A week in telecoms: US 5G; metaverse in India; UK’s Google/Apple investigation

DISH confirmed it has met its regulatory commitments and can now offer 5G broadband service to over 20% of the US population. DISH launched initial commercial services on what it describes as “America’s first and only cloud-native Open RAN network” in May in Las Vegas, and has expanded to more than 120 cities across the country. Its US competitors are not sitting still. Verizon has successfully completed a trial of a 5G data session using CBRS, saying “Verizon customers will soon see an increase in capacity and speed on the 5G Ultra-Wideband network”. T-Mobile has completed a carrier aggregation (CA) trial covering three channels on its live network using a Samsung smartphone, which its president of technology Neville Ray described as “another huge step forward” for their standalone (SA) 5G plans.

In Italy meanwhile, Telecom Italia has secured €725 of a 5G fund made available by the Italian government, a fund intended to boost 5G access across the country. The government grant, which is part of Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, is for the implementation of fiber links between mobile sites, and the building work must be completed by 30 June 2026.

Meanwhile in India, Airtel has unveiled its Xstream multiplex on the blockchain-powered Partynite Metaverse platform. The multiplex will be an immersive 20-screen platform with access to samples of shows and movies, where viewers can get complete access upon purchasing a subscription. The multiplex was developed by Gamitronics, the creator of Partynite.

In sustainability news, Vodafone has published an article about its environmental impact following World Environment Day. Vodafone claims it has recycled 95% of its estimated 8,800 tonnes of waste in 2022, with the aim to reuse, resell or recycle 100% of its network waste by 2025.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has planned an investigation into Apple and Google’s “effective duopoly on mobile ecosystems”. A year-long study of the companies’ mobile ecosystems found that they were able to “exercise a stranglehold” over the mobile market, to a degree that could further restrict competition and limit incentives for other innovators.