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A few interesting news items before weeks’ end: … [visit site to read more]
The UK is pursuing two very big challenges with an extremely tight deadline: one is digital; the other is environmental.
The first is to bring gigabit-enabled broadband to 85% of UK premises by the end of 2025, and to all by 2030. The second is to produce Net Zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.
To reach these goals, the deployment of fibre networks will be essential. However, in rural areas it can be hard to rely existing and or reusable underground civil engineering. Thus, with three-times less CAPEX and a 75% faster execution speed, deploying in the air can become the most viable solution. But this also comes with requirements related to the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) and legal constraints.
In this context, bringing gigabit to rural areas and connecting the hard-to-reach is like squaring the circle, explained Pelhate.
In this interview, you will hear how and why ACOME and its breakthrough technology, Nanomodule® (already PIA approved in the United Kingdom) can become your best allies to build viable and sustainable fibre-to-the-premise networks.
Benefits from ACOME Nanomodule®-based ultra-lightweight cables includes among others:
You can watch the full interview from the link below
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Want to learn more about ACOME and the creation of full fibre Britain? Join ACOME and the UK’s telecoms ecosystem at Connected Britain, the UK’s largest digital economy event
Also in the news:
Wind Tre carves out network assets, sells majority stake to EQT
Rakuten Mobile and KDDI strike roaming agreement
CMA gives Viasat the thumbs up to acquire Inmarsat
Connecting continents: The 2Africa subsea cable
The world is becoming more interconnected than ever before. And this is being made possible through the deployment of subsea cables networks, which provide reliable connectivity and internet services across continents. One such project that is set to make a huge impact is the 2Africa submarine cable.
Breaking records: The world’s longest subsea cable
With over 45,000 km of length, the 2Africa subsea cable is the longest ever deployed in the world. It is expected to connect 33 countries by the completion of the project in 2024, spanning across three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe. The 2Africa cable will deliver more than the total combined capacity of all subsea cables serving Africa today with a design capacity of up to 180Tbps.
Beyond connectivity: The potential impact of the 2Africa subsea cable
The 2Africa subsea cable is not just about providing faster internet speeds or improving connectivity. It has the potential to bring about a surge in information exchange, digital business development and overall economic growth for all the countries in connects to.
Promoting economic growth: The impact of the 2Africa subsea cable in Saudi Arabia
The cable is expected to make a total of four landings in Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Yanbu, Duba, and Al Khobar. The 2Africa submarine cable has already completed landings in Jeddah and Yanbu, with Duba set to follow later this year. The 2Africa cable is expected to act as a catalyst for change in the broadband market and benefiting individuals and businesses alike.
Expanding horizons: The 2Africa Pearls cable extensions
The 2Africa cable is also being extended into the Arabian Gulf region through “2Africa Pearls” cable extensions. These extensions will add landings in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, the UAE, Pakistan, and India, along with the East Coast of Saudi Arabia. Thus, it will further enhance the future of connectivity in the Middle-East region.
The role of subsea cables in driving economic growth: The case of the 2Africa subsea cable
As the world becomes more interconnected, the deployment of subsea cables like the 2Africa subsea cable will result in a huge development in the region. With its record-breaking length and ability to connect multiple continents, the 2Africa subsea cable is set to be a game-changer in the world of connectivity and information exchange.
Innovating for the future: The success of the 2Africa subsea cable project
In conclusion, the 2Africa subsea cable project is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation. Its success will not only benefit the economies it connects but will also have a positive impact on the lives of individuals and businesses. The future of connectivity looks bright, and the 2Africa subsea cable is leading the way.
Want to keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from the submarine cable industry? Join the cable operators in discussion at this year’s live Submarine Networks EMEA event!
Also in the news:
Wind Tre carves out network assets, sells majority stake to EQT
Rakuten Mobile and KDDI strike roaming agreement
CMA gives Viasat the thumbs up to acquire Inmarsat
This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Anthony Goonetilleke, Group President of Technology & Head of Strategy, Amdocs
The past few years have shown us that humans can adapt to ever-changing conditions, even with the disruption to schools and workplaces, through ingenuity and resilience. Connectivity was one of the driving forces behind this transition, becoming integral in linking our homes with work and school. In some cases, it allows loved ones to share precious moments from behind a camera. … [visit site to read more]
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.
This week, the Irish Commission For Communications Regulation (ComReg) has ordered mobile Eir’s owner Eircom to pay a fine of almost €2.5 million for overcharging its customers.
The news follows a series of investigations by the regulator, spanning the period between 2015 and 2021, which found that an estimated 76,000 customers had been overcharged.
The ruling called for Eir to issue refunds to all affected customers, with the regulator estimating that Eir had made around €6.7 million in revenue through overcharging during the six-year period. If all of these refunds are issued, each affected customer would be entitled to roughly €88.
Eircom said that the overcharging was a result of a “broken bundle” on customers’ accounts and said they would implement “backward-looking measures” to identify the affected customers. However, they emphasised that issuing the refunds could be a lengthy process.
“[We have] already commenced a review process of an agreed cohort to identify any unresolved instances of incorrect charging and will ensure any such customers are reimbursed as soon as possible,” said the company in a statement. “Eir apologises unreservedly to any customer who we identify as part of the review, as having been inadvertently charged incorrectly and has committed to actively processing any refunds that may be identified.”
As well as looking backwards, Eir said they would also implement a number of system updates over the rest of the year, including a new billing system, to ensure that these mistakes did not happen again.
These measures will include the company “proactively reviewing credits and disputes that could identify potential billing issues not already addressed”.
An independent auditor has been appointed to ensure that all agreed measures are completed by the end of the year.
This is not the first time that Eir has faced ComReg’s wrath in recent years. In 2018, the company was stung by a €3 million fine after a settling a case that alleged the company had given illegal preferential treatment to its own retail division when it came to granting access and repairing lines.
Want to keep up with all the latest international telecoms news? Click here to receive Total Telecom’s daily newsletter
Also in the news:
Wind Tre carves out network assets, sells majority stake to EQT
Rakuten Mobile and KDDI strike roaming agreement
CMA gives Viasat the thumbs up to acquire Inmarsat
In a bit of consolidation news earlier this week, the cable operator Cox Communications announced plans to put its metro and regional fiber investments under one roof. To do that they will be acquiring that part of Unite Private Networks they don’t already own. … [visit site to read more]
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It’s no surprise that telecoms operators around the world are prioritising sustainability initiatives. The GSMA estimates that they account for up to 3% of the total global energy demand, and estimates that this number will increase further despite the savings in energy consumption that the new 5G radio standard brings. Multiple new mobile stations will be needed to meet the expected exponential growth in data traffic from 5G connected devices, as well as the growing demands of edge capacity for high-performing services.
Telcos are also under pressure to comply with stringent laws and regulations. For example, the EU requires listed companies with more than 500 employees to comply with the new Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) based on a unified Green Classification System called “EU Taxonomy”.
However, whilst there’s plenty of pressure on telco operators, there is also positive news, as these organisations have already made significant strides in tackling their energy consumption; the industry was an early adopter of solar energy and today telcos are looking to expand their adoption of renewables (wind energy, solar PV, and lithium battery storage) to deliver a resilient, reliable, and more sustainable energy supply.
The industry should certainly be commended for these efforts, but there is still plenty of work to be done. So, with a growing impetus to ‘get sustainability right’ and to do it quickly, what near and longer-term strategies can telcos deploy to help boost energy efficiency and make more strides in achieving sustainability?
Be honest and open about your intentions and capabilities
Whilst much of this article will tackle the technological innovations which operators can implement to drive their sustainability credentials, it is important to first look at the promises telcos make and the green messages they send into the market. Specifically, it is vital to avoid the temptation to indulge in ‘greenwashing’.
The greener or more sustainable a brand is, the more likely it will be able to attract customers and maintain a higher price in comparison to competitors. Simply put, companies want to buy from responsible vendors.
But while it’s tempting to hype your green credentials, operators must be careful with overpromises or worse, claims that are not true. Disingenuous messages are likely to be spotted by consumers and watchdog organisations and can cause a negative impact on a brand’s reputation.
This same honesty is vital in attracting and retaining staff. Integrating sustainability initiatives into the day-to-day business strategies and honest communication around challenges and achievements will help operators to secure the talent they need for future success.
Transition to high efficiency rectifiers
Away from the marketing messages, there are a number of immediate practical steps operators can take to reduce the power they use, shrink their electric bills and support the transition to a more sustainable future.
One of the most obvious routes to a greener future is to simply transition to high efficiency rectifiers in the DC power systems present at every access site. Replacing legacy DC power systems with newer, high efficiency models can improve energy efficiency by up to 6%.
What’s more, modern equipment frequently includes energy saving modes and features that are all too often ignored. Today’s DC power systems, for example, are more intelligent and capable of more advanced energy management than legacy systems, but in many instances, operators don’t harness those functions, favouring static operation. We urge operators to make the most of these systems’ capabilities and reap immediate energy saving benefits.
Align energy strategies to your access site
When you consider geographies, climate, grid reliability, water availability, governmental regulations and countless other factors around the globe, it becomes clear that no single strategy is appropriate for every access site.
Energy and carbon management strategies must be linked to planning and real estate, and operators must tailor their approach to the conditions across their networks. For example, hybrid energy systems leveraging solar power to supplement unreliable or overtaxed grids are more commonplace in much of Africa, South America, the Middle East, and parts of Asia than in the US where grid service is usually reliable and affordable.
Use intelligent controls to manage the load
Today, thanks to the latest innovations in technology development, comprehensive real-time monitoring of AC and DC power network infrastructure is possible.
Intelligent controllers are available with advanced load management functionalities that enable telcos to visualise potential hotspots, power performance, and distribution inefficiencies in order to optimise the DC power supply, maximise use of cooling, and avoid overload.
By proactively managing the load, operators can identify the location and power profile of every rack at a given site. This ability to map the site’s power distribution and thermal output enables operators to move the load from one rack to another to improve airflow and optimise thermal management. With effective load management tools, high availability can be achieved whilst improving energy efficiencies and saving costs.
Embrace long term strategies
So, it is positive news that there’s already good work being done by telcos around the world in the field of energy management. Other internal sustainability initiatives, such as reuse and recycling equipment and reducing water consumption in factories and offices, are also underway – and are succeeding not only on having a positive impact on the environment but also bring cost savings too.
Progress is happening all the time. Innovations to look at closely include new and emerging battery technologies like sodium-ion that may present additional opportunities for off-grid operation and energy management. And, as on- and off-grid power management becomes more sophisticated, we could see networks evolving into microgrids that generate and share their own power across the network and with the utility.
Although many of these technologies are not viable alternatives in the access network today, we are confident this innovative industry will continue to drive progress – powering a more efficient future for the sector.
Want to hear more from David and the Vertiv team on the topic of sustainability? Join them as they discuss energy efficient cable landing stations at this year’s Submarine Networks EMEA event
Also in the news:
Wind Tre carves out network assets, sells majority stake to EQT
Rakuten Mobile and KDDI strike roaming agreement
CMA gives Viasat the thumbs up to acquire Inmarsat
