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.
Openreach fibre sensing nears ‘material scale’
Openreach closing in on commercial fibre sensing, seeking to turn its huge vast estate into a distributed monitoring network capable of spotting water and gas leaks, and potentially opening a new revenue stream from existing infrastructure. European peers follow suit…
6G: European telco leaders lay down migration markers
In depth: Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone set out their conditions for 6G at Network X, mapping how Europe’s leading operators are converging on a pragmatic vision to protect 5G investments, minimise hardware disruption and making economics drive migration, albeit with differences remaining over spectrum sharing, core architecture, and timing…
BT networks R&D chief passes the baton
Chris Bramley set to take the reins of network and research strategy at BT, as Gabriela Styf Sjöman steps down.
Greece’s OTE preps AI Calling
DT-controlled Greek incumbent indicates it is close to releasing a next-gen call translation and assistance tool as part of wider, AI-infused portfolio expansion plans covering both the B2B and B2C markets.
Regulation drives innovation as Vodafone ‘cherry picks’ AI tools at pace
Vodafone’s Andy Linham says early regulation-driven security and compliance investment is paying dividends as the Group leans on an AI R&D framework to accelerate deployments, including the ‘least sexy, most impactful’ deployment so far…
Spain’s MásOrange puts rapid RoI at top of its AI priority list
The Spanish operator puts quick, tangible financial return at forefront of AI push, saying it is better to focus on developments with clear, direct P&L impact, and build momentum, than to ‘overthink’ and over-complicate.
Vodafone taps Nokia for AI-powered network slicing
Telco-vendor duo have combined 5G network slicing with agentic AI, showcasing the potential for enterprise-grade, mission-critical 5G SA services, and putting Vodafone Albania on the Group’s innovation map.
GSMA repositions Open Gateway programme after ‘successful three years’
The formerly standalone flagship project will now form a core part of two working groups at the GSMA, amid concerns of slow-than-expected growth in the network API market.
Sovereign ambition: Orange raises curtain on Unified Cloud Platform
UCP reveal commences: new unit consolidates 700 cloud specialists from Business, OINIS and Wholesale, driven by the Group’s Trust the Future strategy. Intent includes industrialising private cloud capabilities, expanding as-a-service propositions, and addressing surging enterprise demand for data sovereignty and AI…
Vodafone’s R&D chief urges infraco action as quantum threat presents ‘new normal’
DTW Ignite: Luke Ibbetson warns of post-quantum cryptography as a near-term priority for infracos, with a ground-up approach needed to ensure fixed, mobile, and satellite assets are protected…
Orange ties with French energy agency on AI networking
Operator kicks off five-year ‘semantic communications’ project with French government agency aimed at improving network efficiency, slashing energy costs, and laying the groundwork for AI-native networks.