Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 10 | Page 34

LATEST INTELLIGENCE LATEST REGIONAL PROJECT UPDATE UK Vodafone has conducted the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G technology. This is a significant milestone in UK communications. The speed of 5G will enable applications as diverse as remote robotic surgery and 4K gaming on the move. The call from Vodafone’s Manchester office featured England and Manchester City Women’s Football Captain, Steph Houghton MBE. Using 5G technology, Steph appeared as a live 3D hologram on stage in front of an audience at Vodafone’s UK headquarters in Newbury. Steph’s hologram gave footballing tips to an 11-year-old Manchester City and Lionesses fan in Newbury, showing the possibilities that new technology can bring to sport. FRANCE Global Eagle Entertainment Inc has announced that Air France has awarded a long-term contract for in-flight connectivity systems and services to a collaboration between Global Eagle and Orange Business Services. The contract initially includes 113 Airbus A320 family aircraft operated by Air France. Installations are already underway. The collaboration between Global Eagle and Orange Business Services will deliver high-speed Internet, industry-leading passenger portal interfaces and services, integrated billing and passenger data analytics supporting Air France’s Digital Transformation initiatives and its progressive customer experience vision. 34 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com