Vodafone and Three are reportedly close to finalising a merger of their UK telecoms operations that would create the country’s largest mobile operator. The proposed transaction is estimated at about £15 billion ($19 billion) and would surpass BT-owned EE in total mobile subscribers. Sources indicate the combined company’s equity would be valued at roughly £9 … Read more

An investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has revealed that millions of Americans have downloaded VPN apps that covertly route internet traffic through companies tied to China, including several connected to a firm previously sanctioned by the U.S. government for links to China’s military. TTP found that one in five of the top 100 … Read more

Telstra and Swedish telecom vendor Ericsson have announced a new software-based breakthrough that significantly extends NB-IoT range without any changes to existing physical hardware. Ericsson’s enhancement increases the practical 3GPP standards-based coverage from roughly 40 km to about 100 km, and it can be enabled through software updates on current NB-IoT equipment. Emilio Romeo, Ericsson’s … Read more

A recent meeting between Huawei executives and UK security officials resulted in an agreement for Huawei to change certain practices to address security concerns. Huawei will submit a formal letter to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) outlining the details of that agreement. The letter will specify the measures the company will take to reduce … Read more

Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has stated that his company is open to supplying 5G modems for Apple devices, a move that could change the dynamics of the smartphone industry if pursued. While analysts have suggested that a 5G iPhone may not arrive until 2021, pressure from expanding 5G network rollouts and growing consumer demand for … Read more

Russian-affiliated hacking group Killnet has claimed responsibility for disrupting communications between NATO and organisations delivering earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria. The recent earthquake has killed at least 28,000 people, and rescue teams continue to recover victims from collapsed buildings. Countries and humanitarian organisations around the world mobilised resources, including transport and airlift aircraft, to … Read more

There was a familiar theme at the recent Telco Cloud World Forum in London—one that still demands urgent attention. Speakers agreed that the IT and telecommunications industries are rapidly converging. That convergence represents both a challenge and an opportunity: communications service providers (CSPs) must adapt quickly to offer a broader set of services beyond traditional … Read more

SK Telecom has successfully completed a 5G trial for driverless vehicles in collaboration with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA). The trial involved two autonomous cars equipped with 5G and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication, sharing real-time traffic and safety information with each other and with a central control center. Combined with a high-resolution 3D HD map … Read more

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, telecommunications services have become even more essential to daily life worldwide. Communication networks enabled widespread remote work, helped people stay connected during lockdowns and social distancing, and allowed healthcare and retail services to move online. Telcos also supported government efforts to monitor and mitigate the virus. In many respects, telecom networks … Read more

The UK armed forces will gain access to enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities following the award of a contract for a new satellite named Juno. The £40 million programme is being led by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). The initiative is expected to support around 200 skilled jobs, bolstering the UK’s space sector … Read more