All RAN (radio access network) articles
-
Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch: IT leadership rejig; RAN upgrade kick-off
Analyst Briefing: Vodafone continues its European IT management reshuffle; pushes on with German open RAN rollout; and talks network autonomy roadmaps. Meanwhile, VOIS speaks up; the future of former OpCo Vodafone Spain; and IoT goes NTN with Skylo tie-up…
-
Strategy & ChangeTransformation-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”.
-
Network & InfraAfter fibre tie-ups, Vodafone Spain sounds out MásOrange and Telefónica on RANco idea
Zegona CEO indicates he is discussing shifting Vodafone Spain’s mobile network to a shared grid with either Telefónica or MásOrange, as part of aggressive transformation of the MNO since 2024 buyout. Eamonn O’Hare said it is fully focused on RANco discussions as two fibreco deals near completion, and addresses Vodafone Spain sale speculation and its fraught historical relationship with Vantage Towers…
-
Network & InfraVodafone tiptoes into German open RAN party
In depth: Cementing its status as a top-five territory, Germany’s state-stimulated ORAN love-in continues. Local Vodafone OpCo confirms plans for modest-but-symbolic deployments this year, with all of the nation’s MNOs now advanced from test to deployment…
-
Suppliers & SCMTelcos face multibillion-euro rip-and-replace project as Brussels moves to ban high-risk vendors
In depth: European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen considers the time is now to take network supply chain security “seriously”, laying out proposals to ban vendors deemed ‘high-risk’. Network operators stand to foot a multibillion-euro rip-and-replace bill, with some only recently signing kit deals with Chinese suppliers…
-
Network & InfraEE closes in on Emergency Services Network coverage target
EE’s ESN delivery lead Tomas Vanderick tees up imminent network rollout milestone, and charts a course to full service ready launch via capacity and resilience stress tests. With indoor rollout beginning this year, and capacity testing at major events, the long-delayed programme is finally approaching operational readiness, but risks remain…
-
Venturing & InvestmentsVodafone 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…
-
Network & InfraCan 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.
-
M&AEurope towers: Telcos’ urge to merge remains turn-off for SBA
US wireless infra group remains watchful on M&A opportunities across the Atlantic, citing the latest wave of regional MNO mergers as a dampener on the business case for deals. CFO says SBA is “not going to step in front of a consolidating market”.
-
Network & InfraO2 Germany hails test results as clear proof of network advances
In connect magazine’s latest mobile network test, O2 Germany has moved into second place for the first time, albeit tied with Vodafone Germany.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesGermany: O2 refreshes Nokia RAN deal for five more years
Operator to implement new solutions and continue using equipment from Nokia in its RAN until 2030. The contract is the latest that has been firmed up by a major European operator in recent months, and comes as Germany seeks to clamp down on 5G equipment from ‘high-risk’ vendors…
-
Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: more fibre players pare back rollout; telcos mull AI data centre ambitions
Latest on EMEA digital infra: KPN and OTE revise fibre build strategies; Vodacom keeping “powder dry” for potential fibre, data centre buys; DT and Vodafone ruminate very differently on AI Gigafactory plans; more…
-
Network & InfraDT preps 30,000-site tender for 2026, as Tier-1 open RAN builds
Fyuz: Deutsche Telekom is dramatically expanding its open RAN ambitions, including changing its operating model to handle larger-scale rollout. Another wider takeaway from Fyuz 2025 in Dublin is that open RAN is now a question of ‘when’, not ‘if’, at least for major, small cell, and neutral host deployments…
-
TechnologyOrange plots more open RAN trials as tech gains in maturity
Network X: Atoosa Hatefi says Orange is confident that open RAN is closing the performance gap with traditional RAN.
-
Strategy & ChangeTelefónica doing the maths on 1&1 tie-up: report
Report indicates the Spanish group is considering reigniting links with 1&1, Germany’s fourth telco, in a bid to revive its local fortunes. But both face a bewildering range of options (and challenges) as they seek to regain growth…
-
Suppliers & SCMVodafone elects winning quartet in diluted RAN mega-tender
Vendor foursome reel off Vodafone RAN wins as the Group’s long-awaited Spring 6 procurement closes out, short of expectations but set to propel operator towards open RAN at scale by 2030.
-
Suppliers & SCMEricsson secures sole RAN vendor status in clutch of Vodafone markets
Swedish vendor adds to recent UK win with Spring 6 contract covering six further markets in Europe and Africa, paving way for modernised programmable networks, including pathway to AI-RAN…
-
Suppliers & SCMSamsung secures berth in Vodafone’s open RAN squad
Questions remain about the scope, scale, and suppliers of Vodafone’s open RAN future, but Samsung is the first to publicly declare its success in the procurement process.
-
PeoplewatchVodafone’s open RAN frontman takes TIP presidency
Francisco Martín Pignatelli, Vodafone’s Head of Open RAN, has been appointed President of the Board of Directors at TIP, with the organisation claiming his “deep expertise and passion” for open network architectures positions him well to tackle the role…
-
Suppliers & SCMEricsson, Nokia win big as VodafoneThree opens wallet for £11bn network investment
UK MNO names core network vendors to underpin its MOCN upgrade and rollout project. Ericsson secures role as merged operator’s senior core network vendor, while Nokia steps up for RAN delivery, and the pair set to cover the “majority, but not the entirety” of VodafoneThree’s eight-year network build…