Elon Musk’s Starlink has been granted a licence to offer satellite broadband services in Sri Lanka. This development follows the country’s recent amendment to its telecommunications law, the first change in 28 years, which allowed Starlink Lanka to establish its presence.
Sri Lanka’s parliament passed the updated telecommunications bill last month, clearing the way for new players like Starlink to enter the market. The satellite service, a subsidiary of SpaceX, owns around 60% of the 7,500 satellites currently in orbit, solidifying its dominance in the satellite internet sector.
In March, Starlink proposed to set up operations in Sri Lanka, with officials confirming the company will need to pay a tariff for the licence. While Starlink has shown interest in expanding into South Asia, including India, no concrete plans have been revealed.
Starlink has not yet commented on the recent developments, leaving questions about its next steps in the region.
The Finnish tech magnate has teamed up with Swisscom to deploy a drones network across Switzerland aimed at enhancing emergency response and infrastructure inspections. The partnership will see the Finnish telecom company providing 300 unmanned aerial vehicles, operated by Swisscom through a drones-as-a-service (DaaS) network, allowing public safety agencies and other clients to use drones on demand without the need to purchase or operate them.
Swiss public safety organisations, including police and fire services, will be able to request drone flights from Swisscom Broadcast, using the technology to gather crucial data during emergencies. The network will also facilitate the remote inspection of infrastructure such as power lines, solar panels, and oil and gas facilities, reducing the need to send personnel into potentially hazardous situations, according to Thomas Eder, Nokia’s head of embedded wireless.
As drones increasingly find applications beyond military use, including in delivery services and agriculture, there remain concerns about privacy, noise, and safety. Nokia and Swisscom have pledged to work closely with aviation and spectrum regulators to ensure compliance with data protection laws, including the establishment of no-fly zones over sensitive areas like beaches and swimming pools.
Nokia’s venture into drone technology comes as the company continues to innovate, recently introducing immersive technology for phone calls and agreeing to sell its submarine networks to the French state for $374 million. The global industrial drone market is currently valued at between $32 billion and $35 billion, reflecting the growing importance of such technologies in various sectors.
Ericsson and Turkcell have embarked on a strategic partnership to enhance mobile backhaul capacity, which is essential for advancing 5G and upcoming 6G technologies. The collaboration centres around the successful trial of a W-Band solution, which significantly expands the available spectrum by incorporating frequencies beyond the conventional E-band. This enhancement doubles the high-performance backhaul spectrum, enabling transport capacities of up to 100 Gbps.
The deployment of the W-Band (92 – 114.5 GHz) marks a significant technological milestone in the realm of millimetre Wave (mmWave) bands. This addresses the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission and positions Turkcell to deliver superior services, optimise costs, and create new business growth opportunities.
Additionally, the W-Band solution contributes to improved energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint, aligning with broader sustainability goals. As part of their long-standing partnership, Ericsson will provide the necessary equipment, conduct test demonstrations, and evaluate the performance of this innovative solution. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to pioneering technologies that meet evolving business and technical requirements, ultimately enhancing the customer experience in an increasingly data-driven world.
The US Commerce Department announced plans to grant Amkor Technology up to $400 million to support the construction of a $2 billion advanced semiconductor packaging facility in Arizona. Once operational, the plant will be the largest of its kind in the US, packaging and testing millions of chips for applications such as autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G, and data centers.
Apple is set to be the first and largest customer, with the chips being produced at a nearby TSMC facility. Advanced packaging is a sophisticated method of integrating multiple chips with various functions into a densely interconnected package. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasised that this investment will help meet the growing demand for AI chips.
Raimondo highlighted that the chips Amkor will package are crucial for future technologies that will significantly impact global economic and national security. This move comes amid discussions of aid cuts for US chip manufacturers due to oversubscription of funding requests.
Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and Cybersecurity Malaysia (CSM) have signed a collaboration agreement to establish a National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre and develop new security guidelines to strengthen Malaysia’s 5G network against cyber threats.
The National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre will serve as a platform for industry players to identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with standards, and validate security features of 5G networks. The upcoming 5G security guidelines will be used as fundamental requirements for the telecommunications industry and serve as guiding principles for future 5G security baselines.
The partnership will also involve exchanging threat intelligence information between DNB and CSM to enhance the nation’s cyber threat combat capabilities. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasised that 5G is a critical national infrastructure sector that impacts national defence, economic stability, governmental functions, and social routines and that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires pooling resources, intelligence, and expertise.
DNB’s Chief Operating Officer Nasution Mohamed stated that collaborating with CSM is crucial in establishing a strong and robust cybersecurity ecosystem as the industrial, commercial, and public sectors accelerate their digitalisation efforts through 5G. CSM’s Chief Executive Officer Dato Ts Dr Haji Amirudin Abdul Wabah highlighted that the National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre will enhance the ability to secure 5G networks and protect the digital future of 5G networks for Malaysian users.
Why does it matter?
The collaboration between DNB and CSM marks a significant advancement in Malaysia’s efforts to secure its 5G infrastructure against cyber threats. As the National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre takes shape and new guidelines are developed, stakeholders can look forward to a more secure digital landscape that supports innovation and growth in the telecommunications sector.
Samsung is reportedly exploring new phone designs tailored for generative AI applications. Roh Tae-moon, president of Samsung’s Mobile Experience unit, stated that upcoming ‘AI phones’ will look ‘radically different’ from current models. These new devices are expected to be more mobile, incorporating additional sensors and larger screens.
Roh revealed that a significant portion of Samsung’s mobile phone research and development is now focused on these AI-driven phones. Although specific designs were not disclosed, the goal is to move beyond the traditional slim rectangular form that has dominated the market since the iPhone’s debut.
The shift towards AI integration in phones follows Samsung’s introduction of the ‘Galaxy AI’ system, enhancing existing features and adding new tools for users. This move is part of a broader industry trend, with major players like Apple and Google also incorporating AI into their devices.
Competitors have tried to launch AI-specific devices with unique designs, but these have not gained mainstream success. Products like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI were criticised for poor performance and battery life, highlighting the challenges in creating functional AI-driven smartphones.
Tesla’s attempt to secure a 5G patent licence in the UK has been dismissed by the High Court. The automaker sought the licence before its planned launch of 5G vehicles in Britain.
The lawsuit, filed against US technology firm InterDigital and the patent licensing platform Avanci, was thrown out on Monday. Tesla wanted the court to determine fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms for using patents owned by InterDigital and licensed by Avanci.
Judge Timothy Fancourt ruled that Tesla’s bid for a license must be dismissed. However, Tesla’s separate claim to revoke three InterDigital’s patents will continue.
Samsung unveiled its latest range of foldable devices, earbuds, and wearables at the Louvre in Paris, followed by a panel discussion with executives from Samsung, Google, Qualcomm, and more. The panel explored various AI-related topics, including Samsung’s two-way Interpreter translations and the company’s collaboration with Google on Circle To Search.
Dr Chris Brauer from Goldsmiths University of London presented findings from Samsung’s Mobile AI Report, highlighting a potential AI divide. He pointed out that while many people are embracing AI for its quality-of-life benefits, a minority remain reluctant, correlating with lower self-reported life satisfaction. This emerging divide could impact individuals’ ability to achieve their goals and navigate life successfully.
The report surveyed 5000 adults across France, Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US, focusing on creativity, productivity, social relationships, and physical health. The digital divide remains a significant issue, with 30% of the world still under- or unconnected, limiting access to the latest technology. Qualcomm’s Don McGuire emphasised the importance of addressing this divide to ensure broader accessibility to AI tools for healthcare, education, and socioeconomic advancement.
Why does this matter?
AI has been a part of our digital lives for years, but recent advancements have brought it to the forefront, thanks to tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E. As the world moves towards an AI-driven future, addressing the digital divide is crucial to ensure that everyone benefits from these technological advancements.
The India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released the Draft Right of Way (RoW) Rules under the Telecommunications Act 2023, marking a significant milestone in the regulation of telecommunications networks across both public and private properties. The primary objective of these rules is to streamline procedures for establishing and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring efficient deployment while addressing crucial concerns related to public safety, property rights, and operational standards. These draft rules are currently open for public consultation, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity in policy-making.
The Draft RoW Rules in India are comprehensive, comprising seven chapters outlining detailed guidelines for overground and underground telecommunications networks. These guidelines cover many aspects, from application processes to maintenance protocols. The rules define their applicability to public and private properties, specifying the procedures required for network establishment. Emphasising adherence to safety standards and regulatory approvals, the rules aim to ensure telecommunications infrastructure’s structural integrity and safety throughout its lifecycle.
The draft mandates that facility providers submit detailed applications through a designated online portal for public properties. These applications must include technical designs, safety certifications, and mitigation plans to address potential public inconvenience. Underground infrastructure regulations are tailored to minimise environmental impact and operational disruptions during installation and maintenance.
The draft also specifies post-RoW obligations for facility providers, which include compliance with permission conditions, ongoing public safety measures, and real-time information sharing on network status. In the case of private properties, the rules mandate mutual consent agreements for network deployment, detailing terms for entry, compensation for property use, and responsibilities for damage restoration.
Germany has finalised a significant agreement with telecom providers to exclude Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network by 2029, announced Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. The decision, hailed as crucial for digital security in Europe’s largest economy, follows intensive negotiations with Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica Deutschland. The aim is to safeguard Germany’s critical infrastructure from potential security risks associated with Chinese technology.
Faeser emphasised that Berlin informed Beijing about the agreement and did not anticipate retaliatory actions despite China’s embassy warning Germany of the consequences. The embassy criticised the move as an attempt to stifle competition, asserting that no conclusive evidence has been provided by any country regarding Huawei’s security risks.
The phased-out approach, initially removing Chinese technology from 5G core networks by 2026 and extending to components like antennas by 2029, marks Germany’s delayed adherence to the EU security measures. While telecom operators have resisted the costly transition, Huawei has condemned the politicisation of cybersecurity in Germany. The minister did not disclose further details of the agreement.
