Mobile Industry Live: October 2020

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2020-10-28T09:26:34.663Z

(Image credit: Post Office)

Shell Energy, Sky and TalkTalk target Post Office broadband

Shell’s home energy and broadband division has emerged as a surprise contender for Post Office’s telecoms business.

The oil and gas giant is competing with Sky and TalkTalk – two of the UK’s biggest broadband providers – in a bidding war that will be welcomed by Post Office, which has half a million landline and broadband customers. It is thought any deal could be worth £100 million and that Post Office could retain the division should it not receive a satisfactory offer.

2020-10-28T09:26:00.806Z

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple to expand ‘express store’ format in US and Europe

Apple is to expand a new ‘express’ store format across the US and Europe in the hope it will increase sales of the iPhone 12. So far Apple has introduced 20 express stores to remedy these restrictions and expand the range of services that can be offered. A wall is built into the front of the store and customers make appointments to collect orders or receive technical assistance.

2020-10-28T09:25:06.558Z

(Image credit: O2)

O2 5G expands to 100 UK towns and cities

O2 says it has at least some 5G coverage in 100 towns and cities, adding 40 locations in little over four months. The operator switched on its first 5G masts in October, covering the four UK capitals – Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and London – as well as Leeds and its home of Slough in Berkshire. Since then it has expanded coverage to other major cities and large towns.

2020-10-22T14:10:30.262Z

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Vivo enters European smartphone market

Vivo is entering the European market for the first time, targeting consumers in the high-end and price-conscious mid-range segments of the smartphone market. 

The Vivo X51 5G is the flagship for the company’s European launch and will target consumers who want a high-end smartphone that can connect to next generation networks without the associated price tag.

Meanwhile, the Y70, Y20 and Y11 are mid-range devices that aim to deliver as much capability as possible for the price.

2020-10-22T14:08:35.786Z

(Image credit: Ericsson)

Ericsson beats expectations in Q3

Ericsson beat quarterly estimates thanks to strong demand for its 5G equipment, especially from mainland China. The Swedish telecoms equipment manufacturer now has 112 commercial contracts and is set to be one of the main beneficiaries from Huawei’s struggles in the West.

2020-10-22T14:08:13.477Z

(Image credit: Vodafone)

Vodafone uses phone boxes to improve 4G coverage

Vodafone has found a novel method of improving mobile coverage in busy parts of Brighton – equipping phone boxes with 4G equipment. The operator has kitted out five phone boxes with compact 4G technology small enough to fit on top of the roof of the phone box and capable of delivering service to a radius of 200 metres.

2020-10-22T14:07:23.923Z

(Image credit: Unsplash/Raphael Andres)

Sweden bans Huawei from 5G

Sweden has made it a condition of an upcoming spectrum auction that successful bidders cannot use equipment from Huawei or ZTE. Swedish authorities have accused Huawei of being a security risk – an allegation that the Chinese vendor has repeatedly denied.

2020-10-22T14:07:01.546Z

(Image credit: Sky)

Sky opens its first ever high street stores

Sky is to open the first retail store in its 30-year history in Liverpool this week, in the hope that a presence on the high street will boost its commercial and customer care operations.

The company wants the stores to become a ‘social hub’ for customers to see and test out its latest products, including Sky Q, and to discuss their services with a member of staff.

2020-10-21T09:12:15.764Z

(Image credit: Deutsche Telekom)

Aerial base station delivers 4G from the stratosphere

Deutsche Telekom has conducted the world’s first successful trial of an aerial base station deployed in the Earth’s stratosphere in a development that could pave the way for better mobile coverage in rural areas.

Antennas on the aircraft were able to connect to the T-Mobile terrestrial 4G network and provide users on the ground with download speeds of up to 70Mbps using a standard smartphone. The high altitude of the plane, unobstructed view of the ground, and specialist equipment mean the plane can provide coverage to an area of 100 kilometres.

2020-10-21T09:11:03.351Z

(Image credit: NASA)

Nokia to build 5G network on the moon

NASA has enlisted the support of Nokia to build the first ever mobile network on the moon, hoping the availability of 4G will support future missions and help establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface.

Specifically, the planned network will support various extra-terrestrial applications, including command and control functions, the remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation, and high-definition video streaming.

2020-10-21T09:10:13.652Z

(Image credit: O2)

Vodafone promises easy phone trade-ins

Vodafone hopes its new trade-in tool will encourage more people to recycle their old smartphones and upgrade to newer handsets and lengthier contracts. Vodafone’s tool, accessible via the MyVodafone app, hopes to streamline the process and alleviate these concerns. The tool assesses device eligibility within minutes and provides a guaranteed trade-in price that is applied against the customer’s first bill.

2020-10-20T08:16:26.460Z

(Image credit: Pixabay)

European telco association wants against 5G ban on Chinese vendors

The European Competitive Telecoms Association (ecta) says the exclusion of Huawei and ZTE from the rollout of 5G in Europe for geopolitical reasons could have major consequences for the market. It argues that number of worldwide suppliers from 5 to 3 will increase costs, reduce performance, delay deployment and diminish innovation.

2020-10-20T08:12:12.194Z

(Image credit: Openreach)

Ofcom investigates BT over high USO broadband costs

Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether BT is fulfilling its requirements as a designated Universal Service Obligation (USO) broadband provider. The USO allows anyone in the UK to demand a ‘decent’ broadband connection of at least 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload.

Specifically, the regulator wants to determine whether BT is providing accurate quotes to those requesting a connection.

2020-10-20T08:11:18.114Z

(Image credit: Nokia)

Nokia targets cost savings with Google Cloud migration

Nokia will migrate the entirety of its on-premise IT infrastructure to the cloud in the hope that the operational and cost efficiencies generated will support its pursuit of the 5G equipment market.

The Finnish firm hopes the adoption of a cloud-first strategy will allow it to be more agile and its employees more innovative and collaborative so the company can better support its telecoms customers.

2020-10-15T13:01:20.804Z

(Image credit: hindustan times)

Next G Alliance targets North American leadership In 6G

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) has established a new organisation designed to promote the development of 6G network technologies in North America. The trade association has signed up a number of notable founding members including AT&T, Ericsson, Facebook, Microsoft, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, T-Mobile and Verizon.  

2020-10-15T13:00:57.788Z

(Image credit: Future)

Telefonica consolidates carrier business

Spanish-based multinational operator Telefonica has brought its wholesale, roaming and multinational businesses under a single brand. It says the new unit will be better placed to provide services to its global customers, of which it has more than 1,500 in 170 countries

2020-10-15T13:00:33.820Z

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Huawei ponders potential Honor sale

Huawei is reportedly in talks to sell at least part of its Honor smartphone subsidiary in a deal that could be worth up to £2.9 billion. It is said that Huawei would rather pursue the high-end market rather than the thin margins that Honor chases in the budget space following the imposition of US sanctions.

2020-10-14T10:16:37.444Z

(Image credit: ee)

EE has expanded its 5G network to 12 more towns and cities across the UK. This latest tranche of upgrades has seen sites in Aberdeen, Blackpool, and Oxford switched on and brings the total number of locations added to the EE 5G network since May reach 32.

2020-10-14T10:15:35.442Z

(Image credit: samsung)

Strong momentum in the 5G market, coupled with the imminent arrival of the first compatible iPhone, is making analysts more optimistic about the pace of adoption.

There had been fears that Coronavirus would slowdown network builds and cause demand for new handsets to plummet. However, although there have been some short-term impacts, operators have pressed ahead with rollouts and 100 commercial 5G services are now live around the world.

2020-10-13T08:17:25.713Z

(Image credit: Three)

Three CEO urges open mind on consolidation

Robert Finnegan says UK government and regulators should adopt an open mind when it comes to market consolidation, arguing that it could improve the country’s communications networks. He said the mantra that there must be four major players in the mobile market was being disproved by developments in territories where consolidation was having a positive impact.

2020-10-13T08:16:24.520Z

(Image credit: Future)

Apple uses stores to ship new iPhones

Apple is to fulfil some online orders from its retail outlets in the US and Canada if the item is in stock and the store is closer to the customer than one of its distribution centres. The move could speed up delivery times and ensure that its network of near 300 stores in North America can continue to play a role in selling the new iPhone 12 even if they are closed due to lockdown restrictions.

2020-10-12T10:17:28.920Z

(Image credit: Huawei)

Belgian operators remove Huawei radio gear

Belgium’s two biggest operators are replacing Huawei gear in the radio layer of their networks with kit from Nokia. The two companies have a network sharing arrangement and say the changes were made on technological and financial criteria rather than on national security grounds.

2020-10-12T10:15:57.144Z

(Image credit: Pixabay)

UK ‘should include’ free roaming in EU trade deal

Consumer watchdog Which? has urged the government to negotiate provisions for inclusive roaming in any future relationship with the EU and in any other trade agreements it strikes post-Brexit. All four major operators have promised not to charge any additional fees regardless of what happens, but they would be under no obligation to do so.

2020-10-09T10:55:23.371Z

(Image credit: BT / Zoom)

BT offers managed Zoom services

BT will offer a managed Zoom service to businesses after becoming the first global communications service provider to secure a carrier agreement. BT’s offering integrates Zoom into the wider voice network and includes monitoring tools and security features such as encryption and ID protection.

2020-10-09T10:54:43.806Z

(Image credit: Vodafone)

Vodafone reduces carbon footprint

Vodafone has been able to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 25,000 tonnes over the past years by improving the energy efficiency of its facilities in the UK. Overall, Vodafone says it has saved 100Gwh of energy – enough to power a town with 65,000 inhabitants – and saving the company £10 million.

2020-10-08T13:43:20.094Z

(Image credit: Huawei)

Three reaches backhaul deal with Colt

Three has expanded its pool of backhaul suppliers through an agreement with Colt. The partnership is part of a £2 billion investment in Three’s 4G and 5G networks and will see 20 times greater capacity at sites covered by the deal. The operator has also entered into backhaul deals with SSE Enterprise Telecoms and CityFibre.

2020-10-08T13:37:58.892Z

(Image credit: Pixabay)

Huawei 5G ban could be brought forward, say MPs

MPs say the 2027 deadline for operators to remove Huawei 5G kit from their networks could be brought forward after a parliamentary inquiry found “clear evidence of collusion between Huawei and the Chinese state.” Huawei has denied the allegations and said the report lacks credibility, “as it is built on opinion rather than fact.”

2020-10-08T13:35:35.296Z

(Image credit: TalkTalk)

TalkTalk ponders £1.1 billion takeover bid

TalkTalk is considering a £1.1 billion takeover offer from investment firm Toscafund – a year after the telco rejected a larger bid of £1.5 billion from the same suitor. The previous bid valued TalkTalk at double its share price but the company’s board ruled that it did not provide sufficient value to shareholders and customers.

2020-10-08T09:21:18.155Z

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Telia sells international carrier business

Telia has sold its international carrier operations to Swedish investment firm Polhelm Infra for SEK 9.45 billion (£820 million) subject to regulatory approval. Telia Carrier provides backbone services for customers in more than 120 countries, covering two thirds of the world’s Internet routes. Telia Company will become a long-term customer of Telia Carrier once the takeover is complete.

2020-10-06T10:37:19.893Z

(Image credit: Future)

O2 and Virgin Media deal to create 4,000 jobs

The proposed £31 billion merger of O2 and Virgin Media would result in the creation of 4,000 jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships. The parent companies of both firms have provided more details about planned investments ahead of regulatory reviews of the deal. 

2020-10-05T11:31:42.323Z

(Image credit: BT)

BT completes Latin American sale

The restructure of BT’s international business continues with the sale of its domestic operations and infrastructure in Latin America to CIH Telecommunications Americas. The new firm will operate as Sencinet and will work with BT as a partner going forward.

2020-10-05T11:20:37.064Z

(Image credit: Huawei)

Three ponders multi-billion pound sale of masts

Three is considering selling some of its mast assets, hoping to capitalise on recent demand for telecoms infrastructure from private investors.

2020-10-02T15:42:51.727Z

(Image credit: Nokia)

Nokia reaches a century of 5G deals

Nokia has announced it now has 100 commercial 5G deals and a total of 160 commercial engagements. Earlier this week it secured a major partnership with BT to become the largest single supplier of equipment for the EE 5G network.

2020-10-02T15:37:49.511Z

(Image credit: Future)

Mobile Industry Awards 2020: All the winners

The Mobile Industry Award’s first ever digital awards week has come to a close. You can find out all the winners at our dedicated hub.

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