(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/kosmozoo) The European Commission has launched a new €500 million fund to help keep Europe’s broadband infrastructure competitive globally. Initial capital comes from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and three National Promotional Banks and Institutions (NPBIs). Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, commented: “I am grateful to our financial … Read more

Australian Labor MP Michael Danby has become the latest politician to call for a ban on purchasing 5G network equipment from Chinese firms, arguing they are effectively controlled by their government. Speaking in parliament, Danby urged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to adopt the same stance Turnbull took as communications minister when he blocked Huawei from … Read more

Verizon has permanently retired its 3G network after years of notifying customers who still relied on the legacy service. The carrier has warned that any device dependent on the 3G CDMA network that is not compatible with newer technologies will be suspended without billing and will lose the ability to make calls, send texts, or … Read more

Nearly 15 million people in the UK experienced a significant broadband outage over the past year, at a time when reliable internet access was more important than ever. Video calls, checking in with family and friends, ordering essentials, joining virtual quizzes, accessing help, and staying informed all depended on a steady connection. When that connection … Read more

Worrying trend in Canada: consumer complaints rise 35% year‑on‑year — should service providers rethink their strategy? The Canadian Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) has reported a 35% increase in consumer complaints in 2012. Wireless services remained the top source of consumer dissatisfaction for the fourth consecutive year. In total, consumers and organizations filed … Read more

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/PeopleImages) As mobile broadband usage has surged beyond expectations, communication service providers (CSPs) and network operators are struggling to maintain and guarantee a satisfying customer experience in real time. Subscribers routinely use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, streaming services, and multiple websites simultaneously on their mobile devices, and they frequently report issues such as slow … Read more

German technology entrepreneur Hakan Koç and former telecommunications executive and private equity investor Pyrros Koussios have acquired global mobile operator Truphone. The pair purchased the assets and subsidiaries of Truphone Limited for £1 after the company completed restructuring and received National Security and Investment clearance from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial … Read more

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced proposals to increase transparency around mid-contract price rises that affect phone, broadband and pay TV customers. Ofcom has raised concerns about the widespread use of mid-contract price increases—often tied to inflation or percentage-based formulas—by major providers. The regulator believes these practices can leave consumers uncertain about future costs and … Read more

AT&T has reached roaming agreements with major Canadian carriers—Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, and Telus—to accelerate Internet of Things (IoT) deployments across North America. Under the agreements, Bell, Rogers and Telus will gain access to AT&T’s LTE-M network across the United States. In return, AT&T customers will be able to roam on the Canadian carriers’ nationwide … Read more

MWC19 Compared with technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence and the pervasive rollout of 5G, blockchain is playing a smaller role at MWC Barcelona this year. Nevertheless, a few notable stories highlight blockchain’s ongoing relevance—one in particular involves two of the telecommunications industry’s largest players. There is an element of irony in blockchain’s modest … Read more