Japanese operator KDDI renewed an IoT connectivity management deal with US platform provider Aeris, a significant backing for the company and its development of the set-up since acquiring it from Ericsson in 2023.

KDDI signed up to what is now the Aeris IoT Accelerator in 2017 and remained a customer after Ericsson’s sale, tapping global connectivity orchestration, management of devices throughout their lifecycles, security and diagnostics, and eSIM orchestration capabilities.

Aeris stated modernisation of the platform involved cloud-readiness along with broader cooperation between international connectivity providers.

The platform is used in 104 million IoT devices and 42 million connected vehicles.

KDDI stands to benefit from “seamless service continuation” as a result of the renewed contract.

The Japanese operator is an important spearhead for Aeris’ ambitions to access what it stated is strong growth in IoT connectivity throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The company expects the global market to grow by 21.7% by 2033 on demand for secure connectivity capable of operating in multiple markets across various industries.

Aeris highlighted automotive and utilities as among the target markets.

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SpaceX has agreed to acquire startup Cursor in a $60 billion deal, the latest move in Elon Musk’s push to close the gap with rivals on AI-powered coding tools.

A regulatory filing today (16 June) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed Cursor investors will receive SpaceX stock based on the implied $60 billion equity value of the startup.

The transaction, which converts an earlier option into a binding merger agreement, is expected to close in Q3. After gaining regulatory approvals, Cursor will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX. The filing was signed by SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen.

The deal came a week after SpaceX completed the largest initial public offering in history.

Bloomberg reported the Cursor acquisition is central to SpaceX’s ambitions for its AI business.

The news outlet noted Musk has publicly acknowledged xAI, which is now part of SpaceX’s operations, trails rivals including Anthropic and OpenAI on coding capabilities.

Bloomberg also reported SpaceX’s AI unit has been hit by internal turmoil, with dozens of departures across engineering and data training and ongoing difficulty recruiting top talent, prompting Elon Musk to bring in leadership from Starlink to steady the business.

It also noted US-based Cursor, whose AI coding assistant launched in 2023, has become one of the fastest-growing coding startups by helping developers write and debug software through chatbot prompts.

Before SpaceX moved to acquire the company, Cursor was reportedly in talks for a funding round that would have valued it at more than $50 billion, according to Bloomberg.

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Global 5G subscriptions crossed the 3 billion mark in Q1 2026, according to Ericsson’s latest mobility report, as the vendor found changing usage patterns, spikes in data traffic and AI-driven services are fuelling mobile uplink data growth.

Ericsson found 162 million 5G subscriptions were added during the opening quarter of the year. The figure is forecast to more than double to 6.4 billion by the end of 2031.

Overall, Ericsson expects 5G to account for 85% of all mobile data traffic in five years, up from 48% at the end of last year. Indeed, the vendor highlighted changing network traffic patterns as uplink grows generally faster than downlink. Out of 55 service providers, 43 recorded higher uplink growth than downlink, while 17 reported more than 1.5 times higher uplink growth rate.

Ericsson attributed the trend to smartphone communication, collaboration apps, user-generated content and cloud storage. It forecast AI traffic could further push uplink volumes in 2031 to at least three times 2025 levels.

Ericsson CTO Erik Ekudden explained mobile networks are “no longer only about providing best-effort connectivity”, but about “critical, intelligent infrastructure that meets diverse application needs”.

“With the upcoming transition to physical AI, traffic patterns will fundamentally shift,” he added, forecasting a transition from centralised AI models in data centres to distributed, autonomous agents connected by 5G.

Commercial 5G
According to the report, around 390 service providers have launched commercial 5G services, with more than 90 offering standalone (SA) 5G. The vendor also found a rise in SA 5G network slicing offers, which rose globally from 65 in its November 2025 report to 84 today.

Fixed wireless access (FWA) remained another bright spot. Ericsson stated 71% of FWA providers now offer the service over 5G, compared to 57% of providers in June 2025. The report pointed to robust 5G FWA momentum in North America, the Nordics, GCC countries and parts of Asia, though it noted growth in Latin America, Africa and parts of Southeast Asia remains limited.

Looking ahead, the vendor added industry attention is turning to 6G, with initial commercial services expected around 2030 and China, US, Japan, South Korea and GCC countries tipped as early adopters.

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Ericsson announced CEO Borje Ekholm (pictured) will step down at the end of September, with current networks chief Per Narvinger set to be elevated to the top job.

Ekholm, who has been at the helm of the Swedish vendor since the start of 2017, will act as an executive adviser at the company when he relinquishes his position, until 15 June 2027.

Incoming boss Narvinger is currently head of Business Area Networks at the vendor, a position he has held since March 2025.

Prior to taking the networks brief, he headed-up its Cloud Software and Services division. He has been at the company his entire career, which started in 1997.

Ericsson chair Jan Carlson said Narvinger brings “deep technical knowledge of our industry as well as extensive commercial experience and has proved himself in several key leadership positions”.

Carlson added the outgoing chief’s tenure of almost a decade was “defined by extraordinary leadership and strategic advancements” asserting the company had solidified its position as a “leading provider of trusted communications networks”.

He credited Ekholm with challenging “traditional thinking” and positioning the company for long-term success.

Challenges
Ekholm joined Ericsson in 2017 during what he described at the time as a period of “intense change”, with the vendor mid-way through a significant restructure.

Reflecting on his time in charge, the executive stated “we have turned Ericsson around and emerged as a global communications and technology leader” since he arrived.

“Today, Ericsson is driving the transformation of mobile connectivity by changing how networks are used and commercialised, and we are leading the industry into the next stage of AI: the physical AI era. It is our ability to innovate, to adapt and to compete globally that continues to define us.”

He backed Narvinger as the “right leader to continue developing this great company”.

The incoming chief described the appointment as a great honour, adding he was taking over at a “pivotal time in our industry”.

“As AI continues to industrialise, this will increasingly require advanced connectivity solutions, an area where Ericsson is leading,” Narvinger said.

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The French government outlined a major sovereign AI push, declaring its intelligence agency would stop working with US company Palantir in favour of a local alternative alongside a pledge to invest €655 million in the technology through to 2030.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced the plans in a video on X as the country advances its sovereign technology ambitions and a desire to reduce dependence on US offerings.

The debate around sovereignty continues to heat up: the US recently hit the brakes on a couple of Anthropic models due to national security concerns.

Prime Minister Lecornu pointed to the issue in announcing the decision to cut ties with Palantir, stating “France must have its own tools”.

“We cannot rely on the goodwill of certain partners who, as we have seen in recent days, are capable of cutting off access to the Anthropic model.”

Intelligence agency DGSI is to replace Palantir’s data tools with an alternative made by privately-controlled French company ChapsVision.

Palantir had worked with the agency for around a decade and announced a three-year renewal in December 2025.

Concerns have been raised about Palantir due to ambitions in Europe to reduce the amount of sensitive data processed by US-based companies.  

The company was co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel, who has strong links to the US government.

Revolution
The prime minister said the €655 million investment would go towards infrastructure, computing capacity, research, business and industrial sectors.

As part of the plans, the government aims to provide all civil servants with a conversational assistant from domestic company Mistral AI, in addition to a public health assistant by the end of the year.

“We can undergo this revolution. Or we can lead it. France has chosen. It will rise to the challenge of this revolution and intends to claim its full place in it,” Prime Minister Lecornu said.

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The TM Forum added satellite to an existing framework for digital networks in recognition of forecasts space-based connectivity is poised to become a significant earner over the next 10 years.

Companies including Rakuten Group, Huawei and Netcracker Technology are joined by operators Telekom Deutschland and Vodacom Group among the initial members of the Open Digital Architecture (ODA) for Satellite initiative.

The standards organisation stated the full potential of satellite for services including IoT and direct-to-device connectivity is being held back by various incompatibilities between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, highlighting billing systems and requirements for specialised devices as examples.

Dr Ryan van den Bergh, managing executive for group technology strategy, architecture, spectrum and assurance at Vodacom, said “greater interoperability and simpler integration” are needed to capitalise on the “significant opportunities” to use satellite connectivity as a complement to ground-based networks.

The TM Forum’s existing ODA covers digitalisation measures spanning automation and intelligence. It stated the satellite element adds standard frameworks, operating models and governance for companies working in the terrestrial and non-terrestrial sectors.

It expects the architecture to lay the groundwork for “seamless multi-orbit service delivery” along with speeding integration and boosting the overall value of space and land-based infrastructure.

Willie Stegmann, the body’s EVP for composable IT and ecosystems, said ODA for Satellite is “a call to action” for the telecoms industry.

The group is “overcoming challenges and unlocking avenues for growth…before operating models, customer ownership and value chains are defined elsewhere”.

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Telia identified emergency services, energy, transport, industry and healthcare as target sectors for an IoT connectivity service using standalone (SA) 5G the company launched in Sweden.

The operator asserted Telia Critical IoT Connectivity was the first commercially available product of its type in the country to use the network technology, highlighting it had already rolled out SA 5G widely in the nation.

Pointing to frequently promoted advantages of the network architecture for slicing and provision of low-latency, secure communications, it noted SA 5G enabled smart traffic management, and is optimised for video and data.

These factors ensure “reliable performance for key applications even at peak times”.

Head of B2B at Telia Sweden Fredrik Stenberg said the product creates the conditions for customers to “use new digital solutions in the most critical parts of their operations, where the demands are greatest, without compromising security or control”.

The service has been developed partly using the experience and insights Telia gained from NorthStar 5G, a programme launched alongside Ericsson carrying European Union funding which is focused on increasing uptake of the technology in industry.

Its commercial offer on SA 5G is Telia’s second major IoT product announcement in the space of a month.

In May it unveiled Telia IoT Connect, a service providing sovereign infrastructure aimed at companies and authorities requiring secure and resilient communications while keeping all data within Sweden.

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Italy’s antitrust regulator opened an investigation into Apple over alleged violations of the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), centred around third-party interoperability policies with its operating systems and iCloud service.

The competition watchdog stated under DMA rules Apple must ensure third-party cloud providers are granted free and effective interoperability with iOS and iPadOS, as well as access under equal conditions to the same hardware and software features as those available to Apple iCloud.

The authority stated it had indications third-party providers “may not be placed on an equal footing” as Apple’s iCloud, pointing to the fact they appear to lack access to the same features used or made available to the in-house service.

For example, Italy’s regulator stated it appears Apple does not allow alternative cloud storage services to use iOS and iPad features enabling end users to fully backup data.

It will now conduct a deeper investigation into potential violations, before sending findings to the European Commission.

It is the first time the Italian authority has launched a probe under the DMA, which allows national authorities to launch initial investigations.

Apple has been a vocal critic of the EC regulation, which came into force in 2022 with the goal of curbing big tech dominance in favour of smaller players.

In September 2025, the iPhone giant demanded the European Union abandon the legislation, arguing it was making it harder for technology companies to do business, reduced consumer choice and created an unfair competitive landscape.

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A US federal judge reportedly dismissed xAI’s trade secret lawsuit against rival OpenAI with prejudice, dealing another legal blow to Elon Musk in his widening battle with Sam Altman’s company.

Reuters reported Elon Musk-owned xAI failed to demonstrate OpenAI induced former xAI engineer Xuechen Li to misappropriate trade secrets, or that Li disclosed any confidential information during a presentation he gave while OpenAI was recruiting him.

In the order, the judge wrote xAI essentially equated asking a job candidate about prior work experience with encouraging a potential employee to divulge trade secrets obtained during that work.

The news agency stated the dismissal with prejudice means xAI cannot raise the same claims again.

The judge already dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit in February, giving xAI an opportunity to strengthen its case. Having found xAI failed to cure the shortcomings in its amended complaint, the judge ruled it would be futile to allow further attempts.

The lawsuit was originally filed in September 2025, alleging OpenAI engaged in a coordinated campaign to hire away xAI employees to access trade secrets related to its Grok chatbot, including source code and data centre deployment strategies.

Musk’s AI company claimed former employees took confidential material when they left for roles at OpenAI.

Reuters noted OpenAI previously called the lawsuit baseless and part of Musk’s ongoing campaign of harassment against the company.

The case is part of a broader legal battle between Musk and OpenAI, which he co-founded alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman before departing.

Musk is separately suing OpenAI over its conversion to a for-profit company, while the AI firm has countersued Musk for harassment.

xAI also sued Apple in federal court, alleging it conspired with OpenAI to suppress rival platforms.  

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AT&T Business expanded the reach of its 400G wavelength connectivity into 16 additional US metropolitan areas, extending the service as enterprises face mounting pressure to support AI-era traffic at scale.

With the 400G wavelength edgeless handoff capability now live across 440,000 properties serving more than 2.3 million business tenants, the mobile operator is targeting rapid deployment within 15 days where eligible.

AT&T stated the 400G rollout is designed to connect AI workloads from any location to the cloud, with security embedded in the network rather than added on top.

The company’s edgeless design approach anchors 400G at key interconnection hubs where cloud, network and enterprise traffic converge. It is currently in more than 130 carrier hotel locations nationwide.

The architecture is intended to deliver consistent handoff and predictable performance without requiring traditional network edge builds at every location or data centre.

Amrit Singh, industry principal for information communications technology at Frost & Sullivan, stated AT&T’s wavelength services reflect the infrastructure rigour required for the AI era, citing the company’s fibre reach and a successful 1.6 Tb/s single-carrier wavelength trial.

For enterprises scaling AI across multiple sites, AT&T noted the ability to avoid stitching together multiple smaller circuits as workloads grow is a key benefit for the service.

Branch locations, campuses and edge environments requiring high-capacity connectivity to centralised compute and cloud services are among the primary use cases for the service.

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Cisco highlighted rising pressure on enterprise networks from AI deployments, warning campus and branch infrastructure is emerging as a potential bottleneck for companies scaling the technology.

In a study conducted with UK-based technology media company Foundry, Cisco found organisations are caught between accelerating AI ambitions and network constraints which could slow progress. It stated more than half of enterprises now have widespread generative AI (genAI) deployments. However, 73% of respondents said AI expansion will cause them to hit campus and branch capacity limits within 24 months.

Indeed, pressure is already building as respondents reported a 34% average increase in campus and branch network traffic tied to AI workloads over the past year, with a further 96% spike expected within the coming year.

Respondents reported AI was already reshaping traffic patterns, with 67% citing increases in internal data traffic tied to AI workloads, while 61% saw growth in continuous automated traffic generated by AI systems. “Suddenly, three AI agents are trying to talk to each other and solve a problem. That is going to be a big thing,” noted the head of AI strategy for global IT and network engineering operations at a US technology company, who was left anonymous.

Cisco highlighted majority of the AI readiness debate has focused on GPUs, cloud platforms and data centre buildouts, while pressure on workplace networks has been underplayed.

Security
Beyond capacity, security is also emerging as a brake on AI scale. Respondents pointed to expanded attack surfaces, shadow AI activity, weak AI-driven traffic visibility and inconsistent policy enforcement as key challenges.

The report found 91% of UK businesses are adding security controls specifically to support new AI workloads. More than half of UK respondents added their current campus and branch security posture may be insufficient for next-generation AI workloads.

“The issue from a security standpoint is that it’s hard to create the guardrails for every possible AI tool that your organisation must use,” a US-based retail executive explained.

According to Cisco, AI is ultimately creating “fundamentally different operational environments”, making network modernisation “a prerequisite for operating and competing effectively in an AI-powered economy”.

The report surveyed more than 3,472 CIOs and technology leaders across 15 countries.

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Salesforce struck a deal to acquire AI customer service specialist Fin for around $3.6 billion, a move positioned as bolstering its ability to help companies quickly deploy agents across communications channels.

Fin’s main product is a customer support AI agent which uses its proprietary Apex model. It is marketed as resolving queries across numerous channels including live chat, email, WhatsApp, SMS, Slack and over the phone.

Salesforce plans to use Fin’s offering to compliment its Agentforce platform.

It noted the combination of assets would provide fast “time-to-value options” for businesses, citing SMBs and those which “need to launch quickly, integrate with existing systems and deliver measurable outcomes” as likely customers.

The acquisition also brings Salesforce access to Fin’s experienced team and an “established global customer base of more than 30,000 companies”.

Salesforce chair and CEO Marc Benioff said Fin brings “proven agent technology, a deep commitment to customer success and an incredible AI team that will complement Agentforce with powerful service agent capabilities”.

Fin co-founder and CEO Eoghan McCabe enthused the deal as a “major win for consumers of the world”, adding the combination with Salesforce would enable it to deploy its products “far and wide at a rate far faster than we could have ever achieved on our own.”

The deal is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions including potential customary price adjustments. It is expected to close in Salesforce’s Q4 2027 (the three months to end-January 2027).

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US communications company Comtech Telecommunications entered into a definitive agreement to sell the bulk of its satellite and space operations to Israeli company Gilat Satellite Networks in a $157.5 million deal.

Under the agreement, Gilat will pay $10 million of the sum up front, taking control of Comtech’s ground infrastructure systems, large antennas, modems, communications equipment, and network control and management systems for different types of satellites including low Earth orbit (LEO) offerings.

The deal is a significant about-turn for Gilat, which agreed to be bought by Comtech for around $580 million in 2020 in a deal which ultimately collapsed.

Gilat specialises in creating equipment for satellite communications including stations, modems, amplifiers and antennas.

The acquisition is expected to beef up Gilat’s presence in the defence market since Comtech is a big supplier for the US military.

Gilat CEO Adi Sfadia said it was impressed with the successful progress of Comtech and the segment is an “excellent strategic fit”.

Comtech will retain some cybersecurity assets and rights to certain accounts in line with a shift towards public safety operations being driven by its Allerium business unit.

“The sale of most of the satellite and space segment, together with the agreements we have reached with our lenders and preferred stockholders, represent a significant milestone in Comtech’s transformation and reflect the successful execution of our strategy,” CEO Ken Traub said.

The deal requires regulatory approval and is expected to close by the end of the year.

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Sateliot pressed the benefits of satellite connectivity for agriculture in a test with Brazilian innovation centre CPQD which it stated showcased the advantages of non-terrestrial IoT.

Standard NB-IoT devices were connected in a remote area out-with the reach of land-based mobile networks as part of a Sateliot initiative to boost use of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in Brazil.

The company explained the “performance and commercial viability” of satellite-enabled IoT was verified, proving the “feasibility of seamless roaming” between land- and space-based networks.

Sateliot and CPQD put the technology to work tracking cattle.

The Spanish company’s Conecte o Brasil LEO NTN push involves device validation and interoperability testing. The initiative is intended to help Sateliot unlock a nation it stated is “one of the largest untapped IoT markets in the world”.

Sateliot highlighted large portions of Brazil are still not in range of mobile networks, potentially hampering the nation’s ability to capitalise on growth in cellular IoT services.

Elitelma Souza, CPQD solution manager for Automation, IoT and Hybrid Computing, said extending the “reach of IoT” services could “enable new operating models for various sectors of the economy”.

Sateliot CCO Gianluca Redolfi highlighted the test was the company’s first “commercial demonstration in Brazil”, making it “a crucial milestone” in its push there and beyond.

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Ericsson highlighted its private 5G service is now available through Verizon Business beyond US borders, giving multinational enterprises the ability to extend connectivity and boost digital transformation opportunities.

The Swedish vendor explained the expansion means global enterprises already running Ericsson technology in Verizon Business Private 5G Networks in the US can now replicate those capabilities across their operations worldwide.

As AI drives greater demand for secure, high-speed and low-latency connectivity, the collaboration is designed to offer enterprises more flexibility as they scale internationally.

Hannes Ekstrom, SVP and Head of Customer Unit Verizon at Ericsson Americas, said the vendor’s multinational customers in the US had already unlocked significant growth through 5G-enabled private networks and are now looking to extend those capabilities globally.

“By simplifying 5G adoption and enhancing reliability, low latency, and security, we are empowering industries to harness next-generation connectivity and drive innovation on a global scale,” he stated.

The Ericsson Private 5G platform operates as a dual mode 4G and 5G network with global spectrum support, built to connect in challenging indoor and outdoor environments.

It is designed to deliver ultra-low latency and high reliability for real-time applications including automated manufacturing, industrial IoT and AI-driven analytics, while keeping sensitive data within the enterprise’s private network to support compliance requirements.

Industries including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, energy and higher education are among those expected to benefit from the international rollout, with use cases spanning smart factories, warehouse automation, remote diagnostics and AI-powered research infrastructure.

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NTT Docomo Business, the group’s global connectivity unit Transatel and cybersecurity player Zscaler moved to grasp an opportunity in IoT protection by providing a centralised SIM-based set-up the Japanese giant believes overcomes many weaknesses in device defence.

The Cellular SASE for IoT service uses the multi-SIM capabilities of Transatel’s network, the zero-trust security nous of Zscaler and NTT Docomo Businesses’ managed services products to secure the link between IoT devices, cloud and internal IT settings.

NTT Docomo Business stated the service tackles current inherent weaknesses in IoT device security including the “limited processing power and capacity” units have to run systems offering protection from “malicious communications” and unauthorised access.

It noted some devices are “vulnerable to cyberattacks”.

The operator unit explained centralising security using the SIM removes the diversity of device makers and specifications from the protection equation, asserting the approach is simpler and safer than deploying VPNs or embedding “software on each device”.

NTT Docomo Business highlighted “multi-carrier route redundancy” as another selling point, a nod to the multiple markets an IoT device might cross and the hassle of arranging connectivity in each one.

It emphasised secure cloud communications also reduce “the attack surface”.

Nathan Howe, VP of emerging technologies at Zscaler, said the system would enable “customers to deploy on a large scale, based on consistent policies”.

The operator stated the trio would continue to collaborate to improve the defences offered.

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Bharti Airtel edged closer to completing a deal which would take its ownership of Airtel Africa to 79%, winning the backing of almost all of its shareholders to acquire an additional 16% interest in the business.

In a stock exchange filing, Bharti Airtel described the near unanimous support for the deal as reinforcing its confidence in the strategic rationale for the move and potential for long-term benefits.

The deal would see the company issue shares to Indian Continent Investment in exchange for its 16% stake in Airtel Africa and was announced in May.

Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal noted “Airtel Africa is central to our growth strategy and is well positioned to deliver robust performance with an increasing contribution to our consolidated revenues”.

“As we look ahead, we see significant potential in Africa for long-term shareholder value creation,” he added.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Airtel Africa is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing in Nigeria. It operates in 14 countries across the continent.

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The UK government laid out plans to ban people under 16 years of age from social media and impose wider restrictions on gaming and live-streaming platforms in a landmark intervention to protect children online.

The measures would cover social media platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X, but exclude messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move would “give kids their childhood back”, adding it represents “a line in the sand” as “tech giants had their chance and failed”.

The government is also considering overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s. It explained restrictions on some functions would remain on by default even for 16 and 17-year-old users, to avoid a “cliff-edge at 16”.

In addition, the government is seeking restrictions on a wider range of online services viewed as higher risk for children, including live-streaming and communication with adult strangers through gaming websites. AI services designed to simulate intimate relationships with users would face a minimum age limit of 18, with similar functions also set to become age-restricted across wider AI chatbots.

The proposal will be brought to Parliament by the end of the year, with measures due to come into force in spring 2027.

The announcement follows a consultation earlier this year that drew more than 116,000 responses. Nine in 10 parents backed a social media ban for under-16s, while two-thirds of young people agreed children younger than 16 should be barred from using at least some platforms.

Technology secretary Liz Kendall said the government was “taking power away from the tech giants and putting it back in parents’ hands”.

Punitive measure
The government explained it plans to use “the same model for a social media ban as Australia”, which became the first country in the world to outright ban platforms for under-16s last year. However, it added it will also “learn the lessons from Australia’s experience” by introducing strict age verification measures that will prove tougher to bypass. UK watchdog Ofcom will be tasked with researching effective age assurance measures, with Kendall adding the government would ensure the regulator has the funding needed to take on additional responsibility.

Megan Jenkins, research analyst at Assembly Research, said the speed of the UK’s decision makes it “highly questionable”, adding the government appeared to have chosen “what feels like a punitive measure for children” rather than making social media platforms “safer by design”.

Meanwhile, safety technology company Privately SA’s CEO Deepak Tewari warned that while stronger online protections are necessary, age checks must avoid creating “a surveillance infrastructure for children”.

“If age assurance is to become part of online safety policy, the industry must put its money where its mouth is: prove that age checks can be effective, proportionate and genuinely privacy-preserving,” he argued.

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The European Union (EU) signed a digital partnership with Brazil, strengthening ties on shared technology priorities, including data governance, AI, digital infrastructure, connectivity and online platforms.

The EU’s Digital Partnerships initiative is described by the body as a “core instrument” of its external digital policy, enabling cooperation with like-minded countries on shared priorities.

The agreement was signed in Brazil by Henna Virkkunen, EVP at the European Commission and Brazil’s Secretary for Technology, Alex Giacomelli da Silva.

According to comments cited by Reuters, Virkkunen said the bloc’s push to secure more digital cooperation deals is centred on a desire to reduce reliance on US technology.

“Brazil is a country which shares very much the same value[s] as the EU. So Brazil is committed to open markets, to secure technologies, also to a rules-based order.”

She added the EU is looking to build partnerships because it cannot stay competitive alone, while working to reduce dependence on other nations for services including chip manufacturing and cloud.

Brazil becomes the fifth country to partner with the EU on digital initiatives, joining Canada, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Data exchange
Through the partnership. The EU and Brazil pledged to step-up joint efforts to promote resilient global supply chains, contributing to an inclusive, rules-based system of global digital governance.

It builds on an agreement struck in January to collaborate on data sharing after finding their protection levels were similar. This agreement allowed businesses, public authorities and researchers to freely exchange data between Brazil and the EU without additional requirements.

The Digital Partnership will now be implemented through dedicated technical workstreams and “high-level exchanges”. A meeting of the Digital Partnership Council will be held in the next 12 months, providing a strategic direction and joint roadmap for the partnership to move forward.

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Senior figures from UK operators Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree voiced confidence premium network offerings based on standalone (SA) 5G could become a solid revenue source, during sessions at a circus-themed Ericsson event.

The vendor’s tech showcase was held in central London in a building which also houses the UK’s National Centre for Circus Arts, with performers appearing in the breaks of the main programme.

It brought together operators, enterprises, partners and representatives from UK authorities to discuss the benefits of cutting-edge 5G technology and progress of network rollouts. It acted as a follow-up to a music-themed event in 2025.

Juggling networks
VodafoneThree CNO and network director Andrea Dona (pictured, below) highlighted early progress integrating assets previously held by the Vodafone and 3 UK brands following a merger just over a year ago.

Describing the deal as “a really important one for the country,” the network guru reiterated an argument frequently voiced while the deal was going through the approvals process: it would boost network investment by the combined entity and rivals.

Highlighting a “really fast start” in the process of merging the two networks and employing respective spectrum assets, he added recent benchmark statistics showed peers “have not stood still, they’ve also invested. Everyone feels the pressure to do more and give the UK a better network”.

“There’s still a lot of work to do but I think in some areas we are ahead [of target],” Dona added. “The scene is set for an amazing journey”.

VodafoneThree describes its ambition with SA 5G as to build the “UK’s first nationwide AI-ready network”.

Dona explained the connection to AI was due to SA 5G’s bandwidth and latency being able to support compatible applications, as well as the benefits the technology can bring to the network architecture itself including use in and on the RAN.

“The network we’re building is going to be an exceptional network,” he asserted, pointing to the benefits of slicing in stadia as an example.

“If you want a privileged lane to do your upload and you’re willing to pay,” then you can, he said, adding operators can monetise the network through “quality on demand” offers.

“We need to ensure in a situation with congestion, when a resource is not readily available, we can make it available if you pay for additional quality, additional performance and additional services”.

Selling premium versions of services “happens in every industry”, he said.

Singing in harmony
During a separate session, Virgin Media O2 director of strategy, transformation and planning Anita Tadayon (pictured, below) said she also believes there is an appetite for services based on network slicing on SA 5G, but called for an industry-wide effort to get the message across on what the technology can do.

“Articulating the benefits of slicing for a customer is really important and collectively, as an industry, we have to do that together. We’ve got to sing from the same hymn sheet,” she noted, adding if there’s value “then the customer will pay”.

Speaking broadly on SA 5G, she highlighted a strong push on rolling out the technology at VMO2.

Its network now covers 700 towns and cities, and Tadayon explained the technology benefits all customers whether they have a compatible handset or not.

“I know we talk about monetisation, but look at what it also does for our customers.”

“Absolutely, there’s new innovation and use cases, but it also delivers all of our customers a benefit on coverage, capacity, speed, everything”.

Away from the latest iteration of 5G, she highlighted the operator’s work in providing direct-to-device satellite connectivity to users in remote areas through a deal with Starlink and a push to introduce greater autonomy in its network.

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