Innovation and R&D
All the latest news, insight and analysis regarding the latest innovations and research and development initiatives by BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Quantum leap: tracking telco deployments
New research from STL Partners has identified 106 quantum announcements involving 35 telcos, putting operators at the forefront of quantum future…
Telefónica briefs new Wayra CEO to create ‘stronger alignment’ with business
Andrés Saborido takes over as Chief Executive of Telefónica’s prolific open innovation platform Wayra, with instructions to remain within the guardrails of the Group’s cost-conscious Transform & Grow strategy…
Transformation-focused Nokia gears up for AI ‘supercycle’
While telcos remain important customers for the Finnish tech vendor, it is transitioning from a “very telco‑centric” base and embracing the “AI supercycle”.
Indra salvages former BT drone investment Altitude Angel
Spanish defence group buys drone traffic management platform from Altitude Angel, following the provider’s fall into administration, with aim to strengthen UK presence and aerospace portfolio…
Vodafone’s European satco takes step towards launch with first hire
‘SatCo’ joint venture with AST SpaceMobile drafts in Vodafone’s innovation head Daniel Thomas.
Vodafone bets on Cohere’s open RAN tech in venturing return
Exclusive: Vodafone Ventures sputters back to life with in-the-works equity investment in open RAN collaborator Cohere Technologies, joining fellow telco investors Bell and Telstra in betting on the Californian vendor’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier tech…
DT backs German drones player in latest defence push
Operator draws capital from its €2bn Tech Fund to back Quantum Systems and set up collaboration on development of solutions to protect critical infrastructure. Move sees DT press forward with wider defence industry expansion …
Telefónicawatch: another JMAP-era exec exits; Gayo gets buying; IT vendors net handouts
Analyst Briefing: Round-up of the latest developments at Spain’s re-morphing incumbent, as 2025’s dramatic strategy and personnel changes continue all the way up to the end of the year. Finance chief Laura Abasolo’s departure is confirmed, as part of another top exec layer rejig. And partnerships with Prosegur and Nato move forward as Group targets tech growth. Read more…
Can AI-RAN succeed without open RAN? ‘Yes and no’, says Alliance Chair Choi
Interview: AI-RAN Alliance Chair (and ex-DT CTO) Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi assures that operators have a route to scaled adoption of the tech — no matter their level of legacy. T-Mobile US is seen as having ‘unique’ springboard for AI-RAN rollout given its ‘greenfield-like’ position in 5G era, post-Sprint, and is expected to use the 2028 Olympics to showcase early wins.
Telefónica deploys fresh AI assistants to up German security
Telefónica Deutschland launches AI-powered assistants to protect customers against online fraud, bulking up its consumer security portfolio…
DT to co-create new AI products with OpenAI
Deutsche Telekom is to get early access to an ‘alpha‑phase’ OpenAI model, although details remain scarce.