A regional Spanish government tasked Telefonica with a major overhaul of water metering systems, employing the operator’s NB-IoT network to connect 175,000 smart gauges to uncork a host of operational and management upgrades.

The operator is also tasked with installing the smart meters in the Castile and Leon region in northwest Spain. The upgrade covers real-time data collection along with remote management and monitoring of consumption in domestic and industrial settings.

Telefonica branded the scheme a “step towards data-driven prediction models”.

The project is being handled by the region’s Public Infrastructure and Environment company and involves Telefonica providing a platform to analyse meter data, a move expected to boost service accuracy across gauges from multiple manufacturers.

Telefonica Tech director of IoT Dario Cesena said it is providing “more and better services to customers” by combining its NB-IoT network with managed services.

The company explained the smart meters gather data hourly, boosting detection of abnormal consumption, operational efficiency and service planning.

Security is a high priority in the communications network and management platform: Telefonica highlighted compliance with “the standards required for critical government services”.

It added the smart meter programme contributes to the digital development of the Castille and Leon region.

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The GSMA cautioned European regulations must be aligned to enable the infrastructure investments needed for the mobile industry to maintain steady growth in an already substantial contribution to GDP.

In a statement promoting the release of GSMA Intelligence’s latest regional Mobile Economy report issued ahead of the pending presidency of the European Union (EU) by the Republic of Ireland, the association reiterated concerns over network quality, 5G penetration and a gap in the funding required.

GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath noted the decisions taken during the six-month presidency and beyond “will ultimately determine how well we bolster the foundational role mobile technologies play in modern society”.

Improved mobile capabilities would also help determine “how well-equipped Europe’s digital ecosystem is to grow and compete with leading global markets”, he said.

GSMA Intelligence’s research indicates the mobile sector contributed €1.2 trillion to the EU’s GDP in 2025, up from €1 trillion in 2024.

It forecast the sum could reach €1.6 trillion in 2030, 8.2% of overall GDP compared with 6.1% in 2025.

The industry accounted for 1.3 million direct and 1.1 million indirect jobs at end-2025.

But the GSMA reiterated 5G accounted for 43% of mobile connections at end-2025 and highlighted a potential €270 billion shortfall in future funding needs.

Backing
Politicians and lobbyists said they recognise the importance of mobile connectivity to the Republic of Ireland and Europe as a whole.

The nation’s Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said creating conditions which “allow Europe’s digital ecosystem to truly thrive is a high agenda item” during its EU presidency.

He highlighted the importance of getting politicians and industry players together to “ensure opportunities are not missed to drive European competitiveness and growth”.

Nicola Cooke, director of lobby group Ibec’s Telecommunications Industry Ireland, noted the sector is at “an important crossroads” due to pending digital networks and cybersecurity legislation, and vowed to step up efforts to advance investment “in this vital national infrastructure”.

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BT Group embarked on a mission to improve critical communications, launching a portfolio of services to boost resilience by providing prioritised access to 4G and 5G networks through its EE unit.

Mission Boost spearheads a namesake range combining BT’s mobile and cloud infrastructure, and security capabilities with services from a host of partners. The system puts essential communications first during periods of network congestion or high demand.

Partnerships position the set-up for use by organisations involved in key national infrastructure, emergency response and transport.

BT plans to evolve its range to include contact management capabilities and PTT. It positioned the move as part of a $40 billion investment in digital infrastructure spanning the decade to 2030.

Faisal Mahomed, MD of Critical Communications, said the Mission portfolio is BT’s response to the “increasingly complex environments” organisations find themselves operating in.

Electricity provider UK Power Networks is among the first companies adopting BT’s system: its director of Asset Management Kieran Coughlan said reliable connectivity is now essential to the running of its network, highlighting capabilities including the capacity to remain connected to staff in the field and tools to help turn the lights back on during power outages.

Operators are increasingly looking to reposition themselves as trusted central players in digital sectors by combining their infrastructure with third-party services.

Orange Business and Telefonica are among those to recently make comparable moves.

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Standards body ETSI proclaimed European digital identity infrastructure as being on the brink of a major transformation due to the release of its first specifications for a regional virtual ID set-up.

ETSI stated 450 million European Union (EU) citizens stand to benefit from the standards for the European Digital Identity Wallet programme, an initiative ultimately intended to act as identity verification and a means of securely sharing a variety of details about a person and their qualifications.

There are more than 24 specifications in ETSI’s first release for the programme and the body stated its technical groups would work on more over the next 18 months.

“Our goal is to make digital interactions across Europe as easy and trustworthy as possible,” Nick Pope, chair of ETSI’s Electronic Signatures and trust infrastructures committee said.

He explained ETSI has a “long expertise in electronic signatures, cybersecurity and trust data management”.

ETSI explained the EU is working to simplify access to online services by enabling single sign-on in place of multiple passwords. People will be able to “store and manage official digital documents, share verified information such as diplomas or licenses and sign documents with legally binding electronic signatures”.

As such, it’s initial batch of standards cover attestation profiles, policies for certification and so-called “trust list formats”.

Protocols for remote signatures, proving identity and data storage are also included.

The EU hopes the digital wallet system will simplify access to government services, healthcare, banking, travel and education.

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Global logistics player LX Pantos made a major move around robotics, tasking LG’s consulting unit with helping to research the potential around using humanoid and shuttle variants.

LG CNS is to work with LX Pantos on an automation system to incorporate the two types of robots into the specialist’s Megawise Cheongna Logistics Centre, a fulfilment facility in South Korea spanning 142,852 square metres

The facility is one of 380 logistics hubs LX Pantos operates globally. Shuttle robots are to be used to retrieve items which humanoid versions would then sort and dispatch.

Robots are to be trained using LX Pantos’ field data through a proprietary learning platform. The machines themselves are being sourced from US specialist Dexmate, a company which LG CNS previously invested in.

Park Sang-kyun, EVP and head of Telecommunications, Distribution and Service Business division at LG CNS, said the companies would look to “verify the applicability of various robots”, learning and “operation platforms to logistics sites”.

The company explained the Dexmate mobile shuttle robot has a velocity of 1.5 metres per second and can handle goods weighing up to 1,500kg.

LG CNS and LX Pantos intend to establish a demonstration zone to showcase the potential of their robotics collaboration later this year, pitching possible benefits including a reduction in repetitive tasks at the logistics facility.

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Counterpoint Research co-founder and research VP Neil Shah warned reports India hit the brakes on licensing SpaceX’s Starlink service could be bad news for the company’s IPO.

In a post on X, the analyst pointed to the scale of the Indian market along with highlighting the connection between revenue generation and investment in space projects.

Shah argued these elements are all at risk if India halts approvals for the launch of commercial Starlink services, in turn putting a “spanner in the wheel” of SpaceX’s pending IPO.

The reported timing of India’s intentions is “really bad”, Shah wrote.

Counterpoint Research’s executive was responding to a Bloomberg article indicated India had put approval processes on ice. Authorities are concerned over reports unlicensed Starlink terminals had been used in Iran, the news outlet stated.

Shah added India’s “highly sensitive, contested borders” are another factor, making the “threat of unmonitored, untraceable satellite terminals operating on its soil” without domestic oversight an “absolute red line”.

Bloomberg noted India’s population is the biggest in the world: Shah put the proportion at 40%.

The news outlet highlighted Lauren Dreyer, VP of Business Operations at Starlink, used X to explain the company “remains in active and productive discussions” with India’s government.

Dreyer branded the speculation “misleading” and “based on unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources”.

Shah noted the potential licensing fracas indicates sovereignty assurances are emerging as an important requirement for privately-held companies seeking to deliver space-based services in “key economies”, pointing to moves by China and the European Union covering low Earh orbit services as examples.

Bloomberg stated SpaceX is preparing an expected historic listing on 12 June.

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Telefonica Tech targeted a bump to its IoT business in the US by providing the connectivity for a range of protective equipment produced by industrial health and safety product maker Halotech Digital Services.

An arrangement was made involving Telefonica Tech’s managed IoT connectivity with a Halotech Software-as-a-Service platform which uses AI to provide real-time information relating to worker safety in industrial settings.

Telefonica Tech country manager for the US Luis Lepe Marquez said the combination would help customers “transform workers’ day-to-day activities”, providing clear “actionable intelligence to improve safety”.

The operator unit explained Halotech AI integrates with various namesake protective helmets developed for “complex industrial settings” including mines and oil rigs.

Telefonica Tech is providing the connectivity to collect, transmit and process information from the safety wear to produce insights to improve staff procedures and help predict potential dangers. It listed automatic fall detection, emergency alerts, provision of location information and environmental monitoring among the capabilities on offer.

Real-time decision-making capabilities can reduce “workplace incidents by up to 60%”, Telefonica Tech stated.

Halotech CEO Manuel Marin said companies are changing their approach to safety by seeking systems which can help predict incidents instead of reacting to them.

The companies have history, having developed post-quantum encryption for various industries in 2024.

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Vodafone Greece commenced early-stage talks about going Dutch on a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) venture with utility PPC Group, a combination with the potential to pass almost 2.5 million homes.

The head of terms discussion over the 50:50 joint venture also involves the companies’ respective wholesale fibre operations. Vodafone explained any combined business would provide open access to ISPs.

PPC stated the FTTH network of the subsidiary in line for the combination currently passes 1.9 million households and Vodafone’s 550,000.

Alexandros Paterakis, vice chair of the PPC FiberGrid unit and deputy CEO for digital services at the group, said any tie-up would create a “leading digital network infrastructure in Greece”, along with advancing various of the company’s strategic goals.

For Vodafone, any agreement would “substantially accelerate the development of our fibre network” CEO Achilleas Kanaris said.

He added Greece is strategically important to Vodafone Group as a whole and explained the unit is focused on expanding its footprint, shifting from “copper to fibre” and contributing to “national digital coverage objectives”.

The companies emphasised no binding commitments had been made and they are yet to embark on due diligence processes, though indicated intentions to do so with a view to signing binding agreements.

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Spark New Zealand added heat to rural IoT connectivity competition, working with natural resource protection company Dryad Networks and a local authority to provide advanced warning of wildfires in a major forest.

The set-up in the Waitangi Endowment Forest uses Dryad Networks sensors equipped with AI to detect fires at an early stage and inform the Far North District Council (FNDC) and woodland authorities.

Spark stated the sensors are capable of detecting smouldering, meaning alerts can be generated even when there are no visible signs of smoke or flames to provide early warning and give fire fighters more time to respond, along with enabling swifter evacuation of the forest.

The system is being configured and connected to the internet by Spark company Adroit, with FNDC installing the sensors. The authority is also to match funding for the project provided in a recent round of investment by New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

A total of 250 sensors are to be deployed, providing full coverage of Waitangi Endowment Forest. The system is to be in place for 15 years.

FNDC group manager for Corporate Services Charlie Billington said the project is an opportunity to train AI for the setting, localising the technology and making it more accurate.

Further fine-tuning is scheduled for February 2027, when forest managers and owners, iwi and business representatives are set to trek the ground to explain the system and tweak it for specific smoke signatures.

Spark stated there is a broader goal to integrate the set-up with systems used by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

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AST SpaceMobile decoupled from recent launch disappointments by scheduling the orbital deployment of its next three satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The space-based mobile network company hopes to blast its BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) on 17 June. As ever, launches are dependent on various environmental and other factors, so precise timing is fluid.

AST SpaceMobile expects the latest satellites to deliver almost twice the data rates of its initial BlueBird models, which it noted recently hit 98.9Mb/s in the downlink.

Company president Scott Wisniewski said the significance of the satellites goes beyond expanding its constellation and coverage: they represent the culmination of an in-house manufacturing drive and bolster claims to having birds with the largest phase-arrayed antennas at LEO heights.

AST SpaceMobile stated the trio of satellites are already stacked using a proprietary architecture and ready to be integrated with the SpaceX rocket.

The scheduled launch is something of a firing back by AST SpaceMobile at commentators who questioned whether a recent failure of a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket during a test would impact a plan to conduct regular launches throughout 2026.

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SK Telecom declared itself the first private company based in Asia to be picked to contribute to European Union (EU) work to develop next-generation quantum cryptography technology to boost the security of communications.

The South Korean operator was picked to help develop a quantum key distribution (QKD) system using Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuit-AI as part of the EU’s €95.5 billion Horizon Europe science and technology research financing programme.

SKT staff are to work with researchers in Greece, Austria and Germany, focusing on reducing the bulk, weight and cost of QKD equipment.

The theory is access to QKD-based security would be boosted if the equipment is easier to deploy: SKT stated current systems are unwieldy because “precision optical components…must be individually assembled and aligned in the form of discrete equipment”.

SKT believes optical elements can be combined into a single chip using Photonic Integrated Circuit semiconductor process technology, an approach it likened to producing smartphone camera modules.

The operator expects real-time optical calibration to be possible by embedding AI into the system to boost “overall QKD system stability”.

Project coordination is to be handled by the National Centre of Scientific Research Demokritos in Greece, which is also tasked with developing the AI.

The Austrian Institute of Technology is to develop the key management system and German semiconductor start-up Synogate the functional logic.

SKT highlighted a side mission to help harmonise European and South Korean quantum cryptography standards by identifying differences in respective current approaches. The work could ultimately help develop a global approach, it stated.

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Orange made a second decisive acquisition move in as many days after completing a buyout of its partner in Spanish joint venture MasOrange.

The French operator detailed the completion of the deal late yesterday (8 June), two days after a move involving the assets of domestic rival SFR.

Orange began its quest to purchase the 50% of MasOrange it did not own from partner Lorca in October 2025 and the process ran relatively smoothly, with a definitive deal made two months later and regulatory clearance secured earlier this year.

MasOrange CEO Meinrad Spenger gains a place on Orange’s executive committee. He said the buyout cements the operator’s foundations and improves its “capacity for investment and innovation”.

Orange intends to refinance MasOrange debt “over time”.

The operator highlighted the acquisition of the remainder of MasOrange as important to a current strategy focused on the theme of trust, while also bolstering its position in Spain, its second-largest market in Europe.

“It paves the way for accelerated industrial, operational and commercial synergies”, CEO Christel Heydemann said.

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Siemens and Infineon Technologies teamed to tackle a little reported but quite important element of digital transformations, namely protecting electrical supplies in data centres, production facilities and battery storage systems.

The pair are working to provide semiconductor breaker technology, which Siemens describes as providing protection for electronic devices, circuits and components in the event of a short-circuit or power surge.

Infineon is to provide silicon carbide power modules which Siemens intends to install in its semiconductor circuit breakers. The German-headquartered company stated the move would “enhance the efficiency, power density and reliability” of the products.

Siemens explained the lack of mechanical elements in semiconductor circuit breakers can cut the reaction time from milliseconds in traditional set-ups to microseconds.

It argued the speed boost is “essential for direct current grids” and would deliver a much-needed improvement in protection for systems used in manufacturing and AI data centres.

Andreas Weisl, EVP and chief sales officer for Industrial and Infrastructure at Infineon (pictured, right), said the importance of swift protection is growing due to the increased electrification of data centres and factories.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure CEO for Electrical Products Markus Grabmeier explained many industrial facilities are keen to tap the lower energy consumption of direct current power supplies and further boost environmental protection goals by using batteries to cut peak power use.

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Finnish enterprise and public sector users were promised better telecoms connectivity after local network operator Voimatel tapped Eutelsat for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite coverage.

The French headquartered satellite service provider stated its LEO connectivity would be integrated with Voimatel’s terrestrial network to improve coverage in Arctic and high-latitude areas of Finland, boosting the resiliency and redundancy of critical communications.

Voimatel describes itself as the builder and operator of fixed and mobile networks: Eutelsat expanded, stating the company provides services to operators, utilities and public sector groups.

The LEO coverage opens remote and rural areas where terrestrial installations are trickier, though Eutelsat noted the arrangement would also benefit urban parts of Finland.

Voimatel CEO Mikko Heinonen said the low-latency and Arctic coverage provided by Eutelsat’s LEO birds were important elements in its decision to work with the French company.

The coverage will “complement our existing infrastructure capabilities and support the evolving connectivity requirements of our customers”, he said.

Eva Bisgaard, president of Eutelsat’s Connectivity business unit, said the deal is another example of “the growing role of LEO connectivity in supporting critical telecom infrastructure”.

It also adds to a recent run of agreements involving Eutelsat’s geosynchronous satellites struck in April and May.

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Ericsson dug deeper into a mining automation deal with Swedish equipment maker Epiroc, adding LTE and 5G equipment distribution to a near decade-long research arrangement.

The companies anticipate ever-growing demand for complete operational technology systems spanning mining equipment and connectivity. Ericsson cited ease of access to digitalisation techniques as among the benefits the expanded deal offers.

Epiroc Digital Solutions division president Paul Bergstrom said there is a rising need for connectivity systems from mining companies as they “advance automation and digitalisation throughout their operations”.

The equipment manufacturer plans to add Ericsson private 5G systems to its own telematics, remote control and position sensing products.

Last month, Epiroc advanced a deep automation product range with systems for drilling and material handling, expanding a portfolio offered since 2023 which it stated helped mines “unlock millions of tonnes of ore” they would not otherwise have been able to safely recover.

Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions head of product and engineering Pankaj Malhotra said the updated deal with Epiroc ties into the operational goals involving safety, productivity and efficiency.

The pair is “helping mining companies modernise operations at scale”, he said.

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Boldyn Networks’ US CCO Jason Caliento said the company is making good on pledges to boost the digital experience offered at Major League Soccer (MLS) venues after equipping a new stadium in the city of Miami with various connectivity technologies.

The company installed a platform of Wi-Fi 7, IPTV, audio, neutral host mobile and converged fibre infrastructure at the Nu Stadium in the Miami Freedom Park to deliver fresh services for fans and contribute to improved operation of the venue which opened in April.

Caliento highlighted an “innovative financial structure”, whereby Boldyn Networks handled the capital investment it plans to recoup through network operation and management duties.

He said the model provides “significant financial flexibility” and predicted it would become a key selling point for deals with other venues.

Boldyn Networks explained the Nu Stadium is a 26,700-seat facility located in a mixed-use development spanning 131-acres.

It installed more than 600 access points covering high-density Wi-Fi and mobile throughout the site. Cloud-based IoT platforms are providing real-time information on crowd behaviour, and the fibre element covers game streaming and display on more than 200 connected TVs.

The company highlighted mobile ticketing, from-seat refreshment ordering and access to interactive content as among the main benefits for fans.

Caliento said Boldyn Networks became an official supplier to the MLS in a deal struck in 2025.

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Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa (pictured) believes Africa is no longer playing catch-up in global technologies, telling attendees of a key business conference in Kenya the continent is now holding its own in developing fresh business models and tapping emerging digitalisation trends.

In a string of posts on a popular micro-blogging site, the operator reported Ndegwa told the Academy of International Business (AIB) Conference nations are increasingly looking to Africa for fresh approaches to delivering growth and innovation.

Africa is now “co-creating new models” and its views are ever-more sought after, Ndegwa said.

The Safaricom boss noted Africa was not immune to global challenges, but argued “turbulence can also drive transformation”.

He pointed to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as an example, explaining the operator group “had to navigate regulatory changes, currency pressure”, greater competition and cybersecurity challenges.

The challenges fuelled a shift from “telco to techco” as Safaricom recognised “adaptability is now a competitive advantage”.

He noted global uncertainties continue today due to “geopolitical tension, economic volatility” and various disruptive technology developments including AI, meaning the ability to swiftly adjust is still essential.

Ndegwa said the m-Pesa mobile money platform “remains the clearest example of African innovation” being used to address a local problem by looking to the bigger picture of what the system is for rather than focusing solely on technology.

He argued the platform shows what can be achieved in driving digital transformation when initiatives are backed by the right regulations and laws, along with “strong public-private collaborations”.

The three-day AIB event concluded today (29 May).

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IoT specialist Wiliot expanded work with AT&T Business to boost its position in the physical AI field by tapping the US-based operator’s connectivity, device relationships and general expertise in data handling.

Wiliot is seeking to broaden its position in physical AI for enterprise supply chains and believes AT&T has the network connectivity, device relationships and ability in employing data to do so.

“Physical AI depends on continuous data” from the real world, VP of marketing Amir Khoshniyati said.

Deepening ties with AT&T improves Wiliot’s “ability to deploy and operate physical AI networks across large, distributed environments”.

The company is pitching a platform which handles sensing and intelligence, employing real-time data from dedicated devices. AT&T is tasked with delivering the network infrastructure, mobile connectivity and execution elements.

Certification of Wiliot gateway devices on AT&T’s network is also underway, as the company seeks more direct connectivity and standardised deployments for the enterprise space.

Wiliot stated the companies embarked on a systems integration collaboration late in 2025 covering core deployments and operational capabilities. The operator is also handling various design, installation, asset tagging and maintenance aspects.

Lee Wagner, area VP for AT&T, explained enterprises “need actionable data from the physical world” and the companies are “adding visibility at the case and asset level” to provide a fresh range of services.

Work already undertaken in retail, food and beverage, and some restaurant sectors delivered inventory accuracy improvements of 99%, Wiliot stated.

It also highlighted improvements in the time taken to ship goods to storage, a reduction in the number of staff required in receiving items and greater shipment accuracy.

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