5G

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

BT has revealed a notable loss of broadband customers to rivals, as it navigates a "competitive" market.

Digital Catapult has welcomed six international Open RAN (Radio Access Network) vendors to its advanced connectivity programme, driving the development, deployment and diversification of data-driven and open future networks in the UK.

At an event held in Mexico City, the operator showcased direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity in action, including native SMS messages and push-to-talk via satellite on a commercially available Android smartphone

A report from analyst Omdia claims that 5G Fixed Wireless Access will reach 150 million subscriptions globally by 2030, more than double the 71 million clocked in 2024.

The report points to strong momentum across key markets led by India and the US, and identifies FWA as the fastest-growing broadband access technology. 

A joint study by Oxford Saïd Business School, BIP UK, and Vantage Towers claims circular design in tower infrastructure could unlock up to €30 million in annual value and avoid 25,000 tonnes of CO₂.

Boldyn Networks and Apeiroon, described as a specialist in private 5G mobile network modules, are working on compact 5G solutions aimed at mission-critical sectors.

• The UK’s three MNOs spent a total of £39m in Ofcom’s mmWave spectrum auction
• VMO2 tested 5G SA on mmWave in September 2025, while Vodafone completed tests in 2024
• But the dearth of mmWave-capable devices in Europe is seen as a key bottleneck to service launches

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• Operators around the world have launched fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband services
• 5G FWA is fuelling market growth
• ABI Research expects there to be about 233 million FWA connections worldwide by 2030, driving significant operator revenues

Driven in particul

A new network test conducted by Vodafone hopes to persuade European lawmakers to reserve the upper 6 GHz band for mobile.

The UK-based telco took a smartphone equipped with an off-the-shelf MediaTek M90 modem and – using 200 MHz of 6-GHz spectrum and carrier aggregation – managed to achieve a peak downlink speed of 2.5 Gbps.

3GPP Release 20 is a pivotal milestone, consolidating 5G-Advanced while seeding 6G studies that will define the next decade of connectivity

Ericsson has won a major deal to overhaul Vodafone's networks in multiple markets, paving the way for the widespread deployment of 5G standalone (SA) and 5G Advanced.

• Samsung will play a key role for Vodafone’s Open RAN deployments in multiple European markets, something the operator had previously confirmed
• The vendor says it will supply a range of RAN and network management software solutions and Open RAN-compliant radios
• But there’s still no se