(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/Bogdanhoda) Few people outside the mobile industry paid attention to Rich Communication Services (RCS) until Google announced in September 2015 that it had acquired Jibe Mobile, a company at the forefront of RCS development. That announcement raised questions about the future of RCS and the role of traditional SMS as over-the-top (OTT) messaging … Read more
Europe’s ambitions for digital infrastructure are encountering regulatory headwinds, with industry groups warning that recent proposals could widen the global investment gap rather than close it. For business leaders planning long-term European operations, the current regulatory trajectory suggests potential delays to network modernisation and higher compliance costs that could affect service rollout and competitiveness. The … Read more
Accenture has acquired Swedish strategic consultancy Northstream to strengthen its capabilities across the Nordic region. Northstream provides advisory services to mobile operators, network and handset manufacturers, and the broader telecommunications industry. The firm helps communications service providers (CSPs) anticipate market shifts, adapt to evolving conditions, and capitalise on new business and technology opportunities. Through this … Read more
(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/Ershova_Veronika) The chair of the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has proposed redirecting some broadband investment away from urban areas that already have superfast access and toward rural communities that continue to suffer from slow connections. Peter Kelly, head of Virgin Media Business, challenged that proposal, arguing against diverting funds. … Read more
The notorious underground online drug marketplace Silk Road was shut down earlier this week, and visitors are now greeted by an FBI seizure notice. This takedown suggests a likely real-world use of Bitcoin: not for casual purchases in pubs, but to pay for illicit drugs. How can we justify that claim? Look at Bitcoin’s market … Read more
(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/BraunS) Swisscom has announced a pilot program to bring fixed-line and mobile networks closer together using DSL + LTE bonding technology as part of a major investment to expand its advanced broadband network. The initial trial, which begins this month, will involve a limited number of residential customers and will deliver up to … Read more
(Image Credit: iStock.com/alphaspirit) Mobile networks will become central to society’s infrastructure. Within a few years, vehicles, surveillance cameras, health monitors, home automation systems, fleet trackers, industrial sensors, environmental analyzers, retail devices, drones and a vast array of consumer appliances will be connected and constantly exchanging data with users and each other. Device and SIM counts … Read more
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has published new research (PDF) detailing average broadband speeds across UK internet service providers. The report provides a clear view of how the country’s broadband infrastructure is progressing. As expected, Virgin Media leads on download speeds with its fibre-based services often delivering above their advertised rates. However, when it comes to … Read more
SK Telecom (SKT) has announced an ambitious plan to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2028. The company aims to triple the share of its investments directed toward AI and related fields and has set a revenue target of KRW 25 trillion (approximately £15.1bn). Historically, SKT allocated about 12% of its investments to … Read more
The digital divide—a wide gap that has kept billions from the opportunities of the internet era—may finally begin to close. This week, the GSM Association (GSMA) announced the creation of the Handset Affordability Coalition, an alliance of mobile operators, device manufacturers, international organisations, and financial institutions. The global initiative is focused on improving access to … Read more