Prysmian Group to deliver cable for the fibre network of the future in Australia
Bluepeak to Bring a Faster, More Reliable Internet to Altus, Oklahoma
ABI Research releases a study on the new 5G IoT standard
5G: The Market GaN Needs, Discussed by IDTechEx
Comcast Expands Digital Equity Efforts: Installs Comcast Lift Zone at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Olathe Unit
Houston Mother Gives ‘Inside Look’ at Staying Connected to the Internet During the Pandemic
COMCAST TO INVEST $22 MILLION TO EXPAND FIBER BROADBAND SERVICE TO 18,000+ HOMES & BUSINESSES IN EAGLE MOUNTAIN, UTAH
COMCAST EXPANDING SERVICE TERRITORY, BRINGING FULL SUITE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO SILVERTON, OREGON
Comcast Offering Free and Discounted Internet Through Affordable Connectivity Program
Comcast Invests $1 Million to Bring High Speed Broadband to Rural Community of Biola, California in Fresno County
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Internet adoption worldwide surpass 65% in 2022 led by North America
The internet has a significant impact on how people learn, communicate, conduct business, and go about their daily lives. According to the data presented by the Atlas VPN team, internet penetration worldwide to reach 66% by the end of 2022 Q1. North America and Europe remain the only regions with an internet penetration rate of about 90% among their population. North America leads the world in internet penetration rate with 93.4%. The US and Canada have a well-developed internet infrastructure allowing easy access. In total, North America accommodates over 347 million internet users. Europe is second in penetration rate as 88.4% of Europeans are internet users. More than 743 million Europeans are connected to the world wide web. Latin America and the Caribbean region have an internet penetration rate of 80.4%. Despite the high percentage rate, many countries in the Latin American region have uneven coverage, coupled with high data and device costs. Countries in the Middle East provide internet to 76.4% of their population. Wealthier countries like UAE or Qatar have a penetration rate of nearly 100%. However, war-torn countries such as Syria or Yemen have a shallow internet penetration percentage due to most infrastructure being destroyed. Oceania and Australia have an internet penetration rate of 70.1%. While Australia and New Zealand accommodate nearly 90% of their population with the internet, many Pacific Islands have not invested in internet infrastructure. Asia’s internet penetration rate is 64.1%. Even though the percentage is below the world average, Asia has the largest population of nearly 2.8 billion internet users. That makes up about 53% of all internet users worldwide. Africa has the lowest internet penetration rate as only 43.1% of the population has access to the world wide web. The region accommodates about 601 million internet users. Cybersecurity writer at Atlas VPN Vilius Kardelis shares his thoughts on internet freedom: “Increasing internet penetration rate makes the world more connected. It has become a necessity for most people, which helps communicate and find information like never before. However, the internet must stay out of government control and be open to everyone, so internet users would reap the benefits it brings.” - Internet censorship Despite the increasing internet penetration rate worldwide, some countries impose internet restrictions. Chinese state-owned internet service providers block various websites such as Wikipedia, Google, YouTube, etc. Such censorship severely limits the freedom of the press. After the invasion of Ukraine, similar methods of censorship are being established in Russia as well. The country is seeking to close off its citizens from outside information by banning social media platforms and western media outlets, making it impossible to access them without a VPN. To read the full article, head over to: https://atlasvpn.com/blog/internet-adoption-worldwide-surpass-65-in-2022-led-by-north-america
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BLUEPEAK TO BRING A FASTER, MORE RELIABLE INTERNET TO LAWTON, OKLAHOMA
Bluepeak, an innovative internet provider, announced today that it has received franchise approval from the city of Lawton, Okla., to build a high-speed fiber network to meet the growing needs of the community, today and in the future. The approximately $40 million expansion – the largest such investment by Bluepeak in the state of Okla. – will bring Bluepeak service to more than 40,000 residences and businesses in Lawton. “The city of Lawton has been a steadfast partner in our work to bring a next-generation, fiber-to-the-home network to the community,” said Rich Fish, CEO of Bluepeak. “At Bluepeak, we take pride in being relentlessly for our customers and we can’t wait to show the good people of Lawton what that means for them.” With Bluepeak’s advanced fiber connection, residential customers can get up to 5 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) of symmetrical bandwidth (upload and download) and businesses can get up to 10 Gbps and beyond of symmetrical bandwidth. Bluepeak’s fiber network will provide faster speeds, better connectivity, and the bandwidth to connect more devices for internet, streaming, gaming and more. “The City of Lawton is thrilled to see industry in Lawton growing with the investment from Bluepeak,” said City Manager Michael Cleghorn. “Access to high-speed internet, such as fiber connection, is vital to the growth of communities. We look forward to the possibilities this kind of access will present Lawton citizens.” “We are excited to have Bluepeak coming to Lawton to provide high speed internet services,” said Okla. State Rep. Rande Worthen. “One of the goals for the legislature has been to expand high speed internet to all four corners of the state. Just as exciting is, this is being done without the expenditure of any state dollars and solely by private capital.” “I am looking forward to Bluepeak expanding to Lawton in the near future,” said Okla. State Rep. Daniel Pae, a native of Lawton. “As we have learned during the pandemic, Lawtonians need access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband, and I believe Bluepeak will help us accomplish this objective.” Bluepeak has coordinated with the city of Lawton and will begin construction on the new network within the next 90 days. For more information and to receive the latest updates, visit www.mybluepeak.com
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World Mobile extends capabilities of its hybrid mobile network with new balloon Atlas partnership
World Mobile, the first mobile network built on blockchain powered and run by the people, has announced a partnership with Atlas LTA Advanced Technology (Atlas) which will secure the provision of aerostats (tethered balloon platforms) to connect the unconnected. As part of its hybrid network, World Mobile plans to launch the aerostats across Africa to deliver on its mission to connect the unconnected and provide connectivity to hundreds of millions of people. Starting in Zanzibar in Q3 this year, the Atlas aerostats will help deliver nearly 100% connectivity to the island. Following Zanzibar, World Mobile plans to launch in Tanzania mainland and Kenya followed by a roll out across Africa and the world. Each aerostat will connect over one hundred thousand subscribers, each with their own blockchain wallet on World Mobile. World Mobile aims to deploy thousands of aerostats across the continent. Its partnership with Atlas LTA Advanced Technology is World Mobile’s second aerostat partner. In December last year, it announced its first partnership with the US firm Altaeros. Both partnerships will play an integral role in helping World Mobile to deliver on its mission. For the last 30 years Atlas has grown a formidable team of aerospace system engineers. They have designed, built, and operated all kinds of aerial vehicles filled by the lighter-than-air gases: helium or patented safe hydrogen. Among the vehicles, there are over 200 tethered aerostats that have been used for private and enterprise communication networks in 14 countries. Atlas’ aerostats are tethered at heights of up to 1,500 metres, and these flying “towers” significantly expand the range of telecom equipment they hold, delivering a coverage area of up to 50-75km radius. They can stay up in the air for weeks using only lighter-than-air (LTA) gas buoyancy. They are fixed to the ground by integrated tethers, which include light and strong yarns, wires for electric power supply and fibreoptic lines for high-speed data transfer. Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile said: “World Mobile is on a mission to connect the unconnected and build the first mobile network powered and run by the people. Working with an innovative and expert partner like Atlas, who share our values, will make us stronger." Gennadiy Verba, President and CEO of Atlas LTA Advanced Technology, said: “Our international team includes some of the most experienced professionals in our market, so we are able to offer innovative concepts that are based on our experience and latest materials and technologies. We are delighted to be using this to partner with World Mobile in its aim to deliver truly innovative and life changing solutions to bring connectivity to everyone, wherever they are in the world.”
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EARLY ACCESS TO THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES, AND SPECIAL PERKS AND DISCOUNTS FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS
Comcast today announced the launch of Xfinity Rewards, a rewards program for all customers across the country. Xfinity Rewards was built around a simple idea: to give back to customers, just for being a customer, through unique and unforgettable experiences that only Comcast NBCUniversal can deliver. The multi-faceted program spans media and entertainment, sports, music, and technology. Members enjoy special perks like $1 Movie Rentals, access to free content, discounts at Universal Parks & Resorts, early access to the latest Comcast technologies, products, features like the new xFi Advanced Gateway with Supersonic WiFi, and Xfinity Mobile benefits and savings. Customers can also redeem rewards for unforgettable experiences like exclusive live stream events, have a chance for a meet and greet with Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen, a trip to the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas, or tickets to be part of the live audience at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in New York, just to name a few. “The entire Xfinity Rewards experience has been shaped and inspired by our customers. They told us they wanted meaningful rewards rooted in unforgettable experiences, so we’ve brought together the best of Comcast NBCUniversal to deliver just that,” said Jason Wicht, Senior Vice President of Growth Operations. “Xfinity Rewards truly speaks to our mission to connect people to more of what they love, with the most innovative technology available anywhere, while giving back and saying thanks - just for being a customer.” - How Xfinity Rewards Works Joining Xfinity Rewards is free for customers. Signing up only takes a minute through the Xfinity App or online at xfinity.com/rewards. Upon enrolling, members are placed in Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond tier based on how long they’ve been a customer, with access and the types of rewards based on tenure with Comcast. Rewards are available immediately upon signing up for the program so members can start exploring and enjoying them right away with new opportunities added frequently throughout the year. - Launching Xfinity Rewards with Supersonic WiFi Xfinity Rewards is all about unlocking unforgettable experiences – and what better place to start than right at home. Beginning March 4, at 12:00 p.m. EST, Xfinity Rewards Diamond members who subscribe to Gigabit Internet will receive early access to Comcast’s most innovative and powerful device to date delivering reliable, supersonic WiFi. The next generation Gateway, only from Xfinity, is capable of multi-Gig speeds and can power a house full of hundreds of connected devices all at once. It won’t be available to the public until April 2022, but eligible Xfinity Rewards members can redeem this reward beginning March 4 through the Xfinity App or online at Xfinity.com/rewards while supplies last. - Save Hundreds on Xfinity Mobile, Rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction Customers who sign up for Xfinity Rewards can access even more product discounts and perks as part of the program, including up to $150 towards a new Xfinity Mobile device and up to $100 towards new or existing service for Xfinity Mobile customers. Xfinity Mobile, rated number one in customer satisfaction by ASCI two years in a row, combines the best nationwide cellular 5G with more than 20 million WiFi hotspots to deliver fast speeds and a more flexible way to pay for cellular data. Customers can mix and match between Unlimited or By-the-Gig shared data and can switch back and forth on any line at any time. Xfinity Mobile offers Unlimited data for $30 a line per month when you get 4 lines with Xfinity Mobile. - Discounts to Universal Parks & Resorts and Other Comcast NBCUniversal Brands Xfinity Rewards members can experience the action, thrills, and excitement of Universal Orlando’s three amazing theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Island of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park, at specially discounted prices. Enjoy a Universal Orlando Resort 3-day ticket for the price of a regular 2-day admission ticket or save on a 2 Park 1-Day VIP experience for a personally guided tour of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There’s also a sweepstakes for a 3-night trip for four people to Universal Orlando including roundtrip airfare, accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and admission to all three theme parks. In addition, Xfinity Rewards members get instant access to exclusive discounts across many popular Comcast NBCUniversal brands – including 20% off merchandise at NBC and Bravo stores, discounts on subscriptions to premium services like GolfPass, NBC Sports Edge, and CNBC Pro, and early access to TODAY’s Steals and Deals with Jill Martin. - Unforgettable Sports, Music, and Entertainment Experiences Members also have access to experiences and events made possible through Xfinity’s wide array of sports, music, and entertainment partnerships – like a VIP experience to watch all the drama unfold live at NASCAR, tickets to NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games, exclusive virtual cooking demonstrations with award-winning celebrity chefs like Bren Herrera, host of Cleo TV’s Culture Kitchen, and Chef G. Garvin of Aspire TV's G. Garvin Live!, virtual meet and greets with Bravolebrities, tickets to top music events like the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas in April, and even a super VIP experience like the chance to meet Olympic gold medalist, Nathan Chen. - Simple Delights like $1 Movies and Access to Free Content While there are tons of great experiences, discounts, and perks for being a member of Xfinity Rewards, sometimes the best moments are the simple everyday opportunities to connect with loved ones. In addition to offering tons of great movies for just $1, Xfinity Rewards members can also redeem rewards for movies like The Mighty Ducks, The Minions Movie, In the Heights, and It’s a Wonderful Life for free. And there are tons of games and activity kits featuring hit characters from Boss Baby, The Minions Movie, Sing 2, and more to keep the whole family entertained for hours. There’s truly something for everyone with Xfinity Rewards. For more information about Xfinity Rewards, download the Xfinity App or visit xfinity.com/rewards
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Establishing Partnerships to Provide Wireless Broadband Access in Rural and Remote Locations
The founder of EUCAST Co. Ltd., a South Korean company with 4G LTE and 5G advanced wireless telecommunication technology, is back in the United States this week. EUCAST and its representatives in the United States are pursuing additional partnerships to provide its state-of-the-art wireless broadband equipment and solutions to rural and remote communities and businesses in the United States. While initially focused on Korea and Japan, EUCAST sees the United States as a critical component of its global growth strategy. EUCAST Global Inc. headquarters was established last month in Denver, Colorado. EUCAST provides wireless communication systems that allow users to access the internet whenever and wherever they want. Its advanced equipment, comprising base stations, control servers, core network, and network management systems, allows users in remote and underserved communities to access the internet. EUCAST also provides private network solutions for businesses that share confidential information. On previous trips to the United States, Jaehyeong Kim, CEO of EUCAST, shared many of its solutions with leading academics, industry leaders, first responders, native American communities, and potential business development partners. EUCAST has already signed a partnership with a Colorado university to involve its students and campus as a "living laboratory". In addition, EUCAST has created a strategic relationship with Clovity, an IoT software solution company to bundle Clovity's artificial intelligence platform with EUCAST’S private network. EUCAST already has an agreement to have field trials at Native American tribal land and at a park area in southern California, where internet service was lacking or even non-existent. EUCAST’s citizens broadband radio services (CBRS) systems, including core network and base stations, will be delivered to the target area this month. “I am thrilled to be coming back to the United States and share how our products can make a difference, especially in areas that struggle with broadband access,” stated Jaehyeong Kim. “From first responders working in emergencies to students dealing with remote learning, or businesses working to reach customers, our 4G LTE and 5G systems provide valuable benefits.” “Instead of expensive and time-consuming construction of cellular towers and more fiber optics cabling, EUCAST provides its network in a box (NIB) solution allowing quick communication system recovery in emergency or disaster situations. These solutions also apply to public safety and military applications,” explained Gary Sumihiro of Sumihiro Investments, LLC, who is bringing EUCAST to the US. “EUCAST products are highly durable and rugged because they have verified quality and performance in Korean and Japanese markets. Furthermore, EUCAST’s less expensive price points and greater flexibility in design customization means less maintenance/support service fees," says Sumihiro.
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Turning Connected and Safe Mobility into Reality: 5G Automotive Association to Attend GSMA’s MWC Barcelona 2022
The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) will present the latest global advancements of ‘Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything’ (C-V2X) in the journey towards 5G-V2X on 02 March 2022 at GSMA’s Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2022. The 5GAA conference will gather senior executives to bring perspective on how C-V2X revolutionises the driving experience to make mobility smart, safe and sustainable, as C-V2X powered-vehicles are now hitting the market in Europe and beyond. Journalists are invited to join our media tour of 5GAA members’ booths to exchange with experts and witness the latest technology developments. This year, the 5G Automotive Association will be back at the Barcelona edition of the Mobile World Congress to address today’s mobility key challenges. The association will hold a “Turning Connected and Safe Mobility into Reality” conference on Wednesday 02 March 2022 at 09:00am-12:35pm CET (Theatre 4, Hall 7). Senior executives from automotive and telecommunications member companies (including China Mobile, Continental, Deutsche Telekom, Harman, Huawei, Intel, Qualcomm, Telefónica, Verizon, ZTE and more) will offer their perspective on C-V2X global market landscape and technology evolution towards 5G-V2X. A networking lunch is foreseen 12:15-01:00pm CET. To get prime access to C-V2X industry experts and latest demonstrations of the technology, 5GAA is calling on journalists and industry experts to join the 5GAA tour taking place on 02 March at 02:00-03:00pm. The onsite tour will explore the evolution of automotive connectivity for the purposes of enhanced road safety, improved traffic efficiency, greener environmental impact and more comfortable driving alongside members such as Anritsu, Deutsche Telekom, Intel, Qualcomm, Rohde & Schwarz and ZTE. Europe is keen to play a leading role in future developments, in close collaboration with policymakers and road authorities, and 5GAA is uniquely placed to support C-V2X advances as it unites cross-sector players in this field. To book your seat at the 5GAA conference or networking lunch, please register your interest here. If you are interested in joining the press and industry tour, please send an email to marcom@5gaa.org
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IHSE USA to Showcase Emerging Technology to Modernize C2 Communications at WEST 2022
IHSE USA today announced that it will showcase its new line of products supporting emerging technology for command and control (C2) operations at Booth 2803 during WEST 2022, Feb. 16-18 in San Diego. Protecting important data has historically been secured behind a firewall and isolated to those with need-to-know access only, which is presenting a new challenge for government and military agencies. These agencies are grappling with an increased need for secure systems on one end and the flexibility to allow classified informational access for an ever-growing distributed workforce on the other. At WEST 2022, IHSE USA will be offering the 487 Series, its latest generation of secure KVM extenders that are being certified to meet the National Information Assurance Partnership Protection Profile for PSD 4.0 standard. These secure KVM extenders maintain air-gap isolation while improving an operator's efficiency and effectiveness in working across multiple security enclaves in government, military, finance, health care, and other critical infrastructure applications. Alongside state-of-the-art, secure KVM extender technology, IHSE USA now raises the bar with unmatched performance in higher refresh rates to support real-time military training and simulation systems. The Draco Tactical Ultra Series of extenders pull from technology designed for eSports and gaming to support refresh rates up to 240Hz and at full 1080p resolutions. For simulators or secure training centers, where computers need to be located at distances that exceed the reach of copper cables, these high-frame-rate extenders can be used to isolate sensitive hardware away from the training area while maintaining sharp visual images and tracking during fast-action simulations. For expeditionary forces where task-organized forces or short-notice deployment missions are required, IHSE USA has partnered with UTS Systems to offer integrated Command Post AV Comms systems using IHSE's Battle Command Display Management Systems (BCDMS), which enable operations to be conducted immediately upon arrival. Based on proven off-the-shelf technology, BCDMS provide full C2 components to support large wall displays, touch screens, and multiview image processing. Each BCDMS package is built to order and offers a wide range of flexibility without complex configuration and setup requirements. Systems can be configured and operational in minutes, not days. With IHSE USA BCDMS, access to multiple data levels, such as classified or unclassified, can be managed at the same user station with a single display, keyboard, and mouse. For users who need to monitor several displays simultaneously, the BCDMS' control system provides an easy way configure the keyboard and mouse to track across multiple displays, providing immediate control of the connected source as the mouse travels between displays. Additionally, the BCDMS can be optimized to include IHSE USA's MV42 series multiviewer, whereby up to four sources can be tracked and displayed on a single projector screen. As the mouse moves to each quadrant, the operator gains access to that source device. This option saves valuable workspace and reduces the number of projector display-screens needed. The encrypted transport layer between the BCDMS devices is not based on TCP/IP protocol and runs autonomously from the network. Each signal between devices travels along its own signal path. Access to the connected sources can only be done through the control system integrated to the matrix switch, which is isolated from the network. This also eliminates bandwidth saturation on the network because the BCDMS is not depending on the network for communication between the source and displays. "BCDMS will drive organizational changes to how expeditionary services integrate C2 deployable communications to their command post operations," said Dan Holland, marketing manager for IHSE USA. "With today's increasing threats to computer and network systems, making systems resilient to cyberattack is paramount. BCMDS adds that extra layer of security by isolating visual intelligence from the network." For secure network isolation of multisource display management, IHSE USA also introduces the Draco tera flex series of secure KVM matrix systems. From a basic 1-RU model with 16 ports to a 4-RU model with 160 ports, flex provides huge time savings for system installers who normally must preconfigure network ports as inputs or outputs. No matter the connectivity requirements, the flex can accommodate every need, including copper or fiber connections as well as a mixture of fiber and copper frames. With flex, users simply plug in the desired extender unit, and the built-in controller system will automatically register the type of device and assign it to that port as an active source or destination. This is accomplished through IHSE USA's flex-Port technology that provides instant switching capabilities for all the popular video formats including 4K resolutions and beyond. More information on IHSE USA and its KVM solutions is available at ihseusa.com
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Foresight: Eye-Net Selected by Paris2Connect Consortium to Participate in an Urban Mobility Experiment
Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX), an innovator in automotive vision systems, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Eye-Net Mobile Ltd. (“Eye-Net” or “Eye-Net Mobile”), was one of five winners selected by the Paris2Connect consortium to participate in an urban mobility experiment to take place in Paris’ Urban Innovation District. The Paris2Connect consortium includes Nokia (HEL: NOKIA), ATC France (a subsidiary of American Tower Corporation), Aximum, RATP Group, and Signify N.V. (AMS: LIGHT). Eye-Net expects to benefit from testing its solution in an operational environment under real conditions along a 3.5-kilometer route in the heart of Paris. The project will test urban solutions that serve citizens while accelerating the development of innovative solutions for the management of public space. Eye-Net will test its collision prediction solution in real-life conditions which is intended to reduce the risk of accidents between micromobility users and public transport systems. “Eye-Net is honored to have been selected by the Paris2Connect consortium to collaborate with leading European companies to enhance road safety and reduce the rate of road accidents involving vehicles and other vulnerable road users. We believe that Eye-Net offers a unique life-saving accident prevention solution particularly suited to large, active metropolitan areas like Paris. We also believe that having the support of a European technological consortium will help us grow our presence in Europe, an important target market for Eye-Net in the upcoming year,” said Dror Elbaz, COO & Deputy CEO of Eye-Net Mobile. For more information about Eye-Net Mobile, please visitwww.eyenet-mobile.com, or follow the Company’s LinkedIn page, Eye-Net Mobile; Twitter, @EyeNetMobile1; and Instagram channel, Eyenetmobile1, the contents of which are not incorporated into this press release.
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6WIND selected for 5G Campus project by French & German Governments
6WIND, a leading High Performance, and Secure Virtualized Networking Software company is delighted to announce that they are part of a novel Franco-German project, aimed at developing 5G private networks and applications. Germany and France have pledged €17.7 million in support of four carefully selected cross-border cooperative projects. The objective is to prove the value of state-of-the-art 5G wireless ultra-broadband technology in specific private-network use cases; in industry, commercial areas, campuses, and hospitals. This initiative will enrich Europe’s technology and telecommunications ecosystem, help transform the economies of the EU through thoughtful application and further development of state-of-the-art technologies, and contribute towards European digital sovereignty. 6WIND participates in the 5G for Business Parks (5G4BP) project – also referred to as “5G Campus”. This project will establish an open-architecture 5G network solution for business parks and under-served communities which have not been covered by fifth-generation broadband public mobile communications networks. 6WIND contributes to the 5G4BP consortium by leveraging its tried and tested, high-performance, high-efficiency, and highly secure Virtual Service Router (VSR) solution suite. 6WIND will provide end-to-end routing and security capabilities that align with the Open RAN requirements and empower the 5G private network solution. 6WIND VSR solutions can be deployed on ubiquitous COTS servers, in private and public clouds. It caters for vPE, vCSR, vSecGW, vCG-NAT, and other essential networking functions that are the backbone of any modern telecommunication network – fixed or mobile. 6WIND’s partners in the 5G4BP consortium are Highstreet Technologies (GER), Xelera Technologies (GER), Alsatis (FR), AW2S (FR), and Spectronite (FR). Julien Dahan, CEO, 6WIND commented: “We are very proud to be selected for this project by the French and German governments, based on our expertise in the market. We have a proven set of VSR solutions, embracing openness and the cloud-native architecture that will be critical in delivering this 5G Campus project in collaboration with the other selected partners. This further proves the lead 6WIND has within the virtualized networking software space and we are confident this 5G Campus project will be a huge success!”
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Get SAT Introduces New Micronized Mobile Broadband SATCOM Terminals for SES’s O3b network
Get SAT, a leading manufacturer of efficient portable satcom terminals offering high data-rate satellite communication for ground, air and maritime applications, announced it's Milli SAT H and Milli SAT W have been successfully tested on the SES’s O3b network and can provide versatile data communications of up to 20 Mbps for mobile applications. Unlike other terminals in the industry which require two terminals to be used with the O3b constellation operating in medium earth orbit (MEO), Get SAT terminals users can use a single terminal weighing around 15kg to access the O3b network. Operation includes seamless handover from satellite to satellite, leading to significant savings on equipment, installation, and maintenance. SES’s O3b is the only commercially successful non-geostationary satellite communications system providing high-throughput, low-latency, carrier-grade capabilities for a variety of applications, including communications on the move (COTM). Ranging from 20-60 cm, Get SAT’s micronized terminals are designed to deliver broadband communications with a high data rate and low latency. Combined with SES’s O3b, Get SAT’s terminals provide highly versatile solutions for applications that require smaller terminals, delivering an in-vehicle on-the-move broadband experience for a mobile office or tactical missions. The lightweight LM terminals also boast a significant SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) position within the government market, to work effectively with Class 2 UAVs. As the leading provider of a new generation small terminals, Get SAT sets the standard for lightweight, small-sized, and low-power consumption communication devices. The company’s advanced-tracking technologies, specifically designed for on-the-move applications, apply a miniaturized interlaced flat panel antenna that combines receive and transmit elements and is capable of moving at speeds of 200 degrees per second. Get SAT terminals support extremely dynamic platforms. The data transfer rate is being kept while on the move in challenging environmental conditions, which are enabled by the quick and seamless handover between O3b satellites. “Get SAT’s unique terminal solution brings the power of SES’s low-latency, high-throughput O3b service to the tactical edge, enabling any government vehicle to operate on-the-move with the full set of live video, situational awareness and cloud-based tools critical to government operations,” said Jack Deasy, VP of Government Product Management at SES. “With our next-generation soon-to-be-launched constellation, O3b mPOWER, we will be deepening our collaboration with Get SAT to develop and test expanded services.” “Our terminals achieve much more at a smaller size and weight. By moving to a single terminal, customers on O3b networks can simplify installation challenges, and optimize location placement on mobile platforms,” commented Get SAT CEO Kfir Benjamin. “We are proud to be a leader of easy to implement ‘on-the-move’ broadband communications programs.” Get SAT’s terminals are based on the patented InterFLAT flat panel antenna technologies, which miniaturize components without sacrificing quality. Get SAT is an industry leader, as it creates next generation terminals and solutions engineered specifically to provide fast, reliable communications for on-the-move applications. Meet us at booth #1043, Satellite 2022 Show at the Gaylord convention center in Washington, D.C.
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IDTechEx Discuss the 5G Materials Battle: Sub-6 GHz vs mmWave
5G deployment is in full swing with mid-band infrastructure installed by the end of 2021 representing nearly 6 times what it was in 2019. However, this doesn’t mean that all of the challenges have been solved. Much of the 5G infrastructure is repurposed 4G equipment at lower frequency bands. The real transition to 5G comes from the adoption of higher frequencies which have largely been categorized into sub-6 GHz and mmWave (> 20 GHz) bands. One of the key challenges is thermal management. As 5G deployment transitions to higher frequency, the antenna design, technology, and material choices transition too. This will impact several factors such as the semiconductor technology, the associated die attach materials, and thermal interface materials. Short term deployment is largely sub-6 GHz, in the long term, mmWave dominates. Source: IDTechEx - “Thermal Management for 5G 2022-2032” Whilst sub-6 GHz 5G may not provide the astonishing speeds and applications often publicized for 5G, it plays a crucial role in achieving coverage over large areas. Some of this is accounted for in lower bands more comparable to historic 4G but as we push above 4 GHz, the historic LDMOS (laterally-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor) power amplifiers begin to struggle with efficiency. This is where wide bandgap semiconductors like GaN (gallium arsenide) start to shine. We have started to see GaN being adopted by players like Huawei in their 4G infrastructure. We are expecting GaN to take a greater market share in 5G and with GaN comes a transition in the die attach technology. In fact, IDTechEx is predicting that GaN power amplifiers will see a 4 fold increase in yearly demand over the next 10 years for 5G infrastructure. AuSn is the typical die attach material for GaN today, but we foresee an opportunity for sintered pastes as a replacement with their improved thermal performance as addressed in the latest report from IDTechEx, “Thermal Management for 5G 2022-2032”. mmWave is the high-frequency technology that can deliver on the potentially wonderous applications of 5G with incredible download speeds and ultra-low latency. The challenge comes with signal propagation, as the frequency increases so does the attenuation of the signal, leading to reduced range and easy blocking by walls, windows, and even severe weather conditions. To increase the antenna gain, the number of antenna elements will increase, but thanks to the smaller wavelength, the antenna units themselves will shrink. This leads to a much more tightly packed array of power amplifiers and beamforming electronic components and with that, a greater thermal management challenge. Thanks to the greater number of antenna elements, the power demand on each amplifier can potentially be reduced, but the highly compact nature of the electronics will lead to greater integration of components and likely rely more on silicon based technologies. However, mmWave small cells will require greater deployment numbers to provide sufficient coverage and due to their deployment scenarios, are unlikely to be able to utilize active cooling methods, combining this with the densification of beamforming components will present greater requirements for solutions like thermal interface materials. Another popular technology for 5G is massive MIMO, enabling infrastructure to serve more terminals in the same frequency band. This increases the number of RF chains per installation, beamforming capabilities, and the number of antenna elements used in networks. The result is an increase in the materials required for the antenna PCB, power amplifiers, beamforming components, and many more. Massive MIMO also drives data transfer rates and channels higher leading to a greater requirement on baseband processing units, power consumption, and hence greater market opportunities for thermal interface materials. As 5G deployment grows, so does the yearly demand for thermal interface materials (TIMs). Source: IDTechEx - “Thermal Management for 5G 2022-2032” IDTechEx’s latest report on “Thermal Management for 5G” addresses the trends in 5G deployment and how this impacts the antenna design, choice of semiconductor technology, die attach materials and thermal interface materials. Both technological aspects and market forecasts are included for the next 10 years. Additionally, it considers many smartphones and how the incorporation of 5G is impacting thermal materials (interface and heat spreaders).
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COMCAST EXPANDS BROADBAND TO NEW CUSTOMERS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE
Comcast today announced it expanded broadband service to 13,928 additional homes and 862 businesses in Washington, including major projects in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane and Whatcom counties. The expansion during the second half of 2021 is the latest example of the company’s investment to bring more high-speed internet access and services to businesses and households in Washington. During the last three years, Comcast has invested nearly $1 billion in technology and infrastructure throughout the state, including upgrades to its broadband network. More Washington residents now have access to the entire Xfinity product suite, from Internet Essentials – the largest and most comprehensive low-cost Internet adoption program for low-income Americans – to Comcast Business internet, which delivers up to 10 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) of network capacity to local businesses. Two-thirds of the homes which now have Comcast service are multi-dwelling units. “Access to technology is a powerful driver of economic growth and innovation, and we recognize our company plays a very important role in building and connecting Washington to all the opportunities broadband offers. Our investment built over 250 miles of network expansion, to connect nearly 15,000 additional homes and businesses to reliable and fast broadband service in the second half of 2021, demonstrating our commitment to bringing the power of technology to the many communities around our state,” said Roy Novosel, vice president, Engineering,Comcast Washington. Some of the company’s major network development projects and achievements in the second half of 2021 include: - Bellingham & Whatcom County As part of a continued effort to invest in expanding service to the citizens of Whatcom County and to meet increasing needs in the area, Comcast built out services to more than 230 units in several apartment buildings in Bellingham and made service available to 114 businesses. Comcast also added service to customers in Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Maple Falls and Nooksack. - King County Comcast made its services available to more than 9,000 additional homes and businesses in King County, including a new 160-unit affordable housing project, Orenda Apartments, in South Beacon Hill. - Puyallup Comcast completed the build out for more than 180 units at new assisted living and memory care facilities – Fieldstone and Deer Ridge – in Puyallup. Additionally, the company made services available to more than 600 homes and businesses in the Puyallup area. - Snohomish County Comcast made services available to 1,561 homes and businesses in Snohomish County in the second half of 2021, with several projects completed outside of Everett in Arlington, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish and Sultan. - Spokane County In Spokane County, Comcast made services available to 1,436 homes and more than 80 businesses, including making services available to 80 units at the Cottages of Spokane assisted living facility. The company also worked on projects throughout Spokane County including Cheney, Colbert, Deer Park, Greenacres and Liberty Lake. These residents now have access to the entire Xfinity product suite, including Xfinity Internet, Xfinity Mobile, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Home and Internet Essentials, the largest and most comprehensive low-cost Internet adoption program for low-income Americans. Comcast has connected more than 500,000 low-income individuals in Washington to high-speed internet over the last decade. Washington businesses in these areas now have access to the full suite of Comcast Business Internet, Voice, and Video Services, including WiFi, TV and managed enterprise solutions for businesses of all sizes. For businesses in these communities, network expansion brings access to fast, reliable internet and affordable digital products and solutions that help them embrace innovation that improves operations, eliminates waste, and creates a better experience for their employees and customers. Comcast Business delivers up to 10 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) of network capacity to local businesses. The newly expanded network offers a comprehensive portfolio of multigigabit ethernet internet options that help meet the day-to-day demands of all organizations, including those requiring large amounts of bandwidth, linking multiple sites or branch locations, or planning to connect their offices to a third-party data center. In addition to high-speed internet and network capacity, Comcast Business also offers video, voice services, cloud technology, security services, business continuity and more to businesses statewide. The company’s services support businesses across a variety of industries, including healthcare, biotechnology, manufacturing, retail, dining and hospitality. Comcast Washington’s focus on the expansion of its existing network is led by the company’s Business Development Group, a new local department helping to extend internet services to more people and businesses. The Group focuses on growth and the future expansion of Comcast’s network through partnerships with developers, municipalities and businesses. It proactively identifies commercial and residential expansion opportunities and collaborates with local communities to grow high-speed broadband internet availability and adoption. “Comcast is committed to investing in new projects to ensure the diverse communities in the state of Washington have access to high-quality, high-speed bandwidth that are part of the full suite of products under our Xfinity, Xfinity Mobile, and Comcast Business brands,” said Juan Key, senior director, Business Development, Comcast Washington. For more information on how to bring services to a project in a local community, please email the Comcast Washington Business Development Group at WSTWAC-BusinessDevelopmentGroup@comcast.com
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World Mobile, Altaeros partner to launch aerostat balloons to connect the unconnected in Africa
World Mobile, the first mobile network built on blockchain and run by the people, partners with Altaeros, developers of the world’s first autonomous aerostats, to connect the unconnected. Through this partnership, Altaeros and World Mobile will provide low-altitude aerostats (tethered balloon platforms) with a coverage area of approximately 8,000 km^2 each, forming part of World Mobile's Dynamic Network. World Mobile plans to launch these balloons across Africa to connect hundreds of millions of people. Several aerostats will launch in Zanzibar anchoring the network and delivering connectivity near to 100% of the island. Each aerostat will connect hundreds of thousands of subscribers and each subscriber on the network will create a blockchain wallet. World Mobile will be deploying thousands of aerostats across the continent. The aerostat system consists of a helium-filled envelope and stabilising fins. The unique 3-tethered architecture limits the aerostat's movement in the air (pitch, roll and yaw), which is essential in stabilizing telco coverage so connectivity doesn't drop in and out. The aerostat is attached to a movable mooring platform with built-in software that adjusts the balloon's position depending on wind conditions. The onboard communication system, using beamforming technology (a technique that focuses a wireless signal towards a specific receiving device) will allow 3G, 4G and 5G handsets to connect directly and will also connect WM AirNodes in the vicinity via traditional and alternative spectrums. “We’re on a journey to bring modern infrastructure to billions of un-served and under-served people around the world. We’re driven by a belief that business and technical innovation are the keys to creating a positive, scalable impact. World Mobile is the perfect partner to work with to deliver our vision as they strive to connect the unconnected, everywhere,” says Altaeros CEO/CTO Ben Glass. “World Mobile is on a mission to connect the unconnected and build the first mobile network powered and run by the people. Working with leading tech partners who share our values will make us stronger," says World Mobile Founder and CEO Micky Watkins. World Mobile is the first mobile network powered and run by the people. Their fearless commitment to community, the environment, and technology will help them go where no telecom has gone before. By joining forces with their users, they’ll connect billions of unconnected people worldwide—allowing everyone the freedom to explore the world. Altaeros is on a mission is to help bring connectivity to those who need it most. Founded at MIT in 2010, Altaeros is focused on developing and deploying innovative real-world infrastructure solutions to bring affordable services anywhere needed, helping businesses and communities access the basic building blocks to allow for prosperity. Altaeros is headquartered in Somerville, MA.
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Expansion Brings Internet Speeds Faster Than 1 Gig to Homes in Community
Comcast today announced the company completed a multi-million-dollar expansion to bring broadband and the entire suite of Xfinity services to more than 9,100 homes and businesses in Las Vegas, N.M. "The City of Las Vegas joins Comcast in celebrating the completion of this considerable investment in our community. An investment of this magnitude will support workforce development, virtual education, overall quality of life, and greater access to high-speed Internet for our residents. It also improves our Internet infrastructure in a way that may be attractive to businesses interested in locating or expanding their operations here," said Mayor Louie Trujillo of Las Vegas. “I am grateful for Comcast’s commitment to expanding broadband access in critical areas of New Mexico like Las Vegas.” This expansion is another example of Comcast’s investment in New Mexico to ensure residents and businesses have access to innovative, reliable, fast, and secure broadband services. In October, Comcast completed a network upgrade in Gallup, N.M. to bring Gig speeds to the community. In the last three years, Comcast has made $149.4 million investments in technology and infrastructure across the state. “This investment in Las Vegas will bring improved broadband services to thousands of homes and businesses -- expanding educational access and driving economic development opportunities within the community. Together with industry leaders like Comcast, New Mexico will continue to close the digital divide and address the needs of New Mexicans in communities large and small across the state,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Residential consumers in Las Vegas will have access to all Xfinity Internet service offerings with speeds faster than 1 Gig, as well as the award-winning Xfinity X1 video platform, Xfinity Home, Comcast’s professionally installed home security solution, and Xfinity Mobile. Comcast provides unmatched value to Xfinity Internet customers through superior WiFi coverage, control of connected devices with xFi in the Xfinity App, xFi Advanced Security for cyber security protection at the gateway level, a free Xfinity Flex 4K streaming device, as well as access to Peacock Premium and thousands of hours of free content. Businesses will have access to the full suite of Comcast Business services including Internet speeds up to 1 Gbps, Business TV, Phone, SmartOfficeTM technologies, and dedicated business support. Comcast previously provided video-only services in Las Vegas. “Reliable broadband services are essential for healthy communities. With expanded broadband access, our community members can access telehealth, education, and other resources they need to stay connected and engaged” said Elmo Baca, Chair, Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation. This expansion provides low-income families and individuals across the Las Vegas area with access to Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, the nation’s largest and most successful broadband adoption initiative. The program provides 50 Mbps Internet service for $9.95 per month and the option to purchase a new Dell laptop for $150. Additionally, Comcast has participated in the federal government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program since its inception in May 2021 and in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which extends and modifies the EBB. All Internet Essentials customers are eligible for ACP and can enroll in the program to receive their service for free. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected 296,000 low-income New Mexicans to the power of the Internet at home, many for the first time. “We welcome Comcast to our area. Having the services provided will be an incredible boost to our economy. Additional broadband options, including Gig Internet speeds, is critical for Las Vegas’ economic development goals. We know that relocating and expanding businesses need cutting-edge speeds,” said Philip Martinez, President, Las Vegas San Miguel Chamber of Commerce. “Technology is a powerful driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth, and we recognize our company plays an important role in connecting New Mexicans to all the opportunities broadband offers,” said Chris Dunkeson, Area Vice President, Comcast. “Completing this expansion in Las Vegas is another example of our investment in New Mexico and our commitment to bringing more opportunities to communities around the state.”
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First commercial mobile internet/telecoms system powered by balloons to launch in Africa
World Mobile has announced the launch of its unique hybrid mobile network supported by low altitude platform balloons in Zanzibar, as it plans to roll-out its innovative service providing reliable mobile internet to more people at lower cost throughout the African continent (please see the attached press release). World Mobile’s balloons will be the first to officially launch in Africa for commercial use, providing a more cost-effective way to provide digital connection to people compared to rolling out legacy internet infrastructure. The remotely controlled aerostat balloons are powered by solar panels, inflated by helium and tethered to the ground. Once airborne, they act as floating cellular base stations transmitting radio signals to ground stations and personal devices. The project – the first since a successful $40 million raise – will deliver coverage and access to the digital economy for over 1m million people in Zanzibar by end of 2023. It is the first step in World Mobile’s mission to help bring nearly four billion people online before 2030 in line with the UN and World Bank’s SDGs. Data from the United Nations shows almost half the world’s population, 3.7 billion people, the majority of them women, and most in developing countries, are still offline. Beyond Zanzibar, World Mobile is in discussions with government officials in Tanzania and Kenya, as well as other territories underserviced by traditional mobile operators. It plans to have 20 mesh sites – local Wi-Fi nodes – rolled out by January 2022 and 120 sites during the first six months of 2022 including the first aerostat balloon launch. The roll out will cover approximately 75% of Unguja Island and provide access to the wider digital economy including communications, e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and education to the islands’ 896K people.
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Satellite Remains an Essential Element of Video Distribution
The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) hosted its annual Satellite Industry Forum on Thursday, 18 November as a virtual conference, to end off the Asia Video Summit umbrella of events this year. The Forum opened with a look at Satellite Trends and Forecasts Post-Covid with Caleb Henry, Senior Analyst, Quilty Analytics. The traditional satcom industry continues to be in a state of rapid change, and still in a state of turmoil. While the industry is currently dominated by a handful of major players, this could also change dramatically over the next five years as new technologies and standards reset the competitive landscape. And despite the impact of Covid, there has been no let-up of interest in investment into the space industry with $5.5BN in collective proceeds from all 13 space SPACs. AVIA was also privileged to host Stephen Spengler for his final keynote before he steps down as CEO of Intelsat. Spengler had spoken at the Satellite Industry Forum for his first keynote as CEO in 2015, hence it was fitting the Forum was his final address as well. While the industry continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible, it has yet to reach its full potential in fulfilling its essential role in the global telecommunications landscape. With digital video making up 70% of internet traffic, satellite remains the essential and enabling technology, with the ubiquity, reach and economics to serve the networks. Spengler’s outlook on industry trends for Asia remains positive, with linear and pay TV distribution still a driving application for the Asia Pacific region, with a growth rate of 2.5% per year. Spengler was also excited about 5G being a huge enabler and game changer. With satellite fully integrated into the 5G world, it will make solutions and services more seamless, interconnected, and economical. Wrapping up his keynote address, Spengler shared Intelsat’s mission to unify the global telecoms ecosystem of the future. The vision requires all satellite and terrestrial technologies, networks and providers, and solutions and services to be unified as one global ecosystem. “If we focus on our customers, the people who benefit from a more connected world, that is success for the next year and beyond,” said Spengler. Asia Pacific’s leading satellite operators also shared similar positive sentiments despite the move from broadcast to streaming. Yau Chyong Lim, COO, MEASAT, believes that satellite will still be the main platform to deliver video services nationwide in Malaysia, and it is the platforms themselves who are transforming their services to include streaming. Hence broadcast and streaming will complement each other, with linear still having a role to play, and streaming alongside it. Similar in Australia, despite a plethora of streaming services available, Nick Leake, Head of Satellite and Space Systems, Optus, still sees the same requirements for satellite to go out for at least another 10 years. The greatest issue for Asia Pacific remains one of scale, in order to provide reliable networks to serve the customers, added Roger Tong, CEO, AsiaSat. Tong believes that moving forward, creating more partnerships between competing satellite operators is important, especially when regulatory restrictions on consolidation remains a key challenge in the region. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises and Executive Chairman, OneWeb, also joined the Forum this year for a keynote conversation on the space business in India. With the holy grail of low latency, high speed and sufficient capacity resolved by NGSOs, it has become a solution that works for the new world and into the future. 5G too is seen as a game changing technology for Mittal, with its extremely low latency a boom for industry applications. However, Mittal also noted that while NGSOs will have an important role to play in the 5G ecosystem, it will only be at the periphery of supporting 5G ambitions. Mittal also shared OneWeb’s vision to connect all areas of the world, from oceans to aviation. “In 5 years’ time. . . there should not be anybody in the world that is not connected,” said Mittal. The Satellite Industry Forum is generously sponsored by AsiaSat, Eutelsat, Hughes, Intelsat, Marsh and Maxar.
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5G: IDTechEx Summarize 2021 and What to Expect Going Forward
What is 5G? 5G is a set of improved and updated mobile communication technologies, and new characteristics resulting from the addition of two new high-frequency bands: sub-6 GHz (3.5 – 7 GHz) and mmWave (>24 GHz). The low-frequency band has a longer propagation range but restricted bandwidth and long latency, whereas the high-frequency band has the opposite characteristics: a short propagation range but tremendous bandwidth and ultra-low latency. Despite its propagation range limitations, 5G (especially mmWave)'s high throughput and ultralow latency enable it to tap into various high-value sectors such as 3D robotic control, virtual reality monitoring, and remote medical control that earlier technologies couldn't. 5G is positioned as a technology that will redefine and accelerate numerous industries and will ultimately change the way people work and live. What is the global 5G deployment status in 2021? 5G is recognized as an important infrastructure for both developed and developing countries. By the end of 2021, 79 nations have either commercialized 5G or are conducting 5G trials. Digging further into what frequency is most used – based on IDTechEx’s study – it is sub-6 GHz. This frequency band is used in over half of 5G commercial deployments and trails, with just a tiny percentage using mmWave. So far, only 9 countries have commercialized 5G mmWave. However, this is not surprising given that, the main restriction of mmWave transmissions is their low propagation range. Telecom companies would not employ the mmWave frequency band for national coverage. Looking at telecom operators' deployment strategies, we can see that low-frequency bands (for example, 700 MHz) are used for national coverage, whereas sub-6 GHz bands are utilized for city coverage, and mmWave is used for megacity hotspots. In their latest 5G research market report, “5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032”, IDTechEx specifically look into the deployment strategy of 5 key regions: the US, China, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. For each region, IDTechEx focuses on two aspects: government strategy and telecom operator strategy for 5G rollout. The following two paragraphs show a high-level review of the deployment status in the United States and China; for more information, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/5G US: Government side: In comparison to other nations, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released mmWave spectrum significantly early. It was not until earlier this year that the FCC has finally released sub-6 GHz frequency band. Ripping and replacing Huawei equipment is still a top priority, with the government funding small-scale operators to do so. Given the lack of dominant US-based 5G telecom equipment suppliers, the FCC has also been supporting Open RAN development. Telecom Operator side: Each operator holds a different portion of the 5G spectrum (for ex: Verizon has the most mmWave holdings). As a result, each strategy to 5G deployment differs. Verizon, for example, has made significant investments in mmWave deployment, but T-Mobile has prioritized low and mid-band expansion. T-Mobile currently has the most extensive mid-band coverage (using 2.5 GHz) as a result of its acquisition of Sprint. Following the C-band (frequency in the sub-6 GHz range) auction earlier this year, AT&T and Verizon both announced plans to roll out mid-band service this year, with the goal of covering 100 million people by 2022. China: Government side: The Chinese government is pushing hard for 5G national development. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China (MIIT) issued a 5G application "sailing" action plan (2021-2023) in April 2021, laying out a path for the promotion of 5G applications. Three key performance indicators (KPIs) have been identified: Increase 5G user penetration to more than 40%, raise 5G network access traffic to more than 50%, and push 5G penetration in big enterprises to more than 35%. The MIIT has not yet released the mmWave spectrum, although it is expected to do so soon as the Chinese are preparing to use 2022 Winter Olympics as a test bed for mmWave rollout. Telecom Operator side: One trend seen in China is that operators are working together to construct shared network infrastructure. Here's an example: By May 2021, China Telecom and China Unicom will build 460,000 5G base stations together. What is the important technical development/trend in 5G now? Though 5G is commercialized, there are still a lot of technical developments going on. In this article, IDTechEx discussed the 4 key points: The race for lighter Massive MIMO sub-6 GHz radio: One crucial part of deploying a large-scale 5G network employing massive MIMO gear is that the radio must be lightweight and have a compact footprint, as these characteristics will help operators save significant money on overall deployment. This is where silicon comes in. Si's performance will have a huge influence on a radio's essential aspects, such as connection, capacity, power consumption, product size, and weight, and, ultimately, cost. In the 5G system sector, all of these are critical. In IDTechEx’s “5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032“ report, a comprehensive analysis on Si industry and its impact on 5G development is provided. Small cell deployment : Small cells are proposed to address the challenge of short signal propagation range caused by high frequency. Creating an ultra-dense network by deploying more small cells plays a key role in 5G as it allows to complement the macro network and therefore boosts data capacity. Furthermore, the deployment of small cells brings 5G to a variety of businesses, facilitating digital transformation (see this recent IDTechEx article for more information on how small cells are facilitating connected industries). Small cells can be categorized into three types: femtocells, picocells, and microcells, depending on their output power. Because of their smaller size compared to macro base stations, the material choices and the overall technology trend will be different from their macro infrastructure counterparts. More details regarding small cell technology trends and use cases can be found in the IDTechEx report, “5G Small Cells 2021-2031: Technologies, Markets, Forecasts”. 5G small cells deployment scenarios and use cases. Source: IDTechEx - “5G Small Cells 2021-2031: Technologies, Markets, Forecasts”. Open RAN development : Open RAN is a network alternative to traditional legacy RAN that enables interoperable components (including hardware and software) from different providers to work together seamlessly. It is proposed to eliminate the proprietary nature of the radio access network (RAN) system, diversify the vendor supply chain in the telecom industry, foster more innovation, and reduce the upfront and operational cost of RAN deployment. The development of Open RAN is still in its infancy as of 2021, with only a few telecom operators deploying Open RAN 5G network at a small scale. There are still many challenges that need to be addressed before the bulk of telecom carriers adopt the technology. IDTechEx in their newly released “5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032” report explores into this topic deeply, helping the reader understand the future trends of the 5G infrastructure market. mmWave development : IDTechEx believes that there are still some years to go before seeing mmWave market take off (see this recent IDTechEx article for a more in-depth discussion). There are still other obstacles to overcome, such as cost, power, packaging, and thermal management concerns. mmWave devices, for example, require low-loss materials with a low dielectric constant and tan loss, as well as enhanced packaging methods, to prevent excessive transmission loss. Because of the short wavelength of mmWave communications, device are becoming smaller and more integrated, necessitating more power and thermal management. IDTechEx evaluates technical pain points and investigates trends and innovations for both 5G materials and design in their 5G offering (“5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032”, “Low-loss Materials for 5G 2021-2031”, and “Thermal Management for 5G”). Outlook for 2022 and beyond? 5G market is just about to take off. By the end of 2032, consumer mobile services are anticipated to generate $800 billion in revenue, and 5G macro infrastructure markets will expand seven times larger than in 2020, according to IDTechEx. Other key points include: • For many years to come, sub-6 GHz will be the main frequency for deployment, whereas mmWave will require further technological advancement as well as a killer app to gain market, which will take years. • The US-China relationship, as well as the development of Open RAN, will have an impact on the 5G system's player dynamics. • Si is critical to the advancement of 5G since its performance has a substantial impact on connection speed, capacity, power consumption, product size, and weight, and, ultimately, the cost of a 5G system. • Small cells will play a major role in enabling 5G to replace cable connectivity in the industrial setting. • The mmWave research and development trend focuses on low-loss materials, power and thermal management, and advanced packaging. For a further understanding of the overall 5G markets, players, technologies, opportunities, and challenges, please refer to the IDTechEx report “5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032”. In addition, IDTechEx has also authorized several market research reports that cover critical 5G technologies in-depth, including “5G Small Cells 2021-2031: Technologies, Markets, Forecasts”, “Low-loss Materials for 5G 2021-2031”, and “Thermal Management for 5G”. For more information on the 5G portfolio, please visit the IDTechEx website.
