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Intel and telcos left in virtual RAN limbo by rise of AI RAN
A multitude of general-purpose and specialist silicon options now confronts the world's 5G community, while Intel's future in telecom remains uncertain.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ericsson takes WiFi calling to tablets, laptops; BBC to launch new OTT service in US; Tele2 appoints interim CFO.
Orange (NYSE: FTE) has become the latest operator to nail its colors firmly to the Internet of Things mast, by investing in a new Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) network powered by LoRa (Long Range) technology. The network, says Orange, will cover the whole of metropolitan France, and forms part of the operator's Essentials2020 strategy. It's not a wholly unexpected move -- earlier this year Orange invested in a company developing OSS and BSS tools for managing and monetizing LoRa IoT networks and services. Last week UK mobile joint venture EE launched what it says is the UK's first 4G-capable dedicated M2M platform. (See Orange Deploys IoT Network, Telcos Invest in IoT Tech Startup and Eurobites: EE Homes in on IoT.)
Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) has added a new strand to its WiFi calling platform, which it says will allow operators to extend voice service coverage from smartphones to WiFi-only devices such as tablets and laptops. So presumably for consumers it's like Skype -- except they have to pay for the privilege. Hmmmm.
The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is to launch a new OTT service in the US, according to a Broadband TV News report. The service, said BBC Director-General Tony Hall, would be sold either on its own or as part of a bundle with other channels and would draw on content that had not already been sold to other broadcasters.
Nordic operator Tele2 AB (Nasdaq: TLTO) has appointed a new interim CFO in the shape of James Maclaurin, a telecom industry veteran who has held positions at Axiata Group Berhad and Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD), among other companies. He will report to President and CEO Allison Kirkby, with whom he once worked at Marconi.
— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading
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