Category: Network

Network covers data communication and access technology and services, as well as provides guidance on the issues business technologists face when working with service and solution providers.

T-Mobile Adds Data Support to T-Satellite, Broadening its Relevance Beyond Emergency Messaging

by John Marcus, posted in Communicate, Network
John Marcus – Senior Principal Analyst, Enterprise Mobility and IoT Services.

Summary Bullets:
• T-Mobile added data connectivity to T-Satellite in an announcement pivoting from “emergency messaging” focus of the service’s launch towards app-based data services and higher enterprise relevance

• Early business app integrations, coupled with an expanded set of consumer apps, position T-Satellite as a broader competitive play in satellite-to-mobile, though IoT support and performance limitations remain concerns

When T-Mobile launched T-Satellite commercially in July, the focus was firmly on safety and resilience. SMS, MMS, and text-to-911 formed the core offering, with compelling stories of hikers rescued and emergency alerts broadcast in disaster zones. At the time, the service’s competitive strengths were clear: broad device support, seamless integration with existing smartphones, and unique value in public safety. But there were also several limitations: no data or voice, little to offer enterprises beyond the “resilience” messaging, and no clarity on IoT support.

Continue reading “T-Mobile Adds Data Support to T-Satellite, Broadening its Relevance Beyond Emergency Messaging” →

Verizon Frontline Research Shows an Uptick in the Use of Advanced Technology by First Responders on the Horizon

by Amy Larsen DeCarlo, posted in Network
Amy Larsen DeCarlo – Principal Analyst, Security and Data Center Services

Summary Bullets:

• Though just 12% of public safety workers currently use AI everyday, 46% anticipate it will become part of their daily work by 2030.

• With an increasing emphasis on using network-dependent technologies like connected cars and drones, network reliability – or the lack thereof – is the top concern of 67% of those surveyed.

As essential as first responders are, public safety officials aren’t necessarily known for deploying leading-edge technology. But results from the fifth annual Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey suggest this may be changing. The survey results of 1,028 first responders – i.e., EMS, fire, police, emergency management, public safety, and emergency communications workers – find that while advanced technologies like AI and drones are broadly used today, they expect wider implementation through 2030.

Continue reading “Verizon Frontline Research Shows an Uptick in the Use of Advanced Technology by First Responders on the Horizon” →

5G Network Slicing Services Launch with Increasing Frequency, but What Exactly Are They Offering?

by John Marcus, posted in Cloud Enable, Network
John Marcus – Senior Principal Analyst, Enterprise Mobility and IoT Services.

Summary Bullets:

• Major telecom companies like Vodafone Germany, T-Mobile US, and Deutsche Telekom are launching distinct 5G network slicing services aimed at business customers, each reflecting unique strategies and market contexts, from Vodafone’s standardized pricing for virtual private campus networks to T-Mobile’s all-in-one premium mobility plan and Deutsche Telekom’s focus on mission-critical services for emergency responders.

• While these launches signify progress in 5G enterprise services, the concept of network slicing is still evolving, with offerings being marketed more as tailored connectivity solutions rather than fully programmable network tools.

The long-promised potential of 5G network slicing—dedicated, virtualized “lanes” in the mobile network—is finally being brought to market in structured offers for business customers. But what exactly is being offered? Vodafone Germany, T-Mobile US, and Deutsche Telekom have all announced distinct slicing propositions in recent weeks, each reflecting a different strategy and market context.

Continue reading “5G Network Slicing Services Launch with Increasing Frequency, but What Exactly Are They Offering?” →

Tata Communications and Amazon Web Services to Build AI Network in India, as More Telcos Look to Deploy AI-ready Infrastructure

by Brendan Swan, posted in Network
B. Swan

Summary Bullets:

• Tata Communications will collaborate with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to build a high-capacity network connecting three major AWS infrastructure locations in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

• In a growing trend, more telecom providers are building high-capacity terrestrial networks to meet the growing demand in bandwidth contributed by the rise in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud.

Tata Communications has announced a new partnership with AWS to build and deploy a high-capacity national terrestrial network backbone, making a significant move in transforming the country’s digital infrastructure evolution. This strategic collaboration between the two supports the continued rise in demand for data-intensive workloads driven by AI and cloud adoption. In what is becoming an increasing trend among global telecom operators, with more carriers investing substantial funds to expand, or upgrade their terrestrial networks to meet future data traffic demands, contributed by data-hungry workloads such as AI/ML, while future-proofing their networks to meet the requirements of their hyperscalers and enterprise customers.

Continue reading “Tata Communications and Amazon Web Services to Build AI Network in India, as More Telcos Look to Deploy AI-ready Infrastructure” →

Carriers Grow Traffic Significantly While Also Delivering Energy Efficiency

by Rob Pritchard, posted in Cloud Enable, Communicate, IT Leader, Mobilize, Network
R. Pritchard

Summary Bullets:

  • Comcast has nearly doubled the energy efficiency of its network ahead of its 2030 target while also carrying 76% more data.
  • Other examples of greater energy efficiency through new technology include BT Global Fabric, where the replacement of legacy platforms will see a 79% energy consumption reduction.

Comcast announced that it is near to reaching its goal of doubling its network energy efficiency ahead of its 2030 target, stating that it is “delivering dramatically more data at faster speeds and greater reliability at the highest quality for our customers, all while conserving the amount of energy needed to power our network.”

Continue reading “Carriers Grow Traffic Significantly While Also Delivering Energy Efficiency” →

HPE’s Concessions Made to US DoJ to Acquire Juniper Will Have an Uncertain Impact

by Steven J. Schuchart Jr., posted in Big Data, Network
S. Schuchart

Summary bullets:

• The long-awaited merger is nearly here

• The impact of these concessions will play out over time

The long, drawn-out saga of HPE’s quest to buy Juniper has reached another milestone. HPE and the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) have reached a deal that, pending judicial approval, will allow the transaction to complete. However, there are a couple of concessions on HPE’s part. First it must divest its HPE Aruba Instant On business within 180 days to satisfy the DoJ’s worries about Wi-Fi market share of the combined companies. Second, HPE must auction off a perpetual, non-exclusive license to the source code for AI Ops for Mist.

Continue reading “HPE’s Concessions Made to US DoJ to Acquire Juniper Will Have an Uncertain Impact” →

AI-Powered Network Portals: SLMs, Proactive Observability, and Root Cause Analysis

by Gary Barton, posted in Network
Research Director, Enterprise Technology and Services

Summary Bullets:

  • Multiple small language models (SLMs) are likely to be more affective than one big large language model (LLM).
  • AI can offer proactive root cause analysis informed by multiple data sources.

Agentic AI has dominated the tech headlines in recent months and was the hot topic at this year’s MWC event in Barcelona (Spain). The technology will play a significant role in revolutionizing indirect sales and customer support processes across pretty much all verticals. It can also play a major part in one of the most important challenges facing telcos at the moment: automating their networks.

Continue reading “AI-Powered Network Portals: SLMs, Proactive Observability, and Root Cause Analysis” →

Project Waterworth: Meta’s New Cable Will Bring Disruption to the Wholesale Telecom Market

by Brendan Swan, posted in Network
B. Swan

Summary Bullets:

  • Meta has announced it will build a 50,000km subsea cable connecting five major continents, including the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and India.
  • Project Waterworth is likely to cause further disruption for wholesale operators as the company looks to dominate global internet connectivity.

Meta announced it will build the world’s longest and highest capacity subsea cable system spanning over 50,000km (31,000 miles), connecting Brazil, India, the US, South Africa and other regions. The new venture, dubbed Project Waterworth, is expected to enhance global connectivity and bring Meta significant opportunities in the AI space, particularly in the Indian market, along with new economic growth for the countries associated with the project. The proposed network will use 24 fiber pairs, which will boost data capacity and internet speed across connected regions and will be laid at depths of up to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) to avoid damage from ship anchors and other hazards, while evading any high-risk geopolitical regions. This announcement from Meta could also play a role in the expansion of cloud computing, data centers, and other emerging AI-driven advancements. Project Waterworth is likely to cause further disruption for wholesale operators as the company looks to dominate global connectivity.

Continue reading “Project Waterworth: Meta’s New Cable Will Bring Disruption to the Wholesale Telecom Market” →

TIM Offloads Sparkle as the Italian Government Looks to Keep Ownership in a 70% “Strategic” Stake

by Brendan Swan, posted in Network
B. Swan

Summary Bullets:

• Telecom Italia has divested Sparkle, its international infrastructure and services unit, in an EUR700 million ($733 million) deal as the carrier looks to reduce debt and focus on its core business.

• Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) will have majority control of the business with 70% of the company, with the remaining 30% share owned by Retelit, a subsidiary of Spanish infrastructure fund Asterion.

Telecom Italia has finally offloaded its international infrastructure and services unit Sparkle to the Italian MEF in an EUR700 million ($733 million) partnership deal with Retelit, a fiber-optic operator controlled by Spanish Infrastructure fund Asterion. Sparkle operates more than 600,000 km of cables that connect countries across Europe and the Americas. Telecom Italia’s board unanimously approved the deal, which was first put forward as a non-binding offer in October 2024 but was rejected by the board. The sale is expected to be completed within Q1 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

Continue reading “TIM Offloads Sparkle as the Italian Government Looks to Keep Ownership in a 70% “Strategic” Stake” →

Small Business Saturday – An Opportunity for UK Telcos

by Rob Pritchard, posted in Cloud Enable, Communicate, IT Leader, Network, Secure
R. Pritchard

Summary Bullets:

  • Held on the first Saturday in December, ‘Small Business Saturday’ in the UK encourages small businesses to promote themselves and attract customer attention.
  • Following Black Friday offers, UK telcos should use this event to target SMBs and SOHOs – acquiring customers is more profitable than slashing margins.

Having started in the US in 2010, ‘Small Business Saturday’ has found its way to the UK and celebrated its 12th anniversary this side of the Atlantic on December 7, 2024 – an estimated GBP669 million was spent on Small Business Saturday in the UK in 2023.

Continue reading “Small Business Saturday – An Opportunity for UK Telcos” →