This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Dana Cohen Mizrahi, Product Marketing Manager at Sony Semiconductor Israel
Non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity is making its way into IoT chipsets, enabling connected devices and installations to be deployed anywhere. Some devices are being outfitted with stand-alone chips that can only connect to satellites, while others are using hybrid chipsets that support both terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity. … [visit site to read more]
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After discovering that 1 in 5 UK adults lack the most basic digital skills needed for everyday life, and a shocking 1 in 2 households in the UK have no internet access at all, Bionic dug deeper into how UK cities compared when it came to digital inclusion.
In the study, the number of digital inclusion services in each city were examined, taking into account their population and size. Manchester topped the list, having 193 digital inclusion services for a population of 586,100. This was followed by Coventry, with 61 services for 345,300 people, and Bangor took third place with 5 services for 31,765 people.
Although they have a significant number of digital inclusion services, London failed to make it to the top 20 as it had less services per person.
On the on the other end of the scale, the town of Armagh in Northern Ireland topped the list for the worst digital inclusion support, no services for its 63,874 residents. This was followed by Ely and St Davids, both of which also had no services, despite having a great population.
“Our study highlights the pivotal role of digital inclusion support in building a more connected society,” said Les Roberts, connectivity expert at Bionic.
“The fact that Manchester, Coventry, and Bangor have all emerged as the top three cities for digital inclusion in the UK is undoubtedly thanks to the hard work of local charities and organisations in their areas, showcasing their commitment to bridging the digital divide,” he continued.
Roberts emphasised that whilst it is encouraging to see progress in areas outside of London, the study highlights the need for digital inclusivity to be extended to every corner of the UK.
Total Telecom runs Connected North, which brings together over 200 expert speakers and 2500 to the North’s dedicated digital economy event in Manchester. Join us in April– book your tickets here!
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BT signs connectivity deal with Iraqi gas firm
Four bits of data center news: one acquisition, two upgrades, and a collaboration in the AI space: … [visit site to read more]
Nokia has announced that it will invest €360 million in the development of hardware, software, and chip design at its German sites in Ulm and Nuremberg.
The investment is part of a four-year European IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) project, which is also supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) and the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
Nokia says the investment will help strengthen the integrated development of software, hardware, and chips, all of which will be used in radio and optical products in future mobile communications systems based on 5G Advanced and 6G standards.
It is hoped that the project will strengthen both Germany and Europe’s global positions in the fields of microelectronics, particularly in terms of emerging technologies like 6G and AI.
“This important funding will support our efforts to advance the telecommunications industry in Germany and in Europe, helping to drive innovation and strengthen competitiveness,” said Nokia’s President of Mobile Networks, Tommi Uitto in a press release.
“In particular, it will help our research into microelectronics that will power future technologies such as 6G, artificial intelligence and the metaverse as well as develop networks that are more energy-efficient and powerful. Germany is an important market for Nokia, and we look forward to working with the government to produce cutting-edge technology that is ‘Made in Germany’,” he continued.
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Also in the news:
South Korean president backs semiconductor mega cluster investment
Malaysia to launch second 5G network alongside DNB
BT signs connectivity deal with Iraqi gas firm
Two new facilities, recently opened by Pixxel and Apple, underline the continuing attraction to technology companies of the Indian market in general and the city of Bengaluru in particular.
Pixxel, a specialist in hyperspectral earth-imaging technology inaugurated its first spacecraft manufacturing facility (called MegaPixxel) in Bengaluru this week.
The new facility, spanning more than 30,000 square feet, consolidates all satellite manufacturing services, providing a comprehensive spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) facility under one roof.
The facility, Pixxel says, will ensure a streamlined production process from concept to launch — providing a space for Pixxel’s satellites to be designed from scratch, manufactured, integrated and tested for launch conditions before being shipped to a launch site.
At full capacity, the facility is equipped to handle more than 20 satellites simultaneously that can be turned around within a timeframe of six months, making a total capacity of 40 large satellites per year possible.
The space is uniquely designed, with two modern clean rooms of ISO Class 7 and ISO Class 8 that safeguard against contaminants that could impair satellite functionality during the satellite assembly and integration process.
Additionally, it houses labs for advanced camera integration, electronics R&D, and electrical assembly, along with a mechanical workshop, a mission control room, and an office space that can accommodate more than 200 employees.
Pixxel’s facility will also feature a wastewater treatment plant to help conserve water and reduce water dependency as well as smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to further enhance energy efficiency and minimise carbon footprint.
Meanwhile Apple has opened its latest Indian office in Bengaluru, underlining its commitment to the world’s second-largest smartphone market – and its divergence outside of China.
The new Apple office will house up to 1,200 employees and comprises 15 floors, dedicated lab space, and areas for collaboration and wellness.
This is the latest addition to Apple’s corporate office footprint across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Gurugram. The company has nearly 3,000 employees in India.
Two data center expansion projects, and two vendor wins: … [visit site to read more]
Following a recent Ofcom crackdown on broadband advertising and mid-contract price hikes, BT have confirmed that they will be adopting a simpler approach to their pricing models, starting from this summer.
“Starting in early summer, we will introduce a pricing model consistent with Ofcom’s approach, moving away from % figures and CPI, and offering instead, a clear and simple view of any changes in “pounds and pence,” read the press release.
For broadband customers the increase is expected to be around £3 per month, and mobile customers around £1.50, although this will only occur after the company’s next price hike.
The pricing model currently used by BT adjusts the customer prices on 31st March every year by the rate of inflation (CPI) plus 3.9%. Advertising prices that are linked to inflation rates can often be confusing for consumers because an exact increase amount is not advertised; instead, only a percentage increase and esoteric inflation metric is shown. Ofcom found that over 55% of broadband customers and 58% of monthly paying mobile customers did not know what inflation rates like CPI and RPI measure.
Additionally, consumers have grown angry with the size of mid-contract price rises – BT’s increase last year totalled 14.4%, for example.
Research conducted by Ofcom found that four in ten (11 million) broadband customers and over half of mobile customers (36 million) were on contracts subject to inflation-linked price rises (as of April 2023).
“Most people are left confused by the sheer complexity and unpredictability of inflation-linked price rise terms written into their contract, which undermines customers’ ability to shop around,” said Ofcom CEO Dame Melanie Dawes.
In mid-December, Ofcom proposed a ban on these inflation-linked mid-contract price rises and have been conducting a consultation that is set to end on 13th February, after which the final decision will be published.
The rest of the UK’s operators will likely follow suit in short order, with Ofcom expected to implement the new measures later this year.
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Also in the news:
South Korean president backs semiconductor mega cluster investment
Malaysia to launch second 5G network alongside DNB
BT signs connectivity deal with Iraqi gas firm
The age of the terabit draws ever closer. Today Windstream Wholesale and Cisco revealed another successful demonstration at the leading edge of transmission speeds. Top billing went to an industry first of a 1Tbps wavelength over a 1,100km link on fiber between Miami and Jacksonville. … [visit site to read more]
Telecom Egypt and Zain Omantel International (ZOI) have announced plans to forge what they call a new digital corridor, bridging the Mediterranean and Arabian seas.
Telecom Egypt describes itself as Egypt’s first integrated telecom operator and one of the largest subsea cable operators in the region. Global wholesale services provider Zain Omantel International (ZOI) has access to more than 20 international subsea cables in the region (we reported on the launch of ZOI in May 2023). They are now joining forces to establish the corridor which, they say, will seamlessly connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf, creating an ‘unprecedented’ Eurasian data highway.
The infrastructure will extend from Oman’s Arabian Sea and Gulf shores to Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline, employing a high-fibre-count, cutting-edge blend of terrestrial and subsea segments.
The terrestrial segments, spanning Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, promise what is described as unparalleled reliability and protection, while the subsea section, directly linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt through the Red Sea, will feature a high-capacity repeaterless cable system.
Telecom Egypt and ZOI say this route design will provide their partners and customers with the best resiliency and reliability for their end-to-end solution. Furthermore, the infrastructure will be extended to Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and Jordan through ZOI’s network and collaboration with the licensed cable landing parties in each country.
This collaboration also offers an opportunity for subsea cable owners. By connecting to this open access system, they can significantly reduce their construction costs and greatly enhance latency, resilience and market response times.
Telecom Egypt will develop new infrastructure across Egypt from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and onwards to Europe, complemented by ZOI’s robust infrastructure across the Middle East. This new network route, say the project partners, will have the shortest, enhanced-latency profile, giving hyperscalers, subsea cable providers, carriers and telecom operators improved connectivity options from the Indian Ocean to Europe.
