Ericsson revealed on Thursday it has signed a strategic partnership with TIM Brasil to consolidate and modernize its billing systems using Ericsson’s cloud-native billing solution.

The partnership will see TIM Brasil and Ericsson consolidate multiple platforms and unifying systems across the telco’s consumer, corporate, and fixed customers segments. The Ericsson billing solution will be deployed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, with a public cloud deployment model.

By consolidating its billing systems into a single, converged platform, TIM says it aims to enhance system performance, streamline operations, and simplify its architecture.

Ericsson said the cloud-native solution offers improved infrastructure optimization, bolstered security, and continuous product lifecycle management, integrating accounting, debt collection, and roaming functionalities into one cohesive platform.

Ericsson added that the solution also employs AI to enhance billing accuracy for hybrid services, such as fixed and mobile, which will reduce integration complexity.

“Our goal with Ericsson is to explore new innovative business models that require high computational performance combined with accuracy – and, most importantly, to create value and make life easier for our clients » said TIM Brasil CIO Auana Mattar in a statement.

Nokia announced on Thursday that it has signed a three-year deal with Indian telco Vodafone Idea to enhance and expand its IP backhaul network with IP/MPLS solutions across multiple telecom circles in India to boost 4G and 5G network performance.

Vodafone Idea aims to densify its network with more IP routers and replace its legacy networks, with the goal of lowering operational costs and enabling faster deployment and seamless scalability for future technologies, thus ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective network infrastructure.

Under the agreement, Nokia will supply its latest portfolio of IP/MPLS products, including the 7750 SR and 7250 IXR series, to modernize the core, aggregation and access layers of Vodafone Idea’s transport network.

Nokia said this will give Vodafone Idea a robust, scalable and future ready network that can handle increasing data traffic from emerging data-hungry services like AI and immersive gaming, as well as the continued need for business video conferencing and access to digital services.

The deployment also integrates advanced planning, design, installation, and migration services, supported by automation-based documentation, Nokia said. No financial details were disclosed.

Vodafone Idea CTO Jagbir Singh said the upgraded network will address growing demand for high-capacity and resilient connectivity while ensuring sustainability through reduced opex and energy-efficient solutions.

“The state-of-the-art solutions from Nokia and their proven deployment capabilities will enable us to build a future ready transport network,” he said in a statement.

The news comes five months after Nokia landed a network contract (reportedly worth US$1.6 billion) in October 2024 to modernise and expand Vodafone Idea’s 4G network – to include 5G upgrades – over the next three years.

An expansion, an upgrade, a venue, and a new speed trial: … [visit site to read more]

China Unicom and Huawei co-hosted an innovation summit during Mobile World Congress 2025, themed 5G-A Empowering, AI Transforming, Digital Living.

At the summit China Unicom unveiled its AI Unites All plan, which envisages utilizing AI agents to comprehensively upgrade its home cloud and achieve full convergence of AI across a range of personal and home scenarios. Senior representatives from the operator and its partners gathered on stage for a signing ceremony to launch AI Unites All during the summit.

AI Unites All was introduced by Jian Qin, General Manager of China Unicom who outlined the operators’ latest 1+1+N innovations and best practices which comprises converged architecture, plus converged agent, plus converged services.

According to Jian « China Unicom remains committed to technological innovation as our guiding principle, actively embracing the Al revolution, and contributing ‘Unicom Intelligence’ and ‘Unicom Solutions’ to global smart transformation. With forward-looking planning and sustained investment in Al, we prioritize integrated innovation across five pillars: computing infrastructure, network connectivity, data resources, model development, and application scenarios. Our goal is to lead and drive the convergence of Al technologies and industrial applications. »

Welcoming the initiative, Louise Easterbrook, CFO of the GSMA highlighted the alignment of China Unicom’s vision to the goals of the GSMA Open Gateway Initiative. As AI becomes mainstream the potential for it to enhance operations is rapidly increasing, as evidenced by the 37 industry-specific AI models China Unicom has built in the past year with its own large language model (LLM).

Easterbrook noted the rapid development and use of AI LLMs highlights the need for a Responsible AI Roadmap and an agreed set of Open Telecom LLM Benchmarks which the GSMA is currently promoting. Summarising the relationship between 5G and AI she said: “We are halfway through the 5G story and at the beginning of the AI story… it feels like a moment in time.”

Yang Chaobin, Huawei Board Member and CEO of the ICT Business Group said that that Huawei looks forward to working with China Unicom to support their AI Unites All strategy. « We will do this by facilitating a wide range of intelligent user applications with the latest AI technologies. This will allow China Unicom to create new AI service portals with a global impact and make intelligence more inclusive for all, » he said.

As a strategic partner of China Unicom, Huawei and China Unicom maintain close cooperation and work together on converged AI innovation to seize new business opportunities in the AI era. Both parties have built a cloud-based AI service platform for individual and home users, combining cloud, computing, networks, and devices for a unified AI service portal.

For example, during the Asian Winter Games, China Unicom launched personalized and cloud-based AI phones with the AI assistant named Tone. The product uses mainstream foundation models and 5G-A networks to provide users with a consistent experience in all scenarios and secure and reliable AI services. Huawei and China Unicom have also been using AI to empower sectors like government, healthcare, and manufacturing, as well as cultural and creative industries, making network experience more secure, reliable, flexible, scalable, efficient, and collaborative.

China Unicom has also been actively engaged in advancing synergy between AI and networks. For smart home services, China Unicom has been a leading player in whole-house fibre broadband. The carrier launched the industry’s first HI-CON (Home Intelligent Collaborative Optical Network) communications system that features optical and Wi-Fi collaboration. This system is powered by an intelligent scheduling algorithm that greatly improves overall network experience for home users.

Wang Limin, SVP Marketing, China Unicom, discussed how the AI Unites All initiative will drive unified communication by applying AI powered digital intelligence to provide innovation in networks, technology and services simultaneously. This will, Wang said, enable operators to transition from being communications service providers to become technology service providers and to provide more convenient and efficient services to customers. Operators should integrate network technology and services by using AI tools such as Deep Seek for converged innovation.

Hao Liqian, DGM & SVP Government & Enterprise, China Unicom outlined the scale of growth for AI, which he said is estimated to account for 3.5% of global GDP by 2030. In addition, Hao shared China Unicom’s new vision for AI, which comprises implementing an integrated innovation strategy to provide accessible computing which is available everywhere and to everyone like water, to provide intelligence everywhere like chips, and to bridge the gap between data and knowledge with computing.

Meng Shusen, CEO, China Unicom Global, focused on how China Unicom believes that open collaboration with a range of global organisations will help accelerate global technology innovation. China Unicom Global’s Hong Kong based Innovation Research Institute leads international collaboration efforts with universities, research organisations and global enterprises, through activities taking place worldwide, including in Sao Paolo, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Dubai and Singapore, as well as at multiple locations throughout the Chinese mainland.

According to Meng, international collaboration on 5G-A and AI will strengthen global interconnection and build a strong network infrastructure base, promote the secure flow of data and strengthen global data governance and trust, develop the Open Gateway open ecosystem, share green and low-carbon technologies to promote sustainable development and promote AI for Good.

Representatives from other ecosystem partners including Edward Tiedemann Jr., SVP, Qualcomm Technology, Roger Suess, CEO, Green, and David Joosten, Director, Vodafone Business International rounded off the summit, with presentations on topics including energy use and sustainability, where collaboration between AI and 5G-A delivered by the AI Unites All initiative will drive innovation.

At Mobile World Congress 2025, China Unicom and Huawei co-hosted an innovation summit focused on the impact that 5G-A and AI will have in transforming our digital lives.

A key reveal at the summit was China Unicom’s AI Unites All Plan, which showcases the operator’s innovative practices in the AI field as it seeks to begin a new era of development in an intelligent world. As part of this, China Unicom outlined its plans to utilize AI agents to comprehensively upgrade its home cloud and achieve full convergence of AI across individual and home scenarios.

Jian Qin, General Manager of China Unicom Group, explained that the operator has meticulously established a fully-converged AI system and successfully developed three digital and intelligent products: data-AI convergence products, AI-powered intelligent customer service model, and AI-enabled cloud-network connectivity for intelligent computing.

“China Unicom remains committed to technological innovation as our guiding principle, actively embracing the Al revolution, and contributing ‘Unicom Intelligence’ and ‘Unicom Solutions’ to global smart transformation”, said Qin.

Yang Chaobin, Director and CEO of the ICT Business Group, Huawei, added: « We look forward to working with China Unicom to support their ‘AI Unites All’ strategy. We will do this by facilitating a wide range of intelligent user applications with the latest AI technologies. This will allow China Unicom to create new AI service portals with a global impact and make intelligence more inclusive for all. »

Chaobin revealed that Huawei will collaborate closely with China Unicom to develop an AI cloud service platform for individuals and homes. By synergizing cloud, computing, network, and terminal resources, both parties aim to establish a unified AI entry for individuals and homes. During the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, both parties officially released the AI cloud phone and launched the AI Agent Tone for individuals. In the future, they will cooperate to create diverse ecosystems, enriching cloud applications and content.

China Unicom has developed an AI service platform, C&H Converged Agent, based on its Unicom Cloud. This platform focuses on unifying the network architecture, experience, AI, and data. The unified architecture helps aggregate and distribute capabilities to efficiently provide AI services across the entire network, while unified experience supports converged AI services across devices and applications. By combining AI services with carrier networks, service experience is enhanced, while data unification helps integrate the data of home scenarios. Furthermore, intelligent data algorithms will be employed to customize high-quality services for individuals and homes alike.

Based on the AI service platform, China Unicom has developed an AI Agent called Tone, which serves as a digital twin for users. It can accurately understand user intent and integrate multiple applications to seamlessly cater to user needs. China Unicom also provides an open platform for partners, which supports efficient aggregation with third-party models and applications like DeepSeek, building flexible business models.

Furthermore, China Unicom’s cloud phone, as a new AItoX entry, is an important measure for inclusive AI computing power. The cloud phone not only retains all functions of traditional smart phones, but also employs the AI Agent Tone to provide users with a cloud-based digital life, including when it comes to privacy, security, entertainment, and office tools.

News 

The trial focussed on powering down 5G sites when not in use, dramatically reducing their energy consumption 

This week, Vodafone UK and Ericsson have announced the successful completion of a new trial in London that puts 5G and 4G sites ‘to sleep’ when not in use. 

The trial focused on making better use of network downtime, introducing features that power down equipment when demand is low and reactivate it when needed. It aims to lower energy costs and carbon emissions without compromising network performance.  

The trial focussed on three power-saving elements: 

1. 5G deep sleep: Allows radio units to switch to a low energy mode during quieter periods, cutting power use by up to 70%.
2. 4G cell sleep mode: Optimises when 4G sites power down, improving efficiency without affecting coverage.
3. Radio power efficiency map: Identifies sites where power savings can be made.

Vodafone also confirmed it is looking at new mast designs that could reduce the number of physical sites and street-level cabinets needed in some areas. 

“By working with Ericsson to successfully apply these innovative software solutions to our network, we’re able to significantly improve energy efficiency without impacting the service our customers receive,” said Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer & Network Director at Vodafone UK in a press release. 

“Reducing power consumption at our trial sites is a big win – both financially and environmentally – and shows we can continue to improve the efficiency of our network as we build 5G coverage across the UK,” he continued. 

Vodafone is not the only operator to be exploring the benefits of powering down unused mobile sites. Last year, rival operator EE (BT) said it had commercially deployed similar technology at various sits across the country, suggesting it could save 4.5 million KWh of energy per year. 

Keep up to date with the latest telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom newsletter  

Also in the news:
EY launches suite of AI agents for telcos
Discussing the fate of the BEAD Program with Dr. Nathan Smith
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Becomes First Mobile Operator in Southeast Asia to Deploy AI-RAN with Nokia and NVIDIA 

News

The Indian operators are the latest in a growing list of telcos to lean on SpaceX to cover hard-to-reach customers

This week, India’s two largest mobile operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have announced partnerships with SpaceX to use its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation Starlink.

The deals will see the operators leverage Starlink’s roughly 7,000 satellites to deliver satellite internet services across India, potentially offering connectivity to the nearly 600 million people in India that do not have internet access.

The operators say they will begin selling Starlink terminals in their retail stores, as well as providing installation support.

“Ensuring that every Indian, no matter where they live, has access to affordable and high-speed broadband remains Jio’s top priority,” said Mathew Oommen, Group CEO, Reliance Jio. “By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of highspeed broadband in this AI-driven era, empowering communities and businesses across the country.”

“This collaboration enhances our ability to bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India, ensuring that every individual, business, and community has reliable internet,” Bharti Airtel’s managing director Gopal Vittal in a separate statement.

The deals represent a surprising compromise between the Indian operators and Starlink, which had been clashing over the governments satellite spectrum policy.

SpaceX had argued that the spectrum should be directly allocated to relevant parties by the regulator, as had is traditional for satellite service providers in most markets around the world. Airtel and Jio, on the other hand, said that the spectrum should be auctioned like typical mobile spectrum since they are providing telecoms services.

In October last year, the government indicated that it would directly allocate the spectrum, though the telcos continue to argue against the decision.

The move also marks a move away from the telcos’ previous satellite internet strategies. Bharti Airtel, for example, already has a satellite broadband deal with Starlink’s LEO sat rival Eutelsat, a company in which it holds a minority stake. Jio, on the other hand, launched its own satellite broadband service, JioSpaceFiber, in 2023, leveraging various satellites from SES, with whom it has a joint venture, Jio Space Technology Limited.

The exact reason behind these strategic U-turns is unclear but is likely indirectly related to SpaceX owner Elon Musk’s growing role in US government. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi met with Musk in Washington late last month, reportedly discussing numerous topics including space policy and technology.

In the same vein, the deals probably foreshadow an acceleration of regulatory approval for Starlink, which has been battling through the administrative process since 2021.

The approval process has been heavily delayed due to numerous regulatory squabbles, including earlier this year when Starlink’s technology was found to be being used by insurgents an drug smugglers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Keep up to date with the latest telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter 

Also in the news:
EY launches suite of AI agents for telcos
Discussing the fate of the BEAD Program with Dr. Nathan Smith
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Becomes First Mobile Operator in Southeast Asia to Deploy AI-RAN with Nokia and NVIDIA

This marks an important step for Telness Tech in the U.S. market. By using Telness Tech’s software with T-Mobile’s 5G network, MVNOs can streamline operations, automate processes, and improve customer experiences.

Martina Klingvall, CEO and Founder of Telness Tech, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration saying: “Working with T-Mobile is a significant milestone for Telness Tech as we expand our international presence. This association combines our automation-first platform with T-Mobile’s advanced 5G network, helping MVNOs succeed in the competitive world-wide telecom market.”

Telness Tech’s services are paving the way for MVNOs to enter the market with flexibility, scalability, and customer-centricity all on the T-Mobile network.

Dan Thygesen, SVP T-Mobile Product, Partnerships & Growth and head of Wholesale & Innovation, added: “Working with Telness Tech highlights T-Mobile’s commitment to innovation and supporting MVNOs with advanced tools and infrastructure. Together we’re enabling MVNOs to harness the power of America’s largest 5G network, setting the stage for excellent connectivity and customer experiences.”

A couple contract wins and two bits of expansion news from around the globe this week: … [visit site to read more]

Today’s update is a bit late due to a few technical difficulties, but better late than never. … [visit site to read more]