Telecoms

Nokia and du say they have implemented a 5G Advanced autonomous network slicing solution, promising “self-optimising 5G services for enterprises, industries, and consumers.”

Equipment makers that want to stand out to potential telco customers need to tap into their efficiency drives and also offer a path to monetisation.

Annual smartphone shipments will grow by a modest 3.3% this year, but more importantly, the market is on course to see a significant change in the global pecking order.

According to predictions shared by Counterpoint Research, Apple is expected to overtake Samsung in shipment terms for the first time in 14 years.

Photo Credit: Nathan Pitt - University of Cambridge

O2 has switched on its 5G standalone network in Norfolk, covering areas like Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn and Thetford.

The future of the network slicing market is so bright as to be incandescent, if ABI Research's latest forecast is anything to go by.

• Network faults remain one of the biggest and most costly challenges facing telcos
• Root cause analysis (RCA) processes still require innovation
• Major industry bodies are supporting the AI Telco Troubleshooting Challenge, which aims to ultimately improve RCA
• AT

Virgin Media O2 has extended its high-speed broadband and mobile coverage to half of the population of Scotland.

The operator shared a series of data points on its Scottish prowess as part of a visit from First Minister John Swinney to its new Maxim Park office in Lanarkshire, which houses 350 VMO2 staff and opened earlier this year.

The Leo Ultra antenna promises download speeds from satellites of up to 1 Gbps.

Some AI and 5G trials at a stadium in Milton Keynes promise to improve signal for sporting events.

The trials were developed through Project ARANA, a collaboration between the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab, AI operation Madevo, as well as some other industry partners, led by Weaver Labs.

UK altnets are still struggling to make ends meet and mounting losses mean the only alternative for the sector is consolidation...as soon as possible.

The market for mobile radio access network equipment was essentially flat in the third quarter of this year, but growth continues at the core, according to new analyst data published this week.

Five UK-led European satellite projects will get a bit of public money to help them, while promising to incubate ‘promising’ UK AI startups.

As 2025 approaches the rearview mirror, a survey of over 200 telecom professionals places security at the forefront of 2026.

Ofcom’s annual Connected Nations report finds that Brits used 18% more mobile data in 2025 than the previous year, which totals 1.2 billion GB each month.

Orange France and Ericsson are collaborating on several trials covering things like Massive MIMO radios, 5G energy-saving features powered by automation and AI, and cloud and Open RAN deployments.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that a class action seeking up to £3.3 billion of compensation from EE, O2, Three and Vodafone can proceed.

During the Orange OpenTech event in Paris, Orange announces the launch of “Message Satellite”, a service that allows its customers based in mainland France to send and receive SMS messages as well as their geolocation via satellite when mobile or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable.

• The tests confirm the importance of the 6 GHz band, considered the last opportunity for spectrum in mid-bands to deliver the mobile services of the future, offering high capacity and coverage comparable to the one offered by the 3.5 GHz band thanks to innovations such as Nokia's active antenna solutions.
• The pilot was carried out at

NTT Docomo has conducted what it says is the world’s first outdoor demonstration using real-time transceiver systems with AI-powered wireless tech, pitched as a 6G play.

New data released by analyst firm Omdia reveals that 41% of CSPs identified network management as the most significant area of impact for agentic AI.

Amazon’s satellite operation Project Kuiper has had its name changed to Amazon Leo, ‘a simple nod’ to the Low Earth Orbit satellites that make up its burgeoning network.

Towerco Cellnex has delivered the first consolidated 4G and 5G mast for VodafoneThree, marking the next phase of the merged mobile operator's network integration.

The site, located in Burnley, Lancashire, has gone live a whole five months ahead of schedule – an achievement in and of itself.

Hello, I’m Ashleigh Jordan, a Business Development and Innovation Manager at Vodafone. I focus on helping public-sector organisations across the UK adopt and implement 5G and advanced wireless technologies.