For some time there has been speculation that Google might follow Apple’s lead and open physical retail locations to showcase the hardware the company has been investing in recently. As Google expands beyond web services into consumer devices, brick-and-mortar presence could help customers explore and buy products like Chromecast, Chromebooks, Nexus phones, and emerging wearables. … Read more

Apple is reportedly seeking a UK-based telecommunications partner to expand the reach of its TV platform in an important market for the company. According to a report in The Telegraph, BT is the frontrunner in talks with Apple. BT, which also owns the UK’s largest mobile operator, EE, is expected to distribute Apple TV devices … Read more

Verizon Business, Thames Freeport, and Nokia are collaborating to deploy private 5G networks across major logistics and manufacturing sites along the River Thames in the UK. The initiative is designed to drive long-term digital transformation in one of the country’s busiest maritime logistics hubs, modernising operations and enabling advanced industrial use cases. The private 5G … Read more

After a long regulatory process, the European Union has abolished mobile roaming charges. As of June 15, mobile network operators may no longer impose extra fees for calls, texts, or data used while traveling anywhere within the 28 EU member states. This change is welcome news for European consumers, vacationers, and business travelers who no … Read more

Skype turns 10 today, and according to reports it is developing 3D video calling technology. Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Skype, Mark Gillett, confirmed the work in an interview with the BBC. He said the technology exists in the lab and the team is evaluating device ecosystems and capabilities to determine when it could be … Read more

Cisco has announced it will acquire cloud calling and contact center solutions provider BroadSoft for $1.9 billion (net of cash). This acquisition strengthens Cisco’s unified communications portfolio and enhances its ability to support the large number of legacy TDM (time-division multiplexing) lines that are expected to migrate to IP-based and cloud-native solutions over time. By … Read more

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has started marketing at least 50% of its stake in Cornerstone, the UK’s largest telecommunications tower company. If VMO2 were to sell its entire holding, the transaction could generate more than £1.5 billion, based on an estimated total valuation for Cornerstone of roughly £3 billion. The company has circulated sale materials … Read more

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/ljhimages) Earlier this month Verizon announced in a press release that it has begun laboratory testing of ADTRAN’s NG-PON2 technology, marking the first step toward commercial deployment. Verizon plans to introduce NG-PON2 initially for a range of business solutions in 2017, with residential rollout to follow as the technology matures and operational experience … Read more

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/adventtr) Ericsson has enhanced its WiFi calling solution by adding multi-device functionality to meet growing demand from operators and consumers. The upgraded service enables customers to move calls between WiFi-enabled devices while maintaining full voice service continuity. The improved offering delivers greater value to consumers and creates new revenue opportunities for operators. Ericsson … Read more

Network operators face a pressing challenge: how to monetise heavy 5G capital expenditures while preparing for the 6G era. The traditional revenue model based on simple connectivity yields decreasing returns, pushing operators to pivot toward intelligent platforms, exposed network APIs, and value‑added edge services. In this context, NVIDIA and Marvell Technology have announced a strategic … Read more