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.”

News 

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said that the investment would “cement the UK’s leadership in advanced connectivity and support projects delivering real, tangible change for people and businesses across Britain” 

This week, the UK government has announced a £23 million investment in telecoms research and development, covering a wide range of topics including 5G, quantum computing, and drone technologies.  

The new funding will impact seven technology projects led by local governments across the UK: 

• Belfast City Council – Belfast City Region 

• West Midlands Combined Authority 

• Glasgow City Council – Glasgow City Region 

• The Council of the City Of Sunderland – North East Combined Authority 

• North Ayrshire Council – Ayrshire Growth Deal Region 

• West Sussex County Council – Sussex (East and West) 

• Shropshire Council – River Severn Partnership 

Around £7 million of this funding will support projects that integrate 5G into businesses and public services, with the remaining £15 million going into AI and cloud computing research.Among the organisations set to receive new funding is the Northeast Combined Authority, which has secured an additional £1.9 million for a variety of projects. These include the further development and extraction of smart port solutions into other sectors, as well as improving transport efficiency between Nissan and the Port of Tyne.  

In the local agriculture sector, the funding will enable the deployment of wireless sensors for soil and methane monitoring, helping to boost automation and improve sustainability.  

The projects aim to establish the Northeast as a national hub for 5G innovation and deployment across multiple sectors. 

Other funding injections include £1.3 million to Belfast City Council to boost the adoption and commercialisation of advanced wireless technologies and £1 million to the West Midlands Combined Authority for Industry 4.0 technology amongst others. 

“By 2035 we could see a whole new Britain emerge, harnessing the power of technological development, from engineering biology to AI, semiconductors and cyber security, or quantum and future telecoms for a stronger economy and better lives for all in the UK,” said Peter Kyle in the announcement’s press release. 

Join us at Connected North, 23-24 April in Manchester. Get discounted tickets here! 

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WALTHAM, MA and RIYADH, KSA   — March 4, 2025 — Zain KSA announced today that it has completed a large-scale digital transformation program with Netcracker Technology. The complex BSS/OSS transformation across all lines of business was successfully achieved in less than three years.

With the new cloud-based BSS/OSS in place, Zain KSA will further enhance customer experiences and scale up its business ecosystem and expansion across adjacent markets, including fintech, IoT and cloud computing services. The transformation also supports enhanced operational efficiencies, demonstrated through a 50 percent decrease in product development time and customer line activation time.

Zain KSA partnered with Netcracker on a comprehensive, full-stack, AI-driven IT transformation based on Netcracker Digital Platform, the foundation for a cloud-native digital BSS and OSS, as well as Netcracker’s comprehensive suite of managed services. The project included replacing Zain KSA’s existing IT stack and migrating customers to the new cloud-based systems.

Executive VP of Information Technology at Zain KSA, Eng. Maha Al Qernas, stated: “Transitioning into a cloud-based BSS/OSS is a new milestone for Zain KSA’s advanced digital ecosystem. This transformation, achieved through our strategic partnership with Netcracker, aligns with Zain KSA’s goal to create fully digital journeys for our individual and enterprise customers. We are proud that we have leveraged the market’s demand for 5G standalone technology. Our cloud-based systems support a broad range of innovative use cases, enriching our capabilities in 5G, and setting a new benchmark in connectivity and enabling transformative experiences for customers across the Kingdom and beyond to continue to empower a tech-enhanced quality of life in Saudi Arabia.”

“We are extremely honored to play a role in this significant transformation program with a leader in the 5G space and a disruptor in the market,” said Benedetto Spaziani, GM at Netcracker. “Zain KSA has been at the forefront of adopting new technologies and bringing innovative services to customers, and we look forward to being part of its ongoing success.”

Zain KSA started updating its BSS/OSS systems in late 2021. The initiative aims to enhance customer experiences and improve cybersecurity, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and the nationwide digital transformation.

About Netcracker Technology
Netcracker Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, has the expertise, culture and resources to help service providers around the world transform their businesses to thrive in the digital economy. Our innovative solutions, value-driven services and unbroken delivery track record have enabled our customers to grow and succeed for more than three decades. With the latest technological advancements in key areas including 5G monetization, AI, automation and vertical industries, we help service providers to reach their transformation goals, advance their telco to techco evolution and realize business growth and profitability. To learn more, visit www.netcracker.com.

Media Contact

Anita Karvé
Netcracker Technology
MediaGroup@Netcracker.com    

News

Fuelled by a newly refreshed Board of Directors, Telefonica’s incoming chairman Marc Murtra is wasting no time in reshaping the company from the top down.

Telefonica has this week announced a major executive reshuffle, marking the start of a new strategic direction with chairman Marc Murtra at the helm.

The first and most significant change is the promotion of Telefonica Spain CEO Emilio Gayo to the role of Group COO and executive director. In this role, he will oversee the Group’s operations in in Spain, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as the B2B, Telefónica Tech, Telefónica Infra and gCTIO business units.

Gayo, who has worked at Telefonica in various roles for the past two decades, replaces outgoing COO Ángel Vilá.

Vilá will remain on the board of Virgin Media O2 in the UK and is being proposed for a board position at Telefonica Germany.

In addition to the new COO, Murtra is also leaning on ex-colleagues from his previous employer, defence firm Indra, to fill strategic positions.

Borja Ochoa, previously general director of defence and security at Indra, will replace Gayo at the head of Telefonica Spain, while the CEO of Telefonica Tech, José Cerdán, will also be replaced by an Indra alumnus, Sofía Collado.

Finally, there will also be a change of chief digital officer, with Sebas Muriel replacing Chema Alonso, who has held the role for the past 13 years.

The scale and speed of this reshuffle is worth noting. New chairman Murtra took over the position from José María Álvarez-Pallete after the latter’s surprise ousting in January. Murtra’s appointment was largely seen as relating to the Spanish government’s increasing sensitivity over Telefonica’s future, with the state having grown its stake in the business to counterbalance foreign investment from the likes of the UAE’s e&.

Since taking over the role six weeks ago, Spanish media has reported that Murtra has been dissatisfied with Vilá, with his replacement seen as the first step in a major restructure that will likely include changes to several more leadership positions.

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

New York – March 4, 2025, Lightpath, an all fiber, infrastructure based connectivity provider revolutionizing how organizations connect to their digital destinations, announced the company has completed the acquisition of WANRack’s network assets and customers in the Phoenix metropolitan market. This acquisition adds 133 route miles of fiber, including diverse paths between the Goodyear data center ecosystem and metro Phoenix carrier hotel facilities, accelerating Lightpath’s service readiness and expansion in the region.

 In conjunction with Lightpath’s recent Phoenix market entry announcement, the integration of WANRack’s assets increases Lightpath’s total network footprint in the market to 363 route miles. Upon construction completion, this infrastructure will connect 10 key data centers via underground, multi-duct conduit systems, linking emerging data center hubs in Goodyear, Buckeye, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, and Tempe to Phoenix’s primary carrier exchange ecosystems.

Beyond the 10 planned connected data centers, the network will be strategically positioned near more than 30 additional single and multi-tenant data center campuses. While Lightpath is already service ready on 133 miles of acquired fiber, additional high priority network segments will be constructed in Q2 2025, with full network completion targeted by the end of 2026.

View a Map of Lightpath’s Phoenix Network

“WANRack’s Phoenix business is a perfect fit with Lightpath’s recent market entry and provided a solution for solving our strategic customer’s near-term requirements,” explained Rachel Stack, CFO, Lightpath. “This transaction demonstrates our creative problem solving and commitment to innovative solutions in response to customer challenges.” 

“Phoenix represents a strategic and growing market for Lightpath as we look to provide critical fiber infrastructure to customers with intensive bandwidth requirements”, stated Tim Haverkate, EVP, Major Infrastructure Solutions, Lightpath. “We look forward to partnering with WANRack’s customers to serve their growing connectivity needs and expanding Lightpath’s fiber infrastructure and customer relationships across Phoenix.”

About Lightpath:

Lightpath is revolutionizing how customers connect to their digital destinations by combining our next-generation network with our next-generation customer service. Lightpath’s advanced fiber-optic network offers a comprehensive portfolio of custom-engineered connectivity solutions with unparalleled performance, reliability, and security. Our consultative customer service means we work with you to design, deliver, and support the solution for your unique needs, faster and more easily than ever before. For over 30 years, thousands of enterprises, governments, and educators have trusted Lightpath to power their organization’s innovation. Lightpath is jointly owned by Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) and Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners.

Follow Lightpath on LinkedIn. For more information, please visit lightpathfiber.com.

For Lightpath Media Inquiries:

JSA for Lightpath

1-866-695-3629 

jsa_lightpath@jsa.net

News

This week, Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile have announced a new joint venture, SatCo, to bring space-based mobile broadband to Europe. The company said it will aim to provide “100% geographic coverage in every part of Europe”

SatCo will act as the exclusive distributor of AST SpaceMobile’s satellite services across Europe, using Vodafone’s network and AST’s low Earth orbit (LEO) technology. The collaboration is set to deliver mobile broadband directly to users without requiring additional hardware or software.  

“Vodafone’s space-based mobile broadband will mean our customers can stay connected, wherever they are. Our new satellite company will be able to offer this pioneering technology to other European mobile operators through a turnkey service that combines Vodafone’s leading network and engineering with AST SpaceMobile’s ‘antennas in the sky’,” said Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle in a press release. 

The company will be headquartered in Europe and will operate a network of ground stations to ensure secure and sovereign backhaul services. AST SpaceMobile’s satellites function as remote radio heads, maintaining core network control within MNOs.  

In January, Vodafone announced that it had successfully conducted the world’s first space-based mobile video call using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites. The demonstration showed that satellite broadband can integrate with Vodafone’s existing mobile networks. With commercial rollout planned for 2025 and 2026, the service will expand coverage to areas where traditional networks struggle, including mountains, rural locations, and open waters. 

Join us at Connected North, 23-24 April in Manchester. Get discounted tickets here! 

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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

Contributed Article

The evolution of mobile networks will transform how people connect, work, and interact with technology. At this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona, Huawei’s Corporate Senior Vice President and President of lCT Sales & Service, Li Peng highlighted the role of 5G advancements in improving the user experiences and creating new business opportunities, in his keynote speech

“We’re rapidly entering a fully intelligent world. Intelligent applications are spreading everywhere, placing new demands on networks,” said Li. “By embracing and evolving 5G, we can unlock the infinite potential of mobile networks. Huawei is willing and ready to work with carriers and industry partners around the world to promote digital enablement, reinforce network foundations, and bring AI to all. Together, we can shape the D.N.A for an intelligent world.”

Improving mobile networks

Li emphasised how the way people interact with technology is changing. With the rise of voice assistants, cloud-based applications, and smart services, mobile networks must offer faster speeds and lower latency. As mobile experiences become more interactive (such as AI-powered voice and visual assistants) networks also must evolve to meet these increased demands.

To be able to do this, networks need to transition from 5G NSA (non-standalone) to 5G SA (standalone) and eventually to 5G-A. Key technologies like Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS), which separates control and user data traffic to improve network efficiency, and Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR), which ensures a minimum data rate for specific services, will be essential to improving network responsiveness and efficiency.

Managing increased network traffic

Li also discussed the rapid growth of digital content production and distribution. As high-quality videos and interactive media become more widely used, mobile data usage is expected to rise to an “unprecedented” level, again highlighting the need for more spectrum, more network capacity, and greater upload and download bandwidth.

Expanding coverage for smart devices and IoT

As smart devices and cloud services become more widespread, the demand for fast, reliable network coverage continues to grow. By 2030, over a billion people are expected to rely on cloud-based services, which will require seamless access to data and applications. Additionally, smart vehicles and other IoT devices will need continuous network coverage across cities, highways, and rural areas. Carriers will need to continue expanding 5G networks to provide the coverage necessary for these increased needs.

Improving network management with smarter operations

With networks becoming more complex, Li emphasised the importance of smarter operations and maintenance (O&M) systems. Many carriers are already using AI-powered tools to enhance efficiency, predict network issues, reduce downtime, and optimise network traffic in real time. By making these improvements, carriers can provide better service reliability and faster response times, ensuring a more seamless and consistent mobile experience. Some carriers who are already using AI agents, and those with self-learning capabilities can increase troubleshooting efficiency by 30%, by predicting and locating faults in just a few seconds.

New business opportunities

Li also highlighted how carriers can explore new ways to generate revenue. By offering premium services based on network speed, reliability, and custom features, telecom operators can cater to different customer groups. In China for example, telcos have partnered with industries like insurance and hospitality to offer new communication services through Open APIs, leading to increased revenue growth from business clients.

Li predicted that the combination of 5G-A and AI technologies could lead to double-digit growth in Data of Usage (DOU) and Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), creating big opportunities for carriers to monetise their networks.

“The opportunities are huge,” concluded Li. “And the time to act is now. Pioneers are already scaling up fast in over 200 cities around the world. They’re taking solid steps forward, unlocking incredible new value.”

News 

Verizon Business is expanding its Internet of Things (IoT) services with two new key partnerships 

Image credit: Verizon

Verizon Business has teamed up with Singapore’s Singtel and satellite provider Skylo to offer IoT connectivity in over 200 countries. Customers can now manage services through Verizon’s ThingSpace platform, using a mix of satellite, roaming, and eSIM solutions. 

Singtel will join Verizon’s Global IoT Orchestration service, which lets businesses activate IoT devices internationally using partner networks. The partnership will help Verizon customers expand their IoT coverage in the Asia Pacific region. With the service now available, Verizon’s Global IoT Orchestration also includes Bell Canada and Telenor IoT. 

In the US, Verizon has partnered with Skylo to provide IoT coverage in areas where traditional cellular signals may not reach. The service is expected to expand internationally in the future.  

“Our IoT services and platforms are designed to meet our customers’ needs wherever they do business, which is all around the world. We’re thrilled to see Global IoT Orchestration in-market now and satellite-enhanced IoT coverage in the U.S. to be available nearterm, enabling worldwide connectivity for our customers from the best partners in the industry,” said Shamik Basu, Vice President, Strategic Connectivity, Verizon Business in a press release. 

The Global IoT Orchestration service is available through Verizon’s ThingSpace platform, allowing businesses to manage IoT connectivity in both domestic and international markets. Customers can use eSIM profiles from Verizon’s partners to activate devices in supported regions, ensuring local-like coverage. 

The new service is available to US based businesses looking to activate IoT devices internationally.  

Join us at Connected America NEXT WEEK in Dallas! Heavily discounted tickets are available here

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