
Rakuten hoped to upend the market with cutting-edge technology and cheap services. But its customer numbers and expenses are driving speculation that the company might exit the mobile industry entirely.

Free stream of the big game to reach several online platforms, plus delivery via the paid CBS All Access service. There's no 4K stream this year, but also no dust-ups with Roku in sight ahead of Super Bowl LV.

Based on new findings from Bernstein, 4% of Chicagoans can subscribe to Verizon's 5G Home. That, they said, indicates the service poses a 'significant competitive risk to cable's broadband hegemony.'

Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a virtual reality headset as early as next year. But the gadget shouldn't excite 5G operators just yet.

Generating profits in a busier, shrinking market for radio access network products will be difficult.
This week: Anna Read, research officer with the broadband research initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts, discusses ongoing challenges to broadband access and how state programs and public-private partnerships are making a difference.

Professor John William Frank at University of Edinburgh says more investigation is needed into what he sees as 5G's "suspected adverse health effects." Omdia's James Crawshaw rides to 5G's defense.

Creation of the new DIV fund also paves way for further investments in Europe's digital infrastructure.

The record $81 billion raised by the FCC's C-band auction has eased tensions between SES and Intelsat. But the aviation industry has warned of potential troubles 'leading to multiple fatalities.'

The Taiwan government is ready to tip up to NT$15.5 billion ($554.5 million) into 5G to accelerate network rollout.

The Indian Government has asked the Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp to withdraw its yet-to-be-implemented privacy policy.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BICS expands NB-IoT with France's SFR; Telefónica seeks 5G/edge innovation; BT connects Dutch embassies.

Deal for Optelian, the first acquisition under new DZS CEO Charlie Vogt, will add coherent optics technology to DZS's portfolio and provide it with a path to 200-Gig and 400-Gig transport capabilities.

The FCC's recent Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction came in below expectations and will provide money to fresh faces. President Biden will need to decide whether that's good or bad.

Telia spends $91 million on a 120MHz chunk of highly prized mid-band spectrum, while Net4Mobility says it has already got Huawei replacements lined up.

France's biggest operator has made a bold commitment to open RAN and predicted 'parity' with traditional kit in the next four years.

South Korean vendor could close down its smartphone unit, reports suggest.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone and MTS stay friendly; Nokia slices FWA for Saudi Arabia's Mobily; mobile sales slump at Dixons Carphone.

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have made a joint commitment they hope will accelerate ecosystem development.

Decision to drop petition at the FCC comes on eve of inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and recent pressure from lawmakers centered on usage-based broadband policies.