible, inclusive, and sustainable.

The Manifesto pledged to help its customers reduce their own carbon emissions by 60 million tonnes by 2030, build towards a circular BT by 2030, and launch a new movement to improve the UK’s diverse digital talent pipeline.

Prior to this, BT had already pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2030 and to help 25 million people across the UK improve their digital skills by 2025.

Today, BT has taken the next step towards fulfilling its Manifesto promises, announcing a new programme with its technology partner Cisco aimed at reducing customers’ e-waste footprints.

Under the new scheme, equipment that is being replaced or decommissioned in BT’s business customers’ networks will be returned to Cisco, where it will be reused or recycled. According to BT, up to 99.9% of equipment can be repurposed in this way.

For now, the programme will be available for BT’s business customers in the UK, US, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, and Singapore, with Cisco-certified environmental specialists to be added to additional countries by the end of the year.

“E-waste is a growing concern and according to the World Economic Forum now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. Our customers and partners have made commitments to report on and improve performance in this critical area,” said Hriday Ravindranath, chief product and digital officer at BT’s Global unit. “Creating a more sustainable, circular economy, where we prioritise dematerialisation and avoid equipment going to landfill, is vital. It builds on our leadership in sustainability and will help deliver on our BT Group Manifesto commitments and ambition to connect for good.”

Overall, BT has pledged to extend the circular economy throughout its entire supply chain by 2040, having already begun the process with a takeback and reuse service for customers’ smartphones.

However, despite the increasing number of recycling options available for consumer and business electronics, research from BT last year showed that 31% of British people still do not know how to recycle unwanted electronics equipment.

Also in the news:
Optus confirms 2.1 million customers affected by cyberattack
Cloud Metro: Reimagining metro networks for sustainable business growth
Vodafone UK and Three confirm talks over a potential merger

The post BT leans on Cisco to recycle customer network kit first appeared on Total Telecom.

Mobile operator and ISP Vodafone UK has today enhanced their existing range of home fixed line (FTTC / FTTP) services by launching a new “Pro Broadband II” package, which claims to be “providing UK’s fastest WiFi signal throughout the home” by being the first provider to bundle a Wi-Fi 6E capable “UltraHub” router. A number […]

Alternative network ISP Quickline has announced that their ongoing rollout of a new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based “ultrafast broadband” network in England has been extended to include three additional rural communities in North Lincolnshire, which forms part of a demand-led deployment. The operator is currently being supported by a £500m investment from Northleaf Capital Partners, which […]

Telecoms and broadband giant BT has today launched a new service, which is designed to help their UK business customers reduce electronic waste (e-waste) by enabling their replaced or decommissioned network kit to be shipped back to Cisco in order to be “responsibly re-used or recycled” through its ‘take-back and reuse’ scheme. BT states that […]