The cash boost will create 5G Innovation Regions by awarding funding to areas that can demonstrate how they will drive the development and adoption of 5G and other technologies. This is intended to ensure communities in towns, cities and rural areas across the UK take full advantage of the benefits advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies can provide, as well as attract commercial investment to grow the economy

Successful 5G Innovation Regions will be supported by Government through the DSIT Future Network Programmes team and UKTIN to develop their own digital ecosystems, take advantage of new and emerging technologies, and amplify local and national activities such as Project Gigabit, Investment Zones, and devolution deals to support local digital growth. Applications will close on September 3. Winning bidders will be announced later this year.

Local and regional authorities can apply for a share of the multi-million-pound fund, designed to accelerate innovation in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, transport, agriculture and public services, connecting sensors that analyse and help to improve air quality by better-managing traffic, and deploying 5G-enabled drones that can scan fields.

Winning regions will be supported to adopt 5G and wireless tech across a variety of sectors,

Winning regions will be supported to adopt 5G and wireless tech across a variety of sectors, including public service delivery. Running until March 2025, the successful 5G Innovation Regions’ will be supported by the DSIT Future Network Programmes team and UKTIN to develop their own digital ecosystems, take advantage of new and emerging technologies, and support local digital growth. Applications close September 3, and winning bidders will be announced later this year.’.

Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said:

“This new fund will give local areas the opportunity to be at the forefront of Britain’s world-leading 5G revolution. 5G Innovation Regions will be uniquely positioned to benefit from breaking down barriers which hinder the rollout of such technologies at a local level. This initiative offers every community the chance to gain these opportunities. I encourage local areas to apply and to be ambitious in their vision for reaping the rewards of 5G.”

“Improved connectivity through 5G and advanced wireless technologies could have a transformative effect on local areas, providing faster, more reliable, and more secure connectivity for residents and businesses, boosting local economies and improving the delivery of public services/

“The Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy sets out how advanced wireless connectivity will underpin new and emerging innovative technologies, ranging from Artificial Intelligence to self-driving vehicles, and digital twins – virtual environments where real-world objects like buildings or wind turbines can be tested under different conditions and perfected using advanced computer simulations.

Hamish MacLeod, Chief Executive of Mobile UK, said:

“Driving adoption of 5G is key to releasing the full benefits of this technology, and the Government’s new £40 million fund to support Innovation Regions is an important step. I look forward to seeing the active participation of local and regional authorities whose communities and businesses will be better positioned to realise the benefits of advanced wireless connectivity.”

“Advanced wireless technologies will also be key to harnessing digital transformation to build a more competitive and innovative digital economy, and providing reliable high-speed connectivity for residents and businesses”.

To further accelerate the adoption of 5G in key sectors ranging from transport to manufacturing, the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) will also launch a nationwide campaign to will bring together businesses who want to adopt 5G services with telecoms providers and vendors, The aim is to help them to understand the benefits 5G-enabled services can bring to their companies and how they can access this alternative technology.

UKTIN is the innovation network for the UK telecoms sector that brings together industry, academics, and government to catalyse telecoms R&D investment, cooperation, and commercialisation: www.uktin.net

Information on how to bid and application guidance: here.

The installation of a new 4G mobile mast for the Achiltibuie community on the west coast of Scotland resulted in35 per cent of residents rating their phone service as poor compared with 77 per cent before the 4G mobile mast was installed. Only per cent of respondents rated their mobile signal as good before the mast was commissioned.

The mast was installed as part of Scotland’s 4G Infill Programme which is a £28.75 million Scottish Government programme to deliver 4G in mobile “notspots”.

“Our study highlights both the increased quality of life that comes from the installation of mobile 4G masts”

“The installation of mobile 4G masts in rural communities can improve not only the quality of life for communities, but also reduce environmental impact “according to FarrPoint which calculates the financial breakeven point occurs in year 15 in line with government expectations

“Digital connectivity is often prioritised for those living and working in urban areas. However, having access to a mobile signal is just as important if not more so for those living in rural communities”, said Farr Point CEO Dr Andrew Muir.

“The Scottish Government’s Scotland 4G Infill Programme has been central to improving mobile connectivity across the country and our study highlights both the increased quality of life that comes from the installation of mobile 4G masts, and the economic and environmental benefits.

“While the report centres around the impact of just one mast in the west of Scotland, its findings are wider reaching. For public bodies with population in rural areas, I hope that the findings we have outlined can support them in making mobile coverage improvements. We have seen fhow this local community has benefitted from this investment, and look forward to seeing these benefits being delivered to other mobile blackspots through similar investment

Full report HERE:

Three UK CEO, Robert Finnegan, and Vodafone UK CEO, Ahmed Essam (main pic) have put more flesh on the bone of the historic merger.

Both confirmed there will be no change to each operator’s pricing strategy and that a multi-brand strategy will continue with Vodafone and Three continuing under their own names .

No change to each operator’s pricing strategy and a multi-brand strategy will continue

Economies of scale will enable the UK’s new third network to bring 5G coverage to more than 99 per cent of the population by 2034 and similar geographic coverage by 2027.

They claim that the UK businesses’ digital transformation will get a boost with improvements to production efficiency from full 5G access while energy consumption will be reduced by enabling business to install more energy efficient 5Ge smart technology to reduce their emissions?

“The merger creates a third network operator with scale and creates more effective competition to the market leaders to become an even more effective challenger on home broadband, accelerating the availability of fixed wireless access to complement the UK’s fibre footprint” said Essam.

Both of the businesses will compete as usual on a stand-alone basis until the merger is complete. So customers should not expect any changes to their plans and prices, They have pledged continuation of support on social tariffs to ensure there are o price rises on these tariffs. In the contract-free market there will be no price rises.

Finnegan said he was confident the regulatory bodies would not stop the merger.

“Ofcom identified that investment is very important in the industry. We’re both investing more than we are generating and that is not sustainable. I think Ofcom and the CMA recognise that and that this is an opportunity to correct what is a dysfunctional market. This is a way of creating a really strong third player that has scale and is wiling to invest £11 billion which is way more than any of the other operators. And that’s got to be good for consumers, The devil is in the detail, We will be engaging with the CMA in due course and listen to what their concerns are and move forward.”

this is an opportunity to correct what is a dysfunctional market.

Added Essam added: “If you reflect on where the market was five years ago and where we are today clearly it is a very different market. What materially changed is the MVNO market which is competitive. MVNO’s enjoy a market share of more than 16.5 per ent. It is very different from the position five years back. This changes the competitive landscape and makes our case very strong and which will bring our transaction over the claiming weeks to the CMA”.

The Three China connection is not seen as an obstacle for security concerns as it did with Huawei.

“We work with the security bodies and they have no concerns about our operations. This will be Hutchison taking a 49 per cent stake. So we don’t see an issue here”, said Finnegan.

Essam emphasised that both networks are already heavily regulated in the UK and adhere to strict compliance on customer data.

“We both abide by customer privacy regulations, Clearly the deal will be subject to national security approvals. We are on a good position to take this case to the security agencies and bodies”

Vodafone and Three have agreed their marriage. But they still require regulatory approval and there is already precedent for the authorities rejecting such massive consolidation.

In 2016 The European Commission blocked the proposed acquisition of O2 by Hutchison under the EU Merger Regulation. The EC had strong concerns that UK mobile customers would have had less choice and paid higher prices as a result of the takeover, and that the deal would have harmed innovation in the mobile sector.

However the launch of 5G does mean regulators are mindful that carriers lack the scale to generate sufficient returns on their capital. However there is also government pushback against any ownership of telecoms infrastructure by Chinese companies. The National Security and Investment Act, gives the state the authority to intervene and reject the deal

CCS Insights Kester Mann says the deal is “poised on a knife edge and is too difficult to call either way”

“It’s a huge decision for Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s new CEO, who in a recent speech rejected the idea that her body has been overly interventionist in blocking deals”

Erhan Gurses Equity Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said: “The push for consolidation is seen as positive for the broader industry, although the question remains whether it will receive antitrust approval. The odds of approval have improved. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) may also consider striking a delicate balance between the sector’s investment requirements for 5G roll-outs and consumer welfare. It is worth noting that mobile prices in the UK have remained relatively low compared to other major European markets like Spain or Germany.

But PP Insight analyst Paolo Pescatore believes the deal will “be a hard sale given that both companies have been outperforming the market for the last year or so

“Let’s see if the authorities have a change of heart. Both parties need to demonstrate that this is genuinely in the interest of UK plc, the economy, and consumers for it to have a chance of getting over the line. Ofcom recognises the challenges of the UK mobile market and the need for scale. Convincing the CMA will be the real test. Current investment levels are not sustainable in the longer term.”

“Vodafone and Three may have shot themselves in the foot by recently hiking tariffs by up to 14.4 per cent but the deal should be approved. It is better to have three strong providers than two that are dominant and two that are sub-scale. Blocking it could thwart the long-term development of the UK’s telecoms infrastructure.”

CCS Insight’s Kester Mann believes getting approval will be a challenge.

““This represents the biggest shake-up in the UK mobile market for over a decade. The deal makes plenty of sense as both providers are sub-scale. As separate entities, it would have been near impossible for either to grow enough organically to come close to challenging BT or Virgin Media O2 for size. Inevitably however, there will be widespread fears over job cuts..

“An £11 billion network investment plan will seek to allay regulatory concerns. But this deal will still face a major challenge to win approval. At this stage, I believe it is too difficult to call either way.

“The prospect the deal leads to higher prices will be a major concern for the CMA. Vodafone and Three may have shot themselves in the foot by recently hiking tariffs by up to 14.4 per cent . The deal should be approved. It is better to have three strong providers than two that are dominant and two that are sub-scale. Blocking it could thwart the long-term development of the UK’s telecoms infrastructure.”

“The recent appointment of Margherita Della Valle as Vodafone group CEO will give added impetus to the deal. She has shown clear intent to make changes at Vodafone as she bids to turn the embattled company’s performance around. Securing approval for a tie-up with Three would be a major boost to her early tenure.”

Pescatore thinks the security issues regarding China will be dealt with and overcome .

“Hutchison already has an extensive presence in the UK, but this should be seen as a gradual exit from the telco market. Having the current Vodafone UK CEO heading up the new operation is a testament to this belief. His considered approach will resonate with key stakeholders and improve any chance of getting the deal over the line.”

Dan Ridsdale, Director of Technology Media and Telecoms, at Edison Group, said Vodafone’s statement g read like an overt pitch to convince the CMA, Ofcom, press etc that there would be benefits for customers, country and competition, before looking at deal synergies.

“Management will have a good level of insight into the opinions of key investors regarding the deal, whereas regulators play their cards much closer to their chest. For the CMA, the equation is likely to come down to how much they take into account the consumer benefits from the promised acceleration to the roll out of 5G, gained through economies of scale versus the competitive risks from concentrating market power.

“They will almost certainly consult Ofcom as part of the process who have already highlighted that Vodafone and Three’s poor return on capital under the current market structure presented a risk to future investment in the UK’s networks.”

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/analysis/article/vodafone-three-deal-poised-knife-edge-analyst/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/markets-government/article/german-govt-funds-e6-4-million-project-bring-5g-coverage-country-rail-network/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/markets-government/article/german-govt-funds-e6-4-million-project-bring-5g-coverage-country-rail-network/#respond Tue, 13 Jun 2023 11:53:15 +0000 https://mncwp.tailrd.cloud/german-govt-funds-e6-4-million-project-bring-5g-coverage-country-rail-network/ Rail company Deutsche Bahn (DB), Ericsson, O2 Telefónica, and Vantage Towers are collaborating to develop 5G coverage along train tracks in Germany. The project, called Gigabit Innovation Track (GINT), has received € 6.4 million funding from the German government to provide high-speed data and phone connections to train passengers from all rail operations. A test

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has dismissed the securities litigation brought by certain shareholders.

The court rejected claims that Ericsson misled investors and concluded that Ericsson did not violate any disclosure obligation to investors.

The motion to dismiss decision is subject to appeal from the plaintiff. Ericsson says it will continue to vigorously defend this matter if appealed.

The Nasdaq Stockholm has closed its review into Ericsson’s public disclosure concerning the 2019 Iraq report stating it “cannot come to the conclusion that the content of the report was such that a reasonable investor would have used such information as part of his/her investment decision”.

At Ericsson’s annual conference a year ago, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, and a top-10 Ericsson shareholder voted against releasing CEO Borje Ekholm and many other members from responsibility for the Iraq bribery scandal.

Ericsson is still facing legal claims from American families of servicemen and workers killed or injured in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. They are suing Ericsson under the federal anti-terrorism act. 

The families filed a suit in the District Court of Columbia alleging that Ericsson bribed terrorist groups to protect its interests in these countries and by doing so exposed their family members to graver risks.

EE, BT, iD Mobile and Three all saw their average call waiting times increase compared with 2021, while O2, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone reduced theirs.

EE has the longest average call waiting times of three minutes and 41 seconds,up from tw minutes and 25 seconds over the year before. Last year’s worst performer O2 has improved average waiting time from from four minutes to two minutes and 33 seconds.

Mobile customers spent an average of 2min 23s in a queue last year, up from 2min 15 seconds the previous year. Broadband and landline customers waited 2min 37 seconds on average, compared to two minutes 16 seconds in 2021.

Ofcom’s seventh annual comparing customer service report paints a mixed picture of how providers performed in 2022.

It reveals that people were more likely to be satisfied with their mobile provider (87 per cent) than their broadband (82 per cent) or landline company (77 per cent). And while average numbers of overall complaints to Ofcom fell year-on-year, there are clear areas where the industry needs to improve, particularly around call waiting times and complaints handling.

Phone is the most popular way by far for customers to contact their provider accounting for 77 per cent of mobile customer contacts and 90 per cent of landline and broadband contacts. Webchat was the next most popular way, at 17 per cent and six per cent respectively.

Virgin Mobile scored lower than average for overall satisfaction (81 per cent), while Tesco Mobile and giffgaff customers had higher-than-average satisfaction (both 95 per cent). Tesco Mobile (95 per cent) and giffgaff (93% per cent ) also scored above average for value for money, with EE (74 per cent ) and Vodafone (76 per cent) scoring below average.

“We asked telecoms customers what frustrates them most with their providers. The message is clear: they want to get through to the right person on the phone quickly, and have their complaints dealt with first time. With switching becoming simpler, providers that continue to let standards slip should expect customers to show them the door.” said Ian Macrae, Ofcom’s director of market intelligence.

The report analyses 5G coverage across the UK’s Combined Authority areas and shows two-thirds of locations in the region can get 5G from at least one network operator. This is 300 per cent coverage since December 2021. Other regions, typically have 5G coverage across less than half of their geographies.

Combined Authorities are set up to improve their region’s economies. They invest in the region through collaboration with partners but don’t replace local councils.

“Given the present and future importance of 5G technology here in the UK, it’s great to see our region at the top of the connectivity table,” said Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair.

“By continuing to grow our region’s 5G infrastructure, the West Midlands will remain at the forefront of digital innovation harnessing the power of this technology, attracting investment and driving innovation all for the benefit of residents right across the region.”

Robert Franks, managing director of digital innovation company WM5G

WM5G was formed from a three-year Government -funded programme to accelerate the rollout of 5G and be the lead partner of the DCMS 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme.

“Improving broadband access is key to opening up opportunities across the region. However, the report demonstrates how our region is now in a strong position to lead the way in the delivery of its digital ambitions.”

Last month Birmingham City Council announced the signing of the first Open Access Agreements with telecoms infrastructure providers to use council lampposts to host so-called ‘small cells’. Access agreements usually take a year to put in place. The WM5G reduced this to six working weeks.

 Italy’s top comms provider TIM Group (Telefonia Fissa e Mobile) has secured €360 million in funding from the EIB over the next four years to develop next-gen infrastructure and 5G coverage throughout Italy

The EIB financing is 60 per cent guaranteed by Italian insurance and finance company SACE which specialises in supporting businesses and the national economic system. The loans will enable TIM to expand 5G coverage across Italy by the end of 2025 using 700 MHz bands.

The operation supports the objectives of the 2030 Digital Decade, the EU programme defining digital ambitions for the next 10 years.

The loans come under the EIB’s main areas of activity, namely developing and supporting the telecommunications network infrastructure, bridging the digital divide, meeting the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe, and helping the EU’s most disadvantaged regions.

The government’s Emergency Alerts test text message being broadcast to every mobile phone in the country on Sunday at 3 pm could cause issues for connected devices such as medical equipment, vending machines and electric vehicle chargers.

Mobile phones across the UK will emit a loud alarm and vibrate on Sunday as a test run.  The alerts can be turned off on iPhones and Android devices.

Paul Marshall, founder of IoT specialists Eseye, warns the alert could disrupt non-phone Android and iOS devices as there has not been consideration of the range of non-consumer connected IoT devices.

“Every IoT device is unique, with different hardware and firmware. It is impossible to predict the scale of the disruption or to implement a catch-all fix. Many devices may not be equipped to acknowledge and dismiss this notification, which could cause real-world problems

“We simulated the alert on customer devices and found that one medical device sounded the alert and entered into an alarm state that could not be cancelled, potentially creating risk and causing distress for patients” said Marshall.

“Overall, the health and safety of elderly and vulnerable people who rely on these connected home and healthcare systems are at risk from the impact of these alerts. Another example is EV charging systems where there could be disruption to travel infrastructure and drivers could be left stranded if the charger can’t process payments and dispense electricity.

“Given the lack of government guidance in this area, our advice to any companies running connected Android devices, in particular, is to ideally simulate and test this alert ahead of Sunday, and update firmware where necessary immediately.”

Former Tory cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has criticised the planned alert which is set to be tested on millions of devices this weekend calling it “mollycoddling? and “nanny state” interference with people’s lives.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has implored people not to disable the alert notification on their phones,

Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation at the GSMA says the Alerts service aims to keep people safe.

“Early Warning Systems (EWS) are nothing new and have long been used globally to keep communities in at-risk areas informed of imminent hazards and to help improve disaster response. Similar systems are in place globally, including in the US, Europe, Australia and Japan”.

“Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, flooding, heavy rainfall or blizzards, are only becoming more frequent in the UK. The Emergency Alerts service will help to improve the preparedness of emergency services, and ensure the public is given clear instructions in the event of a life-threatening emergency, ultimately helping to save lives.”

“Every IoT device is unique, with different hardware and firmware. It is impossible to predict the scale of the disruption or to implement a catch-all fix. Many devices may not be equipped to acknowledge and dismiss this notification, which could cause real-world problems”