A new report published by trade body the GSMA says there are 3.1 billion people who don’t use mobile internet services, despite living within reach of a mobile broadband network

Closing this ‘usage gap’ could mean a $3.5tn boost to the economy between 2023 and 2030, it finds
The biggest barriers to closing the void are device costs, lack of digital skills and illiteracy
The coverage gap, where people live in areas with no mobile broadband, stands at 350 million people
The GSMA estimates investment of $418bn will be needed to achieve universal mobile internet access

• Secureworks shareholders to receive $8.50 per share in cash
• Sophos intends to integrate solutions from both companies into a broader and stronger security portfolio for all small, mid- and enterprise customers
• By combining complementary AI-driven security platforms powered by automated prevention, detection and response, the two organizations can deliver advanced solutions for defeating modern, persistent adversaries even faster
• The deal is expected to strengthen the security community by bringing together two industry leaders with shared mission-driven cultures

Rural broadband provider, Quickline Communications, is teaming up with social value specialist, Ahead Partnership, to bring a bespoke innovative, tech-focused engagement programme to 16 secondary schools across the region.

The initiative is set to reach a diverse group of young people, introducing them to the tech and digital sectors, helping to develop essential employability skills and connecting them with industry leaders and professionals from across a range of tech disciplines.

The 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) programme has seen 10 regions throughout the UK receive a share of £36m of funding as part of our wider programme to drive 5G adoption. Focusing on key sectors where there is local capability and opportunities, the projects aim to enable the UK to take full advantage of the transformative effect that advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies can provide.

• SUSTAIN-6G will evaluate and explore sustainable 6G technologies, methods and use cases touching on environmental, economic and societal needs
• The consortium will work out solutions for three specific areas of sustainable development: energy smart grids, e-health and telemedicine, and agriculture

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has selected Nokia to be the coordinator of the SUSTAIN-6G lighthouse project. The SNS-JU is a public-private partnership funded by the European Commission.

An important part of our work at UKTIN is supporting the use and deployment of advanced connectivity solutions, and exploring how to surmount the barriers to their adoption.  

We focus on four industrial sectors: 

According to a report, the Open RAN market ‘screeched to a halt’ during this year.

Mobile Experts released the forecast for Open RAN, which it described as ‘the most bizarre market growth profile ever seen in the wireless market.’ After ‘great success’ with deployment in greenfield networks by the likes of DISH and Rakuten, the firm is predicting a significant slump this year.

Vodafone, Qualcomm and Ericsson say they have successfully demonstrated the benefits of 5G mmWave via two trials in the UK.

The trials used Ericsson’s AIR (antenna-integrated radio) 5322 and Baseband 6651 technology, as well as various devices powered by the Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System.

The first one took place in Newbury and used full spectrum bandwidth (800 MHz of mmWave spectrum). It was designed to prove how the higher download and upload speeds of mmWave spectrum can help deliver ‘fibre-like speeds’.

Arm Holdings has reportedly cancelled Qualcomm’s licence to develop hardware based on its architecture.

While Qualcomm was busy revealing its latest Snapdragon CPUs at a company showcase in Maui, Arm escalated an ongoing dispute between the two companies over licensing terms by revoking its architectural licence.

BT Group has activated its first self-powering mobile site in the Shropshire Hills, with approximately 70% of the site’s energy requirements met by on-site solar panels and a wind turbine.

The Shropshire Hills site provides reliable 4G and 5G connectivity to EE customers living, working, and travelling in the area.