The proposed merger between Vodafone and Three is nearly a done deal. The Competition and Markets Authority has agreed that a significant network upgrade by the merged company could address competition concerns and allow the merger to proceed. The CMA now states that a legally binding commitment from Vodafone and Three to undertake their proposed

SIM distributor GK Telecom has become an MVNO enabling it to offer travel eSIM with phone numbers and support texting and voice calls. From January, travellers using a GK Telecom travel eSIM will experience roaming as if on their home network, albeit with a different eSIM number. Travel eSIMs are typically data only, requiring users

Exertis has appointed Paul Jacobs as its new Trading Director as part of a management reorganisation designed to “sharpen the distributor’s focus on key markets” including AV, Components, IT Solutions, Mobile, Print, and consumer channels. Previously, Jacobs was Trading Director for Devices. He assumes responsibility for commercial, purchasing, and business development functions. Jacobs joined Exertis

Likewize’s existing investor, Genstar Capital, has become the majority shareholder in the company for an undisclosed amount, following its initial investment in March of last year. Management and Brightstar Capital Partners (“Brightstar”) will remain minority investors in Likewize. Leadership is not expected to change. Genstar President and Managing Partner Ryan Clark (main pic R) said,

Fergal Donovan, former Managing Director at PCS Wireless and Data Select, has launched a new company, Cyculus Services, described as “Europe’s First Independent Fully Automated ‘Device Processing as a Service’ Provider.” Cyculus will initially focus on mobile devices, with plans to extend the service to include tablets, wearables, IT equipment, and other products. Powered by

US warranty company Allstate Protection Plans has acquired smart device lifecycle company Kingfisher-mx for an undisclosed amount. Allstate Protection Plans, formerly known as SquareTrade, offers extended warranties and protection plans for consumer electronics, appliances, furniture, and more. The company is a subsidiary of Allstate, one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S. Kingfisher was

Irish circular technology company Alchemy increased revenues by 60 per ent to of $711 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 over the previous year’s $443 million. Alchemy traded over 2.4 million devices globally, up 700,000 from the previous year. The company has traded more than seven million devices since it was set

Tesco Mobile is to sponsor of Digital Matters, a free online learning programme from Internet Matters for primary school teachers to teach media literacy and online safety education, Tesco Mobile says 30 per cent of teachers are citing a lack of training as a significant barrier to teaching online safety effectively and 21 per cent

Millions of UK households are sitting on a stockpile of unused mobile phones, potentially losing billions in trade-in value according to recycling site Compare and Recycle. The study, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, found that 5.68 million UK households have at least three unused, but still functional, mobile phones stored at home. More than half

Vodafone Group is building a massive logistics hub in Luxembourg to store mobile and fixed network equipment for its European markets. The 26,000-square-meter facility will be managed by the Vodafone Procurement Company and is expected to enable more efficient movement of equipment, such as antennas and routers, across Vodafone’s European businesses. Vodafone estimates that 88

UK mobile customers will be better protected against unexpected roaming charges while using their phone abroad and at home under new Ofcom rules that have not yet come into force. Following Brexit, UK laws requiring operators to alert customers of roaming charges when they start roaming ceased to apply, although many operators have continued to

The UK will miss out on £11bn of infrastructure investment to deliver 5G Standalone to 95 percent of the population by 2030 and 99 percent of the UK population by 2034 unless the Vodafone Three merger goes ahead. So says Vodafone UK’s Chief Network Officer, Andrea Donà, citing findings from research that indicate nationwide 5G

Reboxed, the sustainable platform offering refurbished devices, has announced a new logistics partnership with BlankIT known for its expertise in device quality control. The collaboration is expected to elevate Reboxed’s mission of delivering top-tier refurbished products to consumers in an eco-friendly manner. BlankIT Ltd will now oversee Reboxed’s device logistics, ensuring rigorous quality assurance. The

Vodafone has joined other major neowkr operators around the world to create a new company with Ercisson  to offer network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) globally. The venture aims to simplify access to advanced mobile network features, which have traditionally been difficult for developers to integrate across various telecom systems. The deal is expected to close

GK Telecom has won two Three UK Partner Awards – the “Three PAYG Quality Award 2023/2024” and “Smarty Mobile’s Best Student Campaign of the Year.” The “Three PAYG Quality Award 2023/2024” was for GK Telecom’s PAYG services, with a focus on customer tenure and satisfaction. GK Telecom’s also won the “Smarty Mobile Best Student Campaign

Approval for the Vodafone and Three merger is now in doubt as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it could lead to higher prices for consumers. Although a final decision is not expected until December 7, the CMA says it is now worried that the merger “could lead to millions of customers having to

Sunderland City Council  and Boldyn Networks has won the Community Improvement Award at the Connected Britain Awards 2024 for their Digital Inclusion Programme The programme aims to address digital inequality in Sunderland by providing residents with access to digital skills and resources. Launched in partnership between the council and Boldyn Networks, the initiative has supported

The GSMA, the global organisation uniting the world’s mobile ecosystem, is a sponsor for this year’s Mobile News Circular Summit, the UK’s only conference focused on the secondary market channel Scheduled to take place on October 22-23 at the Park Plaza Riverbank in London, Circular Summit will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to

Vodafone is promising contract customers a new phone every year without any early upgrade fees or remaining charges. They must  exchange their existing device for an iPhone 16 or a model from its range of ‘Pristine’ refurbished phones. Under the  Vodafone Xchange scheme customers can choose a phone with 0% APR and customisable upfront costs.

Apple has been hit with an £11 billion tax bill following the European Court of Justice’s confirmation of the EU Commission’s decision in a tax case against Apple, ending years of legal battles. The ruling holds Apple accountable for unpaid taxes worth up to €13 billion, underscoring the Commission’s fight against aggressive tax planning by

The iPhone SE and basic iPhone 14 models are staying in the iPhone lineup which should help to maintain used value of these models as the iPhone 16 now moves to the top of the tree. The iPhone 16 range is the usual standard (£799) Plus (£899), Pro (£999) , and the Pro Max (£1,199)

O2 customer experience slower file download speeds over 4G and 5G compared to other networks according to Ofcom’s latest ‘Mobile Matters’ report published today. The research, which is based on crowdsourced data supplied by Opensignal, analysed crowdsourced data collected between October last year and March, and highlights the varying experiences of mobile network users across the country. Ofcom

If you thought iPhones were immune from savage depreciation, look away now. The iPhone 15 series depreciated by 55.57 per cent on average in its first year and is the first lineup in iPhone history to lose more than half of its value in the first 12 months. This is according to a  price tracking

A new eSIM only MVNO called Slice Mobile owned by Lyca boss Allirajah Subaskaran’s company Paraspara has launched offering talk, text and data plans on the EE network.  Slice Mobile was conceived by gffgaff founder and ex-CEO Gav Thompson Like giffgaff, Slice Mobile is using the “community-powered” approach where customers, or “members,” are encouraged to

Circular economy startup Reboxed has launched ReboxedOS, a platform aimed at helping brands manage consumer electronics trade ins and inventory management The platform allows companies to establish and scale co-branded resale, trade-in, and recycling programs, with a focus on both revenue growth and sustainability. It has been designed to integrate with existing systems, allowing brands

Virgin Media O2 has introduced a new £10-a-month 10GB mobile plan to help people on low incomes. The 30-day rolling contract, called the O2 Essential Plan, is available to new and existing customers who receive Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit. EU roaming is included at no extra

EE MVNO Lycamobile UK says it has been wrongly hit with a winding-up petition from HMRC and that the amounts claimed have already been paid. The company says a winding up order from  HMRC was issued in error and is not connected with the recent ruling of a tribunal that it must pay £51 million

Three UK spent £17 million more than it earned after covering operating costs and investments,according to half-year figures for 2024. This is an improvement from the £112 million shortfall in early 2023. However revenue climbed nine per cent to £1.335 billion, up from £1.227 billion in the same period last year. The increase was driven

Indian investment company Bharti Global has taken a 24.5 percent stake in BT Group worth £4 billion by buying all the BT stock owned by Altice UK. Bharti Global is the key investment arm of India-based Bharti Enterprises, a conglomerate with interests in telecommunications, space, insurance, and other sectors. The company aims to leverage new

Apple adoption of RCS (Rich Communications Services), will transform the way people and businesses communicate writes Robert Gerstmann,  co-founder, of messaging and voice services company Sinch. Apple’s adoption of RCS is undoubtedly a significant milestone for digital communication. With interactive and secure messaging, RCS enhances customer experience and trust. Brands will be able to engage

Vodafone is now offering an alternative IoT service called Long Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M). It is designed for IoT services not connected to mains electricity and only transmit small amounts of data, such as burglar alarms, wearable devices, and asset tracking. The technology is also known as LTE Cat-M1 and is optimised for indoor

Three UK has revised its pricing structure to show annual price increases outlined in “pounds and pence” determined by tiers based on the data allowance of each contract. Each year mobile customers will see the following increases depending on their data allowance. 4GB or less: £1 more a month, 5GB-99GB: £1.25 more a month, 100GB

Regulator calls for evidence on innovative solutions to disrupt UK mobile number spoofing from abroad and mobile messaging scams Phone companies will have to identify andblock calls from abroad under strengthened industry guidance introduced by Ofcom to protect the public from scam calls. Current rules do not require operators to block all calls from abroad

Ofcom has a new telecoms Czar to oversee the regulator’s policing of the telecoms, post, and network sectors. She is Natalie Black, CBE, a senior civil servant who was the Deputy Head of the Number 10 Policy Unit and an ex- Director of the Internet Harms Unit*, and Director of the Office of Cyber Security.

Virgin Media O2 supports the merger of Vodafone and Three and said it  would be “a positive step for investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure.” The affiirmatiom was made by Lutz Schüler,CEO of Virgin Media O2 announcing the networks Q2 financial performance.  Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone UK have a new, long-term mobile network sharing

Customers must be told upfront in pounds and pence about any price rises their provider includes in their contract, under new consumer protection rules announced today by Ofcom. UK phone, broadband, and pay TV companies will no longer be able to include price rises linked to future inflation rates in their contract terms. New Rules

Bllling systems provider Lifecycle Software, has appointed chief commercial officer Liz Parry as its new Chief Executive Officer. She takles over from Kelvin Chaffer, who is leaving the company after 23 years to become CEO of group company Neural Technologies specialising in revenue assurance. Lifecycle is an online charging system, billing and business support solution

Virgin Media O2 will be deploying temporary wheeled masts at 29 festivals and special events and at 12 holiday destinations this summer. The temporary masts, known as Cells on Wheels (COW), are powered by a hydrotreated vegetable oil solution expected to save 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The network says this is around the

EE provides the best mobile experience by a major operator, according to tests by Global Wireless Solutions. Virgin Media O2 was the top provider when combining mobile and broadband experience, followed by Sky Mobile, EE, Vodafone, and Three. EE performed best in most test categories, including reliability, video streaming, and latency. In terms of throughput,

Egypt is finally getting 5G, initially in Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Giza, and Luxor. Nokia will supply its AirScale equipment to Telecom Egypt’s network deploying Massive MIMO radios, baseband units, and remote radio heads, using the energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. The rollout is scheduled to commence later this year. Telecom Egypt is Egyp’ts main phone c0mpany,

American mobile networks may be forced to allow customers to unlock their phones within two months of activation, even before their contracts have lapsed if FCC proposals succeed. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (main pic) has proposed new unlocking rules that would allow consumers the freedom to take their existing phones and switch from one mobile

Vodafone’s prepay team has given its 2024 Vodafone Prepay Campaign of the Year award to distributor GK Telecom  GK is a PAYG SIM distributor for all networks, and also distributes for MVNOs such as Giffgaff, Smarty, Voxi, and Lebara. The company handles all the tariff refreshes and summer and winter promotions for Vodafone and other

eSIM Go has signed Confused.com to its Breeze affiliate partner programme. The comparison web site will now offer travel insurance customers an eSIM Go eSIM of up to 2GB of free mobile data to use in selected countries around the world . eSIM Go recently signed uSwitch as an affiliate and says there is strong

Ofcom has fined BT £2.8m because subsidiaries EE and Plusnet  did not  provide more than a million customers with clear contract information before they signed up for a new deal. Ofcom said: “The company broke our consumer protection rules designed to ensure telecoms customers get clear, comparable information about the services they are considering buying.”

Phoenix Cellular, the secondary market distributor founded in 2015 by brothers Marc and Paul Walters along with Andrew Dulla has gone into administration. Administrators Begbies Traynor were appointed yesterday (June 4) to handle the company’s affairs. The Walters brothers were previously involved in recycling at Mobile Phone Xchange (MPX), a company they ran with their

The Evening Standard has blamed 4G coverage on London Underground for one of the reasons the newspaper has axed its daily print edition after 197 years and losses of £87.5 million since 2019. An email to staff from the newspaper’s chair Paul Kanareck on Wednesday said the proliferation of home working, and the availability of

Self-repair company iFixit has scrapped its two-year-old Samsung Repair Hub because it “consistently faced obstacles that made us doubt Samsung’s commitment to making repair more accessible”. The Samsung Repair Hub aimed to provide local independent repair businesses with tools and parts to repair Galaxy devices Samsung UK says iFixit’s announcement is specific to Samsung US.

Consumers are still showing significant resistance to buying and using refurbished phones. A YouGov survey of 2,544 adults has revealed that while most people had heard of refurbished phones, only six percent currently own one. Despite the awareness, 70 percent of those who knew about refurbished handsets were unsure which networks provided them. while there

Hits 150 sites as part of its Shared Rural Network rollout. The Isle of Eigg, a community-owned island in the Hebrides, has beome the 150th site to benefit from improved mobile connectivity after Virgin Media O2 used helicopters, boats, and off-road vehicles to deliver and install a new 4G mast on the island. The SRN is

Quickline Communications CTO and 5G Testbeds and Trials programme programme director Ian Smith is the new head of UK Telecoms Innovations Network taking over from Nick Johnson. UKTIN brings together industry, academia, and government stakeholders to advocate for telecoms R&D talent in investment, cooperation and commercialisation. The 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme is the government’s

Stop the Smartphone Swindle: One year of calling for a fairer deal for consumers Rob Orr, Chief Operations Officer, Virgin Media O2 One year ago, we launched the ‘Stop the Smartphone Swindle’ campaign to demand fairer mobile contracts for consumers. We exposed how millions of people across the country are paying for phones they already

Honor and Porsche Design come up with another collaboration, the Honor Magic6 RSR, yours for just £1,599. We’ll let the press release speak for itself: “Born out of a joint pursuit of innovation,this cross-industry collaboration brings together exceptional performance with timeless luxury design, offering a special-edition smartphone that meets the needs of modern users who value

Virgin Media O2’s ‘s contract mobile base reduced by 74,500 for the first three months of the year ending Q1 at 16.0 million. Total mobile connections grew to 45.1 million from growth in IoT and wholesale MVNO connections incuding Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile. The contract base dip was caused by reduction in handset sales

ESIM provider and distributor GK Telecom plans to roll out 1,000 eSIM McDonald’s-type touchscreen kiosks across the UK that allow people to purchase an eSIM that works in 160 countries, with just a few finger taps.  The digital kiosk is being launched next week at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which is expected to

eSIM provider and distributor GK Telecom plans to roll out 1,000 eSIM McDonald’s-type touchscreen kiosks across the UK that allow people to purchase an eSIM that works in 160 countries, with just a few finger taps.  The digital kiosk is being launched next week at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which is expected to

Virgin Media O2 is using the Starlink constellation of low earth orbit satellites  to boost mobile services in most remote locations as part of the Shared Rural Network programme. Starlink’s LEO satellites will connect to phone masts unreachable with fibre optic cables or microwave to give connectivity to more rural communities. The Starlink mobile backhaul

The integration of 5G into UK rugby stadiums could boost the sport’s economy by £139 million each year by 2029 says a forecast by Development Economics into impact of advanced connectivity on professional sports. The Vodafone-commissioned research claims an increase in revenue is expected from improved hospitality and ticketing strategies enabled by 5G. Sales of

Three UK is using former hardman footballer Vinnie Jones in a campaign with Chelsea F.C. and Samaritans to address mens’ mental health issues In an online video, Jones talks abouth is own mental health issues with Chelsea players Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Robert Sanchez and Alfie Gilchrist and encourages them to ‘talk more’. Jones said: “I

Europe will become a footnote in next-generation technology success stories unless innovation is prioritised over regulation warned Ericsson President and CEO, Börje Ekholm this week (Pic Raul Mee. Courtesy NIB. Speaking at a seminar at the Nordic Investment Bank’s Board of Governors Ekholm said putting telecoms regulation over innovation coupled with the fragmented nature of

The country’s public payphones will be tirned into high-speed connectivity hubs courtesy of BT and the Media & Entertainment group Global. The two companies have signed a 10-year partnership to upgrade legacy payphones and 2,000 payphones into digital hubs for local communities in more than 200 towns and cities that will provide public Wi-Fi and

New Ofcom rules mean networks will have to send clearer roaming alerts to mobile customers from October and provide information about charges. Ofcom says the quality of information being provided to roaming customers has been inconsistent and unclear and that its research found 19 per cent of holidaymakers were unaware they could face roaming charges.

Asda Mobile is to offer Pay Monthly SIM-only contracts as part of an investment to increase its customer base. People who sign up for a contract through Asda’s loyalty app, Asda Rewards, will get up to five percent cashback on their monthly bill, which can be spent either in-store or online on groceries and homeware.

Mobile News Awards winners Barclay Communications (Best B2B Dealer) and BT Wholesale (Best Wholesale Partner) have started a £6 million programme to upgrade 50,000 Northern Ireland businesses to high speed broadband this year. Businesses here who have access to full fibre to their premises can upogradetheir broadband at no extra cost to their monthly payments.

Vodafone chief commercial officer Max Taylor is now  CEO  replacing Ahmed Essam who now becomes Executive Chairman Vodafone Germany and CEO European Markets. As chief commercial officer he was responsible for the commercial performance of the Consumer division including sales and marketing, digital, brand, customer experience and commercial operations. Taylor has 25 years experience in

TalkTalk Wholesale Services has rebranded as PlatformX Communications (PXC) and combined its Virtual1 and TalkTalk’s Wholesale Services and national network into the UK’s largest independent wholesale telecoms platform. PXC has been operating as an independent company within TalkTalk Group since March 1st. CEO Tom O’Hagan (main pic )commented: “The launch of our new company and

E-SIM distributor GK Telecom is enticing travelers to purchase its unlimited eSIM data plan for Europe with a physical eSIM pack they can activate without having to navigate the usual online search. “eSIM technology is new and can be complex for first-time users. Our objective is to raise awareness through the distribution of a physical

Tracy Westall, chair of Curium Solutions, Department for Transport non-executive director and former TechUK non-executive director is the new chair of digital connectivity and innovation company West Midlands. She takes over from former Giffgaff chairman and co-founder Mark Stansfeld who leaves after four years in the role. West Midlands 5G (WM5G) was the UK’s first

Focus Group has completed its second acquisition within a few weeks with the takeover of Truro-based telco and IT specialist Datasharp . Last month Focus acquired Pinnacle, a Bristol-based cloud communications and mobile specialist. Datasharp’ was established in 1984 and is the oldest business acquired by Focus Group. Its base in Cornwall adds to the

Vodafone Business estimates the slow rollout of standalone 5G is costing small and medium enterprises £8.6 billion a year in potential productivity savings. Standalone 5G networks offer superior coverage, speed, and connectivity compared to non-standalone setups, unlocking advanced services such as augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and IoT. In its report, titled “Supercharging Small Businesses,” Vodafone

5G connections will account for over half of the world/s mobile connections by 2029, says GSMA Intelligence. This will rise to 56 per cent by 2030 making 5G the leading connectivity technology. Connections surpassed the one billion mark at the end of 2022 rising to 1.6 billion connections by the December last year. This is

HONOR has debuted its flagship HONOR Magic6 Pro and its latest AIPC, the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16, both equipped with HONOR’s platform-level AI. The HONOR Magic6 Pro will be available in Black and Epi Green, priced at £1,100. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR is available in Agate Grey, priced at £2,350.  HONOR CEO

The global market for pre-owned smartphones boomed to to 309 million units last year and its expected to reach 431 million units by 2027. So say the latest findings from the Recommerce Barometer, unveiled in collaboration with Vodafone indicating a surge in European interest towards purchasing refurbished smartphones. According to the report inflationary pressures are

Tesco Mobile added over 200,000 new pay-monthly subscribers and boosted its market share by 12 per cent last year. The network, which recently renewed its network agreement with Virgin Media O2 for another 10 years. also improved its churn rate and now claims to be the UK’s largest MVNO with 5.5 million customers. Tesco Mobile

BICS and Skylo have teamed up to boost global IoT connectivity using satellites by integratng Skylo’s satellite network with BICS’ IPX infrastructure, enabling direct NB-IoT-to-satellite connections for enterprises. Skylo Technologies is a global NTN service provider based in Mountain View, CA, offering a service that allows smartphone and IoT cellular devices to connect directly over

Mobile News’ Circular Summit conference held last November has facilitated the establishment of a UK Circular Standards Committee to oversee agreed standards of quality for the sale of used devices. Leading figures from VMO2, GiffGaff, EE, Vodafone, Three, PhoneCheck, eBay, BackMarket, CCS Insights, Currys, and Music Magpie have already joined the committee,following a presentation at Circular

GK Telecom has introduced a new range of 7-day unlimited eSIM plans targeted at people attending major sporting events such as Paris Olympics 2024, expos in Dubai and Qatar and the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup USA. The seven-day plans aim to provide reliable internet in over 200 countries, helping travellers stay connected without

Vodafone UK has reported a 5.2 per cent increase in service revenue in its latest quarterly financial update, demonstrating strong performance across both its Consumer and Business segments. The mobile sector witnessed an addition of 18,000 contract customers, attributed to robust seasonal trading and an improvement in consumer contract retention by 0.8 percentage points year-on-year.

GK Telecom MD Ravi Navaratnam has been awarded the UK Business Leader Award for Best Business Leader in Marketing and Advertising for 2024 in the UK Business Awards This award acknowledges individuals in the marketing and advertising sector who have made notable contributions through innovation and effective strategies. Navaratnam was selected for helping to improve

Virgin Media O2 and Tesco Plc have renewed their Tesco Mobile joint venture for another 10 years to continue the partnership which has been in place for 20 years. Tesco Mobile now has a customer base of over 5.5 million users. Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, commented “ “We have enjoyed great success

Fónua has completed the integration of Bluechipworld Sales and Marketing Limited (BCW) following the Fónua acquisition of Bluechipworld 18 months ago. Bluechipworld’s facilities in Cannock are now Fónua’s UK Head Office. Bluechipworld was established in 2009 to design technology, audio, and mobile accessories. It managed licensed brands such as MiTEC, iT7 Audio, SilverLabel, iCandy, Keplar,

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has carried out 25 raids in six countries targeting a suspected £16 million VAT fraud involving used mobile phones imported from Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States. The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It?is responsible for investigating, prosecuting

Samsung has launched the new Galaxy S24 Ultra,Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 with Snapdragon’s 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform chip. This integrates Galaxy AI with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy said to offer improved performance and energy efficiency. Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of mobile handset at Qualcomm Technologies said

The rapid evolution of smartphones and IoT devices has transformed the way users access information and data, writes Craig Palmer, CEO of billing and CRM platform VAS-X. Smartphones have become digital assistants. And, as demand surges for continuous connectivity, operators must seek innovative solutions to elevate user experience, differentiate their offerings, reduce costs, and tap

Lyca Mobile has appointed Lawrence Corbett (main pic left) as the new Group Chief Operating Officer and James McQuillan as the UK and Ireland Country Manager. Their arrival follows the appointment of Richard Schafer as Group CEO last June. “We are poised to challenge established operators. Lawrence and James, with their impressive backgrounds, are invaluable

Vodafone and Microsoft have joined forces in a 10-year collaboration partnership to develop a new AI and IoT connectivity platform and revamping Vodafone’s global data centre cloud strategy.  Vodafone will invest £1.18 billion over the next decade in  cloud and customer-focused AI services developed with Microsoft.  Microsoft will use Vodafone’s fixed and mobile connectivity services.

Focus Group has acquired RPM Communications which sells cloud-based telephony to the healthcare sector. The move bolsters the growth of Focus’ specialist healthcare division Think Healthcare which is an approved supplier to NHS RPM Communications and is also a preferred supplier to NHS England. “When the opportunity arose to further enhance our capabilities and bolster

Focus Group has acquired RPM Communications which sells cloud-based telephony to the healthcare sector. The move bolsters the growth of Focus’ specialist healthcare division Think Healthcare which is an approved supplier to NHS RPM Communications and is also a preferred supplier to NHS England. “When the opportunity arose to further enhance our capabilities and bolster

Hove-based equipment and technology financier Lease Group has appointed of Zoe Pullen, Head of Corporate, to support its resellers selling to PLCs and the public sector. Pullen, previously Head of Enterprise for Samsung and Vodafone, will be heading up Lease Group’s Corporate division following an increase in demand for flexible funding solutions in the supply

Ruggedised handset company Bullitt Group is set to go into voluntary administration according to a report in the Telegraph. The Telegraph reported that Bullitt’s satellite connectivity business and 100 employees would be transferred to a new company owned by its creditors. A source close to the company told Mobile News that it was not surprising

Etc., the startup and digital incubation arm of BT Group, has unveiled plans to convert street cabinets into electric vehicle charging stations. A series of technical trials will investigate the conversion of up to 60,000 cabinets across the UK to receive the shortage of charging points on UK roads. There are only 53,000 public EV

Nokia and Honor have signed a new patent cross-license agreement covering both manufacturers’ fundamental 5G inventions and other cellular technologies. Nokia says it has invested more than €140 billion invested in research and development over the last 23 years since 2000 to develop around 20,000 patent families. These include 6,000 patent families essential to 5G.

Doro UK and Ireland MD Peter Marsden is heading up a new Doro direct-to-consumer division, He has been replaced as MD by senior channel account manager Ben Crompton. Crompton has 20 years’ experience in the mobile industry and has worked at Orange and BlackBerry. He joined Doro in 2019 and will be working to expand

Administrators launch battle to slash networks’ lEGAL COSTS The administrators of Phones4U face a staggering legal bill of £77.2 million from the networks they sued in addition to their own costs of around £29 million. This arises from Phones4U’s unsuccessful four-month trial during its administration, where they claimed all the mobile networks colluded to push

Next year will see many more device-to-device satcoms services says Peter Kibutu,Advanced Technology Lead at 5G satellite consultancy TTP There will be further partnerships between terrestrial network providers, which own most of the desirable spectrum and have access to a large subscriber base, and non-terrestrial providers. These joint ventures will tackle rural and remote black

Apple has expanded its Self Service Repair program to include the iPhone 15 lineup and M2-powered computers. The service is now available in 24 additional European countries, including Croatia, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. This expansion supports 35 Apple products across 33 countries and is available in 24 languages. Apple Diagnostics for Self

Contact centre software specialists Saascoms has won a National Innovation Award for Online Self-Service Experience for its Omnireach call centre conversational software.

The Google Pixel Fold is the most expensive phone to repair with an eyewatering bill of £1,177 at for a full repair including new screen and battery replacement

Virgin Media O2 chief commercial officer Rob Orr (main pic) has taken over as chief operating officer to replace Gareth Turpin who has left the business.

Vodafone has forced Virgin Media to withdraw an ad that claimed “Get the fastest WiFi Guarantee of any major provider”. Vodafone complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that the ad, which ran in July, was misleading and could be not be substantiated. The ASA agreed and ordered Virgin Media to pull the ad and ensure