Telecoms.com

Microsoft is close to acquiring Nuance for $16 billion – Updated

Microsoft is reported to be in advanced talks to buy speech recognition company Nuance Communications for $16 billion, which would be Microsoft’s second largest acquisition ever.

• 12 Apr 2021

BT CEO contemplates moves into healthcare and drone sectors

In a recent interview BT CEO Philip Jansen offered some insights into his thinking about the near-term strategy for the UK telecoms group.

• 15 Feb 2021

What is lying in wait for telecoms in 2021?

Observers and practitioners take it on the chin to predict what the telecoms industry may look like in the coming year.

• 24 Dec 2020

EU gives go-ahead to Google’s Fitbit deal, with strings attached

The European Commission has approved Google’s plan to acquire Fitbit after deeming the search giant’s commitments have satisfied competition and consumer protection requirements.

• 18 Dec 2020

Hypochondriacs rejoice: Telefónica rolls out 24/7 telemedicine service

As part of its push to be more than just a telco, Spanish operator Telefónica has rolled out an e-health service in its home market.

• 22 Oct 2020

Spark doubles down on IoT, eHealth and sport content to ignite future growth

New Zealand operator Spark has launched a new three-year plan that focuses on significantly diversifying its offering.

• 17 Sep 2020

Telemedicine is top of Chile’s 5G wishlist

Chile has formally opened its 5G licensing process and it is clear from the outset that connecting hospitals is high on the government’s agenda.

• 18 Aug 2020

Abu Dhabi investment fund buys 1.85% Jio Platforms stake

Reliance Industries have found a fifth investor to purchase a handsome stake in Jio Platforms, its digital business unit, with Mubadala signing a $1.2 billion cheque for 1.85%.

• 05 Jun 2020

A look back at the biggest stories this week

Whether it’s important, depressing or just entertaining, the telecoms industry is always one which attracts attention.

• 23 May 2020

Facebook hopes new Oversight Board will resolve censorship dilemma

Facebook’s Oversight Board has announced its first 20 members and will start hearing cases related to content dispute later this year, but the fundamental problems with censorship remain.

• 07 May 2020

Jio is running riot again, but more synergies (sigh) are on the horizon

The Indian telecommunications industry might be crumbling around it, but Reliance Jio is still reaping the rewards of disruption and chaos, and there is much more to come.

• 01 May 2020

Why is Google so interested in Fitbit?

In early November, Google announced it was acquiring Fitbit for $2.1 billion, a transaction which has polarised opinion. But why is Google interested in a faltering wearables brand?

• 30 Apr 2020

Diversification helps Google ride the waves of coronavirus turbulence

Alphabet-owned Google certainly felt the pinch of COVID-19 over the last few weeks of the quarter, but CEO Sundar Pichai identified diversification as key to managing the crisis.

• 29 Apr 2020

UK snubs Google and Apple privacy warning for contact tracing app

Reports have suggested the UK will pursue a centralised data collection approach for its COVID-19 contact tracing app, despite the well-publicised security and privacy risks.

• 28 Apr 2020

UK astronauts answer call to help NHS mission

The UK Space Agency, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), has created a £2.6 million fund to stimulate new projects to aid the NHS in its fight against COVID-19.

• 16 Apr 2020

Fitness tracker use is exploding in the US, especially among rich young women

A recent Pew survey shows 21% of US adults regularly wear a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Over half of them think it acceptable for the device makers to share user data with medical researchers.

• 10 Jan 2020

Google pushes further into hardware world with Fitbit purchase

Google has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire wearables brand Fitbit as it further explores its options in the hardware segments.

• 01 Nov 2019

The killer 5G app will be the one which changes behaviour – Orange

It is highly unlikely the telcos will be able to find the silver bullet to justify all 5G investments in a single swoop, and what we’re talking about today is unlikely to cut it.

• 31 Oct 2019

Apple continues to command the smartwatch market – report

Analysts believe Apple has increased its smartwatch shipments by 50% to capture a bigger share of an expanding market. The gap between the Apple Watch and the chasing pack is widening.

• 07 Aug 2019

Innovations from the left field of Mobile World Congress 2019

Innovations demonstrated at a fringe event outside of the sound and fury of MWC showed promise to solve some real-life problems.

• 26 Feb 2019