News

According to the government, funding could cover everything from high altitude platform stations (HAPS) to delivery drone management technology

This week, the UK Space Agency has announced £20 million in funding aimed at supporting the development of aerial connectivity projects.

Companies can submit applications for funding under three categories – drones, HAPS, and High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned air vehicles.

Projects could include, but are not limited to, “aerial platforms with hybrid capabilities that can seamlessly switch between satellite and terrestrial networks, or traffic management for innovative vehicles such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft”.

Possible applications include drones delivering medical supplies, the rapid deployment of dedicated emergency services communications, and delivering broadband connectivity to rural customers.

“From using drones to quickly get medicines to hospitals, through to boosting mobile network access in remote areas, the benefits of aerial connectivity cut through many aspects of our lives,” said UK Technology Secretary Chloe Smith. “The Government’s £20 million investment will further strengthen the UK’s fast-growing satellite communications industry, which already contributes more than £10 billion to our economy and supports over 26,000 jobs. It will improve our health and security, too, and support our plan to level up every part of the UK.

The funding comes as part of the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services (ARTES) programme, in which the UK is a major investor. In November 2022, the UK government committed £190 million to the programme, pledging to further develop the country’s growing satellite industry and promote the creation of new aerial connectivity technologies.

The first £50 million of this funding was made available to applicants by the government earlier in the year, targeting related projects in the satellite communications industry.

The UK is not alone in its interest in non-terrestrial connectivity. In related news, today the GSMA announced a new Memorandum with Understanding (MoU) with the ESA, aiming to explore greater collaboration between the satellite and mobile industries to better develop network technologies. The agreements initial focus will be on accelerating the integration of satellite communications with terrestrial 5G and, in the future, 6G networks.

“By collaborating more closely with the European Space Agency, and its satellite network operator ecosystem, we hope to accelerate the immense potential satellite and terrestrial telecommunications networks can create for consumers and businesses when they are more closely connected,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer at the GSMA. “By working together, we can help the communications industry bring innovative solutions to market, which in turn will create tremendous benefits to society by connecting even more people, wherever they are in the world.”

How is the UK’s growing satellite communications industry reshaping the nation’s telecoms sector? Join the operators in discussion at this year’s Connected Britain conference

Also in the news:
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Telefónica sells majority share of Peruvian fibre network to KKR
5G NTN-mobile market revenue to hit $18bn by 2031

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The trial will see Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone test the EU’s digital identity wallets during SIM activation, in anticipation of broader usage 

This week, Germany’s three mobile network operators have announced their participation in a new EU trial seeking to further the development of mobile wallets for digital identities. 

The scheme is being carried out by the EU consortium ‘POTENTIAL’, the largest of four consortia currently operating pilot programmes aiming to provide each EU citizen with control over their online data through a secure digital identity, which can be used throughout the bloc. 

The consortium’s 148 partners are trialing various digital ID projects in 19 countries, including using the IDs for opening bank accounts and obtaining digital drivers licenses. Testing for online citizen services and electronic signatures are reportedly ongoing. 

For the trio of mobile network operators involved, their own pilot project will involve enabling consumers to use their digital IDs to activate SIM cards. This, they say, will both serve as a proof of concept and theoretically help to reduce digital identity fraud. 

The testing will take place in Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Netherlands, Greece, and Ukraine. 

The current methods of online self-identification are often criticised for being too costly and insecure. As a result, the EU is beginning to introduce new technical conditions to ensure digital identities are secure based on new Electronic Identification and Trust Services (eIDAS) regulations which recently came into effect. 

“Every time a website asks us to create a new digital identity or conveniently log in via a large platform, we actually have no idea what is happening with our data. This is why the Commission will soon propose a secure European digital identity. One that we trust, and that citizens everywhere in Europe can use to do everything from pay taxes to rent a bike. A technology with which we ourselves can control what data is used and how,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. 

“A digital identity can only bring value when people actually use it. And they will do so when they can trust the application and it is made easy to use. This is what we are supporting with our participation in the EU project ‘POTENTIAL’. So that digitalisation becomes accessible everywhere and for everyone. Whether at home, on vacation or on business trips,” added Michael Jungwirth, Director Public Policy & External Affairs at Vodafone Germany. 

‘POTENTIAL’ is expected to report on the results of the various trials in September, which will then be used to develop a roadmap to see the digital IDs rolled out throughout the EU by 2025.  

Join in the conversation about digital security at this year’s Total Telecom Congress live from Amsterdam 

Also in the news:
Nokia and Proximus team up for Europe’s first hybrid quantum encryption key trial
EU fines Meta €1.2bn over transfer of data to US
Samsung bans staff from using generative AI after data leak 

Navégalo, a provider of data centre and telecommunication services with a strong presence in Latin America, has announced the arrival of a new state-of-the-art data centre in San José, Costa Rica. The opening is scheduled for 15 August 2023.

Navégalo says this expansion solidifies its position as the largest privately held data centre company in Costa Rica. The new facility boasts 300 cabinets, including an exclusive 40-cabinet suite, providing ample space to collocate infrastructure and benefit from Navégalo’s comprehensive suite of services.

Initially providing 5MW of power, the new facility can scale up to 15MW to meet the growing demands of global hyperscalers. Navégalo says that Costa Rica’s strategic location, skilled workforce, robust telecommunication infrastructure, proximity to the US, and political stability make it an attractive choice for these tech giants, as well as global clients.

As for environmental stewardship, Navégalo says it will achieve a number of relevant certifications by the end of the year. It adds that it has operated on 99% renewable energy for the past seven years and plans to offset the remaining 1% through solar panels.

By October 2023, Navégalo will be ISO 9001 and ISO 27001-compliant. The facility already holds Rated 3 certification according to ANSI/TIA-942 standards, with Tier III Certification expected later this year.

Navégalo says it ensures 100% redundancy and robust connectivity through its own capacity on three submarine cables – PAC, Arcos, and Maya.

Founded in 2002, Navégalo offers hosting, domains, VoIP, cybersecurity, and colocation services. As well as its two facilities in San José, Navégalo is also present in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama along with Miami in the US.

News

Vodafone CEO Ahmed Essam has warned that if the Vodafone–Three merger is stopped by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), vital investments in digital UK infrastructure will be prevented

This week, the head of Vodafone UK has stressed to regulators that the planned merger between Vodafone and Three will be critical to achieving the government’s 5G rollout targets. CEO Ahmed Essam told The Times that if the deal is blocked the group “won’t be able to invest as much, and we won’t be able to deliver the 5G ambition that’s coming in the wireless infrastructure strategy from the government.”   

The government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published in April, set out a plan for the UK to bring world-class digital infrastructure to the entire UK, aiming to provide nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030 

Vodafone and Three signed a formal £15 billion merger agreement last month, a deal that will see the newly combined company majority-owned (51%) by Vodafone, with Three UK’s parent company, CK Hutchison taking the remaining 49%. No cash will be exchanged under the agreement. 

If approved, the newly merged group will become the largest mobile network operator in the UK, surpassing both Virgin Media O2 and EE, with more than 27 million customers. 

The deal will see the two companies invest £11 billion in UK mobile infrastructure. This includes promises to reach 99% of the UK with their newest 5G standalone network by 2034 and offering fixed wireless access to 82% of UK households by 2030. 

“As a country, the UK will benefit from the creation of a sustainable, strongly competitive third scaled operator – with a clear £11bn network investment plan – driving growth, employment and innovation,” said Vodafone Group Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle. 

“The combination of Three UK and Vodafone UK will bring the advantages of 5G to every business and household in the UK, enabling the UK to deliver its ambitions for digital and economic growth and fully supporting the UK Government’s objectives for a world-leading digital economy,” added Three UK CEO Robert Finnegan. 

However, critics have warned against the monopolistic nature of the merger, which they argue will lead to higher prices and job cuts. They point to similar mergers in other markets, such as Vodafone Hutchison’s combination with TPG in Australia in 2020, which saw prices increase for customers and investment in the sector decrease, according to research from trade union Unite. 

As a result, the CMA and other regulators are expected to take a largely skeptical view of the deal and are likely to impose stringent conditions on the duo before agreeing to give the deal the green light. These conditions could involve anything from forbidding the company from hiking prices for a number of years to divesting of spectrum – a commodity in which the newly merged entity will hold a major advantage over rivals.  

How will the merger play out? It is sure to be a hot topic for discussion at Connected Britain this September – get your ticket today! 

Also in the news:
Voda – Three – well that’s just great…
Orange facing bumpy regulatory road to Masmovil merger
Orange-MásMóvil merger may reduce competition in Spain, says European Commission 

euNetworks revealed a continent-wide transport win over in Europe this morning, taking advantage of the reach they have steadily built themselves over the last decade. Inter.link will be leveraging their infrastructure in a big way as it ramps up its international presence, starting with Europe. … [visit site to read more]