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Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, Vodafone and KPN are champions of telco sustainability – ABI Research

Honourable mention for AT&T, Verizon and Orange

Mobile operators must focus on their largest source of carbon emissions, the energy consumption of their networks, Kim Johnson, Principal Analyst at ABI Research has warned. Johnson was speaking as ABI Research released the results of its Sustainability Index: Telco Operators report which, it claims, provides an unbiased examination and ranking of ten leading telecommunications operators for sustainability.

“These telco operators are at the intersection of comms and information technology, putting them in a unique position to offer connectivity and technological solutions that are not only lowering their own carbon emissions but also the emissions of their customers,” said Johnson.

The in-depth study assesses, compares and ranks the operators across 30 different action items for their sustainability efforts in six categories: renewable energy, network upgrades, energy efficiency, waste disposal and circular economy, green buildings and vehicles and reporting and governance. Ranking criteria are split between present-day implementation, including the global roll-out of renewable energy and technologies such as 5G and fibre, and ‘forward-looking impact potential’. This latter category evaluates the invention and quality of platforms and programmes thethe operators are using to reach climate targets. 

The companies evaluated and ranked fell into three categories. The market leaders, were found to be Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, Vodafone, KPN. In the mainstream came AT&T, Verizon and Orange. In the rear were the followers, including SK Telecom, NTT DoCoMo, Singtel

Each of the leaders in the index was judged have transitioned to using more than 50 per cent renewable energy for global purchased electricity. Two have reached 100 per cent. The use of renewable energy has reduced the leaders’ total carbon emissions by 8.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2e), the equivalent to removing the CO2 emissions of 1.8 million passenger vehicles for one year or 19.4 million barrels of oil consumed. 

The most sustainable companies had a sustainability smorgasboard comprising 5G, AI, and automation, an in-depth waste recycling programme, employees motivated by  compensation tied to climate targets, active engagement with suppliers and customers involved in the company’s own operations.

French CSP Kerlink and VIoT install Vietnam’s first national LoRaWAN network

Built on a Helium Blockchain system, it’s disrupting telcos

French service provider Kerlink, a specialist solving business problems with an Internet of Things (IoT), has  invented the concept of Helium hotspots along with its Vietnamese technolo partner VIoT Group.
The French IoT specialist and the Vietnamese pioneer of smart urban and industrial park development in Vietnam have now announced their partnership to rollout Vietnam’s first nationwide LoRaWAN IoT network. They have also unveiled VIoT’s plan to support Helium’s People’s Network.

Smart City pioneer
VIoT introduced IoT smart-city applications in Vietnam in 2018 with a LoRaWAN streetlighting project. Since then it has expanded its offer to as smart metering for utilities, end-to-end air-water-quality monitoring and early flood-incident management systems. It is the company’s lighting-as-a-service (LaaS) and connectivity-as-a-service (CaaS) business-leasing models that Kerlink has made possible through it’s Helium HNT blockchain and cryptocurrency mining in peer-to-peer wireless IoT networks. VIoT will distribute Kerlink Helium-enabled hotspots and deploy its own IoT network at the same time.

Disrupting the telcos
“These deployments enable Vietnamese factories, businesses, cities and consumers to benefit from cost effective, easy-to-deploy vertical wireless,” said Viet Nguyen, founder and CEO of VIoT Group. Helium’s global, decentralised network of hotspots will disrupt traditional telcos’ subscription-based operating models, Nguyen said. “Think AirBnB or Grab for telcos: if I have an empty room, power and internet why would I not use it as a network tower?”

People Network
The VIoT Group works with partners and household owners in strategic locations to roll out Helium’s People Network. “Our goal is to be the first to use this opportunity in Vietnam for corporations and local governments that aim to benefit from the [cheapest] secured blockchain-powered IoT backbone network.”
The company said the initial deployment phase of its LoRaWAN IoT network, including approximately 350 Kerlink gateways, will be completed by the end of May and will cover six Vietnamese cities and municipalities this year.

Second phase
The second phase, which will install approximately 1,400 additional Kerlink gateways, is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and will cover 10 more cities in 2023. The company will market its nationwide managed IoT network for turnkey systems mixing sensors, connectivity, integration and applications, such as smart lighting and smart metering, in a single open IoT platform.

What is an Helium blockchain?
Helium technology uses the company’s LongFi design combines LoRaWAN’s wireless protocol (which has allegedly 200 times the coverage of the WiFi protocol) with the omniscient Helium blockchain, enabling any LoRaWAN device to transfer data on the Helium network. This connection provides public, long-range and low-power wireless coverage for LoRaWAN-enabled IoT sensors and devices because LongFi’s roaming capabilities support micropayment transactions so customers pay only based on network usage.

Kerlink has many inventions
“Individuals worldwide have used Helium’s network to create more than 642,000 hotspots,” said Rene Arbefeuille, Kerlink’s vice president for Asia Pacific. “The connected hotspots provide cities with miles of low-power network coverage for billions of devices and are paid in Helium’s cryptocurrency, HNT. Kerlink has invented industrial-grade indoor Wirnet iFemtoCell and Wirnet iFemtoCell-evolution systems. It also claims to have carrier-grade outdoor Wirne iStation IoT gateways, which make HNT cryptocurrency mining possible using the LoRaWAN protocol.

Bulk Fiber Networks lands HAVSIL Nordic fibre network

And Digita signs LoRaWAN roaming agreement with Netmore

Finnish infrastructure operator Digita has announced a roaming agreement with Swedish IoT firm Netmore for their respective LoRaWAN systems. Netmore’s Swedish and international customers will have access to Digita’s nationwide network in Finland. Digita can offer Netmore’s geographical LoRaWAN coverage in Sweden, the UK and Ireland.

Meanwhile, in other infrastructure news Bulk Fiber Networks (BFN) has signed an agreement for a terrestrial segment of HAVSIL Nordic fibre network. The divNerse route is the shortest available that connects Norway with continental Europe, says BFN.

Nordic fibre-optic network service provider Bulk Fiber Networks says it has finished the terrestrial segment of its new HAVSIL fibre network. The diverse route, which Bulk claims is the shortest available connection between Norway and continental Europe, is ready for service.

HAVSIL comprises 192 fibre links that connect from Bulk’s N01 Campus in Kristiansand, Norway to its DK01 Campus in Esbjerg, Denmark. The terrestrial segment complements a subsea segment from Kristiansand to Hanstholm.

The land leg of the connection goes to Esbjer and the fibre then turns and runs along the west coast of Denmark. Creating that route involved drilling 40 metres under the seabed of the Thyborøn Canal. The drill hole is 1950 metres, which Bulk says is longer than any project like this in Denmark.

The new fibre network already has Arelion (formerly known as Telia Carrier Networks) as an anchor customer and it will be the first to use the network. The Norwegian Communications Authority has also selected HAVSIL as the new secure fibre system for the nation’s international data traffic.

“The HAVSIL system is the new express route between Norway and continental Europe, offering the shortest high-capacity route in a sustainable way,” said Inger Gløersen Folkeson, executive vice president, fiber networks and COO of Bulk Infrastructure Group. “Bulk continues to invest in high-value connectivity options needed by OTT networks, hyperscalers, enterprises and carriers to meet increasing data growth and to unlock the business potential of the Nordics.”

Ericsson trials DIY network slicing app with Dynamic End User booster

Not yet available in Europe – but expect rollout soon after trial

Ericsson is launching a smartphone system that speeds megabits to its 4G and 5G mobile users and raises the quality of the data. The Dynamic End-user Boost app is currently only available to SmarTone, a telecom provider based there.

Hong Kong fury
The application uses network slicing techniques which have yet to be used in Europe. Yesterday Vodafone and Ericsson showcased their vision for network slicing in Europe when they gave a demo of a hypothetical Standalone 5G network performing network slicing in an imaginary retail centre. However, the Far Eastern counterparts will be able to see the technology in action on their phones.

Fast lane for data traffic
According to an Ericsson video, the network slicing Dynamic End user boost application already gives SmartOne’s Hong Kong subscribers “an on-demand, high-priority lane in a data traffic jam.” 
The good news for European mobile operators is that Ericsson will eventually roll out Dynamic End-user Boost globally to both enterprise and consumer markets though its channel of service providers. The app’s coding instructs Ericsson’s comms hardware to provide secure download and upload speeds, instant latency and lightweight cloud integration. 

Return to Zander
The Dynamic End-user Boost affects user experience in a way that has not been possible before, according to Martin Zander, head of Ericsson’s One Network Solutions. “If you are downloading or uploading a file on the go, need to run a video conference, interacting with a business application, or having a gaming session from your mobile, it just works without any hassle,” said Zander. 

API days
Ericsson is inviting developers to grab the network slicing opportunity through involvement with One Network Solutions, its cloud-based intelligent platform, which it says offers flexible network application programming interfaces (APIs). It’s designed to help developers create new applications for 5G. “We understand that customers may occasionally need to boost their mobile data connectivity when they are in business-critical or important social-networking situations,” said SmarTone CTO Stephen Chau.

If paradise was network sliced 
SmarTone has provided 5G service since May 2020. It boasts the widest 5G coverage in Hong Kong, spanning 18 city districts while covering major roads and mass transit. “Our network is now capable of offering our customers the possibility to boost connectivity in an easy-to-use mobile app, allowing them to always stay on top of things, as well as enjoy the best network experience on SmarTone’s network,” said Chau. SmarTone was one of four Hong Kong mobile operators to invest in 200 MHz of 5G spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band, in 2019. 

Gartner and Zen Internet predict social media metamorphosis of telco revenue

SK Telecom’s Ifland has a lot of expectations to answer for

South Korean mobile operator SK Telecom (SKT) has inspired a European meta verse bandwagon following in the wake of its seemingly successful adoption of the sometimes nebulous concept. Recently research company the Gartner Group and service provider Zen Internet have both launched reports talking up the mysterious entity that is the Meta verse.

Jumping on the blandwagon?
In February SKT said it had 1.1 million monthly active users (MAU) of its Ifland metaverse, launched in July 2021. The figures were part of its earnings statement for 2021SK Telekom also told investors it had almost 280,000 users in the month after its launch and the time they are spending on it has gone from 26 minutes to 61 minutes a month.

Gartner’s question time
Recent Gartner research shows that a quarter (25 per cent) of people will spend at least an hour a day in the metaverse by 2026. Four years is a long time in the teenage internet trends, however. Now Zen Internet has predicted that Facebook’s strategy to embrace the metaverse could be about to pay off. It based this bold claim on the responses of 2,002 ‘nationally representative’ UK 16 to 24 year olds who were prepared to talk to Censuswide

Meet new fiends in the metaverse
Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of 16–24-year-olds are already making new friends in the metaverse, it said. Zen claimed significance in the fact that ‘whopping’ 46 per cent said they are considering using the metaverse to make friends in the future. Zen said that 36 per cent of the survey sample are gearing up to date new partners in the metaverse, whilst 38 per cent are interested in speed dating in the new glorified version of online dating. 

Meta of taste
One in five (22 per cent) are intrigued by the metaverse and intend to learn more about it this year, as are 30 per cent of the 35-44 yea old age group. One in ten (11 per cent) have already created their own metaverse avatar. The most worrying statistic is that 29 per cent of young brits believe that the metaverse will improve their confidence.

Facebook
numbers are meta mortifying
Facebook has reported that it lost half a million global daily users in its latest quarterly earnings reports. Teenage users have already declined by 13 per since 2019 and they are projected to drop by 45 per cent in the next two years. Paul Stobart, CEO at Zen Internet, seemed confident that Zen had value from its study. 

Connections meta
“As our independently commissioned research demonstrates, there are many young adults who are curious to explore the metaverse to make new connections,” said Stobart, “and in that metaverse, as more and more people consider communicating more in this way, internet connectivity needs to be fast and reliable.”

Three UK could support Apple Watches with eSIMs – if it can keep its network up

Expecting an eSIM life in April? Not on my Apple Watch!

Mobile operator Three UK is to launch eSIM support for 4G and 5G devices any time soon, starting with the Apple Watch, reports ISP Review. However, it was facing a bigger support issue on Tuesday, as the entire network was down.

eSIM does it
A growing number of new smartphones, smartwatches and other wearables on sale have eSIM as an option. Last year 3UK said that eSIM support would be launched in Q2, 2022. ISP Review’s vigilant editor Mark Jackson spotted that stands for Apple watches appeared in few of 3UK’s retail stores. The manager at one of those retail stores allegedly told an ISP Review reader that the Apple Watch would be launched from April 2022 on Three UK.

Ides of march
The arrival of the Apple Watch is a harbinger for the addition of eSIM support. “We can confirm that both eSIM support and the Apple Watch are due to launch on the Three network soon,” said a spokesman for 3UK. Rival operators including VMO2, Vodafone and BT-owned EE have long had eSIM support ready.

Down Detector
However 3UK was facing a sterner support challenge on Wednesday morning as the service monitor DownDetector registered an extensive series of outages across its network from 9am to 12 noon. 
“I have a 4G+MIFI and is currently saying we have no WiFi is anyone else got problems with it?” said @CosgraveBoby. “Was now at Canary Wharf and not to my surprise no service thanks to ThreeUK,” said @appariciojunior, who concluded that: “It’s the worst mobile company in the entire UK. Counting the days for my contract to finish, going back to @EE which are expensive but it works all times.”

Countrywide problem
“It looks like your network is down. Like everywhere. Signal is bad enough as it is in my area (or your service is just shocking in general) still getting disconnected daily and having to reset my network constantly is beyond frustrating” said @LeeClutterbuck. Central Nottingham was no better, according to @Barndock, “I’ve restarted my phone and still getting no signal!”

Three tweets
However, Three UK’s customer services team has announced that normal service is restored. It tweeted: “Three’s services are now been [sic] restored for affected customers following a short outage earlier today. A small proportion of the customer base was impacted. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Vodafone and Ericsson have simulated the UK’s first 5G Standalone network

Created virtual reality mock up in a fictional retail outlet

Vodafone and Ericsson have conducted what they claim is the UK’s first 5G standalone (SA) network slicing trial. They claim the proof of concept exercise means that the UK’s mobile operators can now start distributing bandwidth resources to each customer according to their needs. In a lab demo, two technology teams jointly created an on-demand 5G network slice that was configured, using a RAN slicing function, to create instant responsiveness in a simulated virtual reality use case in a fictional retail store. In the exercise the slice guaranteed a download speed of 260Mbps and latency of 12.4 milliseconds. 

Ericsson built 5G Standalone in container
The experiment used an Ericsson-built 5G Standalone containerised core and end-to-end automated orchestration, including 5G RAN slicing. The lab trial is the first of ‘its kind’ (presumably virtual reality) for the mobile industry in the UK, said a Vodafone statement. In the exercise it took 30 minutes to go from order taking to slice apportioning within live network traffic. This, says Vodafone shows how operators can quickly create automated and customised broadband in response to the changing demands of customers.

Networks cab be sliced many ways
Networks can be sliced in different ways according to demand. Sometimes the problem being solved is due to geographical location, whereby a single remote office might be guaranteed a good data pipeline to anywhere in the country. In other cases, the download and upload speeds of, say, heavy data users like gamers or developers might need to be given minimum thresholds. Mobile gaming is emerging as a huge consumer of data and a market opportunity for mobile operators. 

Businesses want continuity
Other demands for network slices may involve the setting of maximum thresholds for latency, capacity for certain devices in specific areas and industrial strength business continuity through the use of top-grade cybersecurity features. Vodafone envisages the first market opportunities for operators to be around secure communications for remote workers and high performing cloud-based and mobile gaming. The safety of autonomous vehicles is reliant on instant responses and will be an opportunity in future. Remote assistance for specialist procedures in hospitals and ambulances is another possible application of the technology.

Slicing seems like science fiction 
“Network slicing is an incredibly valuable step forward. By segmenting our network and customising different slices for different needs, we can bring to life new ideas that would be impossible otherwise,” said Andrea Dona, the chief network officer at Vodafone UK, “when we configure our network to empower new services, industries like gaming, entertainment and healthcare can enter a new era. What might seem like science fiction is one step closer thanks to network slicing.”

Create new business models
“Network slicing will play a crucial role in 5G services for consumers and enterprises,” said Andrea Spaccapietra, Ericsson’s digital services VP, “the tools efficiently manage network resources and provide differentiated services with dedicated performance. Network operators like Vodafone can create new business models and use cases across different sectors and unlock new revenue opportunities to realize the full potential of 5G.”

About the trial

How did the network slice improve performance for a virtual reality use case?

Key Performance MetricVirtual reality network slice (controlled environment)Public internet[1]
Download speed (Mbps)26049.41
Upload speed (Mbps)16.58.17
Latency (milliseconds)12.435
Jitter (milliseconds)1.22
The numbers are impressive. Now we need to see slicing for real.

O2 Telefonica and Mavenir demo zero-touch ops for IMS core on cloud

0

The implementation relies on Mavenir’s continuous integration, continuous deployment and continuous testing (CI/CD/CT) framework

O2 Telefónica in Germany and Mavenir have demonstrated simplified deployment and change management on core network elements.

They implemented a common, zero-touch continuous integration, continuous deployment and continuous testing (CI/CD/CT) framework in O2 Telefónica’s German network.

The aim is to streamline operations in O2 Telefónica operating companies through with leaner operations, faster deployments and easier operational changes in the network.

Moving to VNFs

The two claim their demo is “a significant milestone in the evolution of streamlined operations, moving away from manual deployments and reducing human error”.

Also, CI/CD should provide greater flexibility for customers in day-to-day operations as well as greater speed but less cost for deployment.

Mavenir and O2 Telefónica will collaborate to automate network operations in support of the transition to virtualised network functions (VNFs).

Mavenir’s CI/CD/CT framework supports customised workflows/processes to improve change management in increasingly complex 4G and 5G networks.

The vendor describes its solution as based on open source, interoperable, standardised technology “that can be integrated in a ‘plug and play’ manner for any VNF functions”.

Cloud native, microservices

Jochen Bockfeld, Director Common Services, O2 Telefónica Deutschland, said,“5G requires cloud-native and microservices architecture but brings along more operational complexity in the network.

CI/CD/CT-based, zero-touch deployment and change management is our way to be agile and accelerate time to market. This is a key strategy in the path of automation of our networks to achieve leaner and meaner operations.

Mavenir is a trusted and reliable partner for this journey, given the know-how and the experience we have with them in core and cloud projects.”

World will spend $8.3 billion on private 5G and LTE networks by 2026 – IDC

Private networks are at least three separate markets however

Researcher International Data Corporation (IDC) claims that global revenue from private LTE/5G wireless infrastructure revenues will reach $8.3 billion by 2026, five times the $1.7 billion investment made in 2021. The analyst’s five year compound annual growth rate projection does not go into detail over who will buy these private networks.

IDC’s definition
IDC defines private LTE/5G wireless infrastructure as any 3GPP-based cellular network run in a specific industry that limits access to private resources. This means dedicated spectrum, hardware and software infrastructure, which can support a range of use cases. The range of use cases comprises fixed wireless access, traditional and enhanced mobile broadband, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and ultra-reliable, low-latency applications.

Private LTE is top earner
The worldwide market for private LTE/5G had ‘gained traction’ throughout 2021. Private LTE is the top revenue generator, but private 5G marketing, education, trials and new private 5G products and services are coming on the market, said IDC. Still most private 5G projects have been either trials or pre-commercial deployments, said IDC. However, some claim that the range of private 4G and 5G uses cases create at least three separate markets.

Real Delivery
The rate of uptake for private LTE and actual applications of private 5G in warehouses, factories and other industries indicates that private 5G is in its infancy as a market but the appetite and interest for what it can deliver is ‘very real’. “Heightened demand for dedicated wireless systems that can enhance security, performance and reliability continue to come to the fore, particularly those in the industrial sector that require more from their network and edge infrastructure,” said Patrick Filkins, research manager, IoT and Telecom Network Infrastructure. 

5G is work in progress
Filkins did not offer any specifics however. “While private LTE/5G infrastructure continues to see more interest, the reality is 5G itself continues to evolve, and will evolve for the next several years,” said Filkins, “As such, many organisations are expected to invest in private 5G over the coming years as advances are made in 5G standards, general spectrum availability, and device readiness.

Report excludes public owned networks
“The report, Worldwide Private LTE/5G Infrastructure Forecast, 2022-2026 aggregates spending on RAN, network core and transport infrastructure as well as spending by region. However, it excludes services or publicly owned and operated networks that carry shared data traffic. The report also provides a market overview, including drivers and challenges for technology suppliers, comms service providers and cloud providers.

Reports of segmentation are an abomination
However, analysts are divided over the definition of the private network. Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, argues in a LinkedIn posting that more details are needed. “From recent conversations, client engagements and events, it’s becoming increasingly clear that many don’t quite grasp how private cellular use-cases are segmented – and why it’s going to get even more complex in the next 2-3 years,” said Bubley.

Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, says beware of anyone who uses the hideous term ‘solutioning’

Reality check
In reality, there is no single market, according to Bubley, who says there are currently at least three separate and distinct markets with little in common apart from the use of 4G and 5G networks by non-MNOs. Grouping cases into vertical industries is the biggest mistake when it comes to analysing the private network sector. “That doesn’t really work, as any given vertical has dozens of sub-categories and hundreds of potential applications and deployment scenarios,” said Bubley.

Energy myth
The energy vertical is a case in point. “It covers everything from a gas station, to an offshore windfarm, a 1000km pipeline or an oil-futures trading floor in a financial district,” said Bubley, whose post warns against the over simplification of the complexities of 5G’s many uses. This is not a market that can be expressed on a Venn diagram, Bubley said. “The use of the hideous term solutioning should raise red flags about communications skills, as well as analytical methodology,” said Bubley.

A1 Bulgaria signs 10-year deal with Renalfa for 20,000 MWh of solar power per year

Bulgarian operator aims to be Net Zero by 2030

The Austrian mobile operator A1 Group has clinched a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for solar energy, that will supply 20,000 MWh of clean energy a year for a decade, reports Data Center Dynamics. The arrangement is between its subsidiary A1 Bulgaria and local clean energy investment group Renalfa AD, which means emission free and image boosting energy will be generated by a 33MW solar plan in South Bulgaria.

Sleeve it out
The terms of the deal are unusual. Renalfa says this is the first ever ‘sleeved’ PPA on the Bulgarian market, where an intermediary utility company handles the transfer of money and energy to and from a renewable energy (RE) project on behalf of the buyer. Renalfa will provide the sleeving service to A1 through its subsidiary Toki.

PPA is the way to NetZero
“Corporate PPAs are the backbone of the clean energy transition,” said Yuri Katanov, executive director of Renalfa. “I would like to congratulate A1 Group and its management for pioneering such an innovative business model. Together, we have addressed and resolved one of the main obstacles for bigger market integrations of renewables.”

A1’s wears heart on its Sleeve
“As a leading communications operator it is our obligation to drive a green and digital transformation with our expertise,” said Alexander Dimitrov, chairman of the management board and CEO of A1 Bulgaria, “the PPA for solar energy is a significant step for A1 Bulgaria on the path to clean energy transition.” As part of A1 Telekom Austria Group the Bulgarian operator is aware of its responsibility towards the environment, Dimitrv said. “This will be achieved by decreasing our own carbon footprint and gradually switching to energy from renewable sources.”
A1 operates a core data centre in the capital city of Sofia, and smaller facilities in Varna, Shumen, Plovdiv and Montana.

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