Brazil-based digital bank platform Nubank announced plans on Tuesday to join Brazil’s increasingly crowded mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) space in a bid to expand its portfolio beyond financial services.

The new service, branded NuCel, will cover 93% of Brazil and offer high-performance 5G connectivity via an MVNO arrangement with mobile operator Claro Brasil. The service will be rolled out gradually, and will initially be available only for customers with devices that support eSIM, although this also means the service can be activated digitally and quickly.

NuCel promises to not only offer a user-friendly mobile service with flexible and no-commitment plans, but also integrate services from the Nubank ecosystem.

While only some functionalities will be available in the initial testing phase of the service, at launch, NuCel customers will be able to use Nubank’s “Caixinhas Turbo” tool, a savings box with a return of 120% of the CDI on amounts deposited by the customer, with a limit of up to R$10,000, for at least one year.

NuCel will offer three plans, with monthly data caps at 15GB, 20GB and 35GB. Customers of Nubank’s higher-end services Ultravioleta and Nubank+ will automatically receive extra gigabytes if they exceed their data allowance.

All plans include the Caixinhas Turbo service, unlimited voice for local and long-distance calls, unlimited WhatsApp (including voice and video calls), and unlimited access to the Nubank app. Payments can be made via Nubank’s credit card.

“NuCel was created to simplify the current telephony portfolio with flexible plans, no surprises for customers, and the autonomy that only a 100% digital platform can offer,” said Livia Chanes, CEO of Nubank in Brazil.

Nubank customers who want to sign up for the service can sign up in the banking app to receive notifications when the service is ready to go.

Brazil already has well over 100 MVNOs, the most recent entry being Unifiquemost recent entry being Unifique, which already has an actual 5G network, but applied for an MVNO licence to expand its reach outside of its network coverage in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Nubank may be counting on the popularity of its banking services as a hook to draw customers. In June 2024, Nubank said it has more than 95 million customers in Brazil.  It also has over 8 million in Mexico, and 1 million in Colombia.

Nubank is also potentially well funded, having reported over US$1 billion in net profit and over US$8 billion in revenues in its 2023 financial results.

News  

Backed by £93 million from UKRI funding, the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is envisaged as a centrepiece of the UK’s quantum strategy 

The UK’s NQCC officially opened last week by Science Minister Lord Vallance. Located at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the 4,000-square-meter facility will house 12 quantum computers used for further research into quantum technology.  

Unlike similar facilities worldwide, the NQCC offers open access to researchers, industry, and students across the UK. With over 70 staff members, the centre aims to close skill gaps through the UK’s first dedicated quantum apprenticeship programme, as well as PhD placements.  

The initiative aligns with the UK’s goal of using quantum technology to drive advancements in sectors like healthcare, energy, and artificial intelligence. 

The NQCC is also set to play a major role in the UK’s ten-year quantum strategy, which will invest £2.5 billion on quantum research, innovation, and skills. Key projects within this strategy include optimising energy grids to reduce power loss, accelerating drug discovery, and improving climate predictions.  

Quantum computing is expected to be orders of magnitude more powerful than traditional supercomputers, allowing for calculations that would normally take years to be completed in minutes’  

The National Quantum Computing Centre marks a vital step forward in the UK’s efforts to advance quantum technologies,” said Science Minister Lord Vallance in a statement. 

“By making its facilities available to users from across industry and academia, and with its focus on making quantum computers practically useable at scale, this Centre will help them solve some of the biggest challenges we face, w 

hether it’s delivering advances in healthcare, enhancing energy efficiency, tackling climate change, or inventing new materials,” he continued. 

Join us at next year’s Connected North, 23-24 April in Manchester. Get your discounted tickets here! 

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Four technology deployments by global operators to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

Orex Sai – the Open RAN joint venture between NTT DoCoMo and NEC – says it has been selected by Cambodia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for a project to deploy a 4G Open RAN test network.

According to a statement from Orex on Saturday, the JV will deploy its 4G Open RAN solutions at an unnamed “large commercial facility” in Cambodia as a demo to verify the technology’s ability to provide stable voice and data communications.

The network will also be used to test AI-powered solutions developed for commercial facilities by NTT Data Malaysia to trial potential use cases for 4G in such environments, and demonstrate the ability of Open RAN to support them.

Orex Sai was established by DoCoMo and NEC in April 2024 to integrate Open RAN hardware and software from partners into tailored “Orex Packages” for telcos. Under the Orex Packages framework, Orex provides a full-stack service that includes planning, construction, system verification, maintenance and operation.

Orex said that if the demo goes well, the company will introduce its Orex Packages to the Cambodian market.

Orex Sai also hosted a workshop on Open RAN and other topics on Monday at the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) to help develop local skillsets for Open RAN technologies.

While the chief pitch for Open RAN has typically been to provide telcos with an alternative to vendor lock-in and potentially lower costs, Orex is also pitching its Open RAN solutions – at least in Cambodia – as a security measure for digital infrastructure and a way to mitigate supply chain risks.

“Supply chain risks due to changes in the international situation and concerns about ensuring security in cyberspace have become apparent. Concerns have also been raised about the security of digital infrastructure in terms of security, openness, and transparency,” Orex said.

Orex said that because Open RAN enables various vendors (rather than a single vendor) to supply base station hardware and software, this “will make it possible to reduce supply chain risks, build a flexible and highly scalable wireless access network, and optimize prices by activating the base station market.”

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The company first launched its 5G SA network in September 

EE has announced that 16 additional locations across the UK will receive an upgrade with the deployment of its 5G standalone (5G SA) network by the end of the year.  

This expansion will bring the total number of towns and cities covered by EE’s 5G SA network to 30, encompassing around 21 million people — or nearly a third of the UK population. 

In each area where 5G SA is launched, it is expected to cover at least 95% of the outdoor area. 

Unlike traditional 5G, which uses 4G networks as a foundation, 5G SA operates on a pure 5G core. This architecture enables devices to connect directly to a 5G network without relying on 4G infrastructure, offering faster speeds and lower latency. 

These improvements make 5G standalone particularly effective for high-data-demand applications, such as video calls, streaming or live gaming.  

The 16 new locations are: 

Ashton-under-Lyne 

Barrow-in-Furness 

Barry 

Birkenhead 

Bury 

Coventry 

Dudley 

Dundee 

Newport 

Nottingham 

St Helens 

Stockport 

Swansea 

Weston Super Mare 

Wigan 

Wolverhampton  

EE initially launched its standalone 5G network in September, reaching 15 cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Hull, Glasgow, and Sheffield.  

The operator currently charges a premium access to the 5G SA network, unlike competitors Vodafone and Virgin Media O2, for whose customers access to 5G SA is free for compatible devices. 

At Connected Britain this year, EE CEO Marc Allera explained the difficulties that 5G has faced since its introduction to the market in 2019.  In his Day One keynote speech, Allera said the expectations of 5G were “not met in the early days”, adding that SA would “start bringing the true promise of 5G to consumers and businesses”.  

Join us at next year’s Connected North event, 23-24 April in Manchester. Get discounted tickets here! 
 

Also in the news:
Nokia and Lenovo forge partnership to drive AI and automation in data centers
UK govt announces £22m investment in ‘smart data’
“We’re on track to close the loop”: Adtran talks data, AI, and network automation at Connected Britain 

Over the past decade, we have seen infrastructure investments in Latin America growing rapidly but with most of it going into data centers and subsea cables.  But markets across the continent are maturing, and EdgeUno sees an opportunity.  The infrastructure and cloud provider plans to leverage its footprint across the continent as it builds out diverse, new, longhaul terrestrial fiber between the markets it serves.  With us today to talk about their approach and the opportunity they see is CEO Mehmet Akcin. … [visit site to read more]

News  

The “extremely complex” deal has been more than a year in the making, say the companies 

Czech telco group PPF has completed the sale of a 50% plus one share stake in its telecom assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia to Emirati-based telco e&. In doing so, the companies have formed a new joint venture called e& PPF Telecom Group.  

The deal is valued at €2.15 billion, with a potential earn-out of up to €350 million. 

The joint venture combines PPF’s telecom experience in Central and Eastern Europe with e&’s global tech resources to boost telecom services in the region.  

PPF will retain full ownership of its telecom assets in the Czech Republic, including O2 Czech Republic and CETIN Czech, which are outside the partnership’s scope. Additionally, PPF is set to acquire a 30% stake in CETIN Group from Roanoke Investment, making PPF the sole owner of CETIN Czech. 

“Together, we have created a platform to drive value creation in fast-developing telecommunications markets,” said PPF CEO Jiří Šmejc in a press release. 

“Our partnership with e& testifies to the quality of PPF’s industry expertise and local knowledge. In return, PPF’s telco teams will benefit from the global scale and technology know-how of e&, enabling us to meet our ambitions for further growth,” he continued. 

Earlier this year, the European Commission (EC) opened an investigation into the deal, over concerns that it has been “granted foreign subsidies that could distort the EU internal market”.  

Concerns stemmed from discussions that e& may have received financial support from UAE banks and the national government, which would have given PPF an unfair edge in the EU market according to newly introduced competition rules that came into effect in July last year.  

Earlier this month, the EC unanimously approved the deal. 

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The deal is another stepping stone in IOH’s “to become an AI TechCo” 

Mastercard and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) have launched a new prototype that uses Mastercard’s in-car payment system in combination with IOH’s AI-powered fleet management platform, NEXTFleet. The joint effort aims to reshape urban travel in Indonesia by bringing together payment and mobility technology, the companies said. 

The solution allows drivers to make payments for tolls, EV charging, fuel, and drive-throughs from the dashboard, using Mastercard’s biometric and token technology. 

The payment information is stored in the car’s system, letting drivers pay with a fingerprint. At the same time, NEXTFleet helps companies manage multiple vehicles in real-time, tracking and optimising their use through IoT and mobile apps. 

IOH announced its intention to turn from telco to TechCo at its Capital markets day last year. The company wants to move beyond traditional telecom services to focus on AI and digital solutions across various industries. 

“At Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, we are dedicated to leveraging AI and innovative technologies to revolutionize urban mobility in Indonesia. This collaboration with Mastercard highlights our ambition to become AI TechCo, reflecting our larger purpose of empowering Indonesia through smarter, more efficient solutions that enhance the quality of life for every Indonesian,” said Vikram Aileen Goh, Country Manager and President Director, PT Mastercard Indonesia Sinha, President Director and Chief Executive Officer at IOH. 

As urbanisation in Indonesia rises, the need for connected travel solutions is growing. Digital transactions in the country are set to increase by over 25% this year, with more than 157 million vehicles on the road, a press release stated. 

“Through this collaboration with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, we are showcasing the possibilities that could unfold when innovation, mobility and commerce come together, and what the future holds with more connected, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility ecosystems in Indonesia,” echoed Aileen Goh, Country Manager and President Director at PT Mastercard Indonesia. 

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

Also in the news:
Nokia and Lenovo forge partnership to drive AI and automation in data centers
UK govt announces £22m investment in ‘smart data’
“We’re on track to close the loop”: Adtran talks data, AI, and network automation at Connected Britain 

ZTE has unveiled the innovations of its RAN multi-agent collaboration solution with China Mobile during the China International Information and Communications Technology Exhibition (PTEXPO) in Beijing.

The multi-agent collaboration solution introduces AI large models into the end-to-end operation and maintenance of mobile networks for the first time, yielding impressive performance and efficiency improvements across various locations in China. This represents a significant leap forward in network digitalization and intelligence.

Through the extensive deployment and development of 5G, China Mobile has built the world’s largest mobile network. This expansion has led to increasingly complex network structures and diverse applications, demanding higher efficiency in network operations and maintenance. With the deep integration of 5G with AI+, the introduction of large models is revolutionizing the telecom industry.

The innovations of RAN multi-agent collaboration solution, unveiled at this event, are built upon the latest AI large model tailored for the telecom industry. By harnessing multi-agent collaboration, the solution leverages the network’s native AI atomic capabilities, empowering the network operation and maintenance platform, and exploring a new paradigm for intelligent network management.

The RAN multi-agent collaboration solution seamlessly integrates telecom knowledge, structured data, and network capabilities, enabling accurate understanding and intelligent decision-making in complex operation and maintenance scenarios through multi-agent collaboration and orchestration. This transformation shifts from the traditional « people+tools » model to a new self-orchestrating intelligent service model. The new approach improves the network’s adaptive capabilities and self-service levels, promotes the synergy among various intelligent technologies, and drives the overall advancement of network intelligence. Furthermore, this solution explores new business models and application scenarios, fostering effective integration of 5G-A and AI, expanding the 5G-A industrial ecosystem and enhancing overall industrial value.  

In the journey of network transformation driven by « 5G+ » and « AI+ », ZTE and China Mobile collaborate closely to address the challenges posed by ultra-large-scale mobile networks, complex structures, stringent professional requirements, and high performance and security demands, aiming to establish a new paradigm in mobile network operation and maintenance. Since 2023, ZTE and China Mobile have actively promoted the AI multi-agent collaboration solution for network operation and maintenance, showcasing its effectiveness at major events across China, including the Wuzhen Internet Conference, concerts at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, the Jin’an International Tennis Open, the Xi’an Great Tang All Day Mall, and various events in Beijing. At a concert held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, the solution achieved a 30% reduction in manpower required for network performance assurance. Similarly, at the Xi’an Great Tang All Day Mall, it facilitated a 20% increase in network traffic while significantly enhancing user experience. These improvements highlight the solution’s capability to enhance operation and maintenance efficiency while improving network performance and user perception.

The unveiling of the multi-agent collaboration innovations marks a significant milestone in the network intelligence strategies of ZTE and China Mobile. Moving forward, both companies are committed to deepening their partnership to drive breakthroughs in key intelligent technologies, explore diverse application scenarios, provide robust technical support for the advancement of telecom industry, and facilitate digital transformation across various sectors.

www.zte.com.cn