SK Telecom’s AI chip start-up seals merger deal

Two of the country’s developers of AI processors, one backed by SK Telecom and the other by KT, are merging to form a company valued at almost $750m

Sapeon, a South Korean AI chip developer spun out of network operator SK Telecom in 2016, has agreed to merge with one of its peers, Rebellions, to form a larger South Korean AI processor specialist that has a better chance of competing in the global market with the likes of Nvidia. 

AI-RAN Alliance Announces Appointment of Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi as Chair

The AI-RAN Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi, Principal Fellow of SoftBank Corp.’s Research Institute of Advanced Technology, to Chair. As the Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance, Choi is fully committed to working alongside prominent technology, industry and academic institution members to help accelerate the adoption and growth of AI-RAN (artificial intelligence-radio access networks) technology, supported by 5G and 6G technologies.

BEACON-5G Case Study

FRANC was the first intervention DSIT announced from the Open Networks Programme in 2021. A total of 14 projects were funded to support the goals of the Government’s 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy by helping to incentivise the industry to create new products and services to unlock the full potential of Open RAN. 

These projects have enabled a wide range of organisations to focus on developing technical solutions such as: 

NIST issues first three quantum-secure encryption standards

The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued the first three encryption algorithms developed to resist and negate attacks made by quantum computers against digital security defences, including those deployed in communications network infrastructure. 

EE’s first 5G small cells go live

EE has now deployed over 1,000 small cells across the UK, marking 400 new deployments over the last 12 months including its first 5G sites, recently installed in Croydon, London.

Small cells are miniature mobile masts which offer performance boosts in high-demand areas thanks to their size, which makes them easy to install on everyday street infrastructure including BT’s iconic red phone kiosks and digital street hubs, as well as lampposts and other furniture.

Prysmian Awarded More Than $96 Million By Jury in Trade Secrets Lawsuit Against Sterlite

Prysmian, a leader in the energy transition and digital transformation, and a major employer in the Lexington, South Carolina area, has won its trade secrets case against its competitor Sterlite Technologies, Inc. and Prysmian’s former executive, Stephen Szymanski.

Nokia launches $655m share buyback scheme

Nokia has launched a share buyback program to return EUR 600 million ($655 million) of cash to shareholders in tranches over a two-year period.

The first phase of the scheme started on 20 March 2024. However, on July 19, 2024, the telecoms giant decided to accelerate the pace of repurchases, increasing the number of shares to be bought back within the year.

TalkTalk Group Refinancing Update: Key Terms Agreed

As detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Annual Results Presentation published on 18th July, the Company is in discussions with its financial stakeholders regarding the terms of a potential extension of the maturities of the Company’s secured debt, being Revolving Credit Facilities (“RCF”) maturing November 2024 and Senior Secured Notes (“SSN”) maturing February 2025.