Big Tech Google October 5, 2020 Google pledges fail to win over Fitbit deal critics Concessions made by Google to the European Commission in an attempt to get the green light for its acquisition of Fitbit failed to appease opponents to the deal, Financial Times reported, as rivals continue to cite data use fears. By Chris Donkin
5G+ Europe Operators Telefonica October 5, 2020 Telefonica, Liberty Global to push 5G in 100 UK cities Telefonica and Liberty Global committed to bring 5G technology to 100 towns and cities in the UK by the end of 2021, following the proposed merger of mobile operator O2 and fixed provider Virgin Media, The Times reported. By Yanitsa Boyadzhieva
October 5, 2020 SMIC warns of material impact from US sanctions Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) confirmed some suppliers received letters from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the US indicating they would need a licence to export equipment to the Chinese chipmaker, which acknowledged the new rules may… By Joseph Waring
Big Tech Google October 5, 2020 Google extends Play Store deadline for India developers Google pushed back a pending deadline for enforcing its billing policy on in-app purchases in India to April 2022, following reports the country is developing an alternative app marketplace to eliminate the often controversial 30 per cent fee the… By Joseph Waring
Asia Pacific Network Tech Operators October 5, 2020 Vodafone NZ hails rural connectivity progress Vodafone New Zealand lit up an additional 18 mobile base stations in rural areas, taking the total number of sites built as part of its involvement in the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) to 150. By Joseph Waring
October 5, 2020 Australia slashes mobile termination rate Australia lowered the mobile termination rate, the wholesale price a mobile operator pays another for connecting calls, by 30 per cent to AUD0. 0119 ($0. 0086) per minute, following a public inquiry. By Joseph Waring
Network Tech North America Regulation October 2, 2020 FCC fends off bid to slow Wi-Fi spectrum move The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) won the first round in a fight with AT&T and utility industry groups over plans to open spectrum the regulator claims is needed to boost the Wi-Fi sector. By Diana Goovaerts