Vodafone has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Google in a ten-year deal worth over a billion dollars. This agreement aims to introduce Google’s generative AI-powered devices to customers in Europe and Africa, capitalising on the 5G network. The collaboration will also promote the Android ecosystem in these regions.
Vodafone intends to extend the availability of Google’s AI-powered Pixel devices, enhancing customer access to innovative technology. By 2025, the company will begin offering Google One AI Premium subscription plans, which include advanced features such as Gemini Advanced.
In addition to customer-focused advancements, this multinational telecommunications company will use Google Cloud’s AI platform for enterprise-level applications. The integration of AI will streamline operations and enhance services within the company.
Google remains in fierce competition in the AI sector, vying against other major tech companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. The partnership with Vodafone strengthens its position in this fast-evolving market.
A US House committee revealed on Monday that it is investigating the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to deny SpaceX’s satellite internet division, Starlink, $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies. The FCC had reaffirmed in December that the denial stemmed from Starlink’s failure to meet essential program requirements and its inability to demonstrate that it could deliver the promised services, following SpaceX’s challenge to the decision made in 2022.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican, has requested the FCC provide relevant documents by October 21 to ensure that the regulatory process was followed properly and not influenced by political motives. The FCC acknowledged receipt of the letter and will respond accordingly.
In December 2020, the FCC initially awarded $9.2 billion to more than 300 bidders for high-speed broadband deployment, with Starlink securing $885.5 million in a 2020 auction aimed at serving rural areas. However, in August 2022, the FCC revoked this funding, citing speed-test data that showed Starlink struggled to meet the program’s basic requirements, despite its commitments to provide high-speed service to 642,000 rural homes and businesses in 35 states.
Musk has strongly criticised the FCC’s ruling, calling it “illegal” and claiming that the funding could have saved lives during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel stated that Starlink’s performance data confirmed the agency’s findings about its uplink and downlink speed issues, adding that the proposal required subscribers to purchase a $600 dish to start service. Two Republican commissioners dissented, arguing that SpaceX was unfairly held to future performance targets. Rosenworcel has since expressed a desire for increased competition in the satellite internet market, emphasising the need to welcome additional companies to promote innovation and reduce monopolistic control.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted permission to SpaceX and T-Mobile to activate Starlink’s direct-to-cell capability for hurricane-hit regions in North Carolina. This emergency measure aims to restore communication services in areas heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, where over 74% of cell towers were initially knocked out.
SpaceX’s satellites have already begun transmitting emergency alerts to mobile networks across the state. Basic texting on T-Mobile’s network is also under testing as part of efforts to reconnect people in affected areas. According to the FCC, only 17% of cell towers now remain offline as restoration teams work to bring the infrastructure back online.
T-Mobile noted that, while the full deployment of Starlink’s direct-to-cell constellation has not yet occurred, even early access to the system is aiding first responders in their rescue missions. Their network is almost fully restored, with minimal disruptions persisting in some remote areas.
Although Starlink’s full capabilities are still under development, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr emphasised the critical need to manage expectations. The system is offering partial but vital assistance to communities as recovery efforts continue.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is establishing an International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to enhance the protection of submarine cables, which are vital for global communication and the digital economy. That initiative is driven by the increasing frequency of service outages and the vulnerabilities faced by these underwater cables, making it imperative to coordinate efforts to bolster their resilience.
The advisory body will bring together diverse stakeholders, including governments, regulatory authorities, industry leaders, and other key participants, fostering multistakeholder collaboration to create a united front in enhancing the safety and protection of submarine cables. ITU calls for nominations from various sectors to join the advisory council, where members will be expected to engage actively in meetings and uphold ethical standards.
Also, the advisory body will provide strategic guidance to improve submarine cable resilience by developing best practices for protecting subsea systems and facilitating international cooperation on technical and policy frameworks. That is particularly crucial given the challenges faced by regions like Vietnam and Africa, which have experienced significant disruptions. To address these issues, members will contribute to the agenda for an upcoming Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in early 2025, where they will strategise on solutions to enhance the resilience of submarine cables worldwide.
In partnership with Romania’s National Authority for Communications Administration and Regulation (ANCOM) and the Ministry of National Defence, Starlink is conducting an innovative real-world test to assess whether its non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems can operate without interfering with geostationary satellite (GSO) networks. The test aims to investigate relaxed power flux density (EPFD) limits, which, if successful, could enable Starlink satellites to operate at up to eight times the current capacity allowed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) while ensuring the protection of GSO networks.
Moreover, the existing EPFD limits, established 25 years ago, were designed to prevent unacceptable interference with GSO Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS) networks. However, many experts contend that these limits may no longer be relevant. Consequently, ANCOM has initiated this testing campaign to contribute valuable insights to ongoing ITU studies regarding EPFD limits and their implications for GSO networks.
Furthermore, the test includes installing equipment to monitor signal and interference levels, with specific protection criteria set at a 10% aggregate increase in service unavailability and a 3% increase in individual service unavailability. Over the course of at least six months, SpaceX will exceed the current EPFD limits in a designated area to collect essential operational data.
The findings will subsequently be presented at ITU meetings to demonstrate that efficient NGSO operations can coexist harmoniously with GSO networks. Additionally, Romania underscores the importance of establishing a regulatory framework that balances the protection of geostationary networks with the potential of NGSO networks to enhance connectivity. As a result, ITU is set to review EPFD limits at the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27), where Romania will advocate for a collaborative approach to harness both types of satellites effectively.
EXA Infrastructure has partnered with Macarne to boost network connectivity between Europe and North America. The collaboration allows Macarne to leverage EXA’s extensive fibre infrastructure, enhancing its global IP transit services. By tapping into EXA’s advanced network, Macarne can deliver high-performance, reliable connectivity across continents, helping both companies meet the growing demands of digital businesses.
At the heart of this partnership is EXA Infrastructure’s vast network. Spanning 155,000 km across 37 countries and including six key transatlantic routes, EXA provides ultra-low latency and high-bandwidth connections, vital for finance, gaming, broadcasting, and hyperscale enterprises. Notably, the EXA Express route offers the lowest latency between Europe and North America, solidifying EXA’s role as a leader in global connectivity.
Furthermore, EXA’s recent network expansions, such as the Amitié cable connecting Boston, Slough, and Bordeaux, and the new terrestrial fibre route developed with SOCAR Fiber, add crucial diversity and resilience. These developments ensure that Macarne gains access to a future-proof infrastructure, enabling it to provide its customers with robust, secure, and scalable connectivity in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
Ericsson and MobiFone have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 5G Innovation Hub at MobiFone’s premises in Vietnam, marking a significant step toward advancing the country’s digital transformation. That hub will serve as a dynamic co-creation space where innovative 5G applications can be developed and showcased for both consumers and enterprises.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and skilled resources, the 5G Innovation Hub will facilitate collaboration with local and global partners, fostering the development of new use cases that leverage the transformative potential of 5G. By supporting research and development initiatives, the hub aims to promote a culture of innovation within the industry, ultimately helping businesses realise the full benefits of Industry 4.0.
Additionally, Ericsson will share its global expertise to assist MobiFone in managing the hub’s operations and enhancing service experience solutions, ensuring a robust foundation for 5G advancements in Vietnam. The collaboration will strengthen MobiFone’s capabilities and contribute to the region’s broader digital ecosystem. Both companies aim to drive the adoption of 5G technology by creating a space dedicated to innovation and co-creation, empowering industries to embrace digital transformation and achieve their strategic goals.
Verizon has restored service following a network disruption that affected thousands of customers across the United States The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating the incident, which impacted cities such as Chicago and Seattle.
The outage began at around 9:30 a.m. ET, with over 105,000 reports at its peak, according to Downdetector. Areas like Minneapolis, Phoenix, Omaha, and Denver were among the hardest hit. Verizon apologised for the inconvenience, but did not disclose the cause of the disruption.
Some iPhone users experienced ‘SOS’ mode, a status indicating that while their devices were disconnected from Verizon’s network, emergency calls could still be made via other carriers. AT&T confirmed that it was not facing a similar outage despite related complaints.
Verizon’s outage coincided with the company’s announcement of a $3.3 billion deal with infrastructure firm Vertical Bridge, granting it rights to lease and manage over 6,000 mobile towers across the US.
At the 79th annual UN General Assembly, 18 nations, including the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, and several Pacific nations, endorsed a joint statement addressing the security and resilience of undersea cable infrastructure. The statement highlights the indispensable role of these cables and underscores the pressing need to safeguard them against emerging threats, both natural and manufactured.
Earlier this year, undersea data cables in the Red Sea reportedly were damaged, and large parts of West and Central Africa were left without internet services in March 2024 because of failures on four of the fibre optic cables that run below the world’s ocean. The joint statement begins by acknowledging communications networks’ central role in modern society, with undersea cables being critical infrastructure for global data transmission.
The nations stress that the rapid expansion of undersea cable networks has led to greater interdependence among countries, making the protection of this infrastructure a priority. They advocate for adopting policies to ensure that the infrastructure remains efficient, secure, resilient, and redundant to mitigate risks posed by its vulnerability.
The joint statement outlines key principles for a unified global approach to securing undersea cable infrastructure, focusing on building resilient and secure systems while incorporating cybersecurity best practices. Nations highlighted the importance of promoting secure cable providers, improving government-industry coordination, providing transparent ownership, and emphasising careful planning to prevent disruptions. Additionally, they outlined the need to consider regular risk assessments and compliance with international laws.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has underscored the necessity of preserving the contractual nature of telecom service licenses, particularly amid the impending overhaul of the service authorisation regime. That recommendation arises in response to recent proposals from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which aims to introduce three new categories of authorisations under the upcoming Telecom Act, 2023.
COAI contends that upholding a contractual framework is vital, as it ensures uniformity, regulatory certainty, and investor protection, especially for those committing long-term capital to the telecom sector. In discussions with Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, COAI stressed that the new authorisations should prioritise broader aspects, such as the application process and eligibility criteria.
Conversely, detailed terms must remain integral to telecom operators and government contracts. The association expressed concerns that deviating from a contractual agreement could lead to regulatory uncertainty, undermining investor confidence. Additionally, COAI emphasised that the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) calculation should encompass only revenues generated from telecom services, a point that TRAI’s recommendations have not adequately addressed.
Moreover, COAI warned that excluding over-the-top (OTT) communication services from the new authorisation framework poses a significant threat to fair competition. While telecom operators are subjected to stringent compliance requirements, OTT services operate with considerably less oversight, which raises concerns about market fairness and national security. Therefore, the association advocates for maintaining the contractual nature of telecom licenses to ensure regulatory consistency and promote competitive fairness within the industry.
