(c)iStock.com/crstrbrt Gartner forecasts that global semiconductor capital spending will rise 2.9% in 2017 to reach $69.9 billion. This expected increase follows a stronger 5.1% growth in 2016, though the 2017 projection reflects a moderation from last year’s pace. David Christensen, senior research analyst at Gartner, explained that the stronger growth in 2016 was driven by … Read more

President Donald Trump has announced plans to build what he called a “greater firewall of America,” accelerating US efforts to impose stricter controls over cross-border internet traffic and access to online content originating outside the United States. The term references China’s existing “Great Firewall,” a system of internet controls and censorship that limits access to … Read more

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/Grassetto) Around 900,000 of Deutsche Telekom’s broadband customers lost internet access yesterday afternoon, and the company has not ruled out the possibility that an external attack may have caused the outage. Deutsche Telekom reports that the number of affected customers has fallen significantly as investigations continue into the root cause. The operator says … Read more

Next-generation warfare may not sound as exciting as next-generation gaming consoles, but they share a key trait: both are increasingly driven by technology. Historically, nations have prepared for conventional, manned conflicts—guns, tanks, ships, jets and helicopters—the destructive tools that have claimed innumerable lives. But today a different and growing threat often sits in our homes: … Read more

Amid rising concerns about terrorism and tightened airport security, the government is fast-tracking emergency legislation that would require phone and internet companies to retain communications data for at least 12 months. The move has prompted controversy because it is being pushed through Parliament quickly, with limited public debate about its implications for privacy and civil … Read more

BT has partnered with Stratospheric Platforms (SPL) to trial delivering 5G connectivity from a High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) aircraft. The collaboration aims to address a persistent challenge in mobile coverage: reaching rural and hard-to-access locations with reliable broadband. The programme will test new airborne antenna technology mounted on SPL’s HAPS to beam 4G and 5G … Read more

AT&T has faced criticism from competitors and industry observers over its decision to label certain connections as “5G-E,” but the company’s CEO says the move is intentional and even satisfying. “If I now occupy beachfront real estate in our competitors’ heads, that makes me smile,” AT&T CEO John Donovan said during a keynote appearance at … Read more

AT&T has revealed a major cybersecurity incident that has alarmed both the technology and security communities. The breach, which took place in April, led to the unauthorized access and download of records tied to about 109 million customer accounts, primarily call and text logs from 2022. Scope and nature of the breach According to news … Read more

US officials have warned Downing Street about the potential risks of allowing Huawei to participate in national 5G networks. The United States has long been cautious about Chinese telecommunications equipment because of concerns that the Chinese state could exert control or use such equipment for surveillance. As 5G becomes integral to critical infrastructure, Washington has … Read more

Despite repeated accusations that China is taking American jobs, the Trump administration softened its position to help preserve operations at ZTE, one of China’s largest telecommunications equipment manufacturers. Last week Telecoms reported that ZTE had suspended its operations following a U.S. ban. Washington accused the company of violating U.S. export controls and making unauthorized shipments … Read more