AT&T is focused on building virtualization and intelligence into the customer edge and network edge for 5G applications.

We're days away from initial commercial deployments in the 3.5GHz CBRS spectrum band, often called 'Goldilocks spectrum' because of its propagation characteristics. It certainly appears to be just right, given the diversity of initial commercial applications.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Soros considers sale of Hyperoptic stake; BT unleashes its drone killer; Nevion 5G virtualization project bags EU grant.

Utility companies like Duke and Xcel are already major players in the telecom market. Now they're looking at how they might participate in 4G and 5G.

Dish Network is hoping to enter the wireless industry as a disruptive MVNO while it builds a 5G network. But what exactly are the company's plans?

Dish's chief executive spoke with Light Reading about the company's 5G future, just hours after Dish announced a $5 billion agreement to purchase customers, spectrum and wholesale access from the combined Sprint and T-Mobile.

The DoJ signed off on a transaction that would merge Sprint and T-Mobile and position Dish Network to build a nationwide 5G network. It's a complex deal.

5G operators are keen to see consumer electronics companies install 5G capabilities into all kinds of devices. However, analysts are divided about whether that will actually happen.

Sure you could deliver 5G using regular stuff like macro cell towers and small cells. But if you're really cool, you'd use balloons, blimps or drones.

5G-powered drones and AR/VR services? Sure. But Verizon's Adam Koeppe said that driverless cars running on 5G isn't something that's going to happen anytime soon.

SoftBank is embarking on a new business that involves building massive drones to provide Internet services in remote areas. Tied in, SoftBank is also plowing $125 million into Alphabet's Loon project.

AT&T Business Chief Product Officer Roman Pacewicz describes how edge computing, 5G and network virtualization are required for next-generation applications that can deliver new business opportunities for the operator.

With a few snapshots and snappy captions, we've breezed through some of the big themes at MWC19, and tried to call attention to some of the more impressive displays of technology and showmanship in Barcelona.

Everything from enterprise strategies to 5G devices caught our audiences' attention during 2018. At a time when so many changes are bearing down on the telecom world, it's clear that a lot of us still have our heads in the cloud.

This week in our WiC roundup: Keeping smart home products safe for all; Merkel finds sexism in Israeli tech community; girls have limited access to mobile phones worldwide; and more.

With technology partners and an eye toward 5G networks, the StudioLAB is helping Disney-owned content studios solve technical production problems and reach consumers in novel ways.

Disney is using tech from Cisco and other partners to reach consumers in new ways. We take you behind-the-scenes at the StudioLAB, where Disney execs explain how 5G networks will unlock new opportunities in storytelling and content distribution.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Deutsche Telekom begins second phase of 'supervectoring' rollout; BT beefs up cybersecurity in India, loses more TV sports content.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Proximus secures digital rollout agreement with Flemish government; Ericsson runs 5G pilot in Singapore; Elisa hosts AI contest.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Orange extends 5G testing in France; Cisco invests in UK innovation; ADVA revenues down in Q2.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nuage Networks sells SD-WAN with e-Qual; UK jobs lost as Facebook downs its drone project; Uber gets a second chance in London.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Telefonica automates the network; Nokia and SFR trumpet 5G New Radio breakthrough; Proximus launches NB-IoT network for smart meters.

Is Facebook a monopoly? Sure it is. Just a 21st-century monopoly, where data is king.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Fon buys XCellAir; Telegram app blocked in Russia; Deutsche Telekom upgrades "nearshore" areas.

It's a bird, it's a plane...

Could an underused public safety band become a new 5G spectrum source?

Never mind the days, there are only HOURS remaining before the door closes on this year's Leading Lights awards deadline...

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nokia targets the smart city; more 5G claims; BT sells cable-making business; new boss-in-waiting for Ireland's eir.

Are you a winner? Then get cracking on your submission for Light Reading's annual awards – there's a category (or three) for everyone!

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: EU pronounces on patents; standardizing drones; TIM tests Adtran's Mosaic; Vodafone wins big in telematics.

AT&T plans to launch an edge computing test zone in 2018 to test connected applications such as autonomous vehicles, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and drones.

At the MEC Congress in Berlin there was plenty of evidence that edge computing is more than just a hot topic, but still too few signs of concrete business cases or investment plans.

... It's a COW. Sprint isn't the only carrier with airborne cellsites.

Flying small cells could provide coverage from the air after emergencies like hurricanes, Sprint suggests.

NFV's promises of automation and virtualization are intriguing, but what really excites service providers is the massive amount of money they could save.

A proposed merger of SoftBank-backed satellite operator OneWeb and Intelsat has fallen through – now SoftBank is expected to look elsewhere for a tie-up.

Doughnuts get the delivery drone treatment in Denver, because... of course they do.

Google gets a major extension for testing its project to deliver wireless Internet from high-altitude balloons in Nevada and beyond.

Social networking giant says it is continuing to invest in its UK business and on track to add another 500 employees by the end of this year.

5G can help drive the connected car.

Join Women in Comms on May 15 in Austin to discuss the future of tech, how to plan your career for it and much more with some of the industry's top female executives.

The mobile industry's ambitions are taking flight with unmanned aerial vehicles.

The use of drone technology is changing the game for wireless operators, argues AUVSI's Brian Wynne.

It was obvious at the massive annual CeBIT enterprise tech trade show that the foundation for tech innovation right now is real-time analytics.

Time is running out to get your entries in for the industry's most prestigious awards.

Tom Bennett, director of network services and devices for EE, talks to Ray Le Maistre, Light Reading's editor-in-chief, about the service provider's approach to emergency services and the move to 5G.

Network operator touts progress of Network 3.0 Indigo toward bringing faster mobile speeds and greater virtualization to its operations.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Telefonica sells 40% of Telxius to investment group; OBS lands smart cities deal in Qatar; 3 enters the Matrixx; balloon goes up for EE.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Amazon seeks drone dudes and more in the UK; BT lands Indian broadcast contract; Orange invests in Android-based transaction system; BlackBerry sues Nokia.

Also in today's finely tuned EMEA regional roundup machine: Vodafone avoids corporation tax; will Trump dent the Privacy Shield?; think tank targets BT's dominance; ZTE in German tie-up.

Acquisition of Skyward lets network operator integrate key drone management functions into its IoT and wireless operations.

Did you have an incredible 2016? Then you need to enter the industry's most prestigious awards program, the Leading Lights, now in its 13th year – it really does have something for everyone!

Virtual reality, drones and power rangers: the big reveals at CES 2017.

This week in our WiC roundup: how men can become allies; automation may steal your job; women hotly recruited to tech boards; and more.

Intel to take on Qualcomm and Samsung in emerging 5G modem fray.

Also in today's regional roundup: ZTE in line for euro 1 billion-plus Italian job?; TIM decides to produce its own premium content for broadband customers; Europe's cable market grows 5.7%.

This week in our WiC roundup: Lack of diversity awareness widespread in tech; brogrammers get schooled; Afghan girls learn to code; and more.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Facebook hiring in the UK; Nokia manages drones in UAE; bringing SIM cards back to life in Ghana.

This week in our WiC roundup: Women in tech deal with the aftermath of a Trump election; Samsung, Vodafone and Zayo advocate for women; a celebratory list of young innovators; and more.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: the cost of a gigabit society; Telia acquires Phonero; Wind/3 Italia deal signed and sealed; Deutsche Telekom on drone alert.

You might think Amazon's Unlimited is just another me-too streaming music service. You'd be wrong. If successful, it will be a critical tool to help slice off a fat, juicy chunk of Google's $75 billion ad business.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: CityFibre buys more duct and fiber assets; Aussie broadband challenge to BT; Nokia's traffic-busting drones; HERE services hit the road.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: CityFibre does Reading; fiber-to-the-mountain-hut; UK government cybersecurity not that secure; Sky drones on.

Intel CEO Brian Kzranich opened the Intel Developer Forum '16 with announcements designed to drive VR adoption.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: EC preps new OTT rules; Tele Columbus ramps in Q2; drone action in Scotland; and hybrid power in Gabon.

Light Reading today starts a new voyage as part of a larger Enterprise.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Orange reports flat first-half revenues, but fiber progress; O2 data for sale on dark net; Sky buys Chinese soccer, launches Ultra HD in Germany.

The social media giant's solar-powered Aquila drone, designed to provide Internet access to remote locations, has taken to the skies – but why?

Social networking giant claims its 60GHz technology will make alternative connectivity solutions look uneconomical.

New companies with a focus on video graphics, smart grid predictive analytics and a quadcopter camera make up WiC's finalists for Female-Led Startup to Watch.

At their annual show, broadcasters and vendors are scrambling to keep up with the rapidly changing video market.

Regina Dugan will develop breakthrough hardware as part of the company's ten-year plan for growth.

Project Terragraph brings small cells and WiFi to urban downtowns, while the ARIES Massive MIMO radio extends wireless to rural areas. They join the Aquila drone in Facebook's drive to extend data access to 4 billion more people.

There are already drones on the market that can find unsecured networks, and it's easy to set up an unauthorized WiFi access point nearly anywhere.

Cast your vote for the year's most inspiring woman in comms, female tech pioneer and female-led startup to watch, to be awarded at BCE's Leading Lights gala.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Mobistar turns Orange; Nokia does analytics and drones; Swisscom's difficult year.

New IoT technologies will require new wireless connectivity, and Qualcomm wants to be the guy to sort it all out.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Safe Harbor turbulence continues; Deutsche Telekom plans new security unit; eagles attack!!!

Gambling? Booth babes? 24-hour buffets? It must be time for CES, when the entire tech industry descends on Las Vegas. Although this show is known for consumer product launches and gadgets, Light Reading went to speak with industry luminaries about how a future of connected cars, smart homes, virtual reality and 4K TV will impact on the networks they help to build.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: O2 to use AT&T's smart home platform in UK; Intel buys German drone company; TDC and Huawei open technology showcase.

Project Loon is getting off the ground in Indonesia.

The launch of its first broadband satellite gives Australia's NBN something positive to focus on amid ongoing financing and technology problems.

An unusual story in an unusual place.

Everything is well researched, well thought out and almost certain to be wrong.

In Light Reading's original science fiction serial, 'Silence Like Diamonds,' encryption is broken, and security pros find lots of work.

Also in today's regional roundup: Zegona buys Telecable; PT Inovacao lands role in multiple 5G projects; Zen Internet joins BT G.fast trials; Virgin Media plans WiFi rollout; NEC lands critical infrastructure job in Kuwait; Ooredoo nabs ISP license in Maldives; Metrological launches software tools for pay-TV providers.

Reflecting on the pivotal role this technology played in the history of computing on its 10th birthday.

Captain Kirk never checked Facebook.

In the latest installment of Light Reading's science fiction story 'Silence Like Diamonds,' Yaz assess the vast scope of the forces arrayed against them.

Company's CFO promises a lot of investment on servers, data centers and networks.

It all started with Leonard Nimoy.

"Silence Like Diamonds" is a 10-part science fiction story about the cloud, drones, network security and cats, here on Light Reading, starting Friday.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: KPN acquires IS Group; MTN CEO resigns; Deutsche Telekom wants women on its boards.

Qualcomm, Virgin, Intelsat, Bharti, Coca-Cola and more have all put funds behind ambitious low-earth-orbit satellite network.

And Light Reading wants to help! We're proud to partner with Intel to identify and profile female and minority-led communications startups competing for the funding.

Social networking giant signs up to TM Forum to expand Internet access in emerging markets.

A slide show from Light Reading's first ever commercial drone event in Atlanta.

Interest in the commercial drone industry is growing and technology is developing quickly. This is laying the foundation for a range of future drone-based applications, including the use of drones in communications networks.

The Chinese equipment giant has unveiled plans for a public cloud service that could put it in competition with some of its customers.

Google's project lead for Loon, its plan to use LTE-powered balloons to bring connectivity to underserved regions, says it's ready to start launching thousands of balloons.