Virgin Media O2, China Telecom, BSNL, among others, announced their projects or agreements in the telecom industry.
Virgin Media O2 Activates 5G Standalone Network for UK Businesses
Virgin Media O2 has launched its 5G Standalone (SA) network for businesses in the UK, available in 500 towns and cities. The network provides coverage, bandwidth, and lower latency for customers with compatible devices and SIMs. It uses radio technology and a cloud-based core, unlike non-standalone 5G.
The network supports applications like autonomous transport, healthcare, and smart factories. It offers network slicing for services like augmented reality, gaming, and robotics. Virgin Media O2 has added energy-efficient technology. With 75 percent of the UK covered, Virgin Media O2 continues its rollout to meet the UK Government’s 5G Standalone coverage goal by 2030.
Telecom Industry Performance in Q3 2024: Market Trends and Vendor Growth
The telecom network infrastructure (Telco NI) market reached $49.6 billion in vendor revenues in Q3 2024. The market declined by 5.6 percent year-on-year, but leading vendors like Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia, who made up 37.5 percent of the market share, showed growth. Huawei’s recovery helped boost the market. Other vendors like Tejas Networks and Broadcom also saw increases due to India’s 4G rollout and Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware.
Telco capital expenditure (capex) is expected to fall below $300 billion in 2024. The U.S. market, supported by government funding, is an exception. Innovation and vendor strategy are important factors for the sector’s recovery.
China Telecom’s Asia Direct Cable (ADC) Capacity Goes Live Ahead of Schedule
China Telecom has launched its Asia Direct Cable (ADC) ahead of schedule, with capacity going live two months early. This submarine cable project supports industries like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data. China Telecom worked with the ADC Consortium to speed up the project. The company plans to expand its global network.
BSNL Returns to Profit for the First Time Since 2007
Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) reported a profit of Rs 262 crore in Q3, marking its return to profitability since 2007. This improvement is due to a focus on network expansion, cost optimization, and service improvements.
BSNL saw growth in Mobility, Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), and Leased Lines. The company’s 4G rollout and fibre-optic upgrades have contributed to this progress. BSNL also introduced national WiFi roaming and digital entertainment services. With government support, BSNL is expected to continue growing.
