The European telecommunications landscape is witnessing significant shifts as BT has introduced a new digital platform aimed at enhancing sovereignty in the sector. This initiative will facilitate the rollout of advanced voice, cloud, and artificial intelligence services that rely on UK-based systems and customer data management. BT’s Business unit plans to offer various levels of sovereignty for its products and services in the first half of next year, marking a notable step in aligning technology with regulatory frameworks.
Jon James, CEO of BT Business, emphasized the importance of this trend, stating, “Sovereignty isn’t simply a matter of compliance or risk management – it’s key to unleashing the potential of AI and ensuring resilient operations in an increasingly uncertain world.” He highlighted BT’s unique position as the digital backbone of the UK, underscoring its capacity to provide authentic UK sovereign solutions.
Vodacom Takes Control of Safaricom
In a separate development, Vodafone’s African subsidiary, Vodacom, has increased its stake in Safaricom to 55%. The deal involves acquiring a 15% stake from the Kenyan government for €1.36 billion (approximately US$1.58 billion) and an additional 5% from Vodafone for €450 million (around $525 million). Following the completion of this transaction, Safaricom will be structured with 55% ownership by Vodacom, 20% by the Kenyan government, and the remaining 25% held by public investors.
Safaricom, recognized as Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, boasts a market capitalization of approximately €7.7 billion (about $8.99 billion). The company not only provides telecommunications services but also operates essential infrastructure, including towers and spectrum, and is known for its financial technology service, M-Pesa. Vodacom Group operates across multiple African markets, including South Africa, Tanzania, and Egypt, while Safaricom extends its services to both Kenya and Ethiopia.
Ericsson Partners with SBB for Rail Communications
Ericsson has announced a collaboration with Swiss national rail operator SBB, aimed at modernizing rail communications through what they claim is “Europe’s first major IMS/VoLTE integration.” This project will integrate the existing GSM-R legacy rail communications system with a new IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) platform and voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) services.
Previously, voice roaming for Swiss rail communications depended on Swisscom’s public 3G network, which is set to be decommissioned by the end of this year. To address this challenge, approximately 1,000 trains have undergone upgrades to 4G services, ensuring reliable communications for rail operations.
Enea Addresses Data Breach Incident
Swedish technology company Enea has reported a limited data breach linked to third-party software. The incident involved what Enea described as “non-production test data from a single product.” Fortunately, no operational systems were impacted, and the company confirmed that fewer than 20 of its more than 200 customers had data related to the breach.
Normann Engineering and Harmonic Celebrate Milestone
In another notable achievement, Austria’s Normann Engineering and US-based Harmonic have announced their success in reaching 20 broadband deployments across various operators in Europe. This partnership combines Harmonic’s advanced cOS virtualized broadband platform with Normann’s engineering expertise, marking a significant milestone in the broadband landscape.
These developments reflect the ongoing evolution and dynamic nature of the telecommunications sector in Europe, as companies adapt to new technologies and regulatory demands while pursuing growth opportunities.
