Subscribe
Home Blog Page 39

Revolutionising industries with digital twin and geospatial technologies

admin
-
0
Revolutionising industries with digital twin and geospatial technologies

Partner content: Once an emerging concept, digital twins have transformed industries by enabling real-time virtual models of physical objects and systems

Imagine testing innovations on a digital replica without disrupting the real-world counterpart — BMW fine-tuning production lines or Thames Water managing leakages in their water networks. These examples highlight how digital twins are reshaping operations and decision-making across sectors, especially in aerospace, defense, urban planning, and telecommunications.

Understanding geospatial digital twins

A digital twin becomes “geospatial” when connected to geographic locations, allowing real-time, map-based visualizations of physical assets. By integrating technologies like IoT, AI, GIS, and cloud computing, geospatial digital twins provide location-specific insights that power accurate decision-making.

The geospatial digital twin market is expected to reach approximately $25 billion by 2026, according to the World Geospatial Industry Council. This growth underscores the importance of geospatial digital twins for industries that rely on real-time, data-driven strategies.

Core technologies behind digital twins

Digital twins rely on a fusion of technologies:

  • IoT and sensors: Essential for capturing real-time data to keep digital models updated with current conditions.
  • GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Provide location data to anchor virtual assets to physical spaces.
  • AI and machine learning: Analyze data to identify trends and support predictive analytics.
  • Cloud computing: Facilitates scalability, data storage, and system integration.
  • 3D visualization tools: Make complex data easy to interpret, enabling a detailed view of objects in virtual space.

Together, these technologies produce a digital twin that mirrors real-world conditions. Geospatial data adds an extra layer of context, turning digital twins into multi-dimensional models capable of representing events and scenarios with impressive accuracy.

Applications across industries

Digital twins, particularly those with geospatial capabilities, are finding applications in diverse fields. Here are some standout use cases:

Urban planning and development – City planners use digital twins to simulate traffic flow, infrastructure changes, and environmental impacts before implementing new projects. For example, they can model the effects of closing a bridge on traffic patterns, allowing cities to assess and mitigate potential congestion before construction begins. Digital twins help in forecasting the impact of population growth, road changes, or increased energy demands on existing infrastructure, making them invaluable for urban sustainability.

Telecommunications – Telecom providers use geospatial digital twins for network optimization, predictive maintenance, and disaster recovery planning. Detailed, real-time digital models of telecom networks allow companies to monitor equipment performance, plan infrastructure deployment, and detect issues early. For instance, Ericsson’s Site Digital Twin solution lets telecom engineers optimize infrastructure locations with fewer on-site visits, reducing downtime and enhancing safety.

Environmental monitoring – Geospatial digital twins allow scientists and environmental agencies to monitor natural resources and environmental factors like air quality, water levels, and temperatures. Using real-time data, these digital models reveal the impact of human activity on ecosystems and support initiatives to combat climate change. One example is the European Commission’s Destination Earth project, which aims to create a digital twin of the planet to monitor environmental trends and predict natural disasters.

How GIS enhances digital twin capabilities

Geospatial digital twins are powered by GIS, which offers crucial data for mapping digital assets to real-world locations and supports simulation of real-time events. Key GIS functions include:

  • Spatial data integration – GIS unifies different spatial data — such as topography, infrastructure, and land use — into a cohesive digital twin.
  • Data visualization – Visual representations allow users to explore objects and processes in an interactive map, providing a spatial context that aids decision-making.
  • Real-time data monitoring – Real-time updates ensure the digital twin mirrors the latest conditions in the physical world.
  • Spatial analysis – GIS data reveals relationships among objects and helps identify trends affecting real-life counterparts.
  • Modeling and simulation – GIS-based digital twins can run scenarios for natural events, infrastructure changes, and environmental impact, offering valuable insights.

Through these capabilities, GIS empowers digital twins to simulate conditions accurately, enabling organizations to model changes and foresee impacts before taking action. This is invaluable for proactive planning in industries as varied as urban development and disaster management.

Benefits of geospatial digital twins

Adopting geospatial digital twins provides organizations with numerous advantages:

  • Enhanced decision-making – Rich data visualizations and real-time monitoring help leaders make informed choices, whether for city planning or network expansion.
  • Cost optimization – Digital twins support early issue detection and proactive maintenance, which saves resources and reduces downtime.
  • Sustainability – By analyzing potential environmental impacts, organizations can prioritize eco-friendly practices, contributing to climate action efforts.
  • Improved collaboration – Digital twins’ intuitive visual formats make data accessible to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, encouraging broader involvement in decision-making.
  • Better risk management – GIS-enabled digital twins aid in disaster planning and response, as real-time data helps companies react to issues and plan recovery strategies effectively.

Source of image: Intellias

Overcoming challenges in digital twin implementation

Despite their promise, digital twins come with implementation challenges, from data quality to security concerns.

High-quality, reliable data from diverse sources (sensors, cameras, LiDAR) is crucial for effective digital twin performance. These real-time data flows between physical and virtual systems also present data privacy risks, making robust security measures essential.

By choosing the right technology partners, investing in scalable systems, and prioritizing cybersecurity measures, companies can mitigate these hurdles. It is important to invest in scalable systems to be able to expand digital twins to cover larger areas or increased data volumes demands additional resources.

Intellias expertise with digital twins

The IntelliTwin platform by Intellias, co-developed with Intel, accelerates digital twin deployment and offers advanced mapping and visualization capabilities. With IntelliTwin, businesses can create digital models of assets and monitor them in real-time. The platform has been recognized by Information Services Group (ISG) for enabling companies to deploy digital twins effectively, achieving cost efficiency and scalability.

IntelliTwin is particularly valuable for industries that require high-detail models, like urban planning and telecommunications. Its ability to generate geospatial datasets and provide real-time updates makes it an ideal choice for organizations looking to benefit from digital twins’ predictive insights and operational efficiencies.

Discover the potential of digital twins

With anticipated market growth to $110 billion by 2028, digital twins are attracting increasing investment and innovation. Industry leaders such as Siemens, NVIDIA, and IBM are actively researching digital twins, enhancing their capabilities with technologies like AI, mixed reality, and big data. As digital twins become more sophisticated and accessible, they’re being adopted in areas beyond manufacturing and urban planning, including environmental science and space exploration.

These advancements indicate that digital twins will become indispensable for organizations seeking a virtual space to plan, test, and validate ideas. By creating a virtual environment for exploration and innovation, digital twins allow companies to test ideas without disrupting real-world operations. Use the technology to design and manage projects with greater precision and environmental consciousness.

If you’re interested in learning how digital twins can transform your business, explore more at Intellias.

Hrvatski Telekom and Markoja introduce wooden mobile tower

Simon Dux
-
0
Hrvatski Telekom and Markoja introduce wooden mobile tower

The tower made of technologically treated wood provides support for mobile antennas and other telecom kit for up to four carriers

5G vendors have made notable gains in reducing power consumption but not as much has been done about making passive tower equipment greener. Hrvatski Telekom wants to change that and has teamed up with Markoja to install a wooden mast, called Ecopol, n the village of Gradići, municipality of Velika Gorica. It is a free-standing, 40-metre-high cone-shaped tower, made of technologically processed wood. The telco said this innovative material ensures elasticity and long-term durability, with minimal impact on the environment. 

Each tower can carry equipment from up to four different telecoms, and Hrvatski Telekom was the first to install antennas on the tower in Gradići, opening the door for other operators. According to the companies, Ecopoles also emit half as much carbon dioxide as traditional steel towers, and the materials used are completely recyclable.

“The Ecopol project represents an innovative step towards sustainable infrastructure, important for the development of the 5G network in Croatia. Telecommunication towers made of wooden construction, such as Ecopol in Gradići, not only reduce CO2 emissions in half compared to traditional steel poles, but also bring long-term resistance and greater security for cables that are integrated within the structure,” said Hrvatski Telekom technology and information technology member of the board Boris Drilo. 

“Recyclable materials and innovative fire-resistant wood elements make it applicable in natural and tourist areas that require aesthetic and environmental compliance,” he added.

Pictured (L-R): Anto Stojanović (Project Manager, HT), Krunoslav Smoljak (Construction Sector Manager, HT), Marko Zokić (Project Manager, Markoja), Boris Markoja (Director and Founder, Markoja), Boris Drilo (Member of the Management Board and CTIO, HT), Goran Toplek (Director of Mobile Network Planning, HT), Luka Aralica (Business Development Manager, Markoja), Ivan Volarić (TVZ), Dean Čizmar (TVZ)

Ecopolis are designed with a focus on safety, including fire resistance and additional protection of built-in cables. “We are proud that Hrvatski Telekom was the first national operator to recognise the value of our Ecopol and set up its antennas on this innovative communication pillar, thus opening a new chapter in the development of sustainable telecommunications infrastructure in Croatia,” said Markoja founder and CEO Boris Markoja. 

“This project perfectly reflects our commitment to the ‘5E’ values – energy, ecology, economics, aesthetics and ethics. Ecopol provides top-notch support for modern 5G technology with a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, proving that technology and ecology can go hand in hand,” he said. “Our goal is to build the foundations for the future development of smart communities, all in line with sustainable business that contributes to the local population and the environment.”

European plans

In July this year, Markoja became a significant minority owner of the Finnish company Ecotelligent, which develops and builds passive telecommunications infrastructure made of engineered wood (LVL), and Markoja is the exclusive distributor of these poles in Croatia and the region. So far, two Ecopolis have been built, one in Gradići and the other in Podcrkavlje in Slavonia, and the third is currently under construction in the vicinity of Daruvar.

Markoja and Ecotelligent plan to expand the network of Ecopol towers across Europe, with a special focus on underserved areas and tourist centres, in cooperation with local communities and state-owned telecommunications and infrastructure operators.

Elisa, Nokia claim first in Europe to trial 100G PON over live fibre broadband

Annie Turner
-
0
Elisa, Nokia claim first in Europe to trial 100G PON over live fibre broadband

The Finnish operator already deploys the vendor’s 10G fibre solution and is now planning to deploy 25G and beyond on existing fibre

Elisa Finland is to deploy Nokia’s Lightspan MF solution to improve its fibre network and deliver ultra-broadband services to customers across Finland. 

Leveraging Nokia’s fibre tech, Elisa will be the first in Europe to demonstrate 25G, 50G, and 100G passive optical network (PON) services across its existing fibre network. 

The live trial demonstrates how different PON technologies can be combined on the same fibre to evolve its broadband offerings and “how operators can easily upgrade their fibre network to meet the demand for faster, more reliable connectivity,” Nokia’s press release says.

Nokia also claims it is the only vendor to support all “next-generation PON options”, including 10G, 25G, 50G and, in future 100G PONs.

Elisa has deployed Nokia’s Altiplano platform to support 10G XGS-PON deployments and to help automate and improve the management, scalability and reliability of its network. This new technology should allow it to meet future bandwidth demands driven by AI: Bell Labs (owned by Nokia) is forecasting that in Western Europe alone total AI traffic is projected to reach 91 EB/month by 2030.

Sami Rajamäki, Vice President of Network Services at Elisa, said, “We’re excited to be the first in Europe to show up to 100G PON speeds in a live fiber network trial and demonstrate the world-class capabilities we can deliver to support the next generation of broadband services.”

He added, “History has shown that it is impossible to forecast all the new use cases for greater speeds, that is, what new 25 to 100G connections will enable in the future, but we know that for example online gaming and industrial users are among the first to benefit from ever faster broadband connections” 

Matthieu Bourguignon, SVP and Head of Europe for Network Infrastructure business at Nokia, said: “We see demand for high-speed internet access surging in Europe with end users and enterprises alike increasingly seeking reliable, secure, high-quality broadband connectivity…Our fiber technology provides the perfect solution for operators that want to quickly increase capacity and flexibly migrate to next-generation fiber technologies.”

Vodafone Business IoT to provide global connectivity for Oracle Platform

Annie Turner
-
0
Vodafone Business IoT to provide global connectivity for Oracle Platform

The two are extending their partnership with the operator supporting Oracle’s cloud-based Enterprise Communications Platform with near real-time connectivity

Vodafone Business IoT is to bring global IoT connectivity to Oracle’s Enterprise Communications Platform (ECP) which uses Vodafone’s Global SIM for cellular connectivity. The ECP provides real-time, secure, reliable communications for industry applications.

The ECP is built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and uses edge architecture to give businesses “out-of-the-box connectivity and near real-time data intelligence” needed by many applications. The platform underpins Oracle’s portfolio of industry applications designed to allow industries to orchestrate, connect and manage IoT devices and new, cloud-based services.

Combined power

By combining Oracle’s ECP with Vodafone Business IoT’s connectivity, new capabilities can be supported. They include embedded AI, device lifecycle management that is secure, connection management and media routing and conferencing. The combination also brings secure, near real-time communications capabilities.

Oracle says that as the next wave of industrial transformation unfolds, near real-time connectivity is essential for various industries such as healthcare, construction and engineering, energy and water, hospitality, and the public sector.

180 countries

Vodafone’s IoT network has coverage in 180 countries, so businesses will have connectivity that complies with local regulation, allowing them to operate efficiently.

Erik Brenneis, CEO Vodafone Business IoT, said, “This collaboration will help customers to expand their operations and accelerate on a global scale with compliant connectivity in over 180 countries worldwide. We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Oracle, where we can connect more customers in more countries.”

“Connectivity is the heart of industry transformation,” said Andrew Morawski, EVP and GM, Oracle Communications. “Using drones to inspect construction job sites, remote monitoring the health of a patient, paying the bill tableside at a restaurant – none of these scenarios are possible without wireless connectivity and industry-specific applications working in harmony.

“By expanding our long partnership with Vodafone and bringing its extensive global network reach and IoT expertise together with Oracle’s, wide-ranging portfolio of industry suites, we can help create new ways to delight customers and deliver new revenue streams.”

Mobily’s first subsea cable is first to directly link Saudi and Egypt

Annie Turner
-
0
Mobily’s first subsea cable is first to directly link Saudi and Egypt

The new cable will be wholly owned by Mobily and pass through the Red Sea with landing stations at Sharm El Sheikh and Duba

Saudi Arabia’s biggest telco Mobily and Telecom Egypt have signed a deal to land the first subsea cable directly linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The new cable will be wholly owned by Mobily and pass through the Red Sea with landing stations at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and Duba in Saudi Arabia.

No details were available regarding capacity or cost. Nor that the Red Sea is a challenging operational environment. Subsea cables in the Red Sea were deliberately cut in February. By RETN’s estimates, the sabotage affected close to 70% of the Europe-Asia data traffic flow. This also makes the case for as many diverse routes as possible.

Mobily said the cable will enable it to connect the Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia’s neighbouring countries to the Egyptian landing station through Mobily’s network, as well as the various subsea cable systems landing in Egypt.

Egypt alrady provides landing points for 18 subsea cable systems which will increase to 22 next year as new systems come into service. Saudi Arabia has landing points for 20 subsea cables with another seven planned in the next few years, but none that directly link Saudi and Egypt.

Mobily’s CEO, Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran, said the new cable will better position Saudi Arabia as an international hub for telecoms services and data traffic.

“Mobily’s new cable will connect Saudi Arabia to Egypt and improve communication flexibility between the Middle East and Europe,” he said in a joint statement.

Mohamed Nasr, MD and CEO of Telecom Egypt, agreed Mobily’s new cable would contribute towards its intention of becoming a major regional hub as it would complement “the newly established landing station in Sharm El Sheikh, we are developing new crossing routes to connect Sharm El Sheikh to the Mediterranean Sea.”

CMA ‘provisionally’ accepts Vodafone and Three’s £16.5bn merger remedies

Annie Turner
-
0
CMA ‘provisionally’ accepts Vodafone and Three’s £16.5bn merger remedies

The UK’s competition authority agrees the merged entity could address competition concerns through network investment and by protecting customers

After months investigating the matter, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found that it could sanction the merger of Three and Vodafone. This would depend on them committing to a multi-billion-pound upgrade the merged company’s network across the UK, including the roll-out of 5G, combined “with short-term customer protections”.

The CMA investigation has been led by an independent inquiry group and thinks these binding measures “could solve competition concerns identified in September and allow the merger to go ahead”. Those concerns were possible higher prices for consumers and MVNOs, like Sky Mobile, Lyca, Lebara and iD Mobile. The CMA also consulted about potential solutions or remedies to address the concerns. 

Right to reply by 12 November

Now it has issued a Remedies Working Paper to seek views on the effectiveness of a proposed remedy package. The inquiry group is inviting feedback on today’s announcement by 5pm on 12 November.  The CMA’s final decision is due before the 7 December statutory deadline.

The CMA investigation has been led by an independent inquiry group It provisionally finds that a legally binding commitment to undertake the network integration and investment programme proposed by Vodafone and Three would improve the quality of the merged company’s mobile network, boosting competition between mobile network operators in the long term and benefiting millions of people who rely on mobile services.  

The CMA also thinks short term measures are needed to protect consumers and MVNOs, ensuring they can “secure good deals during the initial years of network integration and investment roll-out”. 

What took so long?

It is difficult to understand how it has taken months to reach this conclusion. The two agreed on merger terms in June 2023. Vodafone will own 51% of the combined business and CKHGT 49%. They said at the time they expected the transaction to close before the end of 2024, subject to the necessary approvals.

At the time of the announcement, the two operators said in a joint statement, “From day one, millions of customers of Vodafone UK and Three UK will enjoy a better network experience with greater coverage and reliability at no extra cost, including through certain flexible, contract-free offers with no annual price increases, and social tariffs.”

“Further, the merged company will reach more than 99% of the UK’s population with its 5G standalone network. The combined business will invest £11 billion in the UK over ten years which is expected to give customers up to a six-fold increase in average data speeds by 2034.”

The CMA’s remedies, published today, would require Vodafone and Three to:  

  • deliver their joint network plan, setting out the network upgrade and improvements they will make through hefty investment over the next eight years across the UK. This would be a legal obligation overseen by telecoms regulator Ofcom and the CMA
  • commit to keep certain mobile tariffs and data plans for at least three years to protect millions of current and future Vodafone/Three customers, including subscribers to their sub-brands, from short-term price rises in the early years of the network plan
  • commit to agreed prices and contract terms to ensure that MVNOs can obtain competitive wholesale deals.

Vodafone and Three said in a press statement that they will study the Working Paper in detail. But, “From what the CMA has communicated so far this morning, the parties believe it provides a path to final clearance of their merger.  

“An appropriate balance appears to have been struck by ensuring that the significant benefits of the merged company’s investments can be realised in full and at pace to the benefit of the country and its citizens, while addressing the CMA’s stated concerns. However, it is essential that balance is preserved through to the end of the process, reflecting that the parties have offered extensive remedies, including by making their future network roll-out fully enforceable.”

A new market leader?

Kester Mann, Director of Consumer and Connectivity at CCS Insight, commented, “Vodafone and Three can tentatively order the champagne as their blockbuster UK joint venture appeared to take another big step forward following a positive statement from the competition watchdog this morning.

“Approval would mark one of the most significant developments in the history of UK mobile, heralding the arrival of a new market leader with over 29 million customers.

“The watchdog’s statement won’t be welcomed by all. BT and Sky Mobile have sternly opposed the deal and are likely to vociferously attempt one final time to have it blocked before the CMA’s final deadline in less than five weeks.”

WBA proposes a ‘zero-touch’ onboarding for IoT via Wi-Fi

Simon Dux
-
0
WBA proposes a ‘zero-touch’ onboarding for IoT via Wi-Fi


The Wireless Broadband Alliance wants a ‘zero-touch’ seamless and secure onboarding process for Internet of Things (IoT) Wi-Fi devices

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) announced a new framework for integrating FIDO Device Onboard (FDO) and WBA OpenRoaming. This initiative enables a ‘zero-touch’ seamless and secure onboarding process for Internet of Things (IoT) Wi-Fi devices, parallel to the simplicity and security of wi-fi device onboarding using OpenRoaming. 

FDO is an automatic onboarding scheme where a manufacturer commits credentials to a device so that it can be onboarded with less effort when it arrives at a customer site. The FDO process is seamless cellular devices because they are designed to automatically connect to the network when powered up (assuming that a valid access account is configured). However, this is currently not the case for Wi-Fi-based devices.

Alternative Wi-Fi device onboarding methods, such as using a QR code, may be sufficient for the consumer market but not for Enterprise/Industrial use cases involving thousands of devices. This is hindering a mass market for Wi-Fi-based IoT devices. According to Ericsson’s mobility report, around 80% of all IoT devices use short range radio technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.

The WBA believes it has cracked this by integrating OpenRoaming and FDO. By automating the onboarding process, this allows headless and other pre-configured FDO IoT devices to be onboarded straight out of the box using OpenRoaming, it can then receive new OpenRoaming credentials, allowing it to connect via OpenRoaming permanently, or receive credentials to connect to a private Wi-Fi network for a permanent connection.

Once a device with FDO is onboarded using OpenRoaming, it can receive new OpenRoaming credentials, allowing it to connect via OpenRoaming permanently, or it can receive credentials to connect to a private Wi-Fi network for a permanent connection.

Wi-Fi-based IoT devices have historically faced challenges due to the complexity of manual onboarding processes, making large-scale deployment inefficient. By leveraging the OpenRoaming global network of millions of hotspots, the onboarding process becomes seamless, accelerating the adoption of Wi-Fi-based IoT devices across sectors like smart cities, manufacturing and logistics.

Working together

The WBA’s “OpenRoaming for IoT – FIDO Device Onboarding Framework” report details how these technologies work together to simplify and secure the onboarding process for IoT devices, transforming large scale IoT deployments.

“Since 2018, our vision has been to enable secure, automatic Wi-Fi onboarding by harnessing existing Wi-Fi IoT device certificates. This requires a united, industry-wide effort, and WBA is the ideal body to lead the charge,” said Enea director of delivery services Tomas Bäckström. “This framework could be a game-changer in solving long-standing challenges for large-scale deployments across industries like smart cities and logistics, and we eagerly anticipate seeing the first devices hit the market.”

“WBA’s work on zero-touch onboarding with OpenRoaming and managing the ownership of industrial IoT devices with FIDO will address a critical industry challenge and facilitate large-scale deployments of these devices. Intel is proud to lead this initiative at WBA,” said Intel senior staff wireless architect and WBA board director Dr Necati Canpolat. 

The framework delivers zero-touch, secure onboarding, which automates device onboarding, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring secure authentication. It also covers complex deployments and provisioning challenges. In addition, if offers supply chain security because it ensures device security through ownership vouchers and cryptographic mechanisms.

“This new framework will turbocharge secure and efficient IoT device deployments, overcoming the challenges of onboarding IoT devices into a Wi-Fi network. This framework standardises OpenRoaming for FDO, encouraging a widespread adoption and cross-industry collaboration, and will enable a wide range of industries to benefit from improved operational efficiency and security across their IoT devices into Wi-Fi networks,” said WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues.

Hrvatski Telekom, Nokia look to speed APIs for 5G apps

Annie Turner
-
0
Hrvatski Telekom, Nokia look to speed APIs for 5G apps

The two are to embark on pilot projects to accelerate and expand the use of APIs by developers in an ecosystem that includes Infobip and Elmo

Nokia and Hrvatski Telekom (HT) are to work on pilot projects that connect Nokia’s Network as Code platform with developer portal to HT’s network assets. HT is part of the Deutsche Telekom Group and Croatia’s largest operator.

The aim is to enable developers to harness and monetise the operator’s 5G network assets and capabilities through new applications for consumer, enterprise and industrial applications for use by HT customers in Croatia and other parts of Europe.

HT is often a trailblazer for the wider DT Group pioneering new technologies – and DT is pushing hard to monetise APIs. For example, in September it and 11 other large telco groups from across the globe formed a joint venture with Ericsson. In November 2023, it announced MagentaBusiness API to charge developers and business customers for the use of APIs on its mobile network in Germany.

Nokia’s network of API ecosystem partners includes Infobip, which provides Communications Platform-as-a-sService (CPaaS), and Elmo, which specialises in teledriving technology. The plan is to leverage 5G and 4G networks to generate new revenue streams.

Working together

Nokia’s Network as Code platform offers developers APIs for using 5G network capabilities like Quality of Service on Demand. Infobip’s CPaaS provides developers with APIs for integrating real-time omnichannel communications like SMS, voice and video into their applications.

Through Hrvatski Telekom’s 5G network, Elmo will use Infobip’s communications API and Nokia’s Quality of Service on Demand capability for video connections to enable Elmo’s teledriving technology.

Teledriving is an emerging use case involving the remote operation of a vehicle via software, cameras and sensors. A human driver controls the vehicle to a destination point in situations where safety, accessibility or efficiency is a concern. Elmo has conducted remote driving tests successfully in Europe, some of which involved the human driver being hundreds of kilometres, and in some instance across national borders, from the vehicle.

Developers using Nokia’s platform can access 5G and 4G network capabilities through Software Development Kits (SDK) with provides support functions such like Network insights, Quality of Service on Demand and Device location.

Nokia has 27 partners in Europe, North and South America, and Asia which use its Network as Code platform, including BT, DISH, Orange, Telefonica and Telecom Argentina as well as hyperscalers like Google Cloud, CPaaS platform providers, large system integrators and vertical independent software vendors (ISVs).

Boris Drilo, CTIO at Hrvatski Telekom, said, “Through collaboration on piloting projects, with Nokia and other partners, we are exploring the great opportunities that could arise from unlocking the full potential of connecting new platforms with 5G network capabilities. Ensuring high-performing networks, foundational for the launch of new use cases across industries and businesses not only Croatia but across the globe, is essential for developers in creating new game-changing applications.”

Matija Ražem, VP of Business Development, at Infobip, added, “Offering a simplified developer experience is key to making network APIs commercially attractive. The strong partnership between Nokia, Hrvatski Telekom and Elmo is yet another demonstration of how the growing ecosystem of APIs is producing tangible solutions for providers and end users. Infobip is playing a key role as a CPaaS platform by offering APIs to enrich the services available in the market.”

“Through tremendous collaboration with Nokia, Infobip, and Hrvatski Telekom, we are overcoming network challenges, such as peak time overload which can degrade video quality, to ensure the flawless connectivity required for remotely and securely operating Elmo vehicles, even during periods of high network traffic,” stated Enn Laansoo, Jr., Founder and CEO at Elmo.

Shkumbin Hamiti, Head of Network Monetization Platform, Cloud and Network Services, at Nokia said: “With Nokia’s Network as Code platform and open and growing ecosystem of API partners, Hrvatski Telekom will benefit from having more choice, flexibility, and extreme automation to create new value for its customers. As a B2B technology innovation leader, Nokia is driving the next evolution of networking to unlock new network applications with our platform.”

Apple invests $1.1bn in Globalstar, gains 20% equity

Annie Turner
-
0
Apple invests $1.1bn in Globalstar, gains 20% equity

The device maker will also pay for more services from Globalstar as it ventures into satellite-to-device communications

Globalstar has said in a disclosure to the US’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that Apple is investing a further $1.1 billion in the satellite firm. In return, Apple will gain a 20% stake in Globalstar and buy more services from the satellite company as it ventures further into satellite-to-device communications.

Apple invested $450 million in the satellite company in 2022 when it launched iPhone 14. It chose Globalstar’s services to support its new Emergency SOS service for that model and subsequent devices, including iWatches, in some countries. Apple has said the Emergency SOS service will remain free to use until 2025.

Under the new contract, Globalstar will deliver more services to Apple devices via a new mobile satellite services (MSS) network. This includes a new satellite constellation, extended ground infrastructure and expanded global MSS licensing.

All this infrastructure will be owned and operated by Globalstar and its subsidiaries, Globalstar SPE.

The $1.1 billion will be contributed during the construction period on a quarterly basis, plus an additional amount to settle debt repayments.

Apple will also prepay some service fees to reflect the cost of the extended MSS network and performance bonuses. The payment of service fees of $30 million annually will “be accelerated”.

Apple will be a passive equity holder: Globalstar will keep control of the board of Globalstar SPE and retain 100% of all terrestrial, MSS and other revenue.

However, it will continue to allocate 85% of its network capacity to provide satellite services to Apple across current and future satellites. The remaining capacity will provide services to other MSS customers.

EC chooses firms to build satellite broadband constellation

Simon Dux
-
0
EC chooses firms to build satellite broadband constellation


The home-grown SpaceRISE consortium will deliver Europe’s much delayed LEO/MEO constellation but it may cost €10 billion

A consortium of European satellite operators comprising SES , Eutelsat and Hispasat – calling themselves SpaceRISE – has been awarded the contract to develop, deploy and operate the EU’s secure connectivity satellite system: IRIS². The multi-orbit sovereign broadband constellation – which stands for Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite – will comprise over 290 satellites on various orbits and the associated ground segment to provide governmental services by 2030 while enabling commercial services.

The three consortium members will rely on a core team of European subcontractors from all segments of the satcom ecosystem for the delivery of the scope of the concession contract: Thales Alenia Space, OHB, Airbus Defence and Space, Telespazio, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Hisdesat and Thales SIX.

The procurement is now entering its final phase towards the signature of the concession agreement scheduled by December 2024, upon which the legal and financial commitment from both parties will be taken. Full operational status is targeted for the early 2030s

The 12-year concession contract will be funded by public (European Union and ESA) and private investments (the SpaceRISE consortium). Regarding the European Union’s contribution, as the duration of the concession contract spans across multiple financial perspectives, the European Commission will first proceed with a budgetary commitment for the current multiannual financial framework. Additional amounts may be awarded after 31 December 2027, subject inter alia to the adoption of a successor programme by the European Parliament and Council, and the availability of the corresponding appropriations.

However, Spacenews has reported that while Europe had also initially agreed to fund 60% of a €6 billion budget for IRIS², the remaining cost would be covered by the private industry. And that cost is rising with press reports now suggesting it has reached a more realistic €10 billion. Global services, which would also include capacity for the commercial market, were previously scheduled to begin by 2027, with satellite deployments planned for 2025. The European Space Agency will also contribute. 

SpaceRISE offer includes appropriate measures to ensure competitive subcontracting in the selection of its supply chain, in particular for SMEs, and stimulate innovation by promoting new entrants’ participation. In its initial request, Europe aimed to require that at least 30% of IRIS² contracts over 10 million euros be subcontracted to smaller businesses to promote a more robust and diverse space economy across the region.

The CEOs respond

“The IRIS² programme is a powerful extension of Eutelsat’s commitment to advancing Europe’s digital sovereignty through sustained investment in multi-orbit technology to deliver multi-layered, low-latency networks, which are essential to Europe’s strategic resilience,” said Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke. “We are proud to support the EU on this project alongside the consortium partners to deliver a resilient, future-ready communication system that meets Europe’s most critical connectivity needs, while generating value-creation for Eutelsat and its stakeholders by complementing and enhancing our existing LEO capabilities.”

“We are firmly committed to everything that IRIS² represents: a sovereign secure communications system, supported by European innovative developments and driven by public-private partnership,” said Hispasat CEO Miguel Ángel Panduro. “It is an ambitious project, in which the companies of the SpaceRISE consortium are working to offer the best response to the demands of the European Union. This award is an exciting first step of a project that will define the future of satellite communications in Europe.”

“SpaceRISE, based on the European Union’s requirements will define and develop a future-proof space network that will serve as the cornerstone of Europe’s space and defence strategies in the years to come,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh. “The IRIS² system is aligned with SES’s multi-orbit network and underscores our commitment to advancing our MEO capabilities, as well as having access to LEO orbit. We will continue to ensure that the contract meets our IRR requirements, cash generation fundamentals, and investment grade metrics.”

(Image source: SES)

1...383940...1,638Page 39 of 1,638
- Advertisement -

Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter

It takes just one minute to register for the leading daily B2B newsletter for the telecoms industry, and it's free.

SIGN UP

Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter

It takes just one minute to register for the leading daily B2B newsletter for the telecoms industry, and it's free.

SIGN UP
DOWNLOAD OUR NEW REPORT

5G Advanced

Will 5G’s second wave deliver value?

DOWNLOAD REPORT