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Government programme boosts 4G coverage in rural Wales

Ryan Daws — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:13:09 +0000

Several rural communities in Wales are now accessing fast and reliable 4G mobile coverage thanks to the UK government’s Shared Rural Network initiative to tackle poor connectivity in remote areas. The first of 86 planned 4G mobile masts have been switched on this month in places like Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Ysbyty Ystwyth, LLanafan, Tynygraig, West Fedw and... Read more »

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SpaceX probed over Russia’s alleged Starlink use

Ryan Daws — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:49:49 +0000

Democratic lawmakers are investigating SpaceX over reports that Russia is using the company’s Starlink satellite internet service in occupied areas of Ukraine, raising concerns about potential violations of US sanctions and export controls. In a letter sent Wednesday to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California cited intelligence... Read more »

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Vodafone UK completes 3G shutdown to enhance 4G/5G services

Ryan Daws — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:51:15 +0000

Vodafone UK has followed EE’s announcement this week by officially shutting down its 3G mobile network nationwide. This transition allows for the repurposing of related radio frequencies to bolster the faster 4G and 5G services. While Vodafone claims the switch-off is complete as of this week, it slightly missed its initial target of finishing by... Read more »

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AST SpaceMobile attracts investments from AT&T, Google and Vodafone

Ryan Daws — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:42:03 +0000

AST SpaceMobile has attracted significant investments totalling $206.5 million from industry giants AT&T, Google, and Vodafone. The investment includes $155 million as a strategic infusion and an additional $51.5 million to be drawn from the company’s existing senior-secured credit facility. This latest investment round underscores confidence in AST SpaceMobile’s technology and its position in the... Read more »

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SpaceX exchanges first texts using its ‘Direct to Cell’ satellites

Ryan Daws — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 13:45:32 +0000

SpaceX has demonstrated its new “Direct to Cell” capabilities by exchanging texts between mobile phones on Earth using satellites in orbit. On 2 January 2024, SpaceX launched six new satellites designed to connect with standard unmodified mobile devices. The company wasted no time putting them into service, transmitting texts less than a week later using... Read more »

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EchoStar completes $26B acquisition of DISH Network

Ryan Daws — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:06:00 +0000

EchoStar has announced the completion of its $26 billion acquisition of DISH Network. The deal combines two of the nation’s largest providers of satellite and wireless services into one telecoms giant. Under the terms of the agreement, DISH Network has become a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. All outstanding shares of DISH Network’s common stock... Read more »

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Connected Nations: UK full-fibre broadband reaches 17M homes

Ryan Daws — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:54:21 +0000

A record-breaking 17 million UK homes now have access to full-fibre broadband, according to Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations report released today. The report highlights the advantages of full-fibre broadband, emphasising its increased reliability and resilience compared to traditional copper-based networks. 4.6 million households have already made the switch. Analysis indicates that providers experience fewer faults... Read more »

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Over 330K premises benefit from UK connectivity fund in 2023

Ryan Daws — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:57:58 +0000

The UK has invested over half a billion pounds this year to boost connectivity for more than 330,000 premises. The announcement comes alongside a £33 million investment to connect more than 17,000 homes and businesses in rural Derbyshire to high-speed broadband. This announcement for Derbyshire follows earlier contracts awarded in Shropshire, Cambridgeshire, New Forest, Norfolk,... Read more »

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FCC rejects Starlink’s bid for $886M in subsidies

Ryan Daws — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:47:17 +0000

The FCC has denied Elon Musk’s Starlink a hefty $886 million subsidy from the Universal Service Fund, allocated for expanding broadband services in rural areas. The rejected bid, originally intended for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program, faced criticism as the FCC deemed Starlink incapable of proving its ability to deliver the promised broadband... Read more »

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Qualcomm cuts satellite-to-phone partnership with Iridium

Ryan Daws — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 11:31:09 +0000

Qualcomm has cut its partnership with satellite communications firm Iridium to provide satellite-to-phone services. The partnership was initially announced in January 2023 and was broadly seen to be Android’s alternative to Apple’s partnership with Globalstar last year to launch its own satellite-powered emergency SOS feature for iPhone and Apple Watch. Despite the successful development and... Read more »

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