The EU’s “Digital Decade” program won’t succeed via a go-it-alone method to sovereignty however should as an alternative contain working with like-minded companions exterior the European bloc, says new evaluation from Vodafone and the College of Bonn. It cites Germany’s current bilateral agreements with India within the areas of important minerals, semiconductors and renewable power for example of a possible manner ahead. “Alternatively,” suggests the report, “Europe might current joint efforts to reform international and transregional governance as vital to deal with the calls for of a extra sovereignty-focused world.”
The report additionally identifies what its authors describe as two worrying options within the digital commerce realm, specifically taxation-lite Eire’s “disproportionate impression” on the EU’s digital commerce stability and Europe’s overreliance on China in digital items commerce. (See Microsoft exhibits who actually controls Europe’s ‘sovereign clouds’.)
TIM, CDP seek for sovereign startups
Speaking of which, Telecom Italia (TIM) and CDP Enterprise Capital have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish startups working within the digital sovereignty area. The settlement, says TIM, is meant to strengthen Italy’s capacity to develop its personal applied sciences in areas of “strategic significance for the nation’s digital sovereignty.”
CityFibre gives 8.5G
CityFibre, the most important of the UK’s different community suppliers (altnets), is to launch an 8.5Gbit/s product throughout its wholesale fiber community on April 21 for its Web service supplier prospects. CityFibre is already rolling out its 10Gbit/s optical community terminal (ONT) throughout all new buyer installations. (See CityFibre arrange for large broadband push with £2.3B in new funds.)
Shouting on the telly, AI-style
EE, the cell arm of UK incumbent operator BT, is touting what it claims is the UK’s first pay-TV service to incorporate “conversational, AI-powered” search so you may ask it issues like “discover me a TV program that is not a actuality present that includes half-wits in swimwear.” Known as “Good Search,” the function permits viewers to explain what they’re searching for by temper, theme, plot ingredient and even “a favourite one-liner.”
Telenor acquisition comes beneath scrutiny
Norway’s competitors authority is contemplating blocking Telenor’s acquisition of broadband supplier GlobalConnect, in keeping with Norwegian information web site DN. The authority worries that customers might obtain costlier and inferior broadband providers as a consequence of weaker competitors available in the market if the deal is given the inexperienced gentle. The 2 corporations provide broadband entry to residential prospects and housing associations in lots of areas the place they’re shut rivals, says the authority.
Salt savors sturdy 2025
Swiss operator Salt loved a robust 2025, with EBITDAaL (earnings earlier than curiosity, tax, depreciation and amortization, after leases) rising 8.8% year-over-year to 514.1 million Swiss francs (US$643 million). Cellular postpaid subscribers elevated by 110,000 over the yr, bringing Salt’s whole to 1.85 million. On the enterprise entrance, Salt secured a number of key contract wins with the likes of Cembra, Globus, Groupe International-Sécurité.ch, Planzer, Rhomberg Sersa and Swisslos.
Canal+ wins piracy case
The Paris Court docket of Attraction has dominated in favor of Canal+ in a case the French media conglomerate introduced in opposition to Google, Cloudflare and Cisco for his or her failure to dam unlawful streaming providers and IPTV providers of their function as different DNS suppliers. Canal+ referred to as the choice a “decisive turning level within the safety of the content material of the worldwide media and leisure group.”
Free goes limitless
Iliad-owned Free has launched what it claims is a French first – a cell plan with limitless information in France and greater than 100 different territories worldwide. The Free Max plan prices €29.99 ($34.45) a month, or €19.99 ($22.96) a month for Freebox subscribers.