Telecom Italia (TIM) has appointed Goldman Sachs and LionTree to scrutinize the $12.2 billion takeover bid received from US private equity firm KKR. In a statement, TIM also said that the advisors will support the board of directors in analyzing other possible alternatives that could be of benefit to the group and its shareholders. (See Telecom Italia faces $12.2B privatization bid from KKR.)

Telefónica has become the latest big-name operator to join the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), which bangs the drum for developments in Wi-Fi technology, such as Wi-Fi 6 and 6E.

It's become the go-to "use case" for boffins wanting to demonstrate the wonders of 5G: the holographic call. And this time it's Nokia and CityFibre, in partnership with the University of Glasgow, making it happen. The call, which was made between two campus buildings, was part of a series of simulations showcasing what Nokia says is the UK's first 25G PON network to support 5G transport. (See Eurobites: Turkey gets 25G PON in time for Christmas and Vodafone's Holo Demo Dazzles Crowd, But Is It a Viable 5G Use Case?)

Ericsson has launched its Authentication Security Module, a piece of kit that is intended to safeguard and manage digital keys, encryption and decryption functions, including strong authentication and other cryptographic functions in 5G core networks. The module is 3GPP compliant in line with cybersecurity mandates of regulatory bodies around the world, says Ericsson.

Orange and Vodafone discussed a "merger of equals" between mid-2020 and early 2021 but abandoned the idea following opposition from the French state, according to a BFM TV report cited by Reuters. Such a merger would have created a telco titan with €85 billion ($96 billion) of revenues, said the BFM report.

Telefónica is buffing up its green credentials once more, announcing that it has achieved first place in the worldwide Digital Inclusion Benchmark, which analyzes how 150 of the world's most influential tech companies improve access to technology and its use, promote digital skills, and innovate in an "open and ethical way." The operator has also been recognized, for the eighth year in a row, as a leader in the fight against climate change in a list drawn up by CDP, a non-profit organization specializing in corporate environmental disclosure and rating.

UK broadband provider Truespeed has appointed James Lowther as its new CEO. Lowther's track record includes stints at Lebara, Gigaclear, Com Hem and Virgin Media. He succeeds Evan Wienburg.

— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading