Research and analysis firm IDATE predicts that the total number of mobile customers worldwide will exceed eight billion by the end of 2018. At the same time, SON (Self-Optimising Network) solutions provider Cellwize warns that this surge could push some networks into severe congestion, causing failure rates for IoT and M2M applications to rise to … Read more

SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest telecommunications provider, has become the first network in the world to complete a commercial 5G video call using a Samsung smartphone. The call, conducted by SK Telecom’s CEO Park Jung-ho to a staff manager in Seoul, represents a significant milestone in the nation’s transition to 5G. According to Park, the … Read more

Each new generation of mobile technology has promised faster speeds and lower latency. As early work on 6G infrastructure begins, the telecom conversation is shifting away from pure connectivity improvements toward a broader question: can future networks support entirely new classes of workloads, including sensing capabilities built directly into the radio layer? One clear candidate … Read more

Telecommunications companies should prioritize their core strengths in connectivity and data services to grow B2B sales instead of pursuing deep vertical specialisation. Research firm GlobalData warns that while many telcos are tempted to pursue sector-specific strategies and partnerships, these moves often create unrealistic expectations and require expensive strategic course corrections. “Over three decades of working … Read more

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/the-lightwriter) A new report from price comparison website Switcher exposes a significant divide in broadband speeds across Ireland, revealing that some areas experience connections up to 36 times slower than others. Switcher analysed almost 27,000 consumer speed tests conducted between 1 August 2015 and 31 July 2016. The slowest locality identified was Legan … Read more

Telecom Italia (TIM) is preparing to bring widespread 5G to Italy, launching initiatives that will span major cities, industrial areas, and nationwide digital literacy programs scheduled to begin after the summer. TIM has already activated 5G services in Rome and Turin and recently extended commercial 5G availability to Naples, offering early consumer and business services. … Read more

SoftBank, in collaboration with NVIDIA, has developed an artificial intelligence radio access network (AI-RAN) capable of running AI inference and 5G workloads concurrently. Telecommunications operators have shown strong interest in this infrastructure because it promises to optimize network operations and open new revenue streams. A live demonstration in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, highlighted SoftBank’s AI-RAN powered … Read more

Facebook has made a significant investment in Indian telecom giant Reliance Jio. Earlier this year, Reliance Jio surpassed Vodafone Idea to become India’s largest mobile operator by subscriber count. With a population exceeding 1.3 billion, India presents vast growth potential—particularly attractive to a company like Facebook. In a Facebook post, CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote: “Facebook … Read more

The GSMA has issued an update on its Open Gateway telecoms API initiative, reporting meaningful progress in collaboration, developer engagement, and operator uptake, while also drawing attention to persistent challenges that require focused action. Introduced in early 2023, Open Gateway aims to standardise access to mobile network capabilities through a common set of APIs, enabling … Read more

A new report commissioned by Ericsson highlights the significant economic potential of 5G deployment across 15 emerging markets. Conducted by Analysys Mason, the study evaluates how 5G could affect national economies, industries, social inclusion and environmental outcomes in Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey. … Read more