News 

The company’s Konnect Wi-Fi hotspot solution is playing a major role in shrinking the digital divide in Africa 

Eutelsat has announced that it has successfully delivered on its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition commitment to provide one million people in Sub-Saharan Africa with affordable, high-speed internet via satellite, two years ahead of schedule. 

The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition aims to accelerate global digital inclusion, particularly in regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is unavailable. 

At the centre of the achievement is Eutelsat’s Konnect geostationary satellite, a high-capacity Ka-band satellite that powers Konnect Wi-Fi hotspots. This satellite, which became operational in late 2020, can provide these hotspots with Wi-Fi speeds ranging from 5 Mbps to 100 Mbps at affordable prices, bringing internet access to individuals, schools, businesses, and healthcare centres.  

“Reaching this milestone means 1 million people now have access to vital information, education, and communication resources through our Konnect solution. With both Eutelsat’s GEO satellite fleet and OneWeb’s LEO constellation, we are expanding our reach and ensuring that connectivity drives meaningful economic and social progress, empowering communities to thrive in the digital era,” said Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat in a press release. 

In regions where terrestrial networks are still inaccessible, satellite technology has recently become a scalable and cost-effective alternative to bring education, e-commerce, telemedicine, and economic development to as many as possible. It is now a key solution for bridging the digital divide, bringing millions of people online without the need for expensive ground infrastructure.  

Beyond bringing connectivity to remote areas, satellite connectivity has also been in the news recently for the key role it can play in supporting customers during emergencies. Following the recent California wildfires, Elon Musk announced that SpaceX’s Starlink would provide free terminals to fire-affected areas in Los Angeles, after it emerged that news crews were relying on the service to broadcast live updates. 

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

Also in the news:
Vodafone reports strong Q3 growth amid Germany challenges
CEO of AireBeam discusses ‘secret sauce’ behind ISP’s growth
BT scraps managerial DEI targets 

News 

The UK Space Agency has pledged up to £160 million to drive innovation in the satellite mega-constellation market 

The investment, which is part of the UK Space Agency’s Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, will support technological advancements over the next four years to bolster the UK’s position in the global space industry. 

As part of this broader commitment, £16 million has already been allocated to two key projects aimed at advancing satellite communications. This targeted funding will support cutting-edge developments to strengthen the UK’s role in satellite technology.  

Satellite constellations are expanding internet access to remote and underserved regions, helping to bridge the digital divide. These networks are also set to improve communication in maritime and aviation sectors, supporting connectivity in isolated locations. 

“The UK has all the cutting edge expertise and technology to spearhead the latest advancements in satellite communications and become a leader in this high-tech industry,” said Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant in a press release. 

“These Government backed projects will not only provide significant advancements in mobile communication, but help to bridge the digital divide, connecting communities in the most hard-to-reach areas,” he continued. 

The UK is positioning itself as a strong competitor in the rapidly advancing space industry. In 2023, over 2,900 satellites were deployed, mostly as part of commercial constellations. Projections indicate that between 2021 and 2031 approximately 18,000 satellites will be launched, three-quarters of which will belong to mega-constellations. These are groups of many satellites that work together deliver broadband Internet access. 

The UK is a key member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and hosts the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) at the Harwell Space Cluster. The C-LEO programme provides funding via UK Space Agency grants, with further contracts expected from ESA in the near future. 

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

Also in the news:
Vodafone reports strong Q3 growth amid Germany challenges
CEO of AireBeam discusses ‘secret sauce’ behind ISP’s growth
BT scraps managerial DEI targets

News

The service will allow businesses to display short messages to customers to explain the nature of their call.

Back in 2024, AT&T struck a partnership with TransUnion to launch the latter’s Branded Call Display service. This service allows opted-in businesses to have their brand name and logo displayed on customer handsets when receiving calls, thereby helping customers to identify scam callers posing as legitimate businesses.

Now, the service is going one step further, with the latest feature allowing businesses to include the reason for their call on the on-screen notification. Businesses must seemingly choose their reason for calling from a wide range of preset options, including “Appointment Reminder,” “Customer Inquiry,” “Customer Service,” “Refill Reminder,” “Delivery Service,” “Patient Callback,” and “Upcoming Visit”.

The service is available on “most Android devices” and does not require an app to use, being part of the industry standard STIR/SHAKEN call authentication.

“We’re excited to announce the ability for businesses to add the reason for their call to the mobile display,” said Erin Scarborough, AT&T senior vice president, Mass Markets Product Management. “Research shows consumers still prefer calling for communicating with businesses – especially for urgent, personal, or high-value issues. Now they can safely answer verified branded calls, knowing who’s calling and why.”

Spam calls remain a major issue for the telecoms sector. According to spam protection company Truecaller, US customers experience roughly 3.3 billion spam or unwanted calls every month. As such, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been taking increasingly strict measures to prevent spam calls in recent years, with mixed results.

Are telcos doing enough to protect their customers from spam and fraudulent calls? Join the discussion at Connected America, live in Dallas, Texas

Also in the news:
Vodafone reports strong Q3 growth amid Germany challenges
CEO of AireBeam discusses ‘secret sauce’ behind ISP’s growth
BT scraps managerial DEI targets

Podcasts

Ben Elkins, the CEO of AireBeam and Utah Broadband, joined the ‘Beyond the Cable’ podcast to discuss strategy and AireBeam’s explosive growth in Arizona

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Since taking the helm as the CEO of an Arizona City-based AireBeam, Ben Elkins has overseen a 375 percent growth in fiber subscribers for the ISP.

Now, Elkins is attempting to repeat success at another subsidiary of the Boston Omaha Corporation: Utah Broadband.

Named as the Utah Broadband’s CEO in May, Elkins now wears both hats, one as the CEO of AireBeam, another as the CEO of Utah Broadband. He reflected on some of AireBeam’s growth, and how he was able to achieve such stunning success in Arizona’s Pinal County.

“It’s very rural, but it’s growing,” Elkins said of Pinal County. “It’s the fastest growing county in the state of Arizona.”

Wedged between Phoenix and Tuscon, Elkins said it came to his attention after research that many of the county’s mobile home parks were severely underserved.

“So, I went out and got nationwide deals with a lot of the mobile home park developers,” he said. “And provided fiber to the parks that really fit or demographics and fit our profile.”

Elkins said he was able to lock in 20-year agreements with some developers.

According to Elkins, many mobile home parks are ignored by larger service providers because residents are often temporary.

“It’s been a huge hit for us,” he said, adding that AireBeam also “fibered up” the entire community of Arizona City and Florence.

While Elkins said the explosive-type growth that AireBeam saw was likely unique due to demographics in the area, he also predicts growth ahead for Utah Broadband.

Listen to Elkins on Spotify

Click here to listen to the full interview with Elkins on Spotify, and why he believes Utah still contains “huge opportunity” for Utah Broadband.

Listen to Elkins on Apple Podcasts

To hear the episode featuring Elkins on Apple Podcasts, click here.

Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.

Also, click here to subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter. 

News 

BT is expected to cut the diversity targets from its managerial bonus scheme, according to a recent article from The Telegraph 

The company has told its major investors that it will replace the DEI section of its managerial bonus scorecard with a “measure of employee engagement,” which will come into effect in April. 

Currently, ten percent of the BT annual bonus for its 37,400 managers is made up of DEI targets, comprised of representation of women, disabled people and ethnic minorities, as well as employee engagement of underrepresented groups. 

“We remain committed to our inclusion and representation targets and are making good progress towards them. Inclusion will remain part of our senior management bonus calculations and we have received strong support from our shareholders on the proposals to amend our group scorecard,” said a BT spokesperson. 

Just last week, Kirkby told employees in a company memo “It’s been hard lately to see companies and governments stepping back from their commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity. For many of you watching this unfold, I imagine it feels worrying and upsetting.  

“It sends the message that these things are optional, temporary or not worth prioritising. I want to be absolutely clear: that’s not what we believe at BT.” 

The news comes as President Trump signed an Executive Order the day after his inauguration, terminating DEI initiatives in federal contracting. Similar initiatives have been rolled other large corporations, including Meta and Amazon in the tech sector and Walmart, McDonald’s, Ford Motors, and Target in other sectors.  

Keep up to date with the latest telecoms news by subscribing to our newsletter!

Also in the news:
Nokia and AT&T extend voice core partnership
UK PM urges for more European cooperation as suspicious subsea activity increases
From the bully pulpit: FCC’s Carr could pursuade allies over new subsea cable regulation

News 

The heavy reliance on undersea cables remains a major risk as over 95% of global internet traffic depends on them 

UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has urged European leaders for increased cooperation on subsea infrastructure defences at a European Council meeting in Brussels.

The call comes after an increase in suspicious activity from Chinese and Russian vessels around key European submarine cables. Last month, A Russian spy ship was caught in the English Channel attempting to gather information on critical underwater infrastructure. 

Furthermore, there has been multiple submarine cable incidents in the Baltic Sea since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with many of these cable cuts – intentional or otherwise – being linked to Russian and Chinese vessels. As the frequency of these incidents has ramped up, NATO has deployed patrol ships to the region as part of a mission called ‘Baltic Sentry’. 

“We need to deepen co-operation to protect ourselves from state threats and sabotage, including on sub-sea infrastructure,” said Sir Kier in an address to European leaders. 

In disclosed correspondence between House of Lords Peers Lord Coaker and Lord West of Spithead, it has been revealed that the UK’s first multi-role ocean surveillance ship, RFA Proteus, has been deployed as part of a broader plan to protect national infrastructure, with a second vessel still in the early planning stages. 

The government is “committed to ensuring the security and resilience of the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure” and pointed to ongoing coordination with government agencies and the subsea cable industry, said Lord Coaker. 

Just last week, The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) announced that it would explore the security credentials of the UK’s submarine cable ecosystem as part of a new industry enquiry, in a direct response to the increase in suspected malicious underwater activity. 

The government emphasised the UK’s reliance on its 60 existing submarine cables, warning of the potential disruption that damage to multiple cables at once would cause the UK. 

Join the conversation at the EMEA’s Most Important Subsea Event, Submarine Networks EMEA! Get tickets here. 

Also in the news:
From the bully pulpit: FCC’s Carr could pursuade allies over new subsea cable regulation
Labour to slash rural broadband funding
EE renews partnership with Home Nations Football Associations and Wembley Stadium

News 

The investment follows a SoftBank taking a $1.5 billion stake in OpenAI last year 

Japanese conglomerate SoftBank reportedly in discussions to invest between $15 billion and $25 billion in OpenAI, according to a recent report from the Financial Times.  

If it goes ahead, the investment will make SoftBank OpenAI’s largest financial backer and would significantly expand the Japanese company’s presence in the AI sector. 

“The talks are ongoing and the amount that SoftBank could invest in primary equity into OpenAI is a moving target,” said an anonymous source. 

In addition to this potential investment in OpenAI, SoftBank has already committed $15 billion to Stargate, recently announced a joint venture between involving Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank.  

The Stargate Project is a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative to build advanced US-based AI data centres. Announced at the White House last week, it aims to invest $500 billion over the next four years to build new AI infrastructure in the US, starting with deploying $100 billion immediately.  

SoftBank’s CEO Masayoshi Son is the chairman of the joint venture.  

This week, competition in the AI landscape has greatly intensified following the launch of Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek. It has quickly positioned itself as a strong competitor to the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, having seemingly trained a comparative AI model at a fraction of the usual cost. As a result, SoftBank’s share price dropped by 8.3%. 

Neither SoftBank nor OpenAI have responded to the news. 

Join us at this year’s Connected America, 11-12 March in Dallas. Get discounted tickets here! 

Also in the news:
EE renews partnership with Home Nations Football Associations and Wembley Stadium
BT welcomes new Business unit CEO as company’s revenue dips
Ooredoo launch GCC’s largest submarine cable connecting seven countries 

Press Release

EE will continue to invest in all levels of football across all four Home Nations, with specific focus on growing the women’s game as well as support for England’s para and eLions teams

EE has signed a series of deals to continue as exclusive lead partner of all Home Nations football teams until 2028. The four-year extension will see the EE logo continue to appear on all training kits worn by England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales senior men’s and women’s squads until 2028.

Wembley Stadium will also retain its official title of Wembley Stadium connected by EE. Since the partnership began in 2015, an estimated 15 million fans have benefitted from EE’s purpose-built connectivity, with mobile data usage at the stadium increasing by more than 80 percent in 2024 as more people relied on EE to capture and share some of the most iconic moments in sport and music history.

Having been the first mobile network to bring both 4G and 5G connectivity to Wembley Stadium, the extended deal will see the network’s brand retained across the stadium with a continued commitment to invest in new technology at the venue. The agreement will also see Wembley and EE continue their shared ambition to maintain its status as the best-connected stadium in the world.

Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at EE said: “At EE, we pride ourselves on our longstanding partnerships with the UK’s leading cultural institutions, investing in the things that matter most to our customers.

Since the partnership began, we have worked with the Home Nations football associations to use football as a catalyst for change, addressing important societal issues such as racism, misogyny, homophobia and accessibility in football, while coming up with innovative new ways to encourage different communities to take up the sport.

Football is part of the fabric of our nation, so EE is proud to stand beside all four home nations and Wembley – the home of English football – for the next four years, continuing to invest in the sport at all levels to engage communities across the country.”

EE will continue to support disability football through its title sponsorship of The FA Disability Cup and the England Para Lions. EE will also become a partner of The FA’s eLions – England’s official esports team.

Mark Lynch, Stadium Director at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with EE which will ensure Wembley Stadium retains its status as one of the best-connected stadia in the world.

“Over the last ten years EE has continually demonstrated its commitment to invest in developments across the stadium including the 5G network and our two sensory rooms, which are hugely popular with neuro-divergent guests, who might otherwise not be able to attend large-scale events.

“The new agreement will bring more benefits to all our guests over the next four years and enable us to deliver an improved customer experience for all.”

The English FA’s Commercial Director, James Gray, said: “We look forward to continuing our relationship with EE as lead partner for four more years.

“Over the years, we have worked collaboratively with EE across all levels of football, and I am particularly delighted to see an increased investment in our para teams.

“This is great news ahead of an important year which includes our senior women’s team competing at EURO 2025 and the men’s team starting their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.”

EE’s partnership will be activated across Wembley and St. George’s Park, The English FA’s national football centre, and will allow the company to continue its work supporting grassroots football with initiatives such as EE Playmaker, England Football’s free online entry-level coaching course.

Scottish Football Marketing Commercial Director Brendan Napier: “Our partnership with EE over the past four years has been incredibly beneficial, coinciding with back-to-back EURO finals for our men’s team and unprecedented growth in the girls’ and women’s game in Scotland.

“EE reinforcing their commitment to Scottish football through this four-year renewal is a tremendous boost to all levels of the game – from our senior national teams, right down to grassroots football.

“The renewed partnership will help us in our objectives to continue to grow the national game and make it accessible to all who want to participate, thereby cultivating the amazing social, mental and physical benefits that our wonderful sport has to offer for as wide a group as possible.”

Sharon Tuff, Chief Commercial and Engagement Officer at the Football Association of Wales: “We are delighted to continue our partnership during this exciting and transformative time for football in Wales.

“Under Rhian Wilkinson, our Cymru Women’s National Team are one of only two home nations to qualify for this summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 finals. This will be our very first appearance at a major tournament and Cymru will be looking forward to making history by rapidly scaling up participation for women and girls across Wales as part of that legacy.

“With the injection of optimism and renewed vigour under Craig Bellamy, our Cymru Men’s National Team are determined to qualify for a third FIFA World Cup in 2026 and we will continue to use on pitch success to inspire the joy, health and wellbeing of Wales, and look forward to collaborating with EE to create more cohesive communities and better outcomes for people through football in Wales.”

Stephen Bogle, Head of Commercial Operations for the Irish FA, said: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with EE through to 2028. As the lead partner of Northern Ireland’s national teams and a key supporter of grassroots football, EE has played a pivotal role in advancing the game at every level. We’re particularly pleased to see their increased commitment to women’s football and look forward to collaborating closely in the coming years to bring their activation plans to life.”

EE customers will continue to enjoy benefits as part of the partnership including Home Nations  match offers and tickets to Home Nations events.

Join the UK’s telecoms ecosytem at Connected North, 23-24 April in London. Get discounted tickets here!  

Also in the news:
Apple secretly testing direct-to-device satellite connectivity with Starlink and T-Mobile
BT to cut 5% of Northern Irish workers
Trump targets TSMC with Taiwan chip tariffs 

Thursday, January 30, 2025 – ACT Fibernet, in partnership with Aprecomm, announced today that it has successfully implemented new AI-driven software on customers’ routers. The software enhances the in-home Wi-Fi experience across all devices and applications by creating an intelligent, smart Wi-Fi service.

Known as “ACT Zippy,” the new software aims to transform traditional Wi-Fi connectivity by actively monitoring the home Wi-Fi network, including all applications and client devices, to identify quality-of-experience issues, including congestion and interference, and optimize the online experience in real-time through channel switching, band steering, and other advanced features.

“In line with ACT Fibernet’s brand promise of ‘Feel the Advantage,’ we are launching a unique, industry-first AI-powered Wi-Fi solution in India that scans your home environment and automatically improves the Wi-Fi experience for all connected devices,” said Ravi Karthik, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer for ACT Fibernet. “As the number of devices connected to home Wi-Fi continues to grow significantly, providing an exceptional Wi-Fi experience is our top priority. Under ACT Smart Wi-Fi, we have planned a range of products and innovations in the home Wi-Fi sector to tackle this challenge and greatly enhance the in-home Wi-Fi experience.”

For more information on ACT, please visit: https://www.actcorp.in/company

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform throughout Europe, connecting North America and Asia via the Middle East, has partnered with Teraswitch to provide 400GE connectivity and position it for global network expansion.

Teraswitch recently deployed its global network, featuring 100GE waves to connect cities across the US and Europe. However, with growing connectivity demands fuelled by advancements in Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and streaming platforms, it quickly recognised that 100GE alone was insufficient, driving the need for further expansion.

By upgrading Teraswitch’s services to 400GE, EXA Infrastructure has provided diverse, high-capacity connectivity, including services across Europe and the Atlantic. This upgrade not only increases bandwidth but also significantly reduces cost per megabit, enabling Teraswitch to pass on competitive pricing to its customers. Enhanced service level agreements (SLAs) further underscore the value of this partnership, ensuring greater reliability and network performance for clients.

“Teraswitch’s decision to upgrade to 400GE speaks to the strength of our relationship and our ability to deliver solutions that scale with customers in line with their ambitions,” said Jim Fagan, CEO at EXA Infrastructure. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to innovation, network reliability, and helping customers thrive in today’s data-driven world.”

Brendan Mannella at Teraswitch, commented: “Our partnership with EXA Infrastructure has been instrumental in our ability to scale quickly and cost-effectively. Upgrading to 400GE not only helps us meet the growing demands of our customers but also strengthens our position in the global market. EXA’s reliability, ease of doing business, and innovative approach have been key factors in our success, and we look forward to expanding this partnership as we grow our network further in 2025.”

Looking ahead, Teraswitch has ambitious plans to expand its network reach to additional continents by 2025. EXA Infrastructure is proud to be a cornerstone of this growth strategy, reaffirming its role as a trusted partner in enabling Teraswitch’s global ambitions.

For more information on EXA Infrastructure’s high-capacity connectivity solutions, visit https://exainfra.net/