Meanwhile, another European giant, Orange (NYSE: FTE), is considering an increase in its capex this year as it's reaping the rewards of its recent investments in fixed and mobile broadband. The operator reported a slight increase in revenues and earnings for 2016 and is seeking to boost those numbers further across an increasingly diversified portfolio of services. For the full story, see Orange Hints at 2017 Capex Rise as Spain Buoys 2016 Sales.

Optical transport and virtualization technology expert ADVA Optical Networking has reported its best ever year of sales, ramping its full year revenues by a stonking 28.2% to €566.7 billion ($599 million). That rise in revenues has had an impact on its margins, however, as the data center interconnect (DCI) gear it is selling in ever greater volumes to its "internet content provider" customers (Web services giants) carries "comparatively low" margins. In addition, ADVA also reported integration costs from its acquisition of Overture, with those costs also hitting its operating income line. The vendor's shares were trading down 0.6%, at €9.14, by late lunchtime Thursday on the Frankfurt exchange. (See ADVA Reports Record Annual Revenues and ADVA Adds NFV Smarts With $35M Overture Acquisition.)

The pre-MWC product push continues apace, with Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) releasing its 497th press release of the month. This one focuses on new launches and product enhancements in its microwave, IP, optical, mobile and fixed access lines that are aimed at fronthaul and backhaul (or 'anyhaul') deployments. The vendor does make a good point in noting that the transport (rather than access) parts of a mobile network architecture are often the "unsung hero" in delivering a positive mobile broadband experience. The company had previously announced some specific mobile transport enhancements but this deals with the broader portfolio options. (See Nokia Enhances Its 'Anyhaul' Portfolio and Infinera, Nokia Chase 'Anyhaul' Dollars.)

British networking software company Aria Networks Ltd. has struck an interesting deal to have its artificial intelligence (AI) code integrated into an ONOS-based SDN controller that's due to be launched soon by Chinese IT services giant BOCO. (See BOCO Adds Aria's AI to Its SDN Controller.)

— Ray Le Maistre, , Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading