AST SpaceMobile, the company building what it claims is the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, has confirmed the closing of its offering of 13,636,364 shares of Class A Common Stock raising gross proceeds of $75 million (€71.1m). Riley Securities (B. Riley) was the sole book-running manager of the offering. […]
In the coming year, Deutsche Telekom plans to increase the pace of its fibre rollout significantly, with 2.5 to 3 million connections set to be added in 2023. In the current year, Telekom’s fibre team is fully on track to achieve the goal of offering FTTH connections to an additional 2 million households and businesses. […]
Ofcom probes telecoms price rise transparency UK comms regulator Ofcom has launched an industry-wide enforcement programme into whether in-contract price rises were set out clearly enough by phone and broadband companies before customers signed up. Having analysed customer complaints and other preliminary evidence, Ofcom is concerned that consumers who took out contracts between March 1st, […]
Intelsat has confirmed its launch plans for its Intelsat IS-41 and IS-44 satellites. Intelsat will use an Ariane 6 rocket to launch the pair of satellites in 2025. Thales Alenia Space is building the satellites, which will have a combined weight of some 8,000 kgs. “We are honoured, yet again, by our faithful long-time partner […]
Cellular telco Rakuten Mobile has obtained preliminary experimental test station licences to conduct mobile communication tests and preliminary verification in Japan using AST SpaceMobile’s low earth orbit satellite, BlueWalker 3. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard unmodified mobile phones. In the future, Rakuten Mobile aims […]
Apple iPhone 14 owners in the US and Canada can now use their phone’s Text-based satellite SOS service when they are in uninhabited or dead zones as far as cellular or WiFi connectivity is concerned. In the event of an emergency their phone can send a Text message to one of 24 orbiting Globalstar satellites […]
As climate leaders meet at COP27 in Egypt, figures from the GSMA have revealed that global mobile operators are making strong progress in maximising the use of renewable energy in their networks. However, a survey indicates that access to an additional 64 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity – roughly equivalent to Austria’s annual energy usage […]
A consortium of funds led by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and KKR has entered into a strategic co-control partnership with telco Vodafone for Vodafone’s c. 81.7 per cent stake in Vantage Towers, a leading telecoms tower company in Europe. Vodafone will transfer its stake in Vantage Towers to a holding company (Oak BidCo), which will […]
Virgin Media O2 is helping more people in need access free mobile data by piloting the National Databank for the first time on UK high strees via 10 O2 stores across. The National Databank, founded by Virgin Media O2 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, is similar to a foodbank but for free mobile […]
BT Group Chief Executive Philip Jansen says the telco remains on the front foot in “turbulent times”. Announcing its half year results, Jansen said: “Our strategy is working, we’re executing against our plan and we’re confident that we’ll deliver our long-term ambition while underpinning economic growth in the UK. “ “Our financial performance is on […]