All Innovation (R&D) articles – Page 4
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Innovation (R&D)UK telcos getting back to the labs, with 4.5%-R&D rise
UK telecoms players laid out more than £1bn on innovation during 2020, the first time they have done so since 2011. Ostensibly led by spend patterns at BT, sector has been regaining some of the significant ground it has lost after tightening budgets during downturn.
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Innovation (R&D)T-Labs and TMUS scoping out immersive shopper tech
Group R&D arm and US NatCo open applications for T-Challenge 2022. Focus on retail vertical, with telco keen to enhance post-COVID experiences for those shopping at home and in-store. Scheme offering share of €600,000 prize pot.
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Innovation (R&D)BT wants 6G to solve real-world problems
Senior BT execs say new technology should respond to consumer, industry needs. No appetite for a “step change” in radio; 5G backwards compatibility a must. Coverage, reliability more promising areas for 6G improvement than peak data rates.
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Innovation (R&D)Froment-Curtil highlights TOBi’s expanding role amid digital focus
TOBi now present in 15 Vodafone markets, although maturity of deployments varies. Aim is for TOBi to take over 100% of inbound conversations and limited sales transactions. Froment-Curtil sets out his stall as Group CCO.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone seeks in-house ‘unicorns’ as part of platforms push
New startup innovation division established, with Group veteran Jorge Bento appointed Director.
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Innovation (R&D)BT likes NANF hollow core fibre, but work still to do
Senior BT researchers optimistic about multiple use-cases for Lumenisity’s hollow fibre, but commercial timeframes unclear. “Reams and reams of data” still need to be pored over as part of due diligence process. BT confident, however, that Lumenisity has reached the point of producing “duct-deployable” HCF cable.
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Innovation (R&D)BT ties with Sweden’s Skydome on emergency response
VR leveraged by embryonic Skydome for incident monitoring purposes. Startup’s R&D partners include Intel. Potential for deployment at BT’s network of smart ports.
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Innovation (R&D)BT quantum-secures hollow core fibre in trial
QKD hook-up with Lumenisity HCF pitched as world first. Lord says trial “accelerates the UK’s lead in quantum technologies”. Widespread HCF deployment still some way off, however.
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Innovation (R&D)DT: Open RAN not there yet, but developing fast
Deutsche Telekom’s view on open RAN state of play. Mixed bag: encouraging pace of development, but complexity reigns. Programmability capability is two to three years away. “Must have” automation needed to tackle integration challenge.
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Innovation (R&D)BT explores metamaterials for future networks
Researchers delve into new materials for smarter, greener wireless tech. Metasurfaces applied for better signal propagation and performance. Operator planning to increase investment in materials R&D.
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Innovation (R&D)T-Labs scoping out quantum computing apps for DT
Group’s R&D arm initially exploring five use-cases of relevance to Deutsche Telekom as part of government-backed project. T-Systems follows T-Labs’ lead and joins PlanQK construction. D-Wave, Fujitsu, and IBM among vendor partners.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone picks Dresden and Málaga for R&D
Portugal may have lost out because of Group anger over the ongoing 5G auction process.
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Innovation (R&D)Wayra widens scope of blockchain tech programme
Innovation unit’s Activation Programme blockchain stream now welcoming proposals from startups in “any sector”.
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Innovation (R&D)T-Mobile US on the prowl for e-health startups
US telco opens applications for Wellness Tech incubator. Net cast wide, with startups operating in both B2B and B2C spaces encouraged to apply. TMUS’ 5G innovation network expanding.
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Innovation (R&D)hubraum unveils first Accuracy Unlocked cohort
Incubator hothouse’s new startup accelerator goes live. Forty -six applicants whittled down to just 13. Potential investment on the table for startups with “most promising” GNSS use-case.
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Innovation (R&D)UK access to Horizon Europe unclear
Government offers to pay some of the costs, but not all, to access EU’s Horizon Europe scientific funding initiative. The successor to Horizon 2020, which BT has tapped into, Horizon Europe has an R&D budget of €95.5bn.
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Innovation (R&D)Telefónica Argentina taps IBM for open RAN trial
Proof of concept open RAN network led by IBM as systems integrator. Movistar test network adds to Group trials in Germany and the UK. IBM plants open RAN flag in Spain with new Centre of Excellence.
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Innovation (R&D)DT pressure-tests Niantic’s multiplayer AR tech
Artificial reality developer Niantic taps MobiledgeX for social AR gaming. DT among carrier partners to conduct network tests for latest 5G-enabled mobile game.
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Innovation (R&D)Telefónica leads TIP 5G private network trial
Telefónica leads latest Telecom Infra Project solution group, with private networks the focus. TIP Community Lab in Madrid to host tests before Málaga excursion.
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Innovation (R&D)BT wants SIM-fitted drones as standard
Head of BT’s Drone Solutions keen on developing out-of-the-box SIM card solution. Telco wants Project Xcelerate to showcase EE network’s suitability for BVLOS flights. Scaling drone-flight volumes in BVLOS environment a pressing challenge. Collaboration with US-based TEOCO in the pipeline to optimise flightpaths.