UK Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant has called on broadband providers to collaborate on infrastructure sharing to curb the proliferation of telegraph poles across the UK. His appeal comes amid growing concerns about the rising number of poles, often criticised as unsightly and unnecessary.
Bryant further stressed the importance of reducing such infrastructure, particularly as the new Labour government focuses on addressing the issue of excessive pole deployment, which has surged concurrently with the country’s rapid fibre network expansion. Speaking at the Connected Britain event, Bryant urged operators to prioritise sharing existing infrastructure rather than installing new telegraph poles to support the expanding fibre broadband rollout.
While poles are a cost-effective and swift solution, he advocated for a more sustainable approach that minimises visual and environmental impact. Bryant also outlined the government’s efforts to streamline infrastructure deployment through regulatory reforms, such as the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. He emphasised the need to prevent redundant installations, building on the groundwork laid by former Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez in promoting infrastructure sharing.
Authorities in South West England are set to introduce new AI cameras on the A361 near Frome, Somerset, in a bid to reduce road deaths after a rise in serious crashes. The technology will be used to detect speeding, mobile phone use, and seatbelt violations. Nine people have died on this road in less than two years.
The Avon and Somerset Police have already taken action, positioning unmarked cars and using speed detection equipment on the A361. Since the start of 2023, there have been 22 serious or fatal accidents along the route. Officials aim to improve public confidence in road safety measures.
The parents of two sisters killed in a high-speed crash on the A361 last year have criticised the lack of action. They believe better speed controls could have prevented the deaths of Madison and Liberty North, aged 21 and 17, who died in July 2022.
Local authorities, led by MP Anna Sabine, are also planning further safety measures. These include improving road signage, enhancing visibility, and urging drivers to adopt safer behaviours when navigating these fast A-roads.
Nokia and iSAT Africa are entering a strategic partnership to improve rural connectivity in Liberia. Over the next three years, this collaboration will see the deployment of approximately 200 sites in underserved rural areas.
The initiative aims to close the digital divide by delivering reliable and affordable network access to communities long overlooked by major telecom infrastructure. That effort underscores a firm commitment to enhancing digital inclusion and driving socioeconomic development in Liberia’s remote regions.
Nokia and iSAT Africa will deploy advanced technology to achieve their connectivity goals. They will utilise Nokia’s Rural Connect solution, which features the AirScale radio portfolio, including Massive MIMO radios, remote radio heads, and base stations optimized for lean and energy-efficient performance.
Additionally, the MantaRay Network Management System will be integrated to provide a unified, automated view of the network, improving monitoring and management capabilities. This cutting-edge technology is designed to tackle critical issues such as limited coverage and the digital divide, ensuring that rural areas receive the necessary connectivity.
Through their collaborative CAMARA project, GSMA and the Linux Foundation have launched the first official release of a series of open-source network APIs called ‘Meta-Release Fall24’.
The initial release contains 25 APIs across 13 subprojects designed to simplify and standardise access to essential telecom network functions. Among the APIs are stable versions like Location Verification, One-time Password SMS, and Number Verification, which have been thoroughly vetted for quality and consistency.
Additionally, the release introduces new APIs such as Call Forwarding Signal, Carrier Billing Refund, and Connectivity Insights, signalling CAMARA’s commitment to continuous innovation and expansion of its API offerings. Security and interoperability have been prioritised in this release, including a profile based on OAuth 2.0 and OpenID standards.
By ensuring that the APIs are secure and compatible across different systems, CAMARA sets a robust foundation for operators to deploy these solutions confidently in their networks. Furthermore, the CAMARA community is dedicated to providing twice-yearly updates to maintain the relevance and stability of these APIs, ensuring that telecom operators can seamlessly plan and manage the deployment of new capabilities.
GSMA and the Linux Foundation have rallied over 1,100 contributors and nearly 400 organisations, including major telecom players like Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, and Vodafone, behind CAMARA. Selected as the API specification hub for a new global telecom venture launching in 2025, CAMARA promotes a unified approach to API development.
Taiwan’s government is taking decisive action to combat telecom fraud through new regulations proposed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. These regulations focus on the stringent management of four-digit telephone numbers beginning with ’19,’ typically allocated to government agencies and charitable organisations.
The primary goal is to safeguard these critical numbers from misuse. To this end, the government plans to impose penalties on telecom operators who breach the Fraud Hazard Prevention Act, including limiting the number of phone numbers they can receive. This measure aims to deter fraudulent activities effectively. Furthermore, organisations in Taiwan will need to obtain government approval before making any changes to the use of these numbers and must return them if their usage changes. To ensure compliance, the Ministry will conduct random inspections to monitor the proper use of these numbers.
Taiwan’s government is also enhancing its anti-fraud efforts by proposing amendments to the Subsidy, Reward, and Assistance Regulations for Promoting Industry Innovation. These changes will allow the Ministry to offer financial support, including subsidies and rewards, to digital industries developing technologies to prevent fraud. By encouraging technological innovation in this field, the government aims to strengthen fraud prevention measures and protect individuals and organisations against telecom-related fraud.
BlackDice and Bin Omran Trading and Telecommunication have launched a strategic partnership to enhance Qatar’s cybersecurity infrastructure significantly. Combining their expertise will deliver state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions, with BlackDice leveraging its AI-powered security and data intelligence to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
Additionally, their collaboration will focus on strengthening the cybersecurity capabilities of major telecom operators in the region, thereby boosting network resilience and protecting extensive personal and financial data. Consequently, this comprehensive approach supports DA2030’s goal of creating a secure and resilient digital environment essential for Qatar’s economic diversification and social development.
By addressing the evolving needs of the digital landscape in Qatar, BlackDice and Bin Omran Trading and Telecommunication contribute to the nation’s ambition of becoming a global leader in technology and connectivity and ensuring robust protection against emerging cyber threats.
SoftBank and Intelsat have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to establish a ‘Ubiquitous Network’ that integrates terrestrial and satellite communications seamlessly. That innovative partnership aims to develop a hybrid communication solution combining these two network types, providing users with uninterrupted connectivity regardless of location.
The key focus is creating a universal device that ensures continuous connectivity by automatically switching between terrestrial mobile networks and satellite communications. That solution is expected to be especially beneficial for applications in land mobile, maritime, and disaster response scenarios, where reliable communication is essential.
SoftBank and Intelsat will advance this hybrid network solution through a phased approach, aligning with developing new 3GPP 5G standards for non-terrestrial networks. The methodical development process will support both existing satellite terminals and future 5G-based terminals. By aligning with industry standards, the collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of these advanced connectivity solutions, enhancing global network coverage and ensuring that users can remain connected anytime and anywhere.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has secured a significant deal to provide H3 rocket launches for French satellite company Eutelsat from 2027. This agreement marks a major step forward for Japan’s H3 project, backed by a $1.5 billion investment, aiming to expand its presence internationally. Eutelsat, the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue, is the second foreign client to choose H3 rockets after Britain’s Inmarsat.
The H3 project, following its first successful flight earlier this year, aims to reduce launch costs to $33 million per mission and increase the number of annual launches to ten. Rising global demand for commercial rockets has made the competitive pricing of H3 appealing. Japan hopes to position H3 as a flagship rocket for its satellite and exploration missions.
After merging with OneWeb, Eutelsat now competes directly with SpaceX’s Starlink in the low-earth orbit communications market. The global satellite sector is intensifying, with other major players such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Boeing-Lockheed’s Vulcan, and Europe’s Ariane 6 also preparing for launches.
MHI’s strategy to make the H3 rocket more competitive reflects growing global interest in space exploration and communications. Japan’s ambitions with H3 align with the increasing number of companies seeking to expand satellite fleets, driven by surging demand for internet connectivity.
Sparkle, the University of Genoa, and the SubOptic Foundation have forged a landmark partnership to advance education and innovation in the field of submarine communications. Their collaboration will introduce the world’s first post-graduate degree focused on submarine fibre optic cables, a pioneering program that the University of Genoa will coordinate.
That initiative aims to draw upon the expertise of industry professionals from Sparkle and other leading companies, creating a comprehensive educational experience with a significant global impact. In addition to the educational program, the partnership is committed to enhancing scientific and technological advancements through joint efforts to foster education, research, and innovation in submarine communications.
The collaboration includes plans to organise institutional events and initiatives that promote technological and entrepreneurial culture, and it extends to working with other organisations focused on underwater technology, such as the Polo Nazionale della dimensione Subacquea (PNS), to ensure a broad and impactful approach to advancing the field.
That partnership underscores their dedication to advancing education and promoting technological and economic development in the submarine cable industry. The strategic importance of this initiative is further highlighted by the enthusiastic support from key figures, including Federico Delfino, Jayne Stowell, and Enrico Bagnasco, who emphasise the course’s role in shaping the future of submarine fibre optic technology.
Ericsson has recently joined the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA), marking a significant step in advancing Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) and expanding global connectivity. The following collaboration underscores Ericsson’s commitment to developing Direct-to-Device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) services through space-based networks, integrating satellite networks with terrestrial cellular systems to address coverage gaps.
Recognising the transformative potential of 5G NTN, Ericsson aims to extend mobile coverage to underserved areas, leveraging L- and S-band spectrum well-suited for mobile satellite services. By employing 3GPP standards, this integration will enable conventional 5G devices to maintain connectivity even in regions lacking terrestrial network coverage, thus contributing to a scalable, sustainable, and affordable global connectivity ecosystem.
Ericsson’s involvement with the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) highlights its commitment to improving mobile network coverage and reliability. Freddie Södergren of Ericsson’s Business Area Networks emphasises the potential of integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks with land-based networks to enhance global connectivity. Mark Dankberg, MSSA Board Chairman, views Ericsson’s membership as a key boost to developing standards and best practices for Direct-to-Device (D2D) services, aiming for a seamless and affordable user experience through integrated networks.
