Enhanced Mobile Broadband

Qualcomm might just have something to worry about, as early indications suggest that Apple's first 5G modem is up to snuff.

• Telco spending on network technology dipped by 11% year on year in 2024, according to research firm Dell’Oro Group
• The only sector that didn’t shrink was fixed broadband equipment 
• Don’t expect a recovery – overall, telco spending on network gear is expected to be flat this year

• Ofcom plans to maintain pro-competition regulation to bring faster, more reliable connections to businesses and communities across the UK to boost economic growth
• Full-fibre broadband projected to reach almost all homes and businesses by 2027 with right support

Full-fibre broadband is on

It’s the era of box office events driving huge online traffic, and in the case of Taylor Swift, literally the ‘Eras’. During her tour she smashed records for the most mobile data used during a standalone concert at Wembley Stadium.

UK operator group Virgin Media O2 says it will spend £700 million on upgrading and extending its mobile network this year alone.

VMO2 explained it will spend the cash on new masts, small cells and 4G and 5G upgrades, as well as rolling out new spectrum and increasing automation in its networks.

Newbury, UK and Midland, TX. US - Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone) (LSE: VOD), a leading European and African telecommunications company, and AST SpaceMobile Inc.

Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile and University of Málaga are teaming up to launch a new space and land mobile broadband research and validation hub for Europe.

Ofcom has published proposals for upper 6 GHz spectrum to be made available and shared between mobile and Wi-Fi services.

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.

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.

• 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

Major plans for faster and more reliable internet speeds for communities who need it the most have moved a step closer.

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.

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has called for collaboration between Wi-Fi, cellular, and other wireless technologies in its newly released 6G vision statement, warning that industry fragmentation could threaten the goal of achieving truly ubiquitous connectivity.

Technology laboratories, startups and research institutions at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, near Didcot, are set to benefit from enhanced wireless 5G connectivity.

According to Ofcom’s latest annual report on the nation’s broadband and mobile networks, 20.7 million UK homes can now access full-fibre broadband.

That figure is up from 57%, or17.1 million homes, in September 2023. Northern Ireland tops the charts with 93% of homes able to access full fibre.

Passengers and businesses are set to benefit from enhanced broadband connectivity along the soon to be reopened passenger railway line between Bicester Village and Bletchley.

Where technology, policy and commerce converge

Searching for a signal, dropped calls and poor internet connections are on the way out in Chester as the city welcomes increased mobile capacity and coverage in the New Year.

• The data-hungry user base of Japan’s newest mobile operator continues to grow
• One of Rakuten Mobile’s current areas of focus is greater energy efficiency
• It is putting its RAN intelligent controller (RIC) to work next year as part of a broader campaign to reduce power consumption by up to 20% 

As Japan’s new

Quickline’s fast and reliable full-fibre broadband is now live and bringing high-speed connectivity to rural communities across West Yorkshire, thanks to the government’s Project Gigabit.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued provisional approval for Vodafone and Three’s planned merger, indicating that the proposed £15 billion joint venture could proceed if certain conditions to protect competition and consumers are met.

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

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.