International Data Corporation (IDC) projects the number of 5G connections to grow from 10 million in 2019 to 1.01 billion in 2023.

In November 2019, Michele Gamberini was appointed to lead the Chief Technology & Information Office at Italy’s TIM. In this first interview since his appointment, he talked to Annie Turner about the tasks ahead.

It is just over a year since the world’s first commercial 5G service went live, so this feels like as good a time as any to take stock and assess progress over the past 12 months, says Kester Mann, Director, Consumer and Connectivity, with CCS Insight.

Telenor has completed the vendor selection process for its 5G network in Norway, plumping for Ericsson over existing provider Huawei.

AWS Wavelength is a new 5G edge computing service, while Outposts brings AWS – hybrid cloud – into customers’ data centres.

Deutsche Telekom has frozen all 5G deals with vendors, awaiting a decision about the use of Huawei in its networks, according to Reuters.

The operator will set up towercos in 2020, cut telecom costs by €1bn, focus on infrastructure and B2B services, and could spin off MEA properties.

Telefónica and Spanish state broadcaster RTVE have trialled the use of edge computing to replace TV trucks.

The Intelligent Automated Network (IAN) will connect more than 125,000 Mars Inc.' associates across more than 80 countries.

In preparation for 5G, Orange Poland has selected Juniper Networks to enhance the automation capabilities of its IP network core.

Orange has extended a contract with Ericsson to provide a managed end-to-end operations service in Belgium, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

Rakuten Mobile will use Netrounds’ programmable automated active service assurance software in its cloud-native network.

Bosch has applied for 5G operating licences for selected German locations, saying it believes local area networks are “the way forward”.

Swisscom is partnering with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland for research relating to 5G and network functions virtualisation (NFV).

After months of speculation and fierce debate, France’s telecom regulator Arcep published its decision on the procedure and conditions for awarding licences.

Mobile analytics company Opensignal says 5G adoption is moving too slowly to overtake 3G in just one year, anywhere in the world.

BT has demonstrated the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) over 5G to allow clinicians to remotely assess and diagnose a patient, and view medical records.

They say the new collaboration space will help solve business problems with IoT solutions, foster a European ecosystem and inspire innovation.

Vodafone Group plans to launch an OpenRAN tender across its entire European network within weeks of announcing the first trials in Europe.

Telecom trade association TM Forum reports that while the industry is making progress in using its Open APIs, vendors’ progress is slower, leading some telcos to lose patience and go their own way with implementation.