Legere is on the way out!

One of the most colourful, and successful characters in recent telco history is on his way out of T-Mobile US.

Vodafone and Bharti set to raise prices help pay government bill

Beleaguered Indian operators Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel have indicated they will need to start charging their customers more.

Nokia makes its network functions available on AWS

Nokia’s Common Software Foundation platform now supports Amazon Web Services, which should make them easier to buy and use.

Sweden decides to delay 5G spectrum allocation

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) has announced it will delay the allocation of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands due to a security review.

Apple forecast to dominate the 5G smartphone market next year

A report from analyst firm Strategy Analytics reckons that then Apple launches its 5G iPhones next year it will immediately become the biggest 5G player.

5G is good, but perhaps not worth upgrading just yet

New research is suggesting London 5G speeds are getting the promised boost, though the overall experience might disappoint a few.

Reliance Comms board finally falls on its sword

Anil Ambani and four other board members have resigned, ten months after Reliance Communications filed for bankruptcy.

US citizens believe data collection risks outweigh the benefits

The technology world is becoming increasingly complicated and inaccessible for the majority, so it is of little surprise citizens are focusing on the negative.

Interview with Amdocs’ Parag Shah

In this interview, Parag Shah, SVP & Customer Business Executive at Amdocs, talks about the challenge of 5G evolution—in particular, how service providers will need to rethink how radio access network (RAN) deployment will work in the future. Considering the scope and scale of 5G New Radio (5G NR) deployment, service providers will need to think carefully about software infusion, data analytics, and the importance of heterogenous know-how.

Unlocking the Future of Business Aviation Connectivity

At 40,000 feet, travelers have rapidly evolving expectations for fast, fluid connectivity—for both business and entertainment. Business flyers expect to be access high-speed Internet as seamlessly as they do in their office, and all passengers want to be able to watch live, glitch-free streaming TV, regardless of data allowance or the particulars of their data plan. For nearly 15 years, Viasat has been making these peerless aviation connectivity happen—thanks to uniquely targeted combinations of Ku-band for global connections, Ka-band for faster Internet, and dual-band for the best of both solutions—including global coverage and redundancy.

IBM Kicks Up Kubernetes Compatibility With Open Source

On the first day of KubeCon IBM kicked up its Kubernetes compatibility by announcing two new open source projects — Kui and Iter8 — along with advancements to existing open source Tekton and Razee. IBM has a long history contributing open source code, and today’s announcement comes as the vendor quickly moves to integrate its legacy software portfolio with Red Hat’s Kubernetes-focused OpenShift platform.

T-Mobile US Taps Sievert to Replace Legere As CEO

After almost 19 months, uncertainty still hangs over T-Mobile US’ proposed acquisition of Sprint, but questions about who will lead the company going forward have been answered. T-Mobile US today announced that Mike Sievert, who currently serves as president and COO, will assume the position of CEO on May 1, 2020.

Packet, EdgeConneX, Sprint Bring Edge Compute, IoT to Detroit

Packet deployed its bare-metal edge cloud at the EdgeConneX data center in Detroit in a move that allows local enterprises — specifically the automotive sector and suppliers — to connect to Sprint’s Curiosity IoT platform.

Google Buys CloudSimple, Challenges VMware Cloud on AWS

Google today said it acquired CloudSimple, a startup that makes it easier for customers to move VMware workloads from their on-premises data centers into public clouds. The acquisition gives Google an edge as it competes against Amazon Web Services and that public cloud provider’s hybrid cloud service with VMware called VMware Cloud on AWS.

Cumulus Linux 4.0 Supports New Mellanox, Broadcom Chips and Facebook Minipack

Cumulus Networks unloaded a bevy of enhancements to its network operating system today with the release of Cumulus Linux 4.0 and NetQ 2.4.

AWS Absorbs More of Nokia’s 5G-Focused Software Platform

Nokia expanded availability of its Common Software Foundation (CSF) platform to Amazon Web Services (AWS). This marks what the vendor calls its first step toward delivering cloud-native network functions and applications to help operators deploy 5G and digital services.

Where Cable Stands With Fiber

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.

Eurobites: Nokia Puts Its Network Functions on Amazon's Cloud

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

HBO Max Set to Exceed US Sub Forecast, Struggle for Big Profits – Analyst

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.

Podcast: Nuage CEO on the Market Impact of MEF's SD-WAN Standards

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.

America's Big Midband Auction for 5G to Start in 2020, But Big Questions Remain

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.

MEF19 Preview: SD-WAN – Defined & Certified

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.

Cambodia Set to Win 5G Bragging Rights in SE Asia

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

Verizon Tackles Industrial Asset Tracking With 4G & IoT

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.

The Un-CEO: Legere to Leave T-Mobile

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

Vivint Gets Ready to Give Fixed Wireless Another Go

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.

Altitude TV Sues Comcast on Antitrust Grounds

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.

AT&T, Verizon Hope 5G & Edge Computing Save VR

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.

Dell Technologies CTO: Why AI Needs Empathy

AUSTIN — If we want humans to trust artificial intelligence (AI), then we need to teach the machines empathy, according to John Roese, CTO and president of products and operations at Dell Technologies.

Palo Alto Networks Leaps Into SASE Market

Gartner’s hype train gained speed this week as Palo Alto Networks leaped aboard with the launch of its secure access service edge (SASE) platform.