Antonio Arcidiacono

🌐 The Source presents a new Analysis: “Controlling the New Arteries of Global Infrastructure: Undersea Cable Development and Competition Between China and the United States” In this piece, William-Henry Au explains why undersea fibre-optic cables matter, how recent damage exposed their fragility, and how the United States and partners are competing with China’s Digital Silk Road to control suppliers, routes and standards for the world’s data flows. 🔑 Key points 🇨🇳 China’s push: State-backed vendors expand rapidly through the Digital Silk Road, offering low prices and bundled finance. Control of routes and landing stations can create leverage over data and standards, which raises concerns about surveillance and dependence. 🇺🇸 U.S. response: Washington screens ownership and operators, sets security and cyber rules through the FCC and new legislation, finances “trusted” projects, and trains with allies to monitor and protect seabed routes using sensors and unmanned systems. 🤝 Coalition and commerce: G7, Quad and Indo-Pacific partners are aligning on trusted vendors and faster repair capacity. Tech firms invest in extra routes and redundancy so that banking, cloud and everyday communications keep running if a cable is cut. 🎯 Bottom line: Undersea cables are now a key front in U.S.–China competition. Expect tougher checks on suppliers, more allied financing for secure routes, and closer government–industry cooperation to keep global data moving. 🔗 Read the full analysis on The Source: https://lnkd.in/dRGrPWBg #Geopolitics #UnderseaCables #China #DigitalSovereignty #CyberSecurity #Infrastructure #IndoPacific #Allies #Resilience #TheSource

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5G networks are getting more powerful and more complex 📶 The NGMN Alliance has released new guidance to help mobile operators simplify 5G networks, cut costs and improve sustainability while still delivering reliable, innovative services ⚙️🌱 The framework outlines how operators can reduce complexity across radio, core and transport networks, while aligning technology and operating models for long-term efficiency 📉 As 5G and cloud-native architectures scale, simplification is becoming a strategic priority not a nice-to-have. How are operators balancing 5G innovation with the need to simplify networks and reduce costs? Read more via the link in the comments 🔗

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The 6G Bill: What Would You Pay? The International Telecommunication Union just crossed a milestone. On February 12, ITU-R WP 5D finalized the minimum technical performance requirements for IMT-2030—what the industry calls 6G. After two years and seven rounds of negotiations, the report locks in 20 key metrics, moving 6G from vision to implementation. The numbers are ambitious. Peak data rates, user experience speeds, spectrum efficiency and area traffic capacity jump 1.8 to 4 times above 5G levels. Bandwidth expands to 400 MHz. For the first time, "composite indicators" rate networks across speed, latency and reliability simultaneously. The framework adds AI-native capabilities, integrated sensing and communication, and sub-meter indoor positioning. Chinese vendor ZTE chaired the drafting group. Its standards team has driven core documents since 2021—a sign of shifting geopolitical leverage in telecom infrastructure. But here's what the technical report won't tell you: who foots the bill. 5G offers a cautionary tale. Five years into commercial deployment, carriers worldwide still struggle with capital intensity while killer apps remain elusive. Consumers haven't paid meaningful premiums for faster speeds. Enterprise returns lag projections. 6G promises exponential gains in base station density, spectrum costs and energy consumption. The ITU's new focus on energy efficiency during low-load scenarios suggests the industry recognizes unchecked performance races are commercially unsustainable. The standard is set. The harder question—whether global markets can stomach another infrastructure rebuild before 5G investments pay out—remains unanswered. When millisecond latency and centimeter precision hit price tags, enthusiasm may cool quickly. Technology doesn't diffuse because it's possible. It diffuses because someone writes the check.

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Sovereignty in Space: The Era of thriving Strategic Partnership's:- In an time where digital sovereignty defines national power, Europe’s move toward a sovereign satellite operations centre — led by Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile — signals more than just another partnership. It’s a strategic pivot toward autonomy in an increasingly contested orbit. Sovereign LEO constellations promise national control over critical infrastructure — from broadband and IoT to direct-to-device connectivity. Yet, autonomy in space comes at a price. The technical and financial realities of LEO mean no single nation can operate in isolation. As Saudi Arabia’s own satellite ambitions have shown, a truly “sovereign” constellation still relies on global coverage and shared capability. Independence, paradoxically, depends on interdependence. That’s where strategic partnerships matter most. The European model — combining private sector innovation with sovereign oversight — may well set the blueprint for future space ecosystems, balancing national control with commercial viability. It’s a pragmatic recognition that sovereignty in orbit isn’t about going it alone, but about leading collaboratively. The Vodafone–AST SpaceMobile model reflects a growing trend seen elsewhere — from Space42’s collaboration with e& in the UAE to the expanding web of telco alliances with Starlink across Europe, Africa, and Asia. These ventures blend commercial capability with national strategic intent, bridging the gap between ambition and execution. Even new initiatives like Space42 and Viasat’s Equatys project echo the same playbook: sovereign capability built through strategic collaboration, aligning commercial efficiency with national autonomy. The European approach — combining private innovation with sovereign oversight — may well define the future of space ecosystems: pragmatic, cooperative, and strategically autonomous. Because in this new era, sovereignty in orbit isn’t about flying solo — it’s about leading together. #LEO #D2D #Satellite #Sovereignty #Vodafone #ASTSpaceMobile #NTN #HybridNetworks #SpaceEconomy #Connectivity #Telecom #Spectrum #EU #DigitalSovereignty #space42 #equatys #viasat https://lnkd.in/d8uwENyX

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Great news: the [unique] collaboration between 6WIND and EOLO to support EOLO's #5G mmW #FWA service is already in production in 300 municipalities in Italy, delivering 1Gbps fixed wireless access to thousands of households and businesses. The initiative combines the efforts of 6WIND (delivering the distributed UPF / #dUPF), Mavenir, Nokia, Thales and Qualcomm. FWA has revolutionized the power balance in the USA, as well as local competition in rural markets. What is new here is EOLO used a distributed / edge based architecture bringing the data network very close to their customers and delivering ultra low latency, providing better quality of experience. Many have been discussing this model since the early days of 5G, but few have actually pulled the trigger in production. It requires vision, innovation, leadership and courage. Hats off to EOLO! https://lnkd.in/eFNzHAaj

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📲 At #WTDC25, CEPT is advancing a strengthened and forward-looking revision of Resolution 37, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to closing the digital divide by addressing two parallel challenges – expanding broadband network coverage, and accelerating broadband adoption and usage. 💡 While infrastructure remains essential, CEPT highlights that most people who remain offline already live in areas covered by broadband. The current challenge lies in addressing demand-side barriers, including affordability, digital literacy, trust, and accessibility. Accordingly, the proposal calls for inclusive policies, capacity building, targeted support, and innovation that minimises environmental impacts. This is a call to action for all ITU members, stakeholders, and partners to intensify cooperation and innovation to bridge the digital divide. 🚀 #ITU #CEPT #WTDC25 #ComITU

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What is the role of telecoms in #AI and building sovereign #datacapacity? Which upcoming #legislation can make a difference? 📹 My views in 5’ at the #FTconnecteurope

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