As the Future Network Programmes conclude, UKTIN is working with DSIT to reflect on the government-funded projects, outlining the key outcomes and the lessons learned to help improve future telecoms initiatives. 

Hardware forms the building blocks of a telecoms network, and advancements are focused on, among other things,  improving sustainability and reducing costs. Incorporating the right features is critical for facilitating reliable connectivity across the UK while ensuring the country’s networks remain secure. 

• Nokia completes acquisition of Infinera to create innovation powerhouse in optical networks, with the scale to power the data center revolution
• Brings together two pioneering leaders in the optical networks market.
• Creates an optical networks powerhouse – underpinned by the cutting-edge research of Nokia Bell Labs – with the scale to accelerate product roadmaps and bring more to customers, faster.
• Expands Nokia’s presence in the fast-growing webscale segment, accelerating its customer diversification.
• Further expands Nokia’s ability to help network opera

Europe stands on the brink of a new digital era that will drive its next wave of growth, productivity, and innovation. Advanced 5G technologies are the necessary foundation of future digital services.

Yet an ongoing investment gap in Europe’s digital infrastructure threatens this future.

The problem is a classic “tragedy of the commons,” where telecoms networks are treated as a common resource.

But telecoms networks are not infinite.

New 'Ocelot' chip uses scalable architecture for reducing error correction by up to 90% and accelerating the development of real-world quantum computing applications.

• There’s growing interest (as well as skepticism) in the AI-RAN concept
• Nokia, one of the founders of the AI-RAN Alliance, looks determined to position itself at the forefront of AI-RAN developments
• It has rocked up to MWC25 with news of advances with fellow AI-RAN Alliance founders Nvidia, T-Mobile US, SoftBank, as well as with KDDI
• But how might AI-RAN be deployed in commercial mobile networks?

• SK Telecom (SKT) has long been engaged in quantum-safe networking development efforts
• It has been the major shareholder in quantum-safe security solutions specialist ID Quantique since 2018
• But now it is ramping up its quantum strategy by hooking up with US quantum technology firm IonQ, which is acquiring SK Telecom’s stake in ID Quantique
• SKT plans to integrate IonQ’s technology into its AI infrastructure and applications

South Korea’s SK Telecom (SKT) has upped the quantum-safe net

• A new action plan will cast a wide net to keep malicious actors at bay
• An enhanced fund will help to pay for increased protection of Europe’s “vital interests”
• A fish-eye lens to focus on prevention, detection, deterrence, repair and sanctions
• Cable diplomacy between EU and “like-minded partners” is key

Further evidence of European reaction to increasing geopolitical tensions can be found in the newly published Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the European Council,

• Debut of Global Fabric Internet, the first connectivity service delivered via BT’s new, transformational network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform, Global Fabric.
• A growing pipeline of customers, services and features are being added over the coming weeks and months.

BT today announced that customer traffic is now live on Global Fabric, BT’s brand-new network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform for multinatio

• Breakthrough deployable via software upgrade to existing GEO satellites using available S-band spectrum to allow operators to monetize NTN services immediately

Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, and Terrestar Solutions Inc.), Canada’s premier mobile satellite operator, have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully completing an industry first Voice over NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) call in NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) mode.

Despite the most ambitious 5G infrastructure targets among 'advanced liberal' economies, Europe has the 'poorest outcomes' for 5G standalone (5G SA) performance and availability, says an Ookla report.

The report titled ‘A Global Evaluation of Europe’s Competitiveness in 5G SA’, and co-published with research house Omdia, digs deep into 5G SA rollouts and performance metrics globally. It also focuses on Europe’s competitiveness in three key 5G areas: technology, monetisation progress (both for consumers and enterprises), and government policies.