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After losing Nokia, crisis-hit Intel seeks network assets buyer
Nokia is substituting Arm-based chips for Intel silicon in its latest 5G products amid talk of a possible Ericsson takeover of Intel assets.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ethiopia launches Ethio Telecom share sale; Colt connects data centers on US East Coast; MWC Kigali postponed.
Artificial intelligence models are falling short of European regulations in areas such as cyber resilience and discriminatory output, according to a Reuters report citing data from a new AI testing tool designed by Swiss startup LatticeFlow AI. The company's "Large Language Model (LLM) Checker" software highlighted the failings, suggesting work needs to be done to ensure compliance in these areas. The EU's AI Act is due to come into effect gradually over the next couple of years – companies failing to comply with its strictures could be fined €35 million (US$38 million), or 7% of global annual turnover, whichever is the highest.
The Ethiopian government has launched a sale of 10% of the shares in state-owned Ethio Telecom to the general public. As AFP reports, the share sale was originally launched in 2021, but was temporarily halted in the face of economic challenges, before resuming at the end of 2022. Last year, the government said it planned to sell 45% of the operator. Ethio Telecom was the sole operator in Ethiopia until October 2022, when Safaricom switched on its mobile network in the nation's capital, Addis Ababa.
UK-based Colt Technology Services is connecting subsea cable landing stations to East Coast data centers in the US. Colt has five subsea cables connecting Europe and the US, and owns the two cable landing stations in the US where these cables reach the shore. Phase one of the build is now complete with the service fully operational, connecting Long Island, New York with data center hubs in Hudson Street and 8th Avenue in New York City. Routes will be ready for service between now and mid-2025.
The GSMA has decided to postpone MWC Kigali – which was due to taken place from October 29-31 – without giving a reason. In a statement, it said: "We recognise the inconvenience this may cause to our participants. A new date in 2025 will be announced." The cancellation may be linked to recent cases of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Rwanda – the country's Ministry of Health reported cases of the disease less than a month ago.
Intelsat has cut the ribbon on a new satellite cellular backhaul service platform in Lagos, Nigeria. The hope is that the platform will help mobile network operators and Internet service providers extend their coverage in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has told social media companies that they could face hefty fines if they fail to comply with the forthcoming (and long-gestated) Online Safety Act, the BBC reports. The regulator's boss, Melanie Dawes, said in a radio interview that companies will have three months from when the guidance is finalized to carry out risk assessments and make any changes needed to keep users of social media platforms safe. Ofcom will have the power to fine companies failing to comply with the regulation up to 10% of annual global turnover and block non-compliant sites. The Act is due to come into force early in 2025.
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