The UK has expanded the shared rural network (SRN) with 150 new 4G masts, saying this will benefit holidaymakers taking advantage of the summer to roam the countryside. The update increases coverage by an extra 5,684 square kilometers, with the government saying this can help people check the weather and stay in touch with their loved ones while they explore the great outdoors. The areas involved include some of UK’s most prominent hiking locations, such as the Lake District, Snowdonia and Exmoor. The SRN program is expected to run until January 2027.
E& tests RedCap readiness on live network
E& UAE has successfully tested reduced capability (RedCap) readiness on a live network as part of its push to transition IoT applications from LTE to a 5G-native platform. One of the perks, according to e&, is that the new platform is more energy efficient. The platform is also designed to handle large volumes of connected devices that don’t need 5G’s full performance capabilities, the operator said.
Digi reports 11% hike in revenues
Romania-based Digi Communications posted Q2 earnings today, with revenue rising 11% to €608 million (US$703.3 million), while adjusted EBITDA excluding operating leases is up 23% to €169 million ($195.5 million). It noted the growth was driven by its expanding customer base, with Spain remaining the primary growth engine. The group is also present in various forms in Portugal, Italy and the UK.
TalkTalk Business merges with ARO
TalkTalk Business, an enterprise broadband and communications provider that was spun out of fiber company TalkTalk and sold to shareholders in 2023, is merging with ARO, which specializes in cloud, cybersecurity and managed IT services. The new entity will boast 70,000 business customers and £200 million in annual revenues, assuming it secures the approval required under the National Security Investment (NSI) act.
VodafoneThree tries to boost productivity…
UK operator VodafoneThree has today posited that a lack of on-the-go connectivity is hampering the country’s productivity. It argues that the issue is shackling the UK’s workforce to their desks, with a survey saying a third of people feeling unable to leave their home or office Wi-Fi and nearly half spends most of their working day – shockingly – at their desk as a result. The operator argues that improving on-the-go connectivity would break these bonds and usher in a £115 billion ($155.7 billion) productivity boost. It notes that if the UK can match Hungary’s “mobile working mentality,” it would claw back 22 working days a year.
The biggest savings, it argues, could be found by people handling doctor’s appointments remotely and taking calls on their commute. The latter suggestion will no doubt warm any commuter’s heart, as we can all agree the one thing missing from an overstuffed train is someone loudly arguing about deadlines.
…and Three just wants everyone to have more fun
Possibly not getting the productivity memo today is VodafoneThree’s brand Three, which is today launching its new campaign titled “Let Fun In,” through which it says it’s hoping to infuse “more fun, spontaneity and connection” into people’s everyday lives. This marks a departure from the previous “life needs a bigger network” campaign, with Three saying it wants to capture a younger audience.
