There was a significant bit of consolidation among testing and assurance vendors yesterday. Viavi Solutions has agreed to acquire Spirent in an all cash deal. Both companies focus on testing and assurance products and services, enabling network operators around the world to better manage their infrastructure and serve customers. … [visit site to read more]
Thai operators AIS and True Corp announced separately on Tuesday that they are ready to implement an emergency cell broadcast service commissioned by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
The cell broadcast service is designed to immediately pinpoint specific areas affected by urgent and critical incidents, including violence, shootings, and natural disasters.
The service comprises two parts: a Cell Broadcast Entities (CBE) system, managed and overseen by the central command center of the government, and the Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) system, managed and overseen by mobile 0perators.
The CBE system defines content and delivery areas for messages, consisting of various functions such as system management, message creation and approval. The CBC system is responsible for delivering message content to base stations according to specified areas, comprising system management and configuration, message deployment function, and network management.
The cell broadcast service will send direct warning messages from area base stations to all mobile phones within that region. The message is displayed on the mobile phone screen as a near real-time triggering pop-up notification.
The system differs from regular SMS in that it doesn’t require phone numbers, allowing for rapid and efficient communication of emergency information across the entire affected area. This also means the public doesn’t need to download any specific applications. Additionally, users will receive messages even if the even if the device is switched off.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) first proposed establishing a cell broadcast system for emergency alerts in October 2023 following a shooting at Siam Paragon Mall in which two people were killed and five others injured. Since then, the NBTC has collaborated with DES, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Royal Thai Police, and mobile operators to develop the system.
AIS demonstrated the cell broadcast service on Tuesday at the NBTC office. Clinical professor Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, chairman of the NBTC, said the results were satisfactory. “[The system] is ready to connect with the central government’s command cente to serve as a tool or channel for swift and efficient disaster warnings.”
“The latest testing of this technology has successfully achieved its intended goals, and we are ready to expand its integration with the country’s emergency alert system efficiently going forward,” said AIS head of business relations Waroonthep Watcharaporn.
Also on Tuesday, True Corp announced that it was ready to support the service, having successfully testing it on January 15.
“Currently, negotiations are underway with the government to put this system into practice … marking a first step of success for True Corp in developing and cooperating towards the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the NBTC, and the DDPM for immediate deployment,” said Chakkrit Urairat, True Corp’s chief corporate affairs officer.
Chakkrit also said that True’s cell broadcast system supports five levels of alerts based on severity:
True also said its system supports five languages: Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.
Neither True nor AIS said how much the implementation would cost. A report in the Bangkok Post last month quoted DES minister Prasert Jantararuangthong as saying the CBE would cost around 400 million baht (US$11 million) to set up. He also said mobile operators may have to spend 300 million baht each to install their own CBCs.
On Tuesday, the NBTC’s Sarana said in a joint statement with AIS that funding for the system would be supported by the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund.
DALLAS, Texas, USA, Mar. 4, 2024 – DZS (Nasdaq: DZSI), a global leader of access, optical and AI-driven cloud software solutions, today announced that Rural Telecommunications America (RTA), a leading provider of next-generation internet services to rural communities across the United States, has deployed key products from the DZS Velocity fiber access and Helix subscriber edge portfolios complemented by the award-winning CloudCheck and Expresse software solutions to deliver “gigFAST® ” internet, voice and video services to RTA’s residential and business customers in Texas’ Bolivar Peninsula. RTA, which manages more than 13,000 fiber route miles across its 22-state footprint, is upgrading targeted fixed wireless access (FWA) networks to state-of-the-art fiber-to-the-premises (FTTx) access networks. By upgrading its Bolivar Peninsula network to DZS solutions, RTA will be the first to bring fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and multi-gigabit speeds to more than 6,000 residential and business customers in the region.
“DZS is the ideal partner to help us to continue delivering on our mission to bring gigFAST INTERNET communications services to rural communities across America,” said Donald Workman, Chief Operating Officer, RTA. “After a thorough due diligence process during which we evaluated numerous vendors to upgrade our FWA network to a FTTH network in the Bolivar Peninsula, DZS and their best-in-class fiber access, ONT and AI-driven cloud technology were the clear choice. Their multi-gig services ready technology and advanced experience management and network assurance software enables RTA to aggressively bridge the digital divide and help build economic and social prosperity for the residents and businesses in this market.”
“RTA is committed to bringing fiber and their gigFAST INTERNET capabilities to communities seeking superior broadband, voice and video services on the outskirts of Houston and across the country,” said Jeff Liening, SVP Americas Sales, DZS. “We are proud that RTA selected our Velocity, Helix, CloudCheck and Expresse solutions to support their mission after what was an extremely comprehensive evaluation process. Winning projects like this is the ultimate validation of the value our award-winning solutions can deliver, and with rural fiber deployments ramping up across the country we are extremely well-positioned with our comprehensive set of market-leading solutions to help leading service providers like RTA in their ongoing efforts to close the digital divide and make high-speed communications services accessible to all Americans. We look forward to continuing to support RTA as they rapidly build out and upgrade their network to fiber.”
DZS solutions deployed by RTA include:
The portfolio of DZS Access, Subscriber and Cloud Edge solutions are Build America, Buy America (BABA)-ready and designed to support the needs of rural fiber deployments all across the U.S. both today and in the future. DZS solutions are standards-based, have proven interoperability with most vendors’ equipment and can be readily managed and orchestrated alongside third-party solutions.
To learn more about DZS, visit https://www.dzsi.com.
About Rural Telecommunications America
RTA’s gigFAST NETWORK® is comprised of over 13,000+ fiber route miles and Fixed Wireless Access provides affordable gigFAST INTERNET® to rural America; enabling residents to connect online for their entertainment, e-learning, telemedicine and telework. For more information, visit rtatel.com.
RTA, RTA logo, Rural Telecommunications of America, Inc., gigFAST, gigFAST INTERNET, gigFAST VOICE, gigFAST NETWORK are Trademarks of RTA.
About DZS
DZS Inc. (Nasdaq: DZSI) is a global leader of access, optical and AI-driven cloud software solutions.
DZS, the DZS logo, and all DZS product names are trademarks of DZS Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the beliefs and assumptions of the Company’s management as of the date hereof. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those risk factors contained in the Company’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. In addition, additional or unforeseen affects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic climate may give rise to or amplify many of these risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. DZS undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
For further information see: www.DZSi.com
DZS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dzs_innovation
DZS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DZSi/
Press Inquiries:
Kenny Vesey, Thatcher+Co.
Phone: +1 973.518.3644
Email: kvesey@thatcherandco.com
Some new leadership, a couple of rollout updates, and a new partnership: … [visit site to read more]
BW Digital and Citramas Group announced on Monday they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a carrier-neutral digital ecosystem using BW Digital’s upcoming new data centre in Batam’s Nongsa Digital Park (NDP) in Indonesia.
The partnership follows BW Digital’s acquisition of more than 55,000 square meters of land at the Citramas-owned Nongsa Digital Park to build its inaugural data centre in Southeast Asia and strengthen its Asia-Pacific digital infrastructure portfolio.
With a capacity of up to 80MW, the data centre will be designed to meet high density requirements. BW Digital said it will provide scalable solutions for enterprise, cloud and AI workloads, while helping customers to achieve their goals for carbon neutrality and general sustainability.
BW Digital and Citramas Group will jointly deliver infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solutions co-located within the data centre, including landing infrastructure for new submarine cables, international and domestic connectivity, data storage facilities, and computing power for development of AI and machine learning applications.
“This new step anchors BW Digital’s long-term vision to create a neutral and trusted digital ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region, in tandem with the development of Hawaiki Nui, our new subsea cable, which will first connect South East Asia and Australasia,” said BW Digital CEO Ludovic Hutier. “We hope to accelerate the growth of Nongsa Digital Park as an emerging hub for innovation and technology.”
Citramas Group CEO Mike Wiluan said BW Digital’s presence would “adds immense value in furthering NDP as a strategic data centre hub in the region, connecting Indonesia to key global markets.”
BW Digital is a subsidiary of BW Group, a global energy and maritime group headquartered in Singapore.
Fastwyre Broadband, a leading provider of high-speed and affordable fiber optic networks across the United States, has invested $65 million to enhance networks and expand into Louisiana regions. Formerly Cameron Communications, the company, with roots dating back to 1928, has evolved to revolutionise internet accessibility as Fastwyre Broadband.
Moss Bluff, Cameron Parish, Carlyss, and other Louisiana areas will benefit from internet speeds ranging from 2 to 10 gigabits per second, surpassing nearby city hubs.
CEO Chris Eldredge emphasises the commitment to delivering top-tier connectivity at affordable rates, aligning with the company’s deep-rooted history and pride in Louisiana.
“Our deep-rooted history in Louisiana, dating back to 1928 when our predecessor company ‘Cameron Communications’ was founded, fills us with immense pride as we continue to serve residents and contribute to the growth of businesses in this vibrant region. This connection drives our investment of over $65 million to expand and fortify our fiber optic infrastructure to digitally empower local communities for decades into the future.”
The investment focuses on fortifying fibre optic infrastructure to digitally empower local communities. Fastwyre’s reliable network, featuring symmetrical speeds, no data caps, and affordable bundles, caters to residential and business needs, fostering community support. The company stands at the forefront of innovation, investing in a rapidly growing, state-of-the-art fibre network, with a commitment to serving communities in need of enhanced connectivity.
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Two data center projects, some subsea news, and a network expansion: … [visit site to read more]
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The UK government has announced that it will test AI systems to increase efficiency and productivity within the civil service.
Roles that the AI systems could assume include administrative work, analysing responses to government consultations, and drafting preliminary responses to parliamentary inquiries.
The number of civil servants has skyrocketed in recent years, increasing by over 100,000 since 2016, reaching 519,780 last year. During the same period, the number of employees earning a six-figure salary has also doubled.
Therefore, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ordered public services to cut spending to pay for tax cuts, and is expected to signal reductions in income tax or national insurance in next week’s Spring Budget.
As such, AI is seen as a key technology in making the bureaucracy of government more efficient and reducing staffing costs.
“It really is the only way, I think, if we want to get on a sustainable path to headcount reduction,” said Dowden speaking to the Telegraph.
“Remember how much the size of the Civil Service has grown as a result of the pandemic and, and EU exit preparedness. We need to really embrace this stuff to drive the numbers down,” he continued.
Dowden also cited a recently published report from think tank IPPR which concluded the government could save around £24 billion by increasing AI adoption, which Dowden confirmed is “the sort of target we should be aiming for”.
Similar AI trials were also announced with the NHS, covering many fields such as diagnostics and prescription tailoring, which if given the go-ahead, will save hundreds of millions of pounds.
The Deputy PM stressed that pressure on the public sector to adopt AI must be “constant and relentless”, adding “we can’t have the private sector adopting it at pace, and then us being laggards”.
To aid in this AI transition, the ‘i.AI’ – the team of scientists, engineers, and experts commissioned last year by the government to work with various public sector departments in the adoption of AI – will be doubled in number, reaching 70 personnel.
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Also in the news:
VMO2 records £3.3bn loss as interest rates begin to bite
Verizon to trial private 5G networks at NHL stadiums
From humble beginnings: The amazing journey of Hormuud Telecom CEO Ahmed Mohamud Yusuf
Today, Boldyn Networks has announced the completion of its acquisition of Cellnex’s private networks business.
The acquisition, which was originally announced in November last year, will primarily consist of Cellnex’s Finnish subsidiary Edzcom, which designs, builds, and operates private 4G and 5G networks in numerous markets across Europe.
This is quite the turnaround for Cellnex, which itself had only acquired Edzcom in 2020.
Speaking to Total Telecom at this year’s MWC, Boldyn CEO Igor LePrince said that the acquisition was a demonstration of the company’s increasing focus on the growing private network market.
“Private networks have been one the pillars of our strategy for the last two to three years…. and acquiring probably the biggest private networks company in Europe is very exciting for us,” said LePrince.
Explaining the acquisition further, Le Prince explained that the deal serves three key purposes for Boldyn:
Beyond the company’s M&A activity, LePrince explained how Boldyn has been investing hugely in Italy in preparation for the Pope’s jubilee in 2025, deploying small cells, implementing Wi-Fi coverage on the metro line, and around the main piazza in Rome.
LePrince emphasised that this has been no easy task, describing the deployment around the city as “difficult” because of the poor quality of existing infrastructure and extensive bureaucracy related to new deployments.
The project is one of the biggest concessions that the company are sharing with a municipality as part of a joint public–private investment.
He draws a comparison to its partnership with the city of Sunderland, where Boldyn are deploying new use cases for smart city technology and digital infrastructure, hoping to elevate it to become the UK’s most advanced smart city. There are three networks to make these use cases a reality: a free Wi-Fi network running through the city, a narrowband IoT network, and a 5G network.
LePrince emphasises that this is something that must be pushed on enterprises and cities to understand. Municipalities need to understand that they cannot afford to wait for operators to invest. They need to contribute to this process themselves if they really want the benefits a highly connected smart city can offer”
When questioned on “why Sunderland?”, Le Prince explained that Sunderland Council and Boldyn shared a vision of the city’s digitalisation as a differentiator to attract investment .
“The city and Boldyn had the same vision. The city was big enough to be able to play with everything, but small enough (with a population of around 200,000 people) to execute the project.”
A perfect combination of scale and ambition like this is hard to find, said LePrince, and is greatly helped by the presence of a proactive council.
Nonetheless, LePrince says there is a major opportunity for the company’s expansion of the neutral host model. Given , the capital expenditure pressure on operators today, LePrince says that there is “no way” that that cities can continue to sustainably deploy connectivity without adopting some form of neutral host approach.
Catch Boldyn Networks’ partner Sunderland City Council at this year’s Connected North – 22-23 April in Manchester – get your tickets now!
Also in the news:
VMO2 records £3.3bn loss as interest rates begin to bite
Verizon to trial private 5G networks at NHL stadiums
From humble beginnings: The amazing journey of Hormuud Telecom CEO Ahmed Mohamud Yusuf
