Vodafone and Ericsson to deploy cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core

Vodafone is extending its long-standing partnership with Ericsson to deploy a new cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core in the UK.

The dual-mode core supports 5G Standalone, 5G non-Standalone, and 4G.

Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said:

“Ericsson has been one of our most trusted and successful partners for many years, and we are thrilled to be taking this critical step forward together.

With this new core delivery, the foundations are...

17 June 2021 | 5G

Ookla publishes analysis of European mobile roaming speeds over lockdown

The network testing experts at Ookla have published an analysis of European mobile roaming speeds over a year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Existing vaccines are, fortunately, effective against the ‘Delta’ variant which is spreading rapidly in countries like the UK. However, the reduced efficacy – especially after just one dose – has already set back the country’s lifting of remaining restrictions by four weeks.

A more virulent, deadly, and vaccine-dodging...

16 June 2021 | Connectivity

Vodafone gives OpenRAN contracts to Samsung, NEC, Dell, Wind River, and others

Vodafone has given valuable contracts to Samsung, NEC, Dell, Wind River, and others as part of its commitment to use OpenRAN in its network.

OpenRAN gives the opportunity for smaller telecoms vendors to compete against legacy players with standards-based and interoperable equipment.

Matthew O’Neill, Head of Networks at NTT DATA UK, said:

“Vodafone’s announcement will progress the development of OpenRAN technology across Europe – a positive move that...

14 June 2021 | Connectivity

EE creates 5G ‘Pit Stops’ to show off cloud gaming

EE has created 5G ‘Pit Stops’ to celebrate its new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate add-on and show off cloud gaming.

Cloud gaming promises more flexibility to play the latest titles whether you’re on your commute (remember those?), on holiday, down the park, or even tucked up in bed. However, the latency with 4G networks – and even most current WiFi networks to some extent – makes the experience more frustrating than enjoyable.

EE wants to show how 5G turns cloud...

11 June 2021 | 5G

TIM launches one of the first OTIC labs approved by the O-RAN Alliance

TIM (Telecom Italia) has launched one of the first OTIC (Open Test and Integration Center) labs in the world.

The new TIM European OTIC Lab is based at the TIM Group’s Innovation laboratories in Turin and is approved by the O-RAN Alliance.

The O-RAN ALLIANCE was established in 2018 by a global consortium of network operators with the goal of evolving radio access networks to become more open and interoperable. 

OpenRAN is increasingly being promoted by...

9 June 2021 | Europe

EE braces for a summer of staycations with coastal coverage boost

BT-owned EE, the UK’s largest mobile operator, is preparing for a surge in summer staycations by boosting its coverage in popular coastal destinations.

After being mostly cooped up inside for over a year, a holiday is near the forefront of most people’s minds. Many aren’t yet ready to travel abroad – especially with travel advice for destinations changing at short notice – and so will be looking a little closer to home.

Marc Allera, CEO of the Consumer Division...

4 June 2021 | Connectivity

FCC hopes its OpenRAN showcase will encourage operators ‘to invest in network security’

FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced the US telecoms regulator will host an OpenRAN showcase next month.

OpenRAN is one of the industry’s most exciting new trends. The interoperable equipment provides greater flexibility to carriers and helps them to avoid vendor lock-in.

Governments are increasingly becoming cheerleaders of OpenRAN due to the security benefits of having many vendors in a network. This is especially true in many Western countries...

28 May 2021 | 5G

Nokia expands its AirScale portfolio with several new 5G solutions

Nokia is expanding its AirScale small cells portfolio for indoor and outdoor 5G coverage with several new solutions.

The headline addition is Nokia’s new micro Remote Radio Heads (mRRH) that will help to boost the capacity and coverage of outdoor 5G networks in dense urban environments. 

The small footprints of mRRHs enable operators to densify their 5G networks in areas where macro cells would be unsuitable. Their lower power consumption also reduces operational...

26 May 2021 | 5G

Telcos will be leaders in cloud adoption by 2022 if they deliver on plans

A report from Infosys has found that telecoms firms will be leaders in cloud adoption if they deliver on their migration plans.

Despite the telecoms industry representing a small subset (4%) of the study, the researchers noted how telcos are leading in cloud adoption—focusing their efforts on deploying AI and automation, developing predictive maintenance capabilities, and expanding 5G offerings.

While the pandemic slowed cloud adoption in many industries, the telecoms...

25 May 2021 | Cloud

CMA green lights £31B merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has given the green light to a £31 billion merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2.

Provisional approval of the deal was granted last month but today’s announcement clears the companies to form a combined entity that can better compete against BT/EE after their own £12.5 billion merger in 2016.

Virgin and O2 both sell wholesale services to a number of mobile operators in the UK. In the case of Virgin, their wholesale...

20 May 2021 | Connectivity