MasOrange, Telefónica, Vodafone, and the i2CAT research centre have introduced Europe’s first multi-operator Open Gateway API lab. The lab provides a developer-friendly environment that simplifies creating and testing applications using standardised telecom APIs. This initiative, part of the global GSMA-led Open Gateway programme, focuses on turning telecommunications networks into programmable platforms, enhancing industry-wide collaboration.
Operating under the CAMARA open-source framework, the lab is designed to accelerate API adoption, encouraging joint use cases and performance consistency. i2CAT will play a critical role in ensuring API integration and developing new capabilities tailored to industry demands.
Víctor del Pozo of MasOrange described Open Gateway as a transformative step for designing and marketing digital services, while Telefónica‘s Irene Bernal emphasised the lab’s potential for multi-operator cooperation and driving opportunities across the digital ecosystem. The collaboration is seen as a pioneering public-private partnership, showcasing Spain‘s leadership in fostering digital innovation.
Sergi Figuerola of i2CAT noted the significance of integrating cutting-edge research into telecom network platforms, highlighting the lab as a model for technological collaboration. Through strategic cooperation, the lab will enhance digital services and create a more unified and efficient telecom infrastructure across Europe.
South Africa is considering reducing taxes on smartphones to make them more affordable as the country prepares to phase out 2G and 3G networks. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi revealed he has had initial discussions with the Treasury about cutting the ad valorem tax, which currently increases smartphone prices. The goal is to support accessibility to newer, faster networks like 4G and 5G.
The government’s policy, outlined in the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy paper, aims to fully shut down older networks by 31 December 2027. The phasing out of these networks is intended to free up valuable radio waves for advanced technologies. However, critics argue that the move could worsen the digital divide, particularly impacting low-income and rural populations who may struggle to afford smartphones compatible with faster networks.
Malatsi emphasised that making smart devices more affordable is crucial, noting that eliminating the luxury excise tax could significantly reduce costs. The country’s largest telecom operators, MTN and Vodacom, have called for collaboration between industry stakeholders and the government to manage the transition. The Association of Comms and Technology has also urged the government to ease the transition by lowering taxes and reconsidering a strict shutdown deadline.
Swisscom has moved a step closer to finalising its €8 billion acquisition of Vodafone Italia after receiving approval from Italy’s communications regulator, AGCOM. The deal, announced in March, aims to merge Vodafone Italia with Swisscom’s Fastweb subsidiary, potentially granting Swisscom a 30% share of Italy’s fixed broadband market. However, the transaction still faces scrutiny from Italy‘s antitrust authority, AGCM, which is conducting a detailed review to assess its impact on competition.
AGCM has expressed concerns that the merger could reduce competition in Italy’s already concentrated broadband market, potentially disadvantaging residential customers. In response, Swisscom has proposed several concessions, including access to Fastweb’s fiber network for competitors and protections for existing wholesale contracts.
Competitors were invited to provide feedback on these concessions by early November, and the AGCM is expected to conclude its review by mid-December. If approved, Swisscom aims to complete the acquisition by early 2025.
SoftBank is making strides in Japan’s AI landscape, using Nvidia’s latest Blackwell chip technology to drive advancements in artificial intelligence and telecommunications. The telecom giant plans to construct Japan’s most powerful AI supercomputer, integrating Nvidia’s Blackwell and Grace Blackwell platforms to create a robust system for advanced AI applications.
In a pioneering trial, SoftBank tested an AI-enabled 5G network that utilises Nvidia’s AI Aerial platform, potentially unlocking new revenue streams for telecom providers. By converting telecom base stations into AI-ready infrastructure, SoftBank demonstrated how its AI-RAN technology can optimise both 5G network performance and support for AI services, allowing for the monetisation of unused network capacity.
Through this collaboration, Nvidia and SoftBank foresee telecom operators generating substantial returns, estimating up to $5 in AI revenue for every $1 invested in AI-RAN infrastructure. SoftBank’s energy-efficient AI network is designed for real-time AI inference, supporting applications like autonomous vehicle operations and robotics, and transforming Japan’s telecom industry into a global AI leader.
A future Nvidia-powered AI marketplace aims to broaden access to AI services across various sectors in Japan. By enabling localised, secure, and low-latency AI solutions, SoftBank is set to provide innovative AI support for sectors from healthcare to research, positioning Japan at the forefront of the AI revolution.
Ericsson and e& UAE have collaborated to advance the development of 6G technology through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking an early initiative to shape the future of mobile networks. By engaging in technical discussions and exploring key 6G concepts, both companies aim to lay a strong foundation for next-generation connectivity.
That partnership aligns with a shared vision of digital transformation and reinforces their commitment to positioning the UAE as a leader in telecommunications innovation. Furthermore, e& UAE is advancing its 5G capabilities, recently achieving a record-breaking 5G speed of 62 Gbps by aggregating multiple frequency bands with advanced MU-MIMO algorithms.
Additionally, they showcased Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput (L4S) technology at GITEX Global 2024, significantly enhancing the 5G Standalone network’s latency for critical applications in industrial automation, cloud gaming, and extended reality (XR). These efforts highlight their leadership in 5G and set a foundation for the shift to 6G, supporting the high demands of ultra-reliable, low-latency applications.
At the same time, that collaboration underscores e& UAE’s vision to lead the nation’s digital future and establishes a benchmark for regional advancement in telecommunications. By combining Ericsson’s global expertise with e& UAE’s commitment to innovation, the companies are strategically preparing to transition from 5G to 6G, ensuring that the region remains at the forefront of mobile network evolution.
Zain KSA is expanding its 5G Standalone (5G SA) services across Saudi Arabia by acquiring the 600 MHz spectrum. That acquisition will enhance coverage, capacity, and service quality in urban areas, remote regions, and highways, thereby ensuring improved connectivity for consumers and businesses.
Moreover, the spectrum supports deploying advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city solutions, essential for the country’s digital transformation. As a result, this move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation and a smart economy. By accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0, Zain KSA’s investment will contribute to the growth of the digital economy by enhancing its 5G infrastructure.
In addition to expanding consumer services, Zain KSA’s acquisition of the 600 MHz spectrum further strengthens its enterprise solutions portfolio. Specifically, the new spectrum empowers businesses to implement advanced communication solutions, thus fostering the development of private and enterprise networks.
The investment prioritises user experience, as the enhanced spectrum improves indoor coverage, ensuring better service quality in residential and commercial spaces. Therefore, by enhancing service reach and reliability, Zain KSA continues prioritising customer satisfaction while contributing to the Kingdom’s ambitious digital and economic goals.
China Mobile and ZTE have launched an AI-driven Green Telco Cloud solution designed to optimise energy consumption in telecom networks while maintaining business continuity and a high-quality user experience. The solution monitors and analyses key parameters such as server load and network traffic in real-time, dynamically adjusting computing resources like CPU frequency and sleep modes by utilising advanced deep neural networks.
The energy-saving approach has been successfully validated on both X86 and ARM cloud platforms, with notable results in China Mobile’s Hunan and Anhui branches, demonstrating up to a 25% reduction in energy consumption. As a result, the solution lowers operational costs through improved resource utilisation and reduced equipment maintenance and contributes to global sustainability efforts by reducing carbon emissions. Therefore, that technology represents a significant step toward transforming the telecom industry into a more energy-efficient, green sector as 4G and 5G networks expand.
Furthermore, China Mobile and ZTE are committed to further optimising and expanding their AI-driven Green Telco Cloud solution to promote long-term sustainability in the telecom sector. Through their collaboration, both companies emphasise the importance of technological innovation in achieving environmental goals while simultaneously enhancing telecom operators’ corporate image and competitiveness. Additionally, they plan to drive the widespread adoption of energy-saving technologies, ensuring that the telecom industry contributes to a greener, low-carbon future.
Australian electronics manufacturer GME, Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), and South Korean Hanwha Systems have entered a strategic partnership to develop advanced defence communications systems. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the MilCIS Conference in Canberra, focuses on exploring manufacturing and technology transfer opportunities for the Australian Defence market.
GME, known for its expertise in RF communication technology, will contribute its capabilities in radios, beacons, and antennae and is the only Australian manufacturer of UHF CB radios and emergency beacon products. HDA and Hanwha Systems bring extensive experience in land platforms, C4I hardware and software, electronic optics, radars, and avionics electronics alongside advanced solutions such as tactical 5G and LEO Satcom. Together, they aim to enhance secure, interoperable, and resilient communications for military operations, ensuring seamless all-domain operations across defence sectors.
The partnership strengthens the sovereign defence capabilities of Australia and positions the companies to explore growth opportunities in the global defence market. By combining local manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge global technologies, the collaboration seeks to empower the Australian industry with innovative solutions. This long-term vision focuses on fostering ongoing innovation, expanding Australian defence capabilities, exploring new global defence market opportunities, and advancing national and international defence objectives.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has criticised a recent US decision to halt Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) from shipping advanced chips to certain Chinese customers. The office’s spokeswoman, Zhu Fenglian, stated that the US is ‘playing the Taiwan card’ to heighten tensions in the Taiwan Straits and that the move negatively impacts Taiwanese businesses. This statement follows reports that TSMC stopped these shipments on Monday after an order from US authorities.
The restricted chips, widely used in AI technology, are part of ongoing US efforts to tighten export controls amid rising bipartisan concerns over Chinese access to advanced tech. The restrictions follow a recent notification by TSMC to the US Commerce Department, revealing that one of its chips was used in a Huawei AI processor. Huawei, a central figure in US-China tech tensions, has been under trade restrictions, requiring suppliers to secure licenses for any technology exports.
The incoming European Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, expressed dissatisfaction with the limited action taken by EU member states to exclude high-risk telecom suppliers, such as China’s Huawei and ZTE, from critical infrastructure. During her confirmation hearing in the European Parliament, Virkkunen noted that although the European Commission adopted 5G security measures in 2020, fewer than half of the EU member states have implemented restrictions on these suppliers. She indicated that this issue will be addressed in the planned revision of the Cyber Security Act next year and stressed the need for more serious action from national governments.
Virkkunen also pointed out that while the EU had adopted the 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox to protect telecom networks, only 11 of the 27 member states have fully implemented measures, including bans and restrictions on high-risk vendors. In addition to her efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, Virkkunen plans to propose a Digital Networks Act in 2025 to overhaul telecom regulations and boost investment and connectivity. On the topic of US Big Tech compliance with EU rules, she reaffirmed the importance of cooperation but emphasised that all companies must adhere to EU regulations, including those set out in the Digital Services Act.
