Business Insights

US AI giant OpenAI and Japanese tech group SoftBank will jointly develop and market an ‘advanced enterprise AI’ called Cristal intelligence and launch a new JV in Japan.

The Federal Communications Commission has given the go-ahead for AST SpaceMobile to test direct-to-cell mobile broadband services, including voice and data, with AT&T and Verizon.

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.

• Telefónica Tech to integrate IBM quantum safe technology into its cybersecurity services to create specific use cases aimed at addressing new and future risks associated with the advancement of cryptographically relevant quantum computers.
• The agreement includes deployment of IBM’s quantum-safe technology infrastructure at Telefónic

ETSI has announced the establishment of a new Industry Specification Group (ISG) focused on Multiple Access Techniques (MAT) for 6G mobile systems. The group aims to build industry consensus on innovative multiple access techniques, based on 3GPP specifications.

The showcase event will highlight the achievements and learnings from the project. All partners will be taking part and there will be an opportunity to hear from the venues we have worked with on the project. The link below gives more details:

Unlocking the Power of xApps: Transforming Telecoms with Open RAN Innovation

Session one on 25th February is a Hybrid Session, 14:00 - 16:30 Introduction to xApps.

Session two on 27th February is a Virtual Session, 14:00 - 16:30 O-RAN Hands-on Training with Python-based xApp Implementation.

The US Justice Department has sued to block the acquisition of Juniper Networks by HPE, asserting that it would eliminate competition between two of the three top wireless networking firms.

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. 

The global market for broadband network equipment is still on the up but it is approaching peak, while broadband subscriptions have hit a new milestone, according to new data published this week.

Japan's SoftBank and OpenAI are reportedly discussing a deal that could see the telco become the ChatGPT maker's biggest single shareholder.

That title is currently held by Microsoft, which has so far ploughed $13 billion into OpenAI – more than any other individual entity.

After a difficult few quarters, Nokia returned to sales growth in Q4 after its fixed-line and data centre networking divisions put in particularly solid performances.

• Rowan Chesmer, Vodafone engineer, makes historic first space mobile video call from a remote area of Wales to Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, using satellites built to offer a full mobile broadband experience.
• Astronaut Tim Peake joined Margherita in Newbury, UK, for unveiling of first space to land gateway i

The Future Networks Awards offer an opportunity for Future Network Programmes projects (any project part-funded by DSIT) to showcase their innovation, impact and intentions to a panel of independent judges. 

Swedish kit vendor Ericsson managed to grow its revenues for a change in the last quarter of 2024, with the RAN business cycle becoming a bit more favourable.

FarrPoint consultancy has released the latest update to its Digital Connectivity Readiness Index (DCRI), providing critical insights into the UK’s progress in digital connectivity. 

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. 

Hello – I’m Norbert Sagnard, and I work at the Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI) based at Queen’s University Belfast.

Half of Scottish homes and businesses can now get connected to ultrafast broadband from Openreach, which says the fibre rollout could generate £4 billion for the Scottish economy.

BT Group has reached a major milestone with the first-ever real-world implementation of 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing capabilities on the EE mobile network.

Freshwave has teamed up with the National Robotarium in Edinburgh to deploy a portable 5G private network to test out agriculture robots.

Escalating cyberthreats and AI anxiety are among the biggest risks telcos will face this year, according to EY.

According to the consultancy's annual top-10 ranking of telco risks, CSPs "face substantial challenges" to their status as data custodians.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) are thrilled to invite you to Connected Reflections Live — an exclusive showcase celebrating groundbreaking innovations, ecosystems, and the market-shaping insights from the Future Network Programmes.

Europe’s connectivity leaders, Nokia and Ericsson, alongside ASML and SAP, are spearheading a critical summit in Brussels today to drive a bold vision for the continent’s digital future.