One new data center, one partnership expansion, and some new fiber connectivity: … [visit site to read more]

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The partnership is a continuation of an AI collaboration signed last year 

Telefonica Tech, the digital services arm of the Spanish telco, has announced a new partnership with Microsoft to provide next-generation cybersecurity services to companies around the world. 

The collaboration involve the integration of Microsoft’s AI solutions with Telefonica tech’s existing cybersecurity operations. This will then be managed 24/7 by specialised Telefónica tech teams from its Digital Operations Centers in Madrid, Bogota and Colombia. This will mean customers get “proactive, integrated, automated and real-time security management,” reads the press release. 

President of Microsoft Spain Alberto Granados echoed this, adding that the partnership will offer “customers innovative security solutions powered by Artificial Intelligence with the aim of improving their cyber-resilience.” 

“This global cooperation between Telefónica Tech and Microsoft is a key milestone,” said María Jesús Almazor, COO of Telefónica Tech for Spain and the Americas. 

“Companies around the world will take advantage of all the opportunities that technology offers to digitize processes and jobs, including tools based on generative artificial intelligence, with maximum security,” he continued. 

Last year, the two companies agreed an initial long-term collaboration with the launch of Microsoft’s Responsible AI Innovation Centre in Spain. Along with 15 other companies, Telefónica Tech promotes the adoption of secure AI use through training, developing AI use cases and promoting the responsible use of AI applications. 

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

Also in the news:
UK government conditionally approves £15bn Vodafone–Three merger
Nokia and Vodafone trial Open RAN with Arm and HPE
T-Mobile and Verizon to buy US Cellular, reports say

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A new deadline of January 2027 has been set, allowing more time for vulnerable customers to prepare for the switch-off 

BT has confirmed today that it will delay the switch-off of all copper-based phone lines across the UK until 2027, two years later than originally planned. 

The news was hidden deep in the company’s full year financial results for 2023, but has been confirmed again in a separate press release this morning. 

The delay will apply to all customers, both business and consumer.  

The analogue networks are decades old and are increasingly difficult to service, with replacement parts  hard to source. 

The delay follows a wave of concern over the exposed vulnerability of predominantly elderly customers, who rely on landline-based medical and security alarms. While these systems can also work over digital landlines, they are vulnerable to power cuts or other outages, unlike legacy copper connectivity.  

Around 2 million people in the UK currently use these devices. 

Last December, companies including BT and Sky agreed to stop the forced switchover onto the digital lines after several incidents involving telecare devices were reported. In April this year, BT’s Consumer division started switching zero-use landline customers who have a broadband connection to its Digital Voice landline service. 

“The urgency for switching customers onto digital services grows by the day because the 40-year-old analogue landline technology is increasingly fragile. Managing customer migrations from analogue to digital as quickly and smoothly as possible, while making the necessary provisions for those customers with additional needs, including telecare users, is critically important,” said Howard Watson, Chief of Security and Networks at BT. 

“Our priority remains doing this safely and the work we’re doing with our peers, local authorities, telecare providers and key Government organisations is key. But more needs to be done and we need all local authorities and telecare providers to share with us the phone lines where they know there’s a telecare user,” he continued. 

All customers are expected to be moved off the analogue network by January 2027. 

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

Also in the news:
UK government conditionally approves £15bn Vodafone–Three merger
Nokia and Vodafone trial Open RAN with Arm and HPE
T-Mobile and Verizon to buy US Cellular, reports say

TOA (TowerCo of Africa) Tanzania has signed a US$30 million financing agreement with UK development investor British International Investment (BII).

The agreement will enable TOA Tanzania to deploy a further 200 telecommunications sites across Tanzania as part of its drive to close the country’s digital gap. Positioned strategically across Zanzibar and the mainland, the sites will help to boost coverage nationwide and particularly in rural regions, connecting previously isolated populations.

Innocent Mushi, CEO of TOA Tanzania, said: « With BII’s invaluable support, we are well-equipped to accelerate our growth trajectory and deliver essential telecom services to underserved communities. We are deeply committed to environmental sustainability and community development. The design of our new sites prioritises environmental protection through meticulous site selection, utilisation of renewable energy sources, and responsible waste disposal practices. »

Richard Palmer, Director and Head of Private Debt at British International Investment added: « Expanding digital infrastructure is critical for fostering sustainable economic development in Tanzania. By focusing on rural areas, TOA Tanzania is not only promoting inclusivity but also ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements reach the most underserved communities.”

Founded in February 2023, TOA Tanzania owns and operates passive telecommunications infrastructure for lease to mobile network operators. As part of its growth strategy, the firm aims to double its site portfolio size by the end of its first year of operations. Once completed, the new sites will not only extend network coverage to underserved communities but also support government digitisation efforts, foster financial inclusion, and generate employment opportunities throughout their lifecycle, from design and construction to maintenance.

Might we be on the edge of a new phase of consolidation on the US fiber landscape?  That’s what FiberLight CEO Bill Major has on his mind at the moment.  He took the helm last spring when Morrison & Co finalized the purchase of FiberLight from Thermo Companies.  With Morrison’s backing, the company has the resources to be more aggressive both organically and inorganically.  How do they view the industry right now?  Let’s find out. … [visit site to read more]

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Australian subsea cable company SubCo has announced an upgrade to the capacity of its SMAP subsea cable system that connects Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth (S-M-A-P)

The cable spans roughly 5,000km, was supplied by Alcatel Submarine Networks, and was installed by Optic Marine Systems. 

SMAP was originally designed with twelve fibre pairs, but SubCo has now upgraded the system to a sixteen fibre pairs, increasing the total capacity of the system by 33%. 

“This increased investment in capacity is to ensure we are able to support Australia’s digital infrastructure needs both now, and in the future,” said SUBCO Co-CEO Bevan Slattery in a press release. 

“AI and Cloud are driving the accelerating expansion of hyperscale Data Centres throughout the region, which is driving an increase in demand for hyperscale connectivity. This upgrade will provide for an additional 100Tbps between Melbourne and Perth and 120Tbps between Sydney and Melbourne,” he continued. 

Once completed, SMAP is set to be the world’s first zero carbon long haul subsea cable system, which the SubCo says it will achieve by purchasing renewable infrastructure at every landing station and buying 100% renewable energy.  

Slattery said in a separate statement last August that once operational “SMAP will be the most advanced, secure and innovative submarine cable ever built in Australia.” 

The cable is expected to be ready for service by December next year.  

According to SubCo’s website, the cable is on day 274 of the build, and is 24% complete. 

Join us at this year’s Submarine Networks EMEA event in London, 29-30 May in London. Get tickets here! 

Also in the news:
UK government conditionally approves £15bn Vodafone–Three merger
Nokia and Vodafone trial Open RAN with Arm and HPE
T-Mobile and Verizon to buy US Cellular, reports say

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US House of Representatives passed bipartisan bill to reauthorize NTIA and modernize its role

On Wednesday 15 May, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the first time since 1992.

The goal of the bill is to “update the mission and functions of the agency” due to the extensive evolution of the NTIA since its last reauthorization. New Street Research analyst Blair Levin said that the bill “reflects that in this moment in time, NTIA has become a much more important player in telecom issues.”

The bill was originally spearheaded by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) in July 2023 as the agency’s “duties have changed since it was last reauthorized.” Rodgers and Latta stated that they “look forward to considering several bipartisan solutions to reauthorize NTIA and help ensure that the agency is adapting to meet the needs of a dynamic communications sector.”

Having passed by a vote of 374-36, the legislation extends the NTIA’s mandate through the fiscal year 2025 and introduces several key changes to the agency.

Significantly, the head of the NTIA will be elevated to the rank of Under Secretary of the Department of Commerce. The bill codifies a number of NTIA’s current responsibilities and grants statutory authority for two NTIA offices which focus on public safety communications and international telecommunications policy.

The bill also grants statutory authority to NTIA Office of Spectrum Management and imposes new procedures for disclosing federal concerns. The NTIA must also enhance spectrum resource efficiency.

Crucially, the legislation includes the Plan for Broadband Act, which requires the NTIA to develop a strategy to close the digital divide. The agency must also implement a new process to assess the national security implications of foreign ownership in telecommunications.

Earlier this week, NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson remarked that the NTIA was last reauthorized in 1992, “before Google existed, before the web was popular.” The latest reauthorization seeks to provide clarity about NTIA’s responsibilities in a quickly-changing telecommunications landscape, addressing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and open radio access networks (O-RAN).

The passing of the bill is supported by industry groups, including the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), USTelecom, and WISPA.

Also in the news:
UK government conditionally approves £15bn Vodafone–Three merger
Nokia and Vodafone trial Open RAN with Arm and HPE
T-Mobile and Verizon to buy US Cellular, reports say