Fujitsu has launched a new AI-powered service aimed at boosting 5G network performance by predicting traffic surges and adjusting base station operations. The application ensures users experience minimal disruptions during peak periods by activating additional base stations when needed.
The system measures network quality in real time, identifying early signs of increased demand to prevent performance drops. It promises improved energy efficiency and reduced operational costs through smarter base station management. Commercial availability is scheduled for next month, integrated into Fujitsu’s open RAN-compliant orchestration platform.
Trials revealed that the technology enhances the user experience for individual applications, supporting 19% more users per base station. The predictive system is particularly effective during events, allowing networks to anticipate pedestrian traffic and adapt without compromising service quality.
Fujitsu’s tool represents a breakthrough in network management by combining traffic forecasting with dynamic resource allocation. Operators can now ensure smoother connectivity and reduce power consumption while keeping pace with fluctuating demand.
Nokia, Windstream Wholesale, and Colt Technology Services have completed the world’s first 800 Gigabit Ethernet (800GbE) service trial, which connects London and Chicago across an impressive 8,500 km subsea and terrestrial route. This groundbreaking collaboration showcased advanced power-saving networking technologies and enhanced capacity, speed, and latency while reducing power consumption on this critical Europe-US route.
By leveraging Colt’s powerful transatlantic subsea cables alongside Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON), the trial effectively demonstrated the ability of 800GbE technology to double bandwidth capacity. Consequently, this advancement supports essential applications such as AI data centre networking, content delivery networks, and financial data hub connections.
Moreover, key executives from Colt, Windstream, and Nokia emphasised the trial’s significance in enhancing global connectivity. Buddy Bayer, Chief Operating Officer of Colt, highlighted the commitment to innovation, while Joe Scattareggia, President of Windstream, called it a game-changer for AI-powered applications.
Federico Guillén, President of Network Infrastructure at Nokia, noted the ambitious nature of the project and its potential to set high standards for network reliability. Following the successful trial, the organisations are now exploring options to bring 800GbE connectivity services to market, signalling a proactive approach to meet the evolving demands of the digital landscape.
Reliance Jio has requested Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to intervene with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to revise its consultation paper on spectrum allocation rules. The operator emphasises the urgent need to establish a level-playing field between terrestrial and satellite service providers, especially with new entrants like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper seeking to enter the Indian market.
Jio warns that Trai’s failure to address competitive dynamics could compromise fair competition and lead to legal challenges, as it may violate Supreme Court rulings emphasising transparency and equity in spectrum allocation. The telecom operator insists that comprehensive assessments of market demand and technological advancements are essential for ensuring fair treatment of all service providers in the allocation process.
Furthermore, Jio criticises the administrative allocation process adopted by the Department of Telecom and Trai for satellite services in India, arguing that it needs more thorough analysis and stakeholder input. The company firmly rejects any preferential treatment for satellite communication services, asserting that such an approach undermines the principles of non-discrimination and fairness.
Jio calls for spectrum assignment policies to align with established legal standards, ensuring that all players, regardless of whether they provide terrestrial or satellite services, are subject to the same fair and transparent regulatory framework.
Italy is set to trial Starlink satellites to expand internet services in remote areas, according to a government official. Discussions are ongoing with regional administrations in different parts of the country as the government explores ways to complement its existing infrastructure with satellite technology.
Undersecretary Alessio Butti explained that the trials will address areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure or facing delays in fibre rollout. Italy’s broader strategy forms part of the European Union’s recovery plan, aiming to provide every household and business with gigabit-speed internet by 2026.
Despite efforts by state-supported firms Open Fiber and FiberCop, less than one-third of the targeted rollout has been achieved. Both companies secured €3.4 billion in EU funding in 2022 to ensure nationwide fibre-optic coverage, but progress has been slower than anticipated.
With over 50,000 customers in Italy already using Starlink services, the government is keen to assess how satellite-based solutions can bridge connectivity gaps. The trials will also help ensure Italy meets its internet goals under the post-pandemic recovery programme.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is launching a significant initiative to establish its optical fibre cable (OFC) network along major highways through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This strategic endeavour aims to facilitate barrier-free tolling and foster the development of smart highways, significantly enhancing transportation efficiency nationwide.
The OFC infrastructure is expected to cover an impressive 146,000 kilometres, surpassing existing networks operated by RailTel and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). NHAI will adopt a phased implementation strategy to effectively roll out this ambitious network, inviting package bids and signing separate concession agreements with successful bidders for each project segment.
The oversight and management of the initiative will be entrusted to the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a subsidiary of NHAI. Pilot routes have already been identified, including significant stretches on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Hyderabad-Bangalore Corridor, with dedicated utility corridors for optical fibre cables. Additionally, capacity allocation policies will be established in collaboration with the Department of Telecom and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to ensure equitable access and effective network utilisation.
That ambitious project aims to improve highway operations and generate new revenue streams by leasing excess capacity for commercial purposes. However, transitioning the NHAI network to a digital framework may require substantial investment, with estimates suggesting costs exceeding ₹35,000 crore.
The remarkable growth in toll revenues over recent years indicates a promising potential for increased funding, which could further support highway development and expansion. By prioritising strategic partnerships and regulatory frameworks, NHAI aims to maximise the potential of the OFC network while supporting broader objectives of digital connectivity and infrastructure enhancement in India.
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is demanding answers from major telecom companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies after reports that Chinese hackers accessed sensitive US broadband networks. According to The Wall Street Journal, the breach involved systems the federal government uses for court-authorised wiretapping, sparking concerns about national security.
Led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Democrat Frank Pallone, the lawmakers have requested a briefing and detailed answers from the companies by next Friday. They want to know what data was compromised and when the telecoms discovered the intrusion, pointing to broader cybersecurity risks embedded in US telecommunications networks.
While AT&T and Lumen declined to comment, and Verizon has not yet responded, China’s foreign ministry denied involvement, accusing the US of fabricating the allegations. The timeline of the hacking remains unclear, but reports suggest that the hackers may have had access to the networks for months, potentially compromising vast amounts of internet traffic and communication data.
The Ghana CSO Consortium on Safeguarding Youth Digital Inclusion has called on the government to significantly invest in digital infrastructure, including broadband and 5G networks, to enhance internet access nationwide. The consortium recommended that the government invest in nationwide broadband expansion projects and subsidise data plans and digital devices to ensure that more citizens, particularly those in underserved areas, have access to essential digital tools.
In a communique issued on 8 October 2024, following a one-day forum focused on youth digital inclusion, the consortium emphasised the urgent need for increased digital literacy programs to equip Ghanaians with the skills necessary to thrive in the expanding digital economy. The forum featured various activities, including presentations, panel discussions, and plenary sessions, which reviewed digital policies, laws, regulations, and political party manifestos related to digital access, infrastructure, and employment. Discussions highlighted how young innovators are reshaping the employment landscape in a tech-driven world.
The consortium stressed the need to equip youth with essential skills and advocate for greater technological literacy while ensuring historically marginalised voices were included. Stakeholders noted that digital inclusion offers significant education, employment, and innovation opportunities but acknowledged the pressing need to address inequality to benefit all young people. The forum also highlighted the government’s key role in implementing policies that promote the development and affordability of internet infrastructure.
A group of major tech companies, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon, has proposed new terms for how data centres in Ohio should pay for their energy needs. This comes in response to a previous proposal by AEP Ohio that required pre-payments from data centres and cryptocurrency miners due to their large electricity demands.
Ohio has experienced a surge in power requests from data centres as tech companies expand their infrastructure for technologies like generative AI. AEP Ohio paused new data centre contracts, citing the overwhelming number of requests. The state’s power industry now faces regulatory battles that may shape how future energy demands are managed across the US.
Several companies, including power suppliers like Constellation Energy and One Energy Enterprises, initially opposed AEP’s proposal. They have now offered an alternative, suggesting a broader application of AEP’s rules to include industries requiring over 50 megawatts of power at one site. This proposal aims to modify when new customers would have to cover costs like transmission upgrades.
Any settlement between Big Tech and the power companies would need approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which will play a crucial role in the outcome of this energy dispute.
Siemens is relying on its digital platform, Xcelerator, to drive future growth, especially in its factory automation business, which has faced slowing demand in China and Europe. Despite lowering its full-year sales forecast, Siemens reported an 82% jump in industrial software sales for the three months ending in June, mainly due to Xcelerator’s offerings, according to Peter Koerte, the company’s chief technology and strategy officer.
Xcelerator, launched in 2022, is a cloud-based platform that delivers hardware and digital services to a global customer base, boasting over a million monthly users. Siemens’ divisions, including mobility, smart infrastructure, and digital industries, leverage its offerings to enhance its operations. The platform collaborates with 400 partner companies, providing more than 900 solutions worldwide. However, Siemens has not disclosed specific financial figures for Xcelerator.
Xcelerator has achieved significant success in key markets, including China, India, Germany, and the US. Its advanced capabilities have enabled Siemens to secure major contracts, such as an order for 90 regional trains from Deutsche Bahn in August. By analysing data from these trains, Xcelerator enhances maintenance practices, boosts energy efficiency, and improves punctuality, showcasing its effectiveness in integrating digital and physical services to address customer needs.
T-Mobile customers impacted by hurricanes in Florida can now send SMS texts via Starlink satellites. SpaceX confirmed that the service is available on a ‘best-effort basis’ and at no cost.
Users with T-Mobile phones can send texts, including messages to emergency services and 911, using Starlink satellites. Phones connected to the satellite service will display ‘T-Mobile SpaceX’ and may show 1 to 2 bars of service.
SpaceX advises that the service works best outdoors but can sometimes function near windows indoors. There may be occasional issues requiring users to retry sending texts.
