Donal Byrne

Sky Mobile launches in Ireland using Vodafone as its host network. 🎉 Long anticipated, it's great to see them finally launched. This is also a pretty fantastic launch offer. Dubbed ‘Price for Life,’ the launch plan includes Unlimited calls, texts, and 5G data for €15—meaning customers will pay just €15 per month for life. In addition to this, Sky Mobile offers a 10GB plan from as little as €10 for customers who don’t want or need an unlimited plan. Other value proposition details include: Fairer Contracts: Splitting of device and airetime contracts. Consumers can avoid that handset sleeper revenue the telecoms industry was built on. 😉 Mix: Change data plans at any time. Customers can do this easily through their ‘My Sky’ app. Consumers can avoid breakage margin, which the telecoms industry was also built on. 😉 Swap: Sky Mobile customers will be able to swap their handsets for the latest model a year before their phone contract ends, at no extra cost. Piggybank: Sky Mobile customers can expect more value from their mobile plan, like sharing data with family and friends, discounts on handsets, and rewards, including return European flights or cinema tickets. Sharing data will also attack breakage margin, although reports suggest this has worked well in the UK. Obviously, you'd expect there will be limits on this sharing feature for the unlimited launch plan. Some great consumer value here but margin diluting comes to mind. Not a lot mentioned regarding bundling of other Sky products and services. No doubt bundling will come and when it does Mobile could be a loss leader with the margin from the bundle of Sky products giving a net margin increase overall. #sky #mvno #telecoms #5G #vodafone #ireland

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I am looking forward to presenting the state of #openRAN and RAN intelligence at #fyuz24 in Dublin, November 11-13. Much has changed since last year and I am curious to see how the show is going to grow with many new vendors and operators entering the open and disaggregated networks tent. Telecom Infra Project {Core Analysis}

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I'm at FYUZ, the Telecom Infra Project main conference, in Dublin. As always, there is a major focus on #OpenRAN here, but that sits alongside a whole range of other projects relating to #OpenWiFi, open optical and transport networks (OOPT) and a growing focus on telecom AI. There is also a shift from the old version of TIP - which was convened and sponsored at scale by Meta, to one which is much more member-driven, with each working / project group deciding on its priorities and deliverables. Some of that involves creating blueprints and defining use-cases, or even open-source software elements. But an increasing focus seems to be on testing, certification, training and promotion. One really interesting area of evolution is around the #NeutralHost project group, which is looking at diverse business models and "playbooks" for shared infrastructure in many different mobile-industry contexts. That includes: - Metro densification and shared physical infrastructure, partly in conjunction with the City Telecoms Association which convenes municipal authorities to work on common plans for street deployments, rooftops and other aspects of mobile that need to align technology, planning, aesthetics and other aspects - Indoor wireless neutral hosts - an area I've covered for many years - with a variety of business models and technical approaches. There is also an increasing link to indoor solutions involving open RAN architectures, as well as integration with #private5G - National wholesale networks such as the shared #5G DNB network in Malaysia - Network sharing concerns and methodologies for MNOs to embrace neutral models. This has long been an obstacle to NH-type models, so it is good to see some successful case-studies and also a positive attitude to collaboration both between MNOs, and with various 3rd-party providers such as Boldyn Networks, CloudExtel and others. I'll be moderating various sessions on Neutral Host this afternoon, so if you're at #FYUZ24 come and see the main stage session, or join in the breakout sesions this afternoon.

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Our monthly phone bills have decreased by 26% (37% when counting for inflation) over the past decade, resulting in €2.5 billion in savings for Irish consumers. Simultaneously, the telecoms industry has witnessed remarkable growth in product quality, with faster downloads and expanded data allowances. Cheap and abundant mobile connectivity has paved the way for highly successful digital business models, including popular platforms like Deliveroo, YouTube, social media, WhatsApp, Uber, Spotify, and many more. These applications have become integral to our daily lives. Mobile connectivity now plays a pivotal role in our economy, supporting numerous jobs across various sectors. It's fascinating to see how advancements in technology have transformed the way we live and work.

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This is where delayaring makes a lot of sense for operators - both fixed and mobile - to move from capex/asset heavy to capex/asset light business. It's high time for most of them, if not already on the path. #FutureNetAsia #TWA24 #XyntacEnterprise #DTW #DTW24 #PTC25

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One of the final sessions I attended this week at #ConnectX24 was about the US adoption of open-access (wholesale) #FTTP. I have to admit that I'm not currently a deep expert on the US fixed-line #broadband sector, but given I'm increasingly focused on this fibre, it seemed like a good place to start. I'll also aim to go to the Fiber Broadband Association at the end of July in Nashville, for a full deep-dive.   My main takeaway is that US wholesale and open-access FTTH is still at an early stage, but has a number of important catalysts: - Good fit with the new government BEAD funding model - Desire for mobile operators to get into #FTTX (as well as #FWA) - Lots of infrastructure capital sloshing around still, especially if interest rates start to fall again - Municipalities and energy companies with increasing emphasis on gigabit connectivity That said, it's fairly early days for the US #openaccess model, despite some early signs such as Gigapower (AT&T + BlackRock), UTOPIA Fiber and one of the panellists A2D, Inc. The main difference I see compared to most European markets is that incumbent broadband providers (cable or telco) have much less emphasis on wholesale.    This firstly means that the ecosystem of diverse retail ISPs doesn’t really exist to the same degree in the US, and big players like mobile-only operators and content firms don’t really push into residential broadband the way that (say) Vodafone or brands like TalkTalk have in the UK. So while European open fibre networks have a relatively easy pitch of selling to existing VDSL-based ISPs who want to migrate their existing customer base, in the US there will need to be a bit of a rethink. It's a potential opportunity for new fibre-based retail ISPs, or adjacent sector brands, but it maybe looks a bit like MVNOs, especially if the wholesaler also has its own retail arm. That said, A2B said they already had Tier-1 operators interested in onboarding to their systems, and given that there are no truly national footprints among the telcos and cablecos, it might be the key tenants are those players operating out-of-area. The other difference are around the large physical size and low population density of the US. A rural area in Wyoming or Kansas is very different to a rural area in the UK, France or Ireland, and the fibre economics look very different. There aren't the relatively densely-concentrated villages that are common in Europe - rural settlements are spread along roads, or on isolated individual properties. That's where FWA and satellite broadband are likely in a stronger position. The panel's final question was about timing for the US open-access market to mature. Most thought maybe 6-8 years - but the moderator was more pessimistic and thought doubling that could be more realistic. Overall, an interesting starting point, but I need to dig deeper before I conclude that the US fibre market is going to delayer to wholesale & retail at scale, like some other countries.

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𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐍𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 tonight from 11 am to 6 pm. Balance recharge, Pack subscription/query could be affected that time. However, Mobile voice, data, SMS, FTTH data and TV will remain unaffected. To be safe, you could recharge your #Ntc mobile and buy required data pack ahead. https://bit.ly/3QuWMEN 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Also, if you are going to watch the Euro Cup Semifinal match of 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 on Mobile data, please subscribe to required data volume (~2GB) in advance. BTW who do you think is the winner?

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Multi-tenant cell sites can enhance coverage in Ireland by strategically targeting areas where two or more Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) experience coverage gaps or partial service. This approach enables more efficient resource allocation and improved connectivity.

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**Covert Greenish Light for the Vodafone/Three Merger** The CMA's provisional findings on the Vodafone/Three merger are a lot more positive than first appears - The inevitable pricing harms from the CMA's modelling are quite modest at 28p per subscriber per month - equivalent to a maximum 2% of typical contract ARPUs of £15-20. - The CMA sets out a range of remedies which we think the companies will be open to and, crucially, does not seek any structural remedies such as divestments. - Vodafone has already stated that it is ready to provide binding commitments on its planned network spend. The proposed temporary retail and wholesale pricing protections, although arguably not necessary, are not likely to be deal breakers. A round of consultations and negotiations will kick off now, with a conclusion due by December 7th. We now expect that to be a positive one. A full note for Enders Analysis subscribers is incoming. Enders Analysis Vodafone Three UK CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd James Barford Katharine Lindsay Hamish Low

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Reflections on a major shift in the industry affecting at least a third of rural telecom infrastructure We all know the story of Icarus and Daedalus. Icarus ignored the advice of his father, Daedalus, not to fly too close to the sun. But this never stops us challenging the limits. Sometimes it just takes more than beeswax to keep the plane in the air. Large financial resources are always useful to push a venture forward. But sometimes grit, determination, a sense of common purpose and a good corporate culture is more sustaining. read more here : https://lnkd.in/gyWm6rJu

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Interesting read on the state of Quantum tech in the Telecom industry.

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The consolidation of the wholesale #networks market—shown by the recent mergers of nexfibre / Upp and Netomnia / Brsk —reflects how difficult it is for #altnets to scale. Still, larger telcos must weigh the investment opportunities alongside a new set of difficulties that come from integrating newly acquired networks. AI-driven tools offer a way to accelerate ROI and enhance customer retention through the integration process, streamlining integration, reducing OpEx, and maintaining network quality. Read the full blog from our Head of Telco Media Tech Industry, Keith McAleese, to learn five AI-powered steps for seamless integration: https://bit.ly/4hNnJja #NTTDATA #Telco #AI #DigitalTransformation

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Openreach, the UK digital network provider owned and run at arm’s length by BT Group, is taking a significant step towards a more agile and automated future with the deployment of Nokia's Altiplano Access Controller platform across its fibre network. This move is important for the continuing shift over to Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and its potential to revolutionise fixed and fibre connectivity in the UK. Why this matters: ▪ Enhanced Network Automation: Altiplano's SDN capabilities will enable Openreach to automate network management tasks, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs. ▪ Improved Network Visibility: The platform should provide real-time insights into network performance, enabling proactive identification and resolution of issues. ▪ Increased Agility: SDN allows for dynamic provisioning of services, enabling Openreach to respond quickly to customer demands and market changes. It's probably very obvious why this is all very useful but providing fibre to the premises in both domestic and business environments is becoming increasingly mission critical for many. Adding in this level of control to large parts of the network should mean that the service is more reliable as issues are identified and resolved earlier and more quickly. That said, its not an easy integration process and is likely to take longer than many anticipate. The good news is that once it has been deployed it will be available to all providers who utilise Openreach network for their networks. In reality that is most of the broadband networks in the UK. #Openreach #Nokia #Altiplano #SDN #Fibre #Connectivity #Innovation #Telecommunications #UK

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Some fascinating insights from Andrea Donà on a broad set if subjects from 5G SA and slicing use cases for broadcast, to cloud strategy, Open RAN and the 6G eco system as well as justifying merger in the UK market. https://lnkd.in/eXXDBQWg

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Update on ARIANE (Accelerating RAN Intelligence across Network Ecosystems) Quick reminder: a UK DSIT and Industry co-funded 18 month project, showing the power of Automation and AI for RAN. As a consortium, we're building and trialing a set of prioritised rAPPs and xAPPs across multiple RIC platforms using real world test scenarios, at BT's Adastral Park Lab. And there's more...the add-ons to individual application performance testing, are technical observations during application conflicts, a paper on standardising onboarding and portability of apps, performance benchmarking of the E2 interface for multiple RICs, and insights and recommendations to make the 1st 'dare I say it' quantum safe OpenRAN stack. Consortium includes Telecom Infra Project, Accenture, Amdocs, Arqit, BT Group, HCLTech, Reply, VIAVI Solutions, VMware @ Broadcom Read this presentation to find out more and to get some early insights. If you're a telco operator, you'll be interested in the early doors test results of AI/ML applications that can help tuning the RAN network, if you're a vendor, look for an opportunity to apply your platform or skills into similar TIP led projects. Come to #fyuz2024 to see the apps being demo'd and further technical insights from this project. #telecominfraproject #fyuz2024 #accenture #amdocs #arqit #netreply #hcltech #viavisolutions #vmware@broadcom

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Check on the most viewed session of the ONE Summit by István Kispál about how to orchestrate Nokia CNFs using Nephio . Intent based network management realized with open source.

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Interesting to see both GSMA and ETNO Association announce new leaders today; Vivek Badrinath & Alessandro Gropelli respectively. ETNO is also changing its name to Connect Europe. Badrinath has history at Vantage Towers and also enterprise IT roles, while Gropelli has a background in #telecoms PR. I've vigorously criticised both organisations in the past - both in terms of their actions and statements on behalf of members, and specific to their interactions with me. I've taken issue with their lobbying on everything from #spectrum policy, to attempts to break #NetNeutrality, or advocacy of RCS messaging. The GSMA once invited me to an event & then disinvited me at the last minute, and also booted me off a 6GHz webinar for asking awkward questions. One of ETNO's previous heads tweeted that I was a shill and then had to backtrack to insults when told that my clients included several of his own members. Both also have a habit of commissioning various dubious reports from consultants, frequently cross-referencing each other, on topics such as 5G and the supposed "imbalances" of the Internet ecosystem. Hopefully, the new leadership will give both organisations a much-needed push in the right direction. Ideally, both will expand and refresh their membership bases, to include new telecom mammals as well as the dinosaurs - #MVNOs, #privatenetwork operators, #towercos / infracos, wholesale / #neutralhost providers, #FTTP altnets, telco/utility hybrids etc. Some other unsolicited advice: - Take wholesale and open-access models more seriously - Create tiers of membership for private network owners (eg enterprises, municipalities) and work towards areas such as roaming / peering between public and private networks - Recognise the central roles of localised, shared and unlicensed spectrum as well as national exclusive licenses - Tone down the shrill lobbying & confrontational attitude about content / cloud companies and look for more symbiosis. Stop trying to break the Internet access model, or encouraging politicians to do it for you - Work with established groups such as W3C on APIs, and foster an attitude of telcos acting as both sellers and buyers of programmable network capabilities - Put out early drafts of consulting / position papers and invite comments or peer-review. Sanity-check things like traffic forecasts, suggested GDP uplifts etc which look obviously suspect - Confront the geopolitical elephants in the room (especially GSMA) - Stop the cringeworthy use of terms such as "digital" - Employ someone in the role of "end-user champion" to look through the lens of the customer, feeding back to members - Embrace - or at least give airtime to - contrarian views. Sometimes we're right (*cough* RCS) In short, it doesn't serve members to take maximalist or polarised positions all the time. While I like easy targets to criticise, the cycle time for hype-backfire is now much shorter (eg for #5G). Congrats & best of luck, Vivek & Alessandro.

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Is Fixed Wireless Broadband a game changer? Recent forecasts from Omdia provide a fascinating glimpse into the shifting landscape of fixed broadband subscriptions. Over the next five years, we can anticipate an addition of approximately 200 million new subscriptions, culminating in a global total of 1.8 billion of fixed internet subscriptions. This rapid expansion highlights the evolving technological preferences of consumers seeking home internet solutions. A critical insight from the forecast is the evident decline of ADSL and cable technologies. These once-dominant options are steadily being supplanted by fiber and fixed wireless access (FWA) technologies. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% for fiber and an impressive 13% for FWA, it’s clear that FWA is emerging as the fastest-growing method for home internet connectivity. Despite its rapid growth, FWA is expected to remain somewhat niche, capturing around 8% of the total market share, equivalent to 124 million subscriptions by 2029. Nonetheless, this represents a doubling of FWA subscriptions within five years, underscoring its significant potential. The trends in average revenue per user (ARPU) across different technologies are equally noteworthy. The overall ARPU is expected to stabilize at around $19 per month. However, there are stark differences between technologies. FWA commands a premium, with an average ARPU of approximately $27 per month, significantly higher than fiber's $14 per month. Cable, on the other hand, remains the most expensive technology at $44 per month. This high cost likely contributes to its decline, as consumers gravitate towards more cost-effective and technologically superior alternatives. The rising prominence of FWA in the home internet market is driven by several factors. Its rapid deployment capabilities, often bypassing the need for extensive infrastructure, make it an attractive option in underserved or remote areas. Additionally, advancements in technology have enhanced the reliability and speed of FWA, making it a viable competitor to traditional wired solutions.

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