5G News
All the latest 5G insight, news and analysis involving BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
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.
Network & Infrastructure
Portugal’s auction pain continues as Spain shines on digital
Sale process now at 178 days and counting. Nick Read continues to sing praises of Spain’s example on digitisation. The CEO again warns that Europe is lagging on 5G and digital infrastructure.
Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: “long-term” Sky partnership
Management refresh at congstar; Sky and TDE build up partnership; operator shops at Aldi for home tie‑up.
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.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone CEO disses DSS
Nick Read flags “performance degradation” when using DSS in blended environment of 4G and 5G. Not clear if all vendors equally guilty in Read’s eyes. Ericsson’s proprietary Ericsson Spectrum Sharing solution used in key Vodafone markets, including Germany and UK. Vendor emphatically denies there is any meaningful performance dip ...
Network & Infrastructure
Openreach and Nokia trial 25Gbps FTTP technology
Other FTTP partners ADTRAN and Huawei are said to favour 50G PON.
Partnerships & Alliances
TEAC UK edge startup Ori adds KX analytics
Speedy analytics and edge compute platform for enterprises. Another step in BT’s private edge network ambitions.
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in T-Mobile US: identity verification solution on trial for call scamming
TMUS’s B2B push moves forward with Lumen and Volkswagen tie‑ups; NatCo stamps down on call scamming; AstrumU ramps up military vet recruitment drive.
Partnerships & Alliances
DT and SK Telecom’s Techmaker JV readies Q4 launch
5G in-building tech developed by SK Telecom and adapted for Europe. Product available first in Germany, then offered to other European telcos. JV eyes next steps, spies AR/VR developments for 5G.
People
Vodafone’s Vicente joins Ericsson as Iberian CEO
Andrés Vicente, Vodafone Spain’s Consumer MD, appointed President and CEO for Ericsson’s Iberian footprint. Vacancy remains at Vicente’s seat on Deegan’s executive table.
DT’s Antje Williams puts three year timeline on enterprise 5G
Enterprises initially focusing on private networks but they want to test all types of features. ‘Fear of missing out’ cited as a key driver of digitisation and 5G.
Testbeds and Trials: many roads to 5G for BT
5G Create: UK MNOs left with bit parts
Telefónica on board with 5G emergency comms project
UK 5G innovation: the startups to watch
UK 5G innovation: projects, testbeds and trials
UK 5G innovation: Rural Connected Communities
UK 5G innovation: Industrial 5G
UK 5G innovation: 5G Create
UK 5G innovation: West Midlands 5G