All 4G (LTE, 4.5G) articles
-
Network & Infra
Bouygues Telecom expands role in France’s new emergency services network
Bouygues Telecom and Orange were awarded contracts for France’s Réseau Radio du Futur (RRF) in 2022, but Bouygues has just won an extra deal to provide coverage during critical events.
-
Network & Infra
BT targets lead in UK’s 5G standalone coverage race
Operator unveils technology and coverage ambitions behind its 5G SA rollout, including headline target to hit 99% population coverage in 2030. Move positions BT to become first UK operator to reach this target, although rivals have updated on their own plans to accelerate rollout…
-
Network & Infra
Vodafone firms up European 2G shutdown plans
Operator solidifies 2G switch-off plans in its two largest markets, marking latest movement on plans to cut out legacy tech for financial and operational benefits…
-
Suppliers & SCM
Ericsson, Nokia win big as VodafoneThree opens wallet for £11bn network investment
UK MNO names core network vendors to underpin its MOCN upgrade and rollout project. Ericsson secures role as merged operator’s senior core network vendor, while Nokia steps up for RAN delivery, and the pair set to cover the “majority, but not the entirety” of VodafoneThree’s eight-year network build…
-
Network & Infra
UK scopes out satellite partners for emergency services network
The UK Space Agency is seeking players in the non-terrestrial networks sector willing to explore potential integration of satellite solutions into the Emergency Services Network, moving on previously stated ambitions to bring more satcos into the project…
-
M&A
TDF sale speculation: American Tower and Ardian are latest names in frame
Bidders are said to be circling the French wireless infraco and a sale is estimated to be worth up to €10bn.
-
Strategy & Change
Vodafone Turkey to lean on ‘global’ expertise to move fast with 5G
Vodafone and peers in the starting blocks ahead of October auction, when 5G race will begin.
-
Network & Infra
Turkey to hold first 5G spectrum auction
Auction expected this year, raising $2bn+, first services in 2026…
-
Network & Infra
Orange firms up French 2G sunset timeline
Operator plans to retire its 2G network by end of 2026, with Anglet, Bayonne, and Biarritz set to be the first locations for the switch-off next year.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
BT expands AWS deal for five more years
The cloud services giant flags the latest strategic agreement with BT as a critical step towards network autonomy.
-
People
Vi: CEO Moondra steps aside, sets challenge for successor
Debt-laden Indian operator Vi names a new CEO in Abhijit Kishore, who has a mountain to climb if he is to complete the job of turning around a business that has been in perpetual decline for several years.
-
Network & Infra
Vodafone’s Nadia Benabdallah: ‘the real leap lies in autonomous networks’
Having seen the Group’s networks evolve from 3G to 5G SA over a 30-year career, Milan-based network strategy chief says the real benefits will come with deployment of autonomous networking…
-
M&A
Cellnex ‘not exposed’ to looming telco M&A in France, says CEO
Marco Patuano underlines towerco’s strong market position in France, and said it would be a critical partner in any MNO consolidation moves.
-
People
CEO Maestre leaves Telefónica Peru as new owner resets top team
Long-time Telefónica exec Elena Maestre has left Integratel Peru as the former Hispanoamérica operating business undergoes post-sale restructuring.
-
Network & Infra
Slovakian operators lay out €500m on spectrum top-up
The nation’s multi-frequency auction raised a total of €506m, which even the regulator noted was high by European standards.
-
Network & Infra
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”.
-
Network & Infra
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…
-
Network & Infra
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…
-
Network & Infra
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…
-
Analyst Briefings
Orangewatch Analyst 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.