Emtelle Introduces 24 FIBRE Bundel to Double Operators’ Capacity
China Mobile selects InfiNet Wireless solution to connect remote 4G base-stations to its core network
Fixed Wireless is going from Rural to Urban with Netcomm's new indoor 4G LTE Regidential Gateway
Vancouver Conference to Deliver Global Perspective on the Future of the 5G Ecosystem
Continual and Vodafone collaborate to research and improve mobility experience
Amdocs partners with Fortinet and Versa Networks to deploy pre-integrated, extensible orchestration solution
InfiNet Wireless to introduce Record-Breaking Spectral Efficiency solution for IoT applications
Broadband World Forum 2018: Zyxel to unveil next-generation broadband solutions
New Deliverables From NGMN Suggest Principles to Build End-to-End Solutions for A Connected 5G Future
Interworking Between LTE & LMR Systems is Essential For Critical Communications, Says ETELM
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The Fast-Paced Communication Needs Of The Rail Industry Require An Integrated Approach To Be Applied, Says ETELM
New LTE mission critical standards, established by 3GPP, are providing a major opportunity for the rail industry to benefit from the latest secure broadband voice and data services, says Nicolas Hauswald, Sales & Marketing Director for ETELM. Speaking on the first day of Innotrans, the largest event in the world dedicated to the rail transport industry, Hauswald explained how LTE provides an exciting opportunity for railway operators to provide a single unified network for operational and maintenance services. This single solution would include passenger information applications, CCTV, traffic management, ticketing and other services. Hauswald described how this will help railway operators to optimize services, reduce infrastructure costs and provide new revenue streams. Hauswald said: “It is crucial that communications within the transport sector involve advanced mission critical voice and data services along with the integration of other applications including signalling, dispatching and passenger information. This is where mission critical LTE becomes so important in meeting these communication requirements, as it provides the perfect solution for transport communications as LTE offers higher speed mobile data services and mission critical voice services. “Whilst traditional narrowband services offer a secure network solution for voice and data, the capacity of the data is limited and the integration to high bandwidth services is a challenge for traditional narrowband LMR systems,” he continued. The solution, explained Hauswald, is both broadband and narrowband connecting on a single LTE EPC core. “New LTE standards for mission critical voice, data and video have now been internationally approved, so the timing for mission critical LTE is perfect. LTE is great as it offers a single network solution, allowing integration with advanced broadband data services.” Hauwald described how a single, secure communications backbone, for both trackside and station communications, is a suitable approach for railway systems. LTE allows all systems to be integrated into a single eco-system capable of supporting communications now and in the future, rather than having numerous systems that require individual maintenance and support methodologies. He added: “A new model for railway operators needs to be implemented, this could be a model to provide a private solution with additional consumer services or to outsource the mission critical operational services to a mobile network operator that will benefit from the additional consumer services onboard and in stations.” ETELM developed their 4GLinked, the most advanced hybrid solution based on LTE and TETRA communications services, to meet the communications needs of the transport sector. The solution is based on international standards for transmission networks based on the LTE core. 4GLinked provides seamless communications between both technologies, allowing them to operate over a single, fully distributed network. ETELM is also following the definition of Future Railway Mission Critical Standards (FRMCS). FRMCS is based on LTE and will be an improved, next generation standard after GSM-R. Nicolaus Hauswald of ETELM will be available for interviews at Booth 418, Hall 4.1 at Innotrans on 18 September 2018 in Berlin, Germany.
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InfiNet Wireless makes outdoor broadcast breakthrough in Estonia with ‘pay as you grow’ offering for live events
The screening of live and non-interrupted high-profile events on communal screens in Estonia has been made possible thanks to InfiNet Wireless’ brand new and cost-effective wireless infrastructure for STV. STV is a telecommunication company based in Tallinn and operates in large Estonian cities, delivering advanced broadband services to hotel chains, shipping companies and other enterprises of all sizes. To help with demands for faster connectivity at live events, InfiNet Wireless has deployed a major broadcasting platform, designed mostly on its InfiLINK 2x2 Point-to-Point solutions, to transmit live data streams between Rakvere, in Northern Estonia, and two other nearby towns. The solution deployed was designed in such a way as to mitigate known high levels of interference and deliver high-quality video feeds to a number of remote and strategic locations. STV's customers are now able to upgrade their viewing packages and pay only for their selected services, thanks to the company's ‘pay as you grow’ approach which is designed to cater for ever-changing consumer demands, ultimately avoiding locking them for services they do not necessarily need nor require. Today, STV is able to offer a number of additional revenue-generating services, such as customised video streaming for all types of events as well as video-on-demand. The success of this new wireless platform was once again demonstrated during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Final when STV organized a special broadcast of the match between Croatia and France in the Pae park, Lasnamäe, using the latest InfiNet Wireless technology to deliver live and high definition video streams. This event was broadcast live, with zero downtime, ensuring an enjoyable sporting experience for the hundreds of football fans who gathered to watch the final game of the tournament. "Sports events are essential communal viewing and activity for families and friends, and this project has delivered invaluable outdoor entertainment to Estonia. The new delivery platform we have selected and deployed will provide us with the means to strengthen our presence as a solid and reliable service provider with a clear focus on broadcasting future outdoor events,” said Alexey Belkin, Chief Network Administrator at STV. “Thanks to the reliability and high performance of InfiNet's solutions, we can now avoid interruptions and disruptions that cause headaches to viewers and operators and focus our efforts on meeting and exceeding the demands of our growing customer base.” Along with its well-proven scalability benefits, the InfiLINK 2x2 Point-to-Point (PTP) family of solutions guarantees a throughput of up to 300 Mbps, features the very latest in MIMO technologies (Multiple Input – Multiple Output) and boasts advanced dynamic frequency selection algorithms (known as Instant-DFS) to mitigate radio interference and ensure zero downtime in the delivery of any data or video services. In addition to the PTP units deployed, a number of Qmxb base stations have also been used in the new network, offering STV the latest in beam-steering technology to ensure an error-free solution when operating in unlicensed frequency bands and reaching a capacity of up to 240 Mpbs per sector. The relationship between InfiNet Wireless and STV only started earlier this year when STV faced a number of unforeseen challenges in delivering full customer satisfaction due to increasing demands for its premium services in densely populated areas. The overlay infrastructure deployed by InfiNet Wireless has ensured that STV can indeed continue to deliver all its current as well as new services via its new broadband wireless platform, reliably and without any delay. “The deployment of this new broadcast platform based on our InfiLINK 2x2 family of wireless solutions means that STV is now able to deliver highly reliable broadband connectivity to viewing customers, no matter where they are located in the country,” said Kamal Mokrani, Global VP at InfiNet Wireless. “The overall experience has proved so successful to all parties involved that a number of our latest Qmxb base stations have been subsequently deployed across many hotels in Estonia to keep travelling fans up to date on the progress of sporting events of all types.”
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HomeGrid Forum member devolo launches G.hn-based devolo Magic
HomeGrid Forum’s newest industry member devolo, a leading provider of powerline networking solutions in Europe, will showcase its new ‘devolo Magic’ range of G.hn-based, Gigabit-capable Wi-Fi products at IBC2018 in Amsterdam. devolo’s products – which offer the best of both the Wi-Fi and Powerline worlds – will be displayed as part of fellow HomeGrid Forum member MaxLinear’s presence at IBC2018, which takes place at RAI Amsterdam from 13 to 18 September. The two companies recently partnered for an innovative new line of G.hn powerline products for carriers. They enable a double-digit increase in data rates compared to current technologies and are optimized for very low latency and packet loss to serve demanding applications such as IPTV and online video gaming. Dr. Len Dauphinee, HomeGrid Forum President, commented: “The devolo team are true innovators, focusing on support for high-performance applications including whole-home Wi-Fi and IPTV. G.hn is a highly reliable in-home technology capable of meeting today’s requirements. We are immensely proud to have approved these devices at the HGF and I’d urge anyone attending IBC to visit MaxLinear’s stand to see what this partnership has produced.” The HGF-approved devolo Magic range uses second-generation G.hn chips for the first time. The chips provide a significant increase in performance and improve stability and range. The new devolo Magic adapters can handle line lengths of up to 500 metres, allowing them to easily convert any power socket into a high-speed internet access point. Heiko Harbers, CEO of devolo AG, said: "Using Powerline as the backbone technology offers huge potential as the signal does not get blocked by ceilings or walls. With this new Powerline generation based on G.hn architecture, we are advancing into an entirely new performance dimension.” Currently the fastest Powerline products on the market, it is particularly effective for the use of video applications. Transmission of multiple 4K and up to 8K videos is easier and the products can also deal effortlessly with virtual reality applications and maximum-speed online games that take considerable amounts of data to run. As well as this, cloud-based applications for customers working out of home offices are also more stable and secure. Harbers continued: “All devolo Magic series adapters offer top-level Mesh-Wi-Fi, coming equipped with new and improved functions. ‘Fast Roaming’ ensures all Wi-Fi clients, such as smartphones and tablets, are always connected to the strongest hotspot. This is especially important when people move from room to room with their mobile devices. “Config Sync” allows the router’s Wi-Fi configuration data to be transferred with ease to all access points.” In addition, the devolo Magic series’ new ‘Airtime Fairness’ feature processes the requests of fast Wi-Fi clients at higher priority. This prevents older devices, which may require more time for a download, from creating Wi-Fi bottlenecks. Integrated “Band Steering” ensures all clients are automatically assigned to the best wireless channel and the optimum frequency. devolo Magic 2 WiFi is a high-end model, equipped with two Gigabit LAN ports and fast IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi with Mesh functionality. devolo Magic 2 LAN offers one Gigabit port for connecting smart TVs, streaming boxes or gaming consoles to the network with an Ethernet cable. MaxLinear will display the devolo Magic G.hn products as part of its IBC showcase at Stand MS28 in Hall 15. For more information on HomeGrid Forum.
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New report confirms Fixed Wireless Access will widen broadband market, increase competition, drive down costs
The advent of 5G, additional spectrum and advances in network equipment and CPE are transforming the fixed wireless access from a ‘last resort’ broadband option into a viable competitive alternative, according to a new report by Mobile Ecosystem. However, for operators looking to take advantage of the new opportunities to leverage mobile assets, the report – titled The Business Case for Fixed Wireless Access and commissioned by NetComm – also warns that considerations need to be made regarding making sure the service offered can compete with traditional Fixed Broadband services. Providing a detailed analysis of the business case for fixed wireless access in different scenarios, the report highlights there is an opportunity for Fixed Wireless Access in most markets although not all in the same way. There is not one solution that fits all, it claims. “Even with all the spectrum, technology and policy elements coming together to create the opportunity for fixed wireless to become part of the mainstream broadband mix, there is no one-size-fits all solution,” said Mark Lowenstein, Managing Director at Mobile Ecosystem and author of the report. “The business case for FWA varies not only from country to country but literally by city and neighbourhood, with key factors such as the existing fixed broadband situation, the status and cost of fiber-based solutions, population density, topography and available/planned spectrum capacity all coming into play.” Focusing on developed country markets, primarily in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the report compares 5G mmWave and 5G/LTE sub- 6 GHz based options. It also compares the fixed wireless access option to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fiber-to-the-distribution point (FTTdp) solutions, plotting Capital Expenditure (CapEx), Operating Expenditure (OpEx), Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), and installation variables against key market factors such as density, spectrum breadth and depth, and topography to develop a revenue model. For dense urban markets, the report highlights that mmWave provides a good alternative, especially where there is only one fixed broadband provider and where FTTH is underbuilt or costly to install, such as many cities in the United States. Until recently, wireless could not physically or economically offer a viable alternative to fixed broadband access, but this is about to change, the report concludes. In lower-density urban/dense suburban scenarios, the expected availability of 3.5 GHz spectrum is expected to make fixed wireless access viable in sub-6 GHz spectrum for both 5G and LTE in a number of markets, especially where there is decent density and an operator can achieve 40% or greater penetration of households. The opportunity for fixed wireless access in low density suburban / rural market is more case-by-case, the report continues, and is most compelling where the existing fixed broadband infrastructure is sub-par or lacks a compelling roadmap. “Careful consideration also needs to be taken when it comes to CPE as it is an integral part of the overall solution and needs to ensure the speed, reliability and support required in Fixed Broadband, unlike mobile broadband,” continued Lowenstein. “AT&T in the U.S. and NBN in Australia both provide examples of major operators that have rolled out fixed wireless access in rural areas, while Verizon’s planned launch of fixed wireless access over 5G mmWave spectrum is potentially game-changing and being closely watched by the industry.” “Fixed wireless really is going to be a significant opportunity. Although these are early days, we will see a move to see it become a viable alternative that can benefit even more customers and businesses. We believe that it will increase competition and will start giving consumers more choice everywhere. This is not going to just be limited to rural areas,” said Els Baert, Director of Technology Strategy at NetComm, a leading developer of Fixed Wireless CPE devices. “But the report is spot-on when it says there is not a one-size-fits-all approach – that is exactly why we work closely with operators to develop solutions that meet their needs,” added Baert. “We have more than 10 years’ experience in building Fixed Wireless CPE and have developed a range of best practices to ensure that the solution can compete with traditional fixed broadband services. Through the framework the report provides for operators and other ecosystem players the considerations needed to assess whether FWA provides a viable option for broadband in their geography, market situation, or context, we are confident many operators will see fixed wireless as a significant opportunity as we enter the 5G era.” To read the full report, visit: www.mwca2018.netcommwireless.com The findings of the report will also be discussed in more detail during a Power Hour at Mobile World Congress Americas which takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), in Los Angeles, from Wednesday, September 12 to Friday, September 14. NetComm Wireless and Mobile Ecosystem will host the power hour in Theatre E, Concourse Hall, on Friday, September 14 at 10.30am.
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T-Mobile and Nokia ink $3.5 billion, multi-year 5G network agreement
T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) and Nokia today announced a landmark $3.5 billion agreement to accelerate the deployment of a nationwide 5G network. Nokia will provide T-Mobile with its complete end-to-end 5G technology, software and services portfolio, assisting the Un-carrier in its efforts to bring its 5G network to market for customers in the critical first years of the 5G cycle. "We are all in on 5G," said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile. "Every dollar we spend is a 5G dollar, and our agreement with Nokia underscores the kind of investment we're making to bring customers a mobile, nationwide 5G network. And together with Sprint, we'll be able to do So. Much. More." As part of the agreement, Nokia will help build T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network with 600 MHz and 28 GHz millimeter wave 5G capabilities compliant with 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) standards. "Nokia and T-Mobile will advance the large-scale deployment of 5G services throughout the United States," said Ashish Chowdhary, Chief Customer Operations Officer, Nokia. "This is a testament to our companies' strong and productive working relationship, one which has produced several important technological milestones in recent months, and which now allows us to make 5G a commercial reality." 5G promises to enable faster speeds, massive connectivity, decade-long battery life for sensors and super-responsive and reliable networks for customers. This will unleash on-demand virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences, driverless vehicles, medical monitoring, advanced industrial automation services, and so much more - all requiring ubiquitous low latency connectivity. T-Mobile will leverage multiple products across Nokia's end-to-end 5G technology, software and services portfolio, including commercial AirScale radio platforms and cloud-native core, AirFrame hardware, CloudBand software, SON and 5G Acceleration Services. Using 5G, Nokia and T-Mobile will develop, test and launch the next generation of connectivity services that will cover a wide range of industries, including enterprise, smart cities, utilities, transportation, health, manufacturing, retail, agriculture and government agencies.
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How effective is 4G coverage in UK cities?
Competitive network analytics vendor Teragence and telecom research and consultancy firm STL Partners are working together to explore how the data generated by Teragence's Crowdsource 2.0 methodology can be used to help guide telco strategy. The two companies plan to produce a set of charts on a regular basis, giving insights into mobile networks and their usage patterns. The first of these charts depicts a new way of looking at 4G usage in metropolitan areas, and yields some surprising results. Looking at subscribers on the four main MNOs in the UK (Vodafone, EE/BT, O2 and Three) in Birmingham, Leeds and London, the chart compares the aggregate percentage of total connected time that was spent on 4G. Unlike conventional statistics that show 4G coverage by numbers of subscribers reached, these figures are based on the length of time that real users spend connected to 4G while they are within these metropolitan areas. The 'time on technology' analysis for STL Partners was conducted during the first half of 2018, by calculating the percentage of 4G measurements in the total measurement pool in a given city, regardless of the location of those measurements. This means that if, for example, two measurements occurred in the same location, they were treated as two discrete measurements, not a single one. This metric differs from a geographic coverage percentage as it aligns more to where people spend their time, rather than where they might just pass through. Across all three cities, the time spent by Vodafone and EE users on 4G was almost equal, while O2 and Three usage lagged somewhat behind. However, for all four networks the figure was proportionately lower in London than in either Leeds or Birmingham. As intuitively contradictory as this may sound, it does make sense: London probably has near to 100% 4G geographic coverage (i.e. 4G is available in virtually every location), but at the same time the high demand for mobile bandwidth is forcing a significant portion of users to fall back onto 3G capacity. In fact, the Teragence analysis shows that for all operators, prevalence of 3G connectivity is highest in the centre of London, rather than the suburbs. This ties in with a recent report on fixed broadband speeds (https://ig.ft.com/gb-broadband-speed-map/), which highlights that, while high-speed broadband infrastructure is fairly ubiquitous in areas such as London, the actual service is pretty dismal, driven by the high level of demand that is continuously competing for the available bandwdidth.
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CITIC Telecom CPC Boosts European Business Networks with Unique SD-WAN Offering
CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (“CITIC Telecom CPC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited, today announced the launch of its SD-WAN solution, branded as “TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid,” across its European network as part of a global solution. Designed to address the needs of today’s distributed enterprises for more flexible, open and cloud-based WAN technologies, TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid is a Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution that virtualizes the topology of enterprise network infrastructure, integrating multiple access technologies (including private WAN networks, mobile networks, and Internet links) into a single active-active hybrid WAN that can be easily orchestrated, while maintaining excellent Quality of Service (QoS) and network resilience. “Modern enterprises need modern infrastructure,” said James Halberstadt, CITIC Telecom CPC’s European Managing Director. “Legacy fixed WANs cannot efficiently or effectively cope with the digital transformation demands of modern business. Multiple application deployment and operational models, short lead times and challenging Service Level Agreements for mission critical services that are now deployed in private and public cloud require a new hybrid SD-WAN approach.” Amplified Enterprise Agility TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid supports TrueCONNECT™ Premium QoS and is the ideal solution for mission critical and traffic heavy applications, which will automatically be assigned optimal network resources (such as MPLS paths) for a more seamless and responsive end-user experience. Addressing the multi-cloud topologies of modern enterprises, TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid enables elastic cloud-to-cloud interconnectivity, securing all private and public cloud connectivity (for all applications and transport methods) between branch offices, remote sites and larger corporate data centers. By offering breakthrough flexibility, security, efficiency, and management ease, compared to traditionally routed enterprise WAN architecture, TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid helps enterprises achieve hybrid WAN connections, while greatly simplifying enterprise WAN orchestration and administration. It ensures organizations have the agility to swiftly and easily react to market or environment changes, while minimizing time, overhead, complexity and cost. It can also be combined with TrueCONNECT™ Accelerator (Managed WAN Optimization Services) to further increase WAN throughput effectively and economically, with even greater bandwidth utilization and application performance. Easy and Efficient Administration As a “one-stop-shop” managed solution, TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid uses a “Single Box” deployment approach to deliver maximum convenience for CITIC Telecom CPC’s enterprise customers, with each customer site only requiring one network device that is fully managed by CITIC Telecom CPC’s 24x7 professional teams. Customers can easily monitor their WANs via a user-friendly management portal, while CITIC Telecom CPC handles daily maintenance, troubleshooting, and other administrative concerns, freeing up customer IT staff so they can focus on more productive tasks. “TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid truly and literally redefines distributed enterprise infrastructure,” added Mr Halberstadt. “Our professional service teams right across Europe can also customize the solution to fit each customer’s unique business needs. With an increasing number of European Enterprises depending on external providers for mission-critical cloud-based platforms and applications, and anticipated business growth via opportunities stemming from China's One Belt One Road Initiative, I am pleased we can offer this remarkable solution to our European customers so they can readily enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge network virtualization and gain new levels of business agility and cost-effectiveness.”
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ETELM’S Tetra and LTE Base Stations make U.S Breakthrough at Plugtest
ETELM, a leading manufacturer of advanced Mission Critical communications radio infrastructure, has successfully connected its 4GLinked TETRA e-TBS and LTE e-LBS base stations to many other vendors at the second Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) Plugtests. The e-TBS base station, which connects directly to an LTE EPC core via the S1 interface, allowed direct optimized communications between standard 4G LTE subscribers and TETRA subscribers. This Plugtest, the second of its kind, marked the first time that the interoperability of Mission Critical Data (MCDATA) products and services had been tested. “We are thrilled that our TETRA e-TBS and LTE e-LBS base stations performed so well at the MCPTT Plugtests interconnecting with many EPC cores, eMBMS Gateways and MCPTT/MCDATA servers,” said Nicolas Hauswald, Sales & Marketing Director at ETELM. “There are many challenges that have to be overcome when connecting TETRA and LTE, including performance, management, security, maintainability and costs of operation. Our 4GLinked solution takes the users’ requirements as its main ground and drastically reduces the operational costs for users. Today was the first time that the interoperability of MCDATA has been tested, which has provided a great opportunity for ETELM to showcase its overall 4GLinked solution for both TETRA and LTE.” ETELM is a pioneer in the critical communications sector and was the first company to implement an MCPTT solution into a hybrid TETRA/LTE network. During the Plugtest, which was organized by ETSI with the support of TCCA, PSCR, TAMU and the European Commission, ETELM’s base stations allowed Mission Critical services (MCPTT and MCDATA) including individual calls, group calls and SDS to be made between users of different technologies. The 4GLinked system management automatically manages the sessions between 4G and TETRA identities, helping to overcome challenges including interoperability, security and performance. At this Plugtest, ETELM included the connection of its TETRA and LTE base stations to eMBMS services (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) which is standardized by 3GPP in order to optimize the point-to-multipoint communications. Interoperability and Mission Critical service harmonization are critical challenges that must be addressed to achieve the successful deployment and operation of Mission Critical communication. ETELM’s 4G Linked solution overcomes traditional issues that are associated with legacy systems and their evolution and association to LTE, by bringing to market a fully interoperable and harmonized Mission Critical communications solution. The 4GLinked solution is now deployed operationally on the field at several customers. For further information, please visit http://www.etelm.fr/
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ProLabs at NGON: “The entire network needs to evolve in order to support 5G”
Optical transceiver specialist ProLabs today addressed how evolving architectures are key for 5G rollout at Next Generation Optical Networking 2018 (NGON) in Nice. Speaking on the opening day of NGON, Anthony Clarkson, Technologist at ProLabs, recommended three simple steps that should not be ignored by operators when accommodating the fifth-generation mobile network. “The entire network needs to evolve to support the massive bandwidth growth,” he said. “A successful rollout of NGPON2, a core network evolution to 100G, and a significant Wireless Access Network upgrade are all necessary to accommodate the big bandwidth boost that the 5G hype will cause.” “5G is driving a network evolution of a wireline and wireless services coexistence on one single network. Service providers will need to take an all-of-the-above approach that includes next generation and legacy PON services, as well as a greater dependence on WDM technologies to handle exponential growth of new network elements driven by 5G.” He continued: “Next generation and legacy PON services must evolve over time for an effective and positive rollout. By coexisting with previous architectures such as GPON or EPON, the deployment of new optical networks will be much easier.” On the network evolution to 100G, ProLabs is enabling the smooth rollout for operators to power their networks to the next level, offering longer reach 100G to utilise existing fibre networks to increase data throughput speeds. ProLabs offers a range of 100G modules from CFP to the latest QSFP28 designs, including extending distance reach with 100G long reach in an efficient QSFP28 package and a green solution with 30% less power consumption. Americas Product Manager at ProLabs, Ray Hagen, explained how to take advantage of the Wireless Access Network upgrade: “Through the use of passive WDM networking, service providers have the tools to leverage existing fibre and PON infrastructure for multiple service offerings, including residential, commercial and wireless backhaul.” ProLabs WDM transceivers are the ideal solution to enable greater flexibility from fibre infrastructures as they look to accommodate exponential growth. Due to their wavelength stabilising technology, the new range of transceivers can endure temperatures as low as -40°C to as high as +85°C which enable them to perform even in the most demanding environments. Along with backhaul, ProLabs also spoke on planning for 5G mobile fronthaul of a Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN). By using common public radio interface (CPRI) it replaces the need for restrictive copper and coax cabling by enabling a flexible fibre connection between radio transceivers and base stations, allowing a connection that reaches higher coverage and accommodates for the future of mobile. ProLabs range builds upon its understanding of the challenges service providers face in integrating new technologies over existing fibre infrastructure, and NGON will also see ProLabs showcase its range of next-generation PON transceivers and passive coexistence elements which offer new choices for connectivity to service providers. “NGON is a perfect fit for ProLabs, the topic of the conference and expected attendees make this a great place for us to showcase our technology. We attended in 2017 and made some great contacts with new and existing customers, and we look forward to doing even better this year,” concluded Anthony. Anthony Clarkson will expand on network evolution on Day 3 of the show (28th June) at 12:40pm when he delivers a speech on “PON Evolution and the Core Network Upgrade.” At Booth 11 at NGON, ProLabs is showcasing its complete connectivity solutions portfolio, including NGPON2, WDM and 100G products.
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DSA sets out 5G action plan ahead of CommunicAsia
As the path towards 5G begins to gain momentum, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance has today set out its vision for a 5G future and the opportunities and challenges that will arise from deploying it. On the opening day of CommunicAsia – one of the most established telecommunications events – DSA President Kalpak Gude highlighted the challenges and barriers that need to be overcome if the potential of 5G is to be fully realized. “5G is widely expected to incorporate a number of innovative features, all of which will allow a large range of applications with diverse requirements to be supported,” said Gude. “Despite the benefits of 5G, there are still several barriers to overcome. The DSA believes that dynamic spectrum sharing can contribute to alleviating many of the key barriers to deployment that currently exist.” Deploying 5G needs to involve more than just mobile carriers if it is to be successful, Gude continued. The mobile industry cost estimates for deploying 5G networks are more than several hundred billion dollars, just for Europe alone. These costs are above and beyond the cost of continuing to deploy and maintain the 4G networks that will continue to carry most existing mobile services. This means, said Gude, that the carriers alone cannot be expected to carry the CapEx burden alone. “Spectrum bands considered for 5G applications are above 3 GHz and spectrum in those bands have significantly poorer distance propagation and building penetration,” he continued. “As a result, exclusive licensing for this type of spectrum is inherently wasteful because it will leave spectrum underutilized by design. The DSA therefore believes sharing, particularly dynamic sharing, is a much more effective way to manage this spectrum than the exclusive licensing paradigm where the license gives the owner the right to both use and exclude. Dynamic sharing enables both licensed and lightly licensed use in the same bands, providing opportunities to more entities to deploy infrastructure.” According to Gude, many communities, particularly those in rural locations, struggle to obtain 4G, 3G or even 2G connectivity. As a result, the much-anticipated benefits of 5G are in danger of being completely lost for them unless barriers are tackled that will enable rural communities to access 5G connectivity. “Difficulty in gaining access to radio spectrum is one of the main barriers to deployment but we believe that dynamic spectrum sharing will allow communities and internet service providers to access spectrum in areas where none of the major mobile operators are deploying networks,” said Gude. Gude concluded by stating that more spectrum for license exempt services in the 6 GHz band is also critical to enable the high throughout connectivity that is necessary for the gigabit future envisioned in the 5G story. He added: “Wi-Fi and other unlicensed services have been the onramp to the internet for some time and the future of gigabit networks and 5G will demand even more from unlicensed networks of the future.” For further information about the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance please visit http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org or follow @dynamicspectrum on Twitter. Alternatively join the Alliance on Facebook or LinkedIn.
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NetComm Wireless: “Utilize cellular technology now to meet government targets and expand existing coverage”
Opening up new revenue streams and expanding the addressable market will never be fully achieved if operators continue to use traditional broadband services and don’t leverage mobile network assets, NetComm Wireless’ Director of Technology Strategy warned today. Speaking on the second day of TNO’s Ultra-fast Broadband Seminar, held in The Netherlands, Els Baert delved into the importance of a stable, fast connection for homeowners and businesses who currently remain in the broadband slow lane with inadequate speeds, harming productivity. “Although we have the capabilities to upgrade networks to 1Gbps, there are still many households that don’t have access to high-speed broadband,” said Baert. “End-users with an unreliable connection don’t want to pay a large fee to upgrade their service to 1Gbps but are more than willing to pay to be connected or to get speeds of 50Mbps. “The Internet has been reclassified. It is now a public utility in the world, standing alongside water, electricity and gas in terms of social importance,” she added. “It would be reasonable to suggest a link between broadband growth and economic development as governments across the globe are becoming more and more aware of the critical need for national connectivity.” The European Commission aims to roll-out 100 Mbps speeds to 100% of its citizens by 2025, but this cannot be done without taking a new approach to fixed broadband using wireless technology, Baert added. She continued: “Many operators have spectrum available in rural areas that is underutilized and which can be used to offer fixed broadband services to evolve to ubiquitous broadband. To expand the addressable market even further, the challenge exists in the scenario where an operator does not have a lead in to provide a service. With the evolution of cellular technology, it is now possible to deliver broadband services over a wireless connection as opposed to fixed lines. In suburban areas, there is less spectrum available, but it can still be leveraged to connect end-users quickly and cost-effectively. “In urban areas, the spectrum is fully utilized and as a result there is a major challenge to add fixed wireless services on top of that. Yet with new innovations being added to the 3GPP standard in the road to 5G, it will be possible to offer fixed wireless services.” According to a Market Insights Report, the Fixed Wireless Access market has emerged as one of the most predominant use cases for 5G network rollouts to deliver last-mile connectivity, with the market expected to grow to a worth of more than $40 billion USD by 2025. When using wireless technologies for fixed broadband services, Baert said operators need to be aware that current mobile networks are not built for fixed broadband services. Visibility and control is limited to the base station and therefore the same quality of service cannot be guaranteed. End-users expect reliability, higher speeds and support from a fixed broadband service. Baert added: “The responsibility of an operator in a traditional mobile network ends at the base station meaning there is no guaranteed service or reliability. Operators should expand the so-called “trusted zone” if they want to use fixed wireless as a true alternative to fixed broadband.” By extending the trusted zone, Baert explained, operators can start connecting homes with a directional antenna which needs to be installed with optimized tools to find the closest base stations to allow for the most direct line of sight. This will result in a higher Signal-to-Noise ratio and allows the user to know exactly the type of speed the network is able to provide at all times. The trusted zone eradicates the worries of lesser control for mobile as it provides the operator with more visibility and control over the broadband experience. It enables them to remotely monitor and manage the connection to avoid unnecessary truck rolls which result in high operational costs. Using this higher bandwidth technology brings several benefits for operators, Baert continued: “By expanding their service offering they are not only connecting end-users, but, as automation hits, it also allows for machine-to-machine communications. Once the fixed wireless network is installed, operators can use this network to expand as they grow.” NetComm Wireless is building momentum for this alternative approach with its Intelligent Fixed Wireless Access (IFWA) carrier-grade solutions which are guaranteed to provide reliable performance to targeted premises. Proven to perform at a level that brings fixed line equivalent broadband reliability to homes and businesses in hard to reach areas, the IFWA is a fast and economical substitute to fixed broadband. “There is a huge opportunity for operators to find new revenue streams if they use fixed wireless,” Baert concluded. “From security and surveillance, healthcare, and infrastructure, the solution can be utilized and manipulated to work for what you need it to do. Carriers and network operators have the power to address rural areas, expand their footprint and connect machines to offer better business services.”
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Broadband Forum hits 5G milestone
Operators looking to quickly and cost-effectively deliver new 5G services are today a step closer to being able to do so, as the Broadband Forum and NTT successfully demonstrated the disaggregation of time-critical PON functions. Launched with NTT last year, the PON Abstraction Interface for Time Critical Applications (TCAs) project looks at how Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) can be applied to Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) to eliminate the need for operators to rebuild an OLT from the preliminary stage of development, for example, a remake of the PON chip, which requires a large amount of investment. Time-to-market for new offerings, including support for 5G fronthaul interfaces and services for business users, is also accelerated. The quick progress the project has made was showcased for the first time on the last day of the Broadband Forum’s Q2 meeting, where NTT demonstrated two scenarios – mobile and FTTH – where a future OLT could be optimized with Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) software to significantly reduce latency to meet the stringent latency requirements of 5G fronthaul interfaces. This enables dense small cells to be accommodated cost-effectively by TDM-PON. A second DBA software could also be applied to OLTs in FTTH services that require high bandwidth efficiency. “Time Critical Applications are essential to meet changing user behavior,” said Akihiro Otaka, Executive Manager at NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories at NTT. “The demonstration we have carried out at the Broadband Forum meeting is a significant step for the project as it shows how operators can cost-effectively upgrade OLTs via a software upgrade. Standardization in this area is essential as it will achieve a vendor-agnostic system and ensure mass deployment which is key to realizing agile and flexible next-generation broadband networks and the delivery of 5G.” Following the successful demonstration, the Forum and NTT will now look at whether a cooperative interface, which controls the TCAs shown in the demonstration, can be established between the Central Unit in mobile networks and an OLT. This will involve coordination with standards defining organizations such as 3GPP and CPRI and IEEE. The Forum’s meeting, which took place in Osaka, Japan, last week also saw the Forum elect a new Technical Committee Chair. Lincoln Lavoie, of UNH-IOL, will take on the position and aims to further advance next-generation work within the Forum, including projects around 5G, CloudCO and User Services Platform (USP). A joint workshop between the Forum, FSAN and ITU-T was held immediately after the Q2 meeting on Friday, June 15. This saw discussion around future expectations, NG-PON deployment plans, ONU certification vOLT standardization, PON convergence and the Broadband Access Abstraction project. “Consumer demand, in regard to both quality of service and types of applications being used, is advancing at a rapid pace – the speed of which is being matched by how quickly new technologies and concepts are being developed,” said Broadband Forum CEO Robin Mersh. “As we hurtle towards this new era of broadband connectivity, the work we are doing within the Forum remains key, but as fixed and mobile networks converge, it is more important than ever that this work is not done in silos. Industry-wide collaboration will ensure the interoperability we are enabling does not end at a certain point in the network but encompasses the whole architecture to create an open broadband infrastructure.”
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InfiNet Wireless to introduce a new record-breaking spectral efficiency solution at MWC Shanghai
The global leader in fixed broadband connectivity, InfiNet Wireless, is set to showcase its new SDR (Software Defined Radio) technology which optimizes spectral efficiency further than any solutions available in today's marketplace, to increase network performance several-fold at Mobile World Congress Shanghai (MWCS), to be held between June 27 and 29. On display at booth N4D50, the Quanta 5 is built on the most advanced hardware platform using InfiNet’s latest SDR technology. Providing the highest spectral efficiency available in today’s wireless marketplace – even when operating in high interference environments – the Quanta 5 is the company’s brand new 5 GHz Point-to-Point solution which has a capacity of up to 450 Mbps in just 40 MHz, and a processing power of 800,000 packets per second. It can also be deployed in a diverse range of applications, such as backhauling for WiFi and 4G/LTE base stations, in CCTV and video-surveillance infrastructures, as well as for providing Internet access to remote locations. The new SDR technology offering from InfiNet which optimises the efficiency of the Quanta 5, is able to provide complete and extended Point-to-Point connectivity with a fibre-like performance thanks to InfiNet’s proprietary wireless management protocols. It combines the complete set of features associated with FPGA (Field-programmable gate array) platforms, with the flexibility of the company's WANflex operating system. “Our new SDR wireless technology is truly the perfect spectrum management solution available on the market today. It is thanks to this innovation that we are now able to provide a range of even easier to use, cost-effective solutions for a broad range of applications, to not only meet but also exceed performance, interference mitigation and bandwidth demands across all industry sectors,” said Kamal Mokrani, Global Vice President at InfiNet Wireless. “Solutions like the Quanta 5 enabled with our SDR technology are higher-performing than our previous platforms and are made available to our partners and end users at competitive prices, making it an affordable technology for any service provider considering the launch of new generation infrastructures aimed at catering for future 5G and IoT requirements.” Other solutions on display alongside the Quanta 5, includes the latest generation of the successful InfiLINK XG product family. The new InfiLINK XG 1000 platform include significantly improved usability, higher processing power and capacity, along with a number of new features and benefits to enable more productivity whatever the application. The fastest known Point-to-Point solution on the market, with a proceeding power of up to 1 million packets per second, the new InfiLink XG 1000 builds on this reputation by doubling the capacity of the XG up to 1 Gbps over the air in the 5 GHz frequency band. By supporting two non-adjacent 40 GHz channels instead of a single 80 GHz channel, the XG 1000 can provide connectivity over distances in excess of 60 km, providing unparalleled reliability and scalability needed both for current and future demands. Available in new frequency bands, the InfiLINK XG is the ideal solution for unlicensed backhauling in multiple bands such as 2 GHz and 3 GHz for WiMax and microwave replacements, 4 GHz and 6 GHz which are specific frequency allocations depending on the selected countries one might be operating in. “We pride ourselves on providing our partners and customers with high-quality, cutting-edge solutions, which is why launching them at MWCS is a great opportunity for us,” added Mokrani. “We are excited to showcase our industry-leading portfolio as well as discuss our plans for the future with the participants of MWCS 2018.” InfiNet Wireless can be found at Stand N4D50, Hall 4
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Sterlite Tech unveils 5G, FTTH enabling network technologies at ANGA COM 2018
Sterlite Tech [BSE: 532374, NSE: STRTECH], a global technology leader in web-scale digital networks, unveiled a bouquet of all new 5G-enabling fronthaul and Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network technologies at ANGA COM 2018. The global debut of the Airblown Micro cable, Micro cable - 4mm, Micro Bullet Series Cable and the Riser Cable highlights Sterlite Tech’s continuous commitment to disruptive network designs, and innovative research and development. Built on its globally recognised manufacturing capabilities, Sterlite Tech’s two new micro cables and air blown cable utilise existing and new duct systems to accommodate more fibres in a sub-duct network. This allows operators to implement high-density fibre counts within their existing cabling systems, delivering a dedicated optical fibre in a flexible, reliable and upgradeable manner. This technology enables operators to meet global demands for 5G networks and Fibre-to-the-Point (FTTx) at reduced deployment time. The fourth technology – the Riser Cable – is intended for FTTH in a vertical run shaft or inside buildings as it meets the industry standards for fire-resistance. “As 5G-enabled services such as the Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality and UHD/4K TV begin to grow, telecom operators and ISPs are looking for a fast and cost-effective way to significantly increase their fibre counts and enrich their fronthaul and last-mile networks to support these services,” said Dr Badri Gomatam, Chief Technology Officer, Sterlite Tech. “This is no easy task; as the density of homes in urban areas increases, the current fibre architecture must evolve and advance to the point of consumption – with operators across North America and Europe looking for innovative fibre cable solutions to maximise their existing fibre counts for global demands.” Officially launched by Joshua Streitz, Head of Supply Chain, Post Luxembourg, at ANGA COM, the innovative Airblown 2.6mm 24F Micro cable using 200 micron fibre technology can enhance air blown installation for FTTx drop for deployments in congested areas and metro applications, supporting installation in micro trenches along roads and pavements. Designed to provide optimum balance of stiffness and flexibility, the cable can fit into limited 5/3.5mm ducts to reach longer blowing distances, compared with other blown cables available in the market. The 24F (4 x 6F) Micro cable - 4mm is the industry’s smallest multi-tube micro cable with easy drop and mid-span access – unveiled by Sean Pillans, Head of Power and Access Infrastructure, Liberty Global – is for use in air blown installations for FTTx feeder and drop and can be utilised for existing and new duct systems. Using compressed air in pre-installed micro ducts, the cable can accommodate more fibres in a given subduct and can be blown up to 2km for long distance links. As the smallest 288F (24 x 12F) micro cable with standard 12 fibres per loose tube on the market, the 288F Micro Bullet Series Cable was presented by Phill Coppin, Head of Global Application Engineering, Sterlite Tech. It is the latest addition to Sterlite Tech’s Bullet Series and is designed to re-engineer tube material for optimum cable packing efficiency – reducing approximately 10% of the cable weight and size, enabling upto 50% faster installation in a 14/18mm sub-duct. Georges Majerus, Senior Planner of Fibre Networks, LuxConnect, announced the indoor Riser Cable, which provides an easy deployment for riser applications in multi-storey buildings, complying to the industry CPR fire performance standards with classification B2ca-s1, d1. This cable allows set fibres to be broken out at floor level without the need to access the entire cable. With enhanced features such as reduced sheath thickness and smaller loose tubes, the cables can be easily transported, managed and installed, significantly reducing deployment times. The cables, which leverage the latest industry standards and regulations, including ITU-T recommendations, also come in a range of sizes for different applications, providing greater flexibility and control within end blowing and mid blow scenarios for extended lengths. Sterlite Tech is showcasing the new cables at ANGA COM – Booth E8, Hall 7 – in Cologne, Germany, until June 14, alongside its full portfolio of smarter products, services and software that enable delivery of smarter digital networks.
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ANGA COM 2018: Iskratel warns operators – “Beware of the low-capex trap”
As operators look to cut their costs, Iskratel’s Strategy and Business Development Director has today cautioned them against simply looking at the price tag of equipment, warning that cheaper items could end up costing between 300% and 800% more than the initial capex saving. Speaking on the opening day of ANGA COM, Janez Öri highlighted how operators could find themselves locked-in and left behind with inferior, non-upgradable technology if they buy cheap, thus missing out on introducing new revenue-generating services. Instead, he recommended investing in a software programmable hardware. “To remain competitive with their Tier-1 rivals, Tier-2 operators are continuously forced to upgrade their equipment and vendors are exploiting this by offering initial capex discounts as a way to make a profit off the back of operators,” said Öri. “This is what we call the ‘low-capex trap’ which sees operators stuck in a cycle of buying cheap ACIS-based, non-upgradable hardware before seeing a return on their previous investment – barely keeping them afloat, let alone positioning them to outperform their Tier-1 rivals.” “While operators may save an initial 10% when buying cheap, this will soon back fire as increased OpEx and rising TCO decreases operators’ ability to keep up with demand.” According to Öri, operators can avoid the trap by adopting an approach which considers their TCO throughout the expected lifecycle of the equipment, avoiding vendor lock-in, maintaining a fixed cost structure for a five-year period and allowing them to easily introduce new services across generations of equipment – making them consistently profitable and competitive. “By investing in programmable hardware, which is easily software-upgradable for future needs, services and protocols, operators can reduce 70% of operational and maintenance costs throughout the prolonged lifecycle of their equipment, positioning them to outperform their competitors in service, quality and price,” added Öri. The themes raised by Öri during ANGA COM are also the subject of a new white paper ‘Low-Capex Trap: Save 10% Now – Pay Double in Five Years’, released today by Iskratel. The paper explores the different routes operators can take to prolong their assets as they age and maintain a fixed cost-structure, allowing them to painlessly introduce new services as consumer demand grows, while stabilising their long-term TCO. Iskratel’s own solutions against the ‘low-capex trap’, which are based on programmable network processors and upgradable equipment, will be showcased at ANGA COM 2018, in Cologne, Germany, at stand N60, Hall 8, from Tuesday, June 12 to Thursday, June 14.
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Fiber and cable account for three-quarters of global fixed broadband subscriptions
Fiber and cable networks are dominating the global broadband market, with the technologies now servicing 77% of fixed subscriptions, new figures from Point Topic have revealed. According to the Global Broadband Statistics, which take into account subscriptions up to the end of 2017, more than 50% of people in more than 40 countries, including Singapore (97%), China (89%), United States (87%), and the UK (55%), are connected via full-fiber, fiber-fed copper or cable. Speaking exclusively with the Broadband Forum, Point Topic Research Director Dr Jolanta Stanke said: “We are finding that customers across most global regions increasingly prefer faster broadband services delivered over fiber and cable platforms, as opposed to ADSL. This trend will continue as more bandwidth-hungry young consumers become paying decision makers, even though superfast 4G LTE and 5G mobile broadband services will compete for their wallets.” Fiber-fed subscriptions – including Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), Fiber-to-the-Building (FTTB), Fiber-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), Very High Bitrate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), VDSL2 and Gfast – accounted for 57% of broadband subscriptions, with more than 530 million connections. Stanke agreed VDSL and Gfast were together largely responsible for the growth that fiber has seen, with more than 30 operators across all continents deploying or trialing Gfast. “Gfast gives operators a more cost-effective variant of fiber that will be used by operators who want to upgrade their existing networks quicker and more easily,” she added. “This could enable them to serve more customers in less densely populated areas, where direct fiber investment is less economically feasible.” In total, cable, including hybrid fiber-coaxial, accounted for 20% of all fixed broadband connections. According to the report, the latest standard of this technology is currently deployed across several markets, being especially popular in North America, and can deliver gigabit download speeds. Broadband Forum CEO Robin Mersh said the figures reflect the fact that new technologies that let operators deploy fiber deep into the network without having to enter buildings themselves are quickly moving from trials to mass deployment. “If operators want to deliver competitive broadband services, maximizing their investments through the use of technologies like Gfast is vital,” said Mersh. “Expanding the footprint of their existing fiber networks in this way is cost-effective and delivers the gigabit speeds consumers crave. The growing trend towards fiber, whether its fiber-fed copper or full fiber, and cable deployments highlighted by Point Topic’s report confirms that the Forum’s work on interoperability and management of ‘fiber-extending’ technologies is vitally important.”
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TETRA and LTE are essential for Mission Critical users so why not take advantage of both, says ETELM
While TETRA and LTE interconnection is raising many challenges for the mission critical industry, it is important to consider alternative ways of leveraging legacy technologies to move forward with LTE, says Nicolas Hauswald, Director of Sales and Marketing at ETELM. Speaking today at Critical Communications World 2018 in Berlin, Hauswald commented that barriers preventing users from deploying LTE could be removed by using an integrated solution instead of an interconnected solution. In his presentation, Hauswald addressed how Private LTE has been a hot topic for several years yet very few deployments are witnessed in the field, which is partly because of the technical, operational and financial challenges raised by TETRA and LTE interconnection. “There are many challenges to overcome when looking at ways to connect TETRA and LTE users, including performance, features, interoperability, management, maintainability, security and costs of operation,” Hauswald commented. “These challenges are creating barriers for users to deploy LTE.” Describing the advantages of using both LTE and TETRA, Hauswald said: “TETRA is widely deployed and has been a proven technology for 15-20 years for use cases such as cities, industrial campuses, and critical, tactical sites. It works in lower bands so has good coverage and lower costs. However, LTE allows much more bandwidth and opens a new world for applications, especially now new LTE mission critical standards are being established by 3GPP.” He continued: “An integrated solution is a new approach to interconnection. By allowing TETRA and LTE to interwork in a unified way, the integration is not limited to the application layer and for optimum performances and maintainability, base stations from both technologies are connected to a single core and a single database. All the switching intelligence is centralised and both technologies appear at the radio level. In addition, all interfaces are standardised.” Hauswald summarised the benefits of this approach, including how it provides financial benefits of one single network, an optimised solution for technical performances, an answer to operational challenges, and is operationally fit for hybrid solutions. He then described the results achieved following deployments of ETELM’s 4GLinked solution, which was designed to integrate TETRA and LTE in a single core, single database solution. “Following our drive to integrate broadband and narrowband technologies, ETELM developed 4GLinked. The solution provides seamless inter-working between broadband and narrowband solutions in full compliance with 3GPP LTE and MC standards, and fully integrates TETRA base stations to the LTE Core – providing a single network solution for all secure voice and data communications,” Hauswald added. Concluding his presentation, Hauswald summarised how mission critical users can realise an enormous amount of benefits should they adopt an integrated solution as opposed to an interconnected solution. Benefits included “centralised management, improved PTT set-up times, reduced recurring costs, interoperability and compliance, improved network performance compared to multiple networks, unlimited inter-technology communications, extended life of legacy user equipment and network security.”
