Press Release

[Barcelona, Spain, March 1, 2026] Huawei will release the Agentic Core solution at MWC 2026 in Barcelona. This solution will leverage three engines—NE intelligence, network intelligence, and service intelligence—to address key challenges in the AI era, such as the sharp increase in traffic, differentiated network requirements, and new service monetization for operators, and promote the large-scale commercial use of intelligent network.

NE intelligence: As AI agents become a core capability of next-generation AI phones, the number of connected entities will increase tenfold, with connections extending from “humans” to physical AI (such as embodied robots and autonomous driving). This will require the introduction of key capabilities such as digital identity, agent registration and discovery, and A2A session management to build a low-latency, highly reliable network foundation, supporting the large-scale commercial deployment of physical AI.

Network intelligence: As service AI agents become more prevalent, they will generate diverse network experience requirements. For example, AI robots may require 100 Mbit/s bandwidth and 20 ms latency. Therefore, it is necessary to evolve from predefined rule networks to intent-driven networks, where network AI agents will understand the needs of different organizations, dynamically match resources, and implement a closed-loop process for policy generation, configuration, and delivery.

Service intelligence: Compared to OTT players, operators have more opportunities to provide inclusive intelligent services. Huawei supports operators’ service innovation through three key services, going beyond connectivity. AISF (Service Intelligence) will evolve from an interactive entry point to a full-featured personal assistant, integrating communication, content, and services. Communication experiences will shift toward immersive interactions, breaking through the boundaries of voice. The integration of computing and networks will continue to be commercialized, providing sustainable computing power support for AI inference and content generation.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to deepen the three-layer intelligent collaboration practice with operators, aiming to provide 7×24-hour inclusive intelligent connectivity, and work together to bring users a more efficient, convenient, and intelligent digital life, and create new value in the intelligent internet era.

Press Release

Business technology provider, TalkTalk Business, has formally completed its separation from TalkTalk Group as of the end of February, marking a significant milestone in its evolution as an independent managed network service provider.

Following the sale of TalkTalk Business Direct in 2023, TalkTalk Business maintained access to certain core TalkTalk Group systems while rapidly developing its own independent operating environment. That phased transition is now complete, with an established operational infrastructure, modernised system stack and comprehensive service delivery capabilities, cementing its position as a standalone business.

The separation provides full autonomy over strategy, investment and systems, creating the foundations for accelerated growth. With a simplified operating structure and system stack, TalkTalk Business is positioned to respond more quickly to market demand, expand its product portfolio and to continue its investment in customer service.

For customers, the change delivers clearer accountability, streamlined processes and access to an evolving suite of technology solutions. New operational frameworks and product developments are already in place to strengthen service delivery and support long-term digital transformation ambitions.

The milestone aligns closely with TalkTalk Business’s strategic repositioning, reflecting its evolution beyond connectivity into managed services. A recently refreshed brand identity underpins the company’s focus on enterprise and public sector customers, delivering managed and unmanaged services spanning connectivity, networking, cyber security, cloud, IOT and voice and collaboration.

TalkTalk Business continues to work with strategic technology partners including Cisco, Zoom and Mitel, ensuring all customers have the right technology solutions to adapt, grow and stay competitive.

Ruth Kennedy, CEO at TalkTalk Business, said: “This marks the beginning of the exciting next phase for TalkTalk Business. We are now operating as a fully independent organisation with the agility and focus needed to deliver our strategy at pace.

“Our evolution into a managed network service provider is central to our growth ambitions. By combining our connectivity heritage with broader technology expertise and strong strategic partnerships, we are building a business designed specifically to support customers with secure, end-to-end solutions. This separation gives us the clarity and momentum to drive that forward.”

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Press Release

The distribution of quantum keys while maintaining commercial traffic has been successfully tested over a distance of 40 km in Milan

TIM has successfully completed the first test in Italy of quantum-safe communications between Data Centers on an operational network infrastructure, validating the use of quantum key distribution for data stream encryption in a real operating environment.

TIM’s initiative is part of a broader set of projects aimed at strengthening the country’s digital sovereignty and, in particular, the security of the entire network-data center-cloud ecosystem, with the aim of increasing resilience, operational continuity and the protection of sensitive data. In a context where the ability to protect strategic infrastructure and data with secure and manageable solutions is becoming a competitive factor for businesses and public administrations, the project confirms TIM’s role as an enabler of digital sovereignty and quantum technologies.

The test, carried out in collaboration with Cisco, verified the integration of the quantum component with existing network and security architectures. The signal dedicated to key distribution was co-propagated with traditional data traffic on the same pair of optical fibres, along a 40 km route crossing several TIM network nodes in the Milan urban area, connecting two of the Group’s main Data Centers. This deliberately complex configuration – with numerous junctions and intermediate components – demonstrated the robustness of the solution in real-world scenarios of interconnection between Data Centers, such as replication, backup and disaster recovery.

The project leveraged the expertise of TIM Enterprise ecosystem: Telsy and QTI for the encryption and quantum security component, and Noovle for the Data Center infrastructure.

The trial is part of TIM’s broader commitment to quantum communications at European level. TIM has successfully coordinated the three-year European QUantum ecOsystems (EQUO) project (2023–2025), funded by the European Commission as part of the Digital Europe Programme to support the development of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). The main objectives of EQUO concern the development of quantum key distribution networks and services, according to control and management architectures consistent with emerging standards.

With these initiatives, TIM takes another step forward in bringing innovative, reliable solutions to the market that are geared towards protecting critical data, responding to the security needs of companies in increasingly complex and sensitive scenarios, as well as to the security regulations and directives of the competent authorities to ensure the cyber resilience of networks.

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Press Release

Virgin Media O2 has today switched on O2 Satellite, a new satellite-to-mobile service powered by Starlink Direct to Cell, marking a major step forward in extending mobile connectivity across the UK.

This makes Virgin Media O2 the first operator in the UK and Europe to launch satellite powered data services, enabling customers to stay connected in areas with no traditional mobile coverage, known as ‘not-spots’.

The service boosts Virgin Media O2’s UK landmass coverage from 89% to 95%, delivering a coverage uplift equivalent to an area around two thirds the size of Wales.

O2 Satellite has been designed to complement O2’s existing mobile network and customers will connect automatically when traditional cellular coverage is unavailable. This will help people stay connected when travelling or taking part in activities such as hiking, climbing, water sports and sailing, offering greater peace of mind in rural, coastal and other remote locations.

As well as extending coverage into not-spots, O2 Satellite provides more resilience and acts as a back-up, helping customers retain connectivity in the rare event of a local cellular network outage where coverage is completely unavailable.

At launch, O2 Satellite supports text messaging and data across apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Maps and more, providing an additional layer of reassurance when customers move beyond terrestrial mobile networks. The service is initially available to customers with the latest Samsung smartphones*, with support for other devices, manufacturers and apps to be introduced soon.

The service is the result of a UK-first partnership with SpaceX, using Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites to deliver connectivity direct to mobile devices using O2’s licensed mobile spectrum transmitted from space.

The launch of O2 Satellite follows successful internal trials, with Virgin Media O2 employees already using the technology in real-world conditions across the country.

At launch, O2 Satellite is available as a £3-per-month bolt-on and will be included at no extra cost for all Ultimate Plan customers in the near future, benefiting tens of thousands of consumers.

Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, said: “This is a defining moment for UK mobile connectivity and a statement of our intent to keep innovating and ensure our customers can stay connected no matter where they are. By launching O2 Satellite, we’ve become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two thirds the size of Wales for the first time.

“We already have the UK’s largest 5G+ footprint and we’re not standing still, investing heavily this year in our mobile network to give O2 customers a brilliant, reliable service that they can depend on.”

Baroness Lloyd, Minister for the Digital Economy, said: “This is a major achievement for the UK and demonstrates leadership in next-generation connectivity.  Being the first in Europe to launch direct-to-device satellite data services puts the UK firmly at the forefront of mobile innovation.  O2 Satellite is a boost for growth and connectivity and a strong signal of the UK’s leadership in the global digital economy.”

Stephanie Bednarek, VP of Starlink Commercial Sales said: “Delivering Starlink Direct to Cell in partnership with Virgin Media O2 underscores the importance of keeping people connected no matter where they are. For the first time, millions of people across the UK will have access to data, voice and video through apps, and messaging in remote areas where terrestrial coverage isn’t available.”

The switch on of O2 Satellite follows Ofcom’s recent approval of the UK’s first licence for satellite-to-smartphone services.

O2 was recently recognised as the most improved mobile network across Europe in Umlaut Connect’s Mobile Network Test, an independent and comprehensive benchmarking report. It was also awarded Best Mobile Network Coverage at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second year in a row, which recognised the scale, reach and reliability of O2’s mobile network. In its full year 2025 financial results, Virgin Media O2 reported that its 5G Standalone network now reaches 87% of the UK outdoor population – the largest 5G Standalone footprint in the country.

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Interview

We spoke to Octave’s Director of EMIA (Utilities and Communications), Jean-Francois Allard, to discuss taking digital modelling to the next level

Telcos are some of the most data-rich organisations on the planet but using that data effectively remains a major challenge. For Jean-Francois Allard, Director of EMIA (Utilities and Communications) at Octave, a spin-off from Hexagon, digital twins – digital replicas of physical assets enabling real-time interaction – are a vital platform for leveraging that data.

“It’s about creating a continuous loop, where changes in the physical world are reflected in the digital world and vice versa,” he explained. “To say it shortly, our main goal is to put data in action.”

Allard argues it is useful to consider digital twins not as a novel system, but rather as a maturation of earlier digital models.

Previously, digital models focussed primarily on digitising physical assets into a central inventory. These models were limited by their relatively static nature, requiring significant manual oversight to generate actionable insights. As such, these models have quickly evolved into what Allard terms ‘digital shadows’, where sensors and field data provide a one-way stream of real-time information into the model.

A digital twin takes this paradigm to its logical conclusion, making the system synchronised and bidirectional, allowing it to autonomously react to incoming data in real-time.

“You can have in real time both real world and digital world that are synchronized so that fully autonomously, this is the ultimate goal,” says Allard.

While industries like nuclear power are already approaching this level of sophistication for security reasons, Allard estimates that telecom is still “5 to 10 years” away from full autonomy.

Managing the complexity of telco networks

What makes a telecoms digital twin more complex than a water or power grid? According to Allard, it is the interplay between physical infrastructure and logical services. In what he terms a “relational digital twin,” the system must track everything from the trench in the ground to the specific IPTV service running through a single strand of fibre.

“In telecom, you manage the physical aspects… but also what’s inside,” Allard explains. “You need to know this hierarchy at all times[…] so that you can manage the services, the fibre links, and fibre channels in near real-time.”

This precision understanding of huge, distributed networks and their various technical elements not only allows for more efficient automation, it also improves customer experience. By using OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) technology integrated with a digital twin, for example, Octave can locate a network failure within 10 metres on a 100-kilometre backbone network, resulting in faster repair and less downtime.

Infusing digital twins with AI 

As the industry looks toward the next decade, AI is the clear catalyst for scaling these digital twins. However, Allard warns that the “intelligence” of the system is strictly capped by the quality of the underlying data.

“AI today is only valid if the data you are using to feed your AI is valid. Good data will provide good AI analysis. Bad data can only bring you bad answers,” he cautions.

When the data is sound, the applications can be highly effective. Allard highlights two primary use cases:

1. Automated digitisation: Using machine learning and point cloud analysis to turn field photographs into “intelligent” data automatically.
2. Plain language interactivity: Combining available data with generative AI allows engineers to perform complex analysis “just by talking with your own words” to the system. This is faster than performing the analysis manually and often yields more effective results.

“What if you are in the green field and you want to find a route but you have no information but pictures?” Allard asks. “AI can help you. AI can identify a route just based on the pictures. So, this is where AI can go beyond just using existing data – it can create a new path that you didn’t even didn’t think about.”

Getting the foundation right

Building an effective digital twin is a major undertaking. For Allard, the key is to build with purpose rather than chasing a “rich” but unusable model. He suggests starting with the basics, like connection points, nodes, and cabinets, rather than trying to map every inch of the network at once.

“Anticipate […] Ask what you want to do with your data,” Allard concludes. “Very often we see customers having a very, very rich model, but it’s so complex that it’s very difficult to take a benefit from it.”

Octave Website; Youtube; LinkedIn

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News

The operator says reintegrating the tower assets will strengthen its African operations and improve financial metrics

African telco giant MTN Group is set to take full control of IHS Towers, one of Africa’s largest independent tower companies, in a deal valued at $6.2 billion.

The deal will see MTN acquire the 75% stake in IHS that it doesn’t already own for $2.2 billion in cash.

“This proposed transaction is a pivotal step in further strengthening MTN Group’s strategic and financial position for a future where digital infrastructure will become ever more essential to Africa’s growth and development. This transaction gives us a unique opportunity to buy back our towers and strengthen our ability to be partners for progress to the nation states in which we operate,” said MTN CEO Ralph Mupita.

The deal is subject to the typical regulatory approvals, with watchdogs likely to look closely at the impact on competition, given IHS also rents their infrastructure to MTN’s rivals across Africa.

For MTN, the move represents something of a strategic U-turn. The operator group has pursued an asset-light approach for the past decade, selling many of its towers – largely to IHS – in multiple markets.

In recent years, however, MTN’s relationship with the tower company has grown more complicated. The operator has repeatedly complained about IHS’s corporate governance, particularly that IHS had capped its voting rights at 20%, despite MTN owning a stake of around 26% in the business.

At the same time, IHS saw major losses from the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in 2023, leading MTN to attempt to seek adjusted lease terms to reduce foreign‑currency exposure.

Given this increasingly difficult operating relationship, MTN’s stake acquisition represents an opportunity to simplify and de-risk the company’s balance sheet by removing long‑term lease liabilities.

Market watchers will be watching whether MTN’s reintegration of roughly 29,000 African sites delivers the financial and strategic gains management forecasts, and whether rivals respond with selective buybacks, new sharing deals, or continued reliance on independent towercos.

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News

The move comes as the company pledges “to embed AI across manufacturing, logistics, energy, finance, retail, agriculture and healthcare” throughout India

Reliance Industries, owner of India’s biggest telco Reliance Jio, has announced plans to invest $109.8 billion over the next seven years to expand India’s AI data centre footprint.

Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi today, Reliance owner and Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, said that the investments would see the conglomerate deploy sovereign gigawatt (GW)-scale data centres to handle the country’s growing demand for AI.

“I would like to announce that Jio will play an even bigger role in India’s AI transformation,” said Ambani. “This is not a speculative investment. It is not for chasing valuation. This is patient, disciplined, nation-building capital, designed to create durable economic value and strategic resilience for six decades to come.”

During his speech, Ambani said the biggest bottleneck for AI in India was the limited availability of compute infrastructure, which risked driving up costs for consumers. By rapidly expanding the availability of this infrastructure, Reliance hopes to make AI affordable across the country.

“India cannot afford to rent intelligence. Therefore, we will reduce the cost of intelligence dramatically as we did the cost of data,” Ambani said.

Reliance Jio is already building a massive data centre campus in Jamnagar, ultimately aiming for 3 GW of total capacity. The first 120 MW are expected to come online in the second half of 2026, according to Ambani.

In addition to expanding its data centre footprint, Reliance’s investment strategy also focusses on building more localised compute infrastructure (i.e., edge computing facilities). By processing data closer to the edge, customers will be able to leverage AI with lower latency.

Of course, all this new AI infrastructure will require an immense amount of power. For this, Reliance says it is leveraging its 10 GW of renewable energy from solar farms in Gujarat and the Andhra Pradesh. This, Ambani says, is not only makes the project sustainable, but also cheaper for Indian customers.

It is worth noting, however, that Reliance is not alone in aiming to become India’s leading domestic data centre player. Earlier this week, Adani Enterprises – owned by India’s second-richest man Gautam Adani – said it would invest $100 billion to build renewable energy-powered AI-ready data centres by 2035.

The battle for AI data centre dominance in India is only just beginning.

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Press Release

Boldyn Networks (Boldyn) today announced that it is delivering a major connectivity upgrade at Silverstone, one of the world’s most iconic motorsport venues and home to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. Boldyn will deploy a new, permanent high-capacity 5G mobile network that will provide fans, race teams, and broadcasters with seamless connectivity all year round.

The new network, capable of supporting all UK mobile network operators, is designed to provide a faster, smoother and more reliable mobile experience across the venue. It uses advanced connectivity technology to handle the huge amount of sharing, streaming and real‑time engagement. This ensures fans can stay connected, capture every moment, and enjoy the day without frustrating signal drop‑outs.

Once live, the new network will deliver high-quality 5G mobile coverage across Silverstone not only on a race weekend, but also year-round. Visitors enjoying the brand-new karting facility, staying overnight at Escapade or visiting the Wing for a conference or dinner will all enjoy reliable high-speed connectivity.

Stuart Pringle OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Silverstone, said: “With more than 1.5 million visitors each year, reliable mobile connectivity is essential to the customer experience at Silverstone. This new network delivers the performance and resilience we need to support fans, customers and partners and allows us to share information and unforgettable iconic moments that will enhance their visit.  We’re delighted to be working with Boldyn to bring world-class connectivity to everyone who comes through our gates.”

In the past, Silverstone has relied on temporary mobile infrastructure deployed for just a few months each racing season. These short-term solutions were not designed for big crowds and often meant that connectivity was constrained by tens of thousands of people connecting simultaneously to the network.

To address these challenges, Boldyn will deploy its state-of-the-art hybrid active Distributed Antenna System (DAS). By replacing the previously deployed temporary systems with a permanent, high‑capacity network, Silverstone will also benefit from improved operational efficiency, reducing setup time, minimising seasonal engineering work, and ensuring consistent performance for every event throughout the year.

The technology will be rolled out across 25 locations around the circuit, and the architecture features 57 high-capacity sectors across 87 DAS zones, ensuring reliable connectivity even during peak attendance. The 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix welcomed 164,000 spectators on raceday alone, with total attendance reaching 500,000 across the full four-day weekend.

Brendan O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer UK & Ireland, Boldyn Networks, said: “As the legendary home of the British Grand Prix, and the venue for the first Formula 1 World Championship over 75 years ago, Silverstone is a place where excitement and expectations are at their highest every race weekend. Boldyn is very proud to be supporting this iconic venue with connectivity infrastructure built to match its world-famous reputation. The deployment will provide Silverstone with a future-ready mobile network designed to continue pleasing fans, teams and broadcasters for years to come.”

The network will also support Silverstone’s future needs, both during race weekends and outside of busy event periods. It marks a significant step forward in improving the circuit’s digital capabilities, providing a robust foundation for Silverstone to continue delivering world-class motorsport races and events.

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News

The breach, which was reported earlier this month, jeopardised the data of 6.2 million customers

On Thursday, Dutch mobile operator Odido notified customers that the company had been hacked and their personal data may have been leaked.

The incident, which took place earlier in the month, saw data from 6.2 million customers compromised, according to an Odido spokesperson.

Both Odido’s direct customers and those of its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Ben NL were affected.

Customers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and bank account numbers were among the data points leaked.

Odido emphasised that no passwords, call records, or billing data had been accessed, but urged customers to be vigilant about suspicious calls and texts.

In a statement, the operator said that an investigation into the incident was ongoing and it had reported the breach to the Dutch Data Protection Authority.

“The unauthorised access to the system was ended as quickly as possible,” said the Odido statement. “In addition, Odido has brought in cybersecurity experts to implement additional security measures in response to this incident.”

While Odido did not explicitly explain how the hackers had gained access to their systems, reporting from Dutch public broadcaster NOS suggests it may have been a case of social engineering.

According to anonymous sources speaking to the news agency, the hackers gained access to Odido’s systems by attempting to log into the accounts of customer service representatives that had fallen for phishing emails. The hackers then contacted these employees by phone, posing as Odido’s IT department, and manipulated them into approving a fraudulent login attempt.

The report suggests that the staff targeted may have been external call centre workers based outside the Netherlands.

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