Light Reading's Jeff Baumgartner and Alan Breznick discuss the key themes from Cable Congress and Cable Next-Gen Europe in Berlin, finding there's a renewed focus on 1-Gig speeds and the fixed mobile network.

Free, ad-supported streaming service boots up new awareness campaign amid a subscription VoD frenzy being dominated by Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia and NBCU.

Verizon grabbed Snapchat this week, while AT&T grabbed Purdue University and The Washington Post. But does this make 5G innovation inevitable or is it a sign of a technology in search of an application?

A combination of factors have given mobile operators an alternative way to execute their network plans thanks to developments initiated by the likes of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), but alternative options always bring new challenges.

Shekar Ayyar, GM Telco Edge Cloud, VMware, in conversation with Phil Harvey, US Bureau Chief, Light Reading on how CSPs can participate in the Cloud Economy from Core to Edge.

Heard enough about 5G already? Fear not, because one of China's biggest operators is turning its attention to what comes next.

Dunne explains why enterprises are interested in utilizing managed SD-WAN services to simplify deployment and continued management of the service.

The operator says the European platform provider comes with several attractive qualities that could provide a spur in the enterprise sector.

The European operator reveals the rationale behind its shock decision to put its entire European footprint up for tender.

It's all about the people.

On Day 2 of MEF19, Heavy Reading's Sterling Perrin highlights how MEF's carrier members are early adopters in SD-WAN. Meanwhile, Perrin, along with Heavy Reading's Jennifer Clarke discuss the implications of bringing cloud computing providers into the MEF ecosystem.

But if the industry at large supports MEF specifications and commits to certified SD-WAN services, how will service providers and vendors differentiate in an already crowded market?

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Openet expands; Orange launches own-brand 5G smartphone; BT turns Purple for business WiFi; HERE signs up to 5G industry group.

Microsoft honcho says Office 365 transformed enterprise networks. Bold claim – but partly true.

But according to one investment firm, the cable company is struggling with network quality on its mobile offering, despite having deployed 19,000 small cells to help boost coverage.

The managed SD-WAN market is also predicted to exceed $6.5 billion by 2023 - a massive leap for such a new technology, says Honnachari.

In a win for companies like Ford and Qualcomm, the FCC's chairman proposes C-V2X as the 'language' that cars should use to talk to each other.

Verizon executives said they are pleased with the company's 5G progress, and promised Verizon would continue on the course it set earlier this year.

Enterprise customers struggle with too many SD-WAN choices, says Robert Victor, Comcast Business SVP of product management.

A group of Senators is urging the Trump administration to take a cohesive approach to 5G, warning that not doing so will give China an edge in the global move to the new wireless technology.

UK Labour Party comrades Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell seem to have forgotten that telecom staff need paying.

They quietly settle a lawsuit in which CableLabs alleged that the Ohio-based operator breached its contract after it stopped paying quarterly dues to CableLabs in early 2018.

The web giant's AI, analytics and cloud deal with Vodafone continues a trend of operators turning to the major cloud platform players for scale and flexibility.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BT disconnects Prince Andrew; Orange gets more network visibility with ThousandEyes; EE brings 5G to 14 more towns and cities.

Our MEF19 coverage simmers with more food analogies as Light Reading's Kelsey Ziser and Phil Harvey recap the show activity around LSO APIs and how carriers are using blockchain to speed up settlements.

India's government is working on a rescue package for its beleaguered service providers. That cannot come soon enough.

Verizon took the wraps off detailed, street-level 5G coverage maps, which helped to blunt criticisms from the likes of T-Mobile. However, the maps also highlight the scale of Verizon's massive 5G undertaking.

A new test from edge computing startup Edgegap helps highlight the potential of the technology to dramatically improve the multi-billion dollar video game space.

Companies, analysts and associations continue to try to suss out the revenue opportunities in 5G beyond phones. There are plenty of ideas but not much cohesion.

Disney says there's 'no indication of a security breach on Disney+,' as it appears that some accounts have been compromised when consumers use the same credentials and passwords across multiple online accounts.

This is just one of the key questions the Light Reading team is pondering as we head into 2020.

MoffettNathanson is skeptical that AT&T can hit financial guidance in 2020 and beyond and doubtful that AT&T's mobile business will be able to fully make up for struggles at its video and wireless business units.

By defining and certifying services and service providers, MEF aims to build SD-WAN's market momentum.

The core of the mobile network is fundamentally changing. The standard EPC framework is transforming into a virtualized EPC framework, with a move away from proprietary and standalone operating systems with single-vendor software stacks to open standards-based architectures that are dynamic and scalable.

Japan's most famous billionaire is at it again with talk of artificial intelligence and global power, but his latest joint venture is no FAANG, despite what he says.

The Chinese telco has revealed further details of its 5G enterprise strategy, and there is heavy emphasis on the cloud.

SD-WAN specialist launches suite of 'SmartServices' and introduces a regional connectivity option to complement its global network.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Orange turns to Fortinet for secure SD-WAN; ADVA interconnects in Austria; UK gets new 5G working group; BT combines with NHS on blood donation.

Authorities once again extend the temporary trading license for US companies doing business with Huawei, leaving the Chinese vendor and its suppliers mired in business uncertainty.

This week: Labour's (would-be) broadband revolution in the UK; AfricaCom takeaways; and Vodafone's OpenRAN announcement at the TIP Summit.

Nokia is putting some numbers on its private wireless networks business, reflecting the hopes the company has for this emerging market.

Google rolls out Network Intelligence Center to help operators optimize virtual networks.

Is it a pizza or a pie? Light Reading's Mitch Wagner and Phil Harvey muse on fun food analogies, MEF's new SD-WAN certifications and why service providers need standards.

5G and edge computing could untether today's VR goggles and make them less bulky. Already AT&T and Verizon are making serious investments in this space.

The FCC said that the Commission – not the C-Band Alliance – will conduct an auction of C-Band spectrum for 5G. But how that's all going to happen is not clear.

Denver-based regional sports network claims Comcast is trying to drive Altitude out of business and seize control of the area's TV sports market, possibly with its own network.

Vivint Internet had some grand fixed wireless ambitions in 2015 that didn't pan out. Now, with a new strategy and management team, Vivint is preparing to take another run at it.

Light Reading's podcast features guest Sunil Khandekar, who examines where the SD-WAN market might be headed in 2020, as well as the potential impact of standards on the market.

As AT&T pours billions into the HBO Max, the new streaming service is poised to net 51 million US-based subs by 2025, slightly ahead of the company's own forecast.

Mike Sievert to become new CEO on May 1, 2020.

In our latest survey conducted in partnership with SCTE-ISBE, Light Reading examines how cablecos are using fiber now and how they aim to use it in the future.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: ETSI releases security specs; Virgin Media reacts to Labour's broadband plan; BT introduces the 5G ambulance.

Verizon puts together a Cat M1-based system that can track assets, send that information to the cloud, and view the status info on a map.

Cambodia and Vietnam are pursuing very different strategies in their 5G launches.

Sunrise Communications, the second-largest telecom operator in Switzerland, reported third-quarter service revenue growth of 2.0%.

No wonder investors have panicked - Ribbon waves goodbye to its CEO as it announces an unexpected merger with transport network equipment specialist ECI Telecom. But why?

Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell have cooked up a broadband scheme that could form a modern-day appendix to The Communist Manifesto.

Asian demand and OTT firms are driving a surge in cable investments.

Independence of systems integrators thrust into the spotlight as Indian SI is accused of favoring Altiostar, in which it owns a stake, despite its claims to be 'vendor-agnostic.'

This week in our WiC roundup: Smaller conferences have edge; Hidden Figures ladies formally celebrated; AI is sexist; and more.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nokia expands with VMware; TalkTalk boost profits; BT lands sports rights.

Synchronized with its new Disney+ promo, Verizon is also selling the 'Stream TV' device as a standalone to other customers for $69.99.

They probably won't see the light of day in the real world, but the Labour Party's 'free fiber for all' plans have certainly raised a few eyebrows in the UK.

Intelsat - one of the European satellite companies hoping to profit from the sale of C-Band spectrum for 5G - lost half its market value this week. But what will happen next is anyone's guess.

A new test of Verizon's 5G network in U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis showed plenty of horsepower, but more importantly it also showed impressive coverage.

A new version of the NB-IoT standard supports faster speeds and 'push-to-talk' services, among other things.

One of the developing world's biggest operators runs up data service losses in Malaysia and is looking to the Facebook-led initiative for help.

'EN-DC' is the technology that allows 5G connections to run simultaneously with 4G connections. The results help highlight why the industry is moving to a new generation of wireless.

40% of new broadband customers opt for the company's DOCSIS 3.1-powered gigabit broadband service, according to company CTO Gerhard Mack.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Telefonica COO supports consolidation; Nokia and AT&T collaborate on IoT in Germany; smart speakers in smart homes.

The Telecom Infra Project (TIP) has launched an online exchange that highlights which vendors have products that meet TIP requirements, a move that is looking increasingly relevant to operator network strategies.

With manufacturers like Audi and Bosch testing 5G in an industrial setting, the 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) is hoping to supercharge the space. But some are cautioning patience.

Initial demand for new direct-to-consumer streaming service has already surpassed some analyst expectations.

The industry is not making progress on reducing the cost of 5G power supply, says a top executive at the Chinese operator.

Service providers' declines were matched by a global spending pause as Cisco reported disappointing results for its most recent quarter.

5G could eventually connect everyone and everything. But a growing number of researchers are highlighting potential security holes in the standard.

AT&T and T-Mobile are both going to launch lowband 5G sometime this year. But the similarities between their strategies mostly stop there.

Losses were even worse, at about 1.8 million, when OTT-TV service providers were removed from the subscriber equation.

Name and structure change coming to industry organization reflects the move to gigabit-class speeds over converged fixed mobile networks and the need to provide a unified voice to Europe's policymakers.

The UK-based operator stunned onlookers in Amsterdam today with news it is issuing a tender for a possible redesign of its entire European network.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone Germany tones up with Amdocs; all change at Telecom Italia; Telia/Bonnier deal gets EU approval.

In addition to financial damages, consent judgement also hits Omniverse with a permanent injunction.

Cable's competitive and complementary relationship with 5G, the industry's progress with distributed access networks and its flirtation with a 10-Gig future will also be hot topics at this week's Cable Next-Gen Europe event in Berlin.

As Telefonica moves towards the deployment of TIP mobile transport network routers in Europe and Latin America, widescale white box efforts signal a significant step towards greater carrier-class options for network operators.

The new-look network already has 450,000 subscribers and costs far less than traditional infrastructure, says Telefonica.

Union Wireless said it will cost up to $110 million to get Huawei equipment out of its network. And that's not the only problem.

This week on the pod: events, dear boy, events. Oh, and fiber innovation in Latin America.

MobileNation offers wireless service in parts of Tennessee and Kentucky, and may be close to shutting down. The company isn't answering questions.

After buying several telcos, GTT looks to offload 'non-strategic' assets as it aims to provide networking services to large and multinational clients.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ericsson, Swisscom and Qualcomm team up on spectrum sharing; Telkom SA announcement prompts takeover talk; Telecom Italia's edge cloud takes flight.

MSO is powering a new Advanced In-Home WiFi with OpenSync as it pushes ahead with a plan to develop a broader smart home product and ecosystem.

Takeover activity, 5G investments and unfriendly Indians are weighing heavily on the UK-based operator's financial performance, but at least revenues inched up.

Phil Harvey and Kelsey Ziser interview Juniper CEO Rami Rahim about his thoughts on 400G, where AI will matter in the enterprise and what it will mean for service providers.

Disney is going all out on its new direct-to-consumer streaming channel, which has just launched in the US. Will all the company's dreams come true?

Dish promises to build a 5G network covering at least 70% of the US population by 2023. Based on new data from Tutela, here are the cities where Dish will probably start.

WeWork may be looking at Legere as a clean-up CEO candidate for the troubled startup.

SoftBank and Rakuten report losses on investments in US firms, but one is a far more troubling prospect than the other.

A group of representatives in the House Energy and Commerce Committee reiterate request for a report from the FCC on wireless network operators' sale of customers' location information.

Helium users spend $495 on a hotspot to create a low-power, wide-area IoT network in the US that now is in 425 cities in the country.

The telecom ecosystem is failing just as 5G swings into view.

Also in today's EMEA roundup: Zain chooses Ericsson for 5G buildout in Bahrain; Sky and the BBC get cozy; Vodacom profits up; Africa's broadband future.

Finnish equipment vendor signs frame agreements with Chinese operators that could lead to lucrative contracts next year.

Dish Network hired Marc Rouanne (of Nokia) and Stephen Bye (of Sprint) to build and sell its planned 5G network. Here's what they have to say about that.

Programmer looking at direct-to-consumer streaming service that would aggregate Discovery's programming and target US consumers who don't subscribe to pay-TV.

Can the ageing Italian operator and young American Internet giant find success at the edge of the network?

T-Mobile's 'Uncarrier' announcements didn't sway Sprint merger opponents, according to Wall Street analysts.

US cableco reports industry-best profit margins again after wrapping up its $526 million acquisition of Fidelity Communications last month.

The new OTT service, set to debut on November 12, represents a key piece of the puzzle as Disney plows ahead with a plan to transform itself into a direct-to-consumer streaming giant.

This week in our WiC roundup: Techies are pretty dang happy at work; AI's effect on female blue-collar workers; college students are majority female though tech workforce lags; and more.

Slamming Nokia's 5G lag, the Chinese vendor is in a bullish mood about its own 5G opportunity.

The Italian phone incumbent announced a strategic alliance with Google on the development of edge computing services as it reported a further dip in sales.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Netnod pushes 400GE ports; EU Google-taming isn't working; C-V2X Plugtest revs up in Malaga.

Companies including EdgeMicro and Vapor IO have are building real, live, commercial mini data centers for edge computing. But what happens next is anyone's guess.

Ahead of plan to separate its products and intellectual property/licensing business by April 2020, TiVo expects to announce some leadership slots post-split in the coming weeks.

A $15 phone plan and free 5G access for first responders are among T-Mobile's latest sweeteners to help get its Sprint merger closed.

Dish makes key hires and proposes a $1 billion capital raise as company looks to push ahead on a wireless and mobile future that hinges on the T-Mobile/Sprint merger.

Led by gains at Sling TV, Dish added 148,000 net video subs in Q3, the first time the company has posted a positive pay-TV number in almost two years.

Europe's largest cable operator suffers continued revenue declines, largely due to steep video subscriber losses in its UK home market and Belgium.

The 600MHz 5G launch will cover 200 million people in the US.

Over 60% of 121 survey respondents listed 'better security' as a primary driver for managed SD-WAN services.

As it continues to play catch-up with Harmonic, CommScope says its virtual CCAP is in trials with cable ops and is slated for a commercial launch by the end of the year.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BritBox launches in the UK; Intracom lands last-mile connectivity deal in South Africa; ARM still plans growth, despite quarterly loss.

Digital Realty is launching a global data center architecture to help enterprises move data anywhere in the world.

Should people be worried about the impact that artificial intelligence deployments will have on the jobs market? Tractica Principal Analyst Mark Beccue shares his views.

The German operator recorded sales growth at all its operating units bar the ailing T-Systems business but blamed Germany's spectrum auction for its decision to cut dividends.

Viaero has stepped forward as another rural provider that will build AT&T's FirstNet network in rural parts of the US. The only problem is that Viaero currently uses a lot of equipment from China's Huawei.

Stock drops as losses accelerate, streaming player revenues dip versus Q2 and Roku sees a $5 million 'headwind' coming from expenses linked to its acquisition of ad-tech company dataxu.

Move allows Xfinity Flex customers to connect to the operator's new streaming service with retail-bought devices and sidestep additional fees for Comcast-supplied gateways.

Shentel, a Sprint affiliate, said it can't agree to new roaming terms with the operator, so they're heading into arbitration instead. According to analysts, $5 million hangs in the balance.

Operators need to tread carefully amid widespread suspicion and warnings that more advanced AI systems will trigger upheaval.

At the Telco AI Summit Europe event in London, Tractica Principal Analyst Mark Beccue talks about how some of Europe's largest telecom operators, including BT, Orange and Telecom Italia, are using AI tools to optimize network processes – and how it isn't all tied to 5G.

The Chinese equipment giant has not held direct talks with any US company about the licensing of its 5G technology, says the company's founder.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Germany wavers on Huawei; Ofcom appoints interim boss; Jurassic Fibre lumbers into action; Zen gets GB pound 20 million to take on the big boys.

A1 has developed an AI tool that could reduce the bill for 5G network deployment, ease planning and even lead to commercial opportunities with other service providers.

At the Software-Driven Operations event in London, BT's OSS Senior Solution Architect Manager Jose Domingos talks to Heavy Reading's James Crawshaw about the use of open source code to develop the UK operator's latest network monitoring tools.

Company expects mobile sales volumes to ramp up as it extends sales of its new mobile product beyond brick-and-mortar stores to online and digital distribution channels.

The deal, now approved by the FCC, commits the duo to covering 97% of US citizens with 5G within three years.

AT&T agreed to pay $60 million for throttling its unlimited data customers in 2014 without telling them about it.

One of the biggest providers of telecommunications services to inmates in prisons is preparing to test a private LTE network in 3.5GHz CBRS spectrum. But for what?

Vodafone Idea is the third major carrier in India to plan an NB-IoT network.

Artificial intelligence has helped BT to speed up its fiber deployment and spot cyber attacks. Just don't expect too much.

But cable modem and router supplier sees brighter days ahead as manufacturing shifts to Vietnam and as Zoom prepares to refresh its product lineup in 2020 and open up direct sales channels with MSOs.

Verizon's Oliver Cantor says enterprise customers are looking to run their own applications on the universal CPE servers that house the operator's virtual network functions.

The Frankenstein's monster of the telco world hopes fresh investments and an overhaul of its digitalization strategy will make it more attractive to investors.

VMware wants to help telcos launch services faster in multi-cloud environments.

Amdocs' 5G Fast portfolio accelerates efficient and scalable 5G deployments with software-driven automation, innovative analytics tools, and cross-equipment-vendor solutions for planning, design, integration, acceptance and optimization. We provide solutions that redefine how service providers approach 5G rollouts.

The Chinese operator has encountered new roadblocks in the US market.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Orange launches commercial 5G in Romania; Colt extends relationship with Microsoft; Hungary has no beef with Huawei.

The $575,000 in total fees levied for a single August 2018 outage that lasted more than an hour and affected six states is aimed at CenturyLink and a contractor, West Safety Services

Arista takes its turn trying to make deploying networks as fast and easy as rolling out cloud applications.

Under the pod spotlight this week: smartphone numbers; the Indian telecom soap opera; and Google's decision to buy Fitbit.

A price war in the wireless industry could be brewing, and some analysts think that Verizon could suffer the most.

Philo's low-cost, entertainment-focused OTT-TV offering should fit well with consumers who are creating their own video streaming bundles that don't rely on traditional pay-TV, Andrew McCollum says.

Today's 5G customers can boast of having the latest and greatest, but next year their phones are going to be rendered obsolete by the launch of 5G in lowband spectrum.

Under attack by US authorities and facing supply chain constraints, the Chinese equipment giant is worried about kitchen affairs.

Seattle Fire is one of 9,000 public safety agencies that have signed up to use FirstNet, the First Responder Network platform that AT&T is building.

Sprint touts 16 million people covered by its 5G network, as it hopes T-Mobile merger will close early in fiscal 2020.

Kevin McBride explains advancements the service provider has made in its automation, back office and orchestration systems.

Led by broadband adds, WideOpenWest sees best sub growth in six quarters. Competitive cabler also getting some operational benefits from its whole-home WiFi offering with eero.

Volterra has $50 million funding in its pocket and a platform designed to enable operators and enterprises to deploy applications and network services across multi-cloud environments.

With service providers installing so much fiber in their plant right now and seemingly no end in sight, the need for automated test solutions will only keep growing.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Sky creates 1,000 new jobs in UK; Europe lags North America in smart-home race; UK delays decision on Huawei until after general election.

The long-suffering emerging-markets giant has warned investors that a turnaround at its ailing Russian business will take some time.

The acquisition is expected to close in May 2020, according to MKM Partners.

Amid a global firestorm around Chinese vendor Huawei, a small US wireless network operator called Viaero is asking the FCC for permission to test more equipment from the Chinese supplier.

The US maker of optical components has had a remarkable turnaround in the last few months.

US equipment vendors ranging from Samsung to Airspan to Ericsson offered a firm 'no' or 'no comment' when it comes to whether they would license Huawei's 5G equipment.

Arista's stock was down 25% Friday as it warned of a spending hiatus by a 'cloud titan' - apparently Facebook.

The startup will build up its enterprise IoT suite and add to its enterprise and product teams with the money.

A new report indicates that the FCC is preparing to take action on Ligado's spectrum, a move that could ultimately free up more spectrum for the likes of Verizon or Charter.

Stock plunges 34% after lackluster Q3 lowlighted by Casa's struggling cable business as MSOs slash or delay spending. Plus, an analyst covering Casa is agitated by management's 'reduced communication.'

AT&T's plan to convert legacy HBO subs to its new SVoD service could accelerate cord-cutting and create friction with pay-TV providers that remain key distributors for HBO and other WarnerMedia-owned channels.

What did our analyst colleagues and fellow editors think of all the big booths, meetings and crowded corridors?

This week in our WiC roundup: Mobile World Congress LA releases stats on female speakers; Ernst & Young reveals blast-from-the-past training program; women are feeling less uncomfortable at work; and more.

One of India's biggest operators has played down speculation it wants to quit the Indian market after service providers were hit with huge penalty payments by government authorities.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Blue Label Telecoms unimpressed with Cell C; Vodafone plans to sell 'ethical' phones in Europe; Safaricom has a good half-year.