All 4G (LTE, 4.5G) articles
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Network & Infrastructure
UK gov pares back Shared Rural Network targets in strategic rethink
Building Digital UK scales back plans for further rural 4G coverage expansion after hitting initial Shared Rural Network targets early. Strategy shift comes after discussions with local communities and interest groups, with BDUK aiming to maximise coverage while delivering “best value for public money”.
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Network & Infrastructure
Project Reach: Freshwave, Neos seek digital infra ‘blueprint’ to power up UK rail
Freshwave and Neos Networks firm up collaboration with Network Rail and UK mobile operators to upgrade fibre and wireless infra along key UK rail routes, with funding from the likes of DigitalBridge, Infracapital, and SSE Group. Work to begin imminently, with pair hoping to develop business model “blueprint” for future deployments…
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Network & Infrastructure
Czech telco trio partner with gov to fill in 5G coverage gaps
O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone join forces with Czech government to strengthen 5G connectivity in areas with “insufficient” coverage and no imminent commercial build plans. Initiative is the latest government-backed scheme in Europe aimed at improving mobile coverage, particularly in rural areas…
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Network & Infrastructure
Ex-Nominet boss tasked with hitting UK government’s broadband infra goals
The agency leading key UK government-backed digital infra projects has appointed Lesley Cowley as Chair, tasked with overseeing the Shared Rural Network and (recently delayed) Project Gigabit initiatives…
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Weekly Briefings
Orangewatch Briefing: execs bang M&A drum; high hopes on IPCEI and AI
In this issue, we report on presentations by Orange’s leadership at the AGM, with Group CEO Christel Heydemann and new Orange France CEO Jérôme Hénique taking the floor.
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Network & Infrastructure
EE densifies Westminster network with Ontix small cells tie-up
Ties with shared infra specialist and ambitious neutral host extended to 80 fresh sites in central London, in conjunction with assertive local authority. Learn more…
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People
Ex-Vodafone chief Colao takes board seat at Wireless Logic
Vittorio Colao joins the Board of Directors at UK-based IoT connectivity provider (and MVNO using BT’s network), after the business agrees to sell a minority stake to General Atlantic.
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Network & Infrastructure
Cellnex said to win Orange Poland as customer with fresh tower deal
Cellnex to construct more than 100 new sites in Poland for Orange, with the operator serving as anchor tenant. Move follows operator’s similar deal with Emitel earlier this year, as it continues expanding national coverage.
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People
TDF revamps leadership to drive into data centres and private networks
French tower operator and broadcaster appoints Karim El Naggar as CEO, as part of a top-level leadership reset that has primarily drawn on existing talent. Changes come alongside strategy shift aimed at accelerating growth in emerging digital infra markets…
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M&A
Iliad CEO remains ‘pragmatic’ on deal-making opportunities in France, Italy
Potential M&A in the two markets is tempting for different reasons, although Thomas Reynaud says Iliad in Italy and Free in France can continue to operate quite happily as standalone businesses.
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Interview
Vodafone Business hoping 5G private networks on cusp of doubling, even trebling in 2026
As 5G MPNs move beyond hype, Jennifer Didoni shares Vodafone Business’ refined strategy on scaling deployments and targeting the right use cases.
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Weekly Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: TowerCos continue M&A pare-back; telcos plot data centre expansion
TowerCos across Africa and Europe still exercising restraint around M&A, with focus placed on increasing tenancies and driving organic-build out instead. Meanwhile, Orange and Vodafone Spain said to look at expanding data centre estate, while opening up IT capacity to third-parties…
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Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 takes aim at mobile network ‘pain points’ with £700m spend plan
UK operator expects to spend £700m this year to alleviate network “pain points” for customers and improve mobile service experience.
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany gives voice to network cloud with Mavenir IMS
Latest chapter in now strategically-prioritised migration of network into the cloud sees modernisation of existing virtualised IMS solution for all of brownfield pathfinder’s voice services. Director of Networks’ Matthias Sauder envisions “new routes to value” for operator and customers…
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone looks to Taara-equipped drones to fill in where fibre fails
Drone-based wireless optical communications tech seen as potential fix for fibre faults in areas where traditional fixed networks are susceptible to damage.
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Financial & Performance
India’s Vi builds ‘significant momentum’: capex doubles ahead of 5G launch
Akshaya Moondra, CEO of the Vodafone-backed JV, sets high hopes for 2025 as Vi taps new funding to pursue network expansion.
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Weekly Briefings
UK Infrawatch Weekly: UK satellite taking off; Equitix bailing on Gigaclear?
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including the latest on public sector network investment; a rapidly developing SatComms scene; signs of Equitix edging away from Gigaclear, and plenty more…
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica tops up on 5G spectrum in Venezuela
Telefónica Venezuela and Digitel acquired mid-band spectrum in the country’s 5G auction, but other frequencies on offer were left on the table.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone puts D2D plans in motion with fresh SpaceMobile trials
Vodafone reveals first “space-to-land” gateway to enable direct-to-device services. Further trials of SpaceMobile technology pencilled in for spring 2025 as Group moves closer to launching Europe- and Africa-wide services after launch delays and legal troubles…
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Weekly Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: Spain in spotlight; TowerCo team-ups; M&A next steps
Latest on EMEA Infra: Spain flagged as a frontrunner in legacy switch-off progress, thoguh concerns on fibre overbuild remain; Cellnex mulls path to home market consolidation; TowerCos in Europe and Africa seek to expand rural and transport connectivity; more…