5G News

All the latest 5G insight, news and analysis involving BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.

2022-01-25T14:45:00+00:00By Neal Doran

Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from its existing estate to enable a new UK tower player to emerge, and overcome CMA concerns on competition linked to its planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies have already stepped forward as potential buyers. CTIL objects to being positioned as a ...

Network & Infrastructure

Vodafone claims 5G open RAN first

2022-01-19T13:39:00+00:00By Joseph Purnell

Vodafone UK launches 5G open RAN site, building on government‑led open infrastructure ambition. Initial launch leverages partnerships with Capgemini, Dell, Intel, Keysight, Samsung, and Wind River. NEC and Samsung to be used in tandem for 2,500 sites from mid‑2022.

Network & Infrastructure

Telefónica goes to market with enterprise 5G

2022-01-08T15:02:00+00:00By Telefónicawatch

Spanish 5G standalone network to be deployed in 2022. Three enterprise connectivity options to be available, including Private Dedicated 5G. Galicia emerges as most prolific region for 5G use‑cases.

Strategy & Change

Deutsche Telekom reveals new CTO; Choi switches to R&D

2022-01-07T09:30:00+00:00By Richard Agnew

Head of Technology & Innovation Claudia Nemat making a New Year refresh of her top team. Open RAN point man Abdurazak Mudesir takes over as CTO as Group increases bet on network disaggregation. Current CTO Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi moves to a potentially more free-wheeling position overseeing R&D and ...

Network & Infrastructure

BT’s McRae sees open RAN potential in tackling ‘not‑spots’

2022-01-06T15:07:00+00:00By Ken Wieland

Optimistic about RIC to enable connectivity in hard-to-reach places. Flags work on rural open RAN trial in Wales, with BT as neutral host provider. Restates view that open RAN functionality is more important than lowering costs.

Network & Infrastructure

O2 Germany completes 3G shutdown in final hours of 2021

2022-01-04T14:46:00+00:00By Anne Morris

O2 Germany closed last 300 3G sites in December. CEO Markus Haas reiterates call for change in spectrum policy. Spain and UK to follow suit with 3G sunsetting.

Vendor Voice

Wind River claims spotlight for new role at intelligent edge

2022-01-04T12:36:00+00:00By Vodafonewatch

Decisive moves to embrace disaggregated networks by global leaders including Vodafone and Verizon are creating opportunity for Wind River to seize an enabling role for MEC and 5G services. Early O‑RAN deployments are “proving the future” for cloud‑native infrastructure, and demonstrating the need for technology that can ‘scale down’ ...

Network & Infrastructure

Movistar gets industrial with Chile 5G launch

2021-12-20T16:06:00+00:00By Joseph Purnell

Partnerships & Alliances

Telefonica targets health sector as digitalisation laggard

2021-12-20T15:20:00+00:00By Neal Doran

Healthcare sector viewed as an area with great digital potential, and slow take‑up to date, with Telefónica focused on a collaborative approach. Across all sectors, innovation strategy remains focused on building not only networks, but platforms on top of them that will enable the Group to create new revenue ...

Network & Infrastructure

Fluent Gopalan flexes on fibre and 5G

2021-12-14T15:50:00+00:00By Anne Morris

Telekom Deutschland Chief Executive Srini Gopalan continues to emphasise need for network‑building partnerships. DT has not given up on under-scrutiny Glasfaser Nordwest JV. Group tech boss Claudia Nemat maintains environmental messaging — and surprises with a musical demo of 5G SA.

Innovation (R&D)

DCMS allocates £36m in R&D funding for 5G projects

2021-12-09T09:22:00+00:00By James Groves

Future RAN competition rewards 15 companies, including four BT partners. UK government distributes funds as part of its Supply Chain Diversification Strategy. Also sets target for 35% of UK mobile network traffic to be carried via open RAN by 2030. 2G, 3G expected to be retired by 2033 at ...

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