Subscribe
Home Blog Page 395

Ericsson partners Leonardo to develop 5G solutions for public safety and industry

Annie Turner
-
0
Ericsson partners Leonardo to develop 5G solutions for public safety and industry

Leonardo is an Italy-based cybersecurity solutions firm.

Ericsson and Leonardo, are partnering to explore and develop new 5G solutions and business models spanning industrial, public safety and critical infrastructure.

The collaboration agreement, which is international in scope, aims to provide solutions for use cases that need more reliable and higher performance from 4G and 5G.

Ericsson and Leonardo are to share R&D capabilities and competences spanning cyber security, 5G networks and service evolution.

The partnership will address cyber security – threats are becoming more complex in particular for strategic critical infrastructures as demonstrated by the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline last month which delivers nearly half of all the diesel and gasoline consumed on the East Coast of the US.

The collaboration will be open to network operators and other ecosystem partners for some specific projects.

It will also address integration and interoperability with existing narrowband digital communications using LTE and 5G technologies to design and deliver solutions to provide first responders – such as firefighters, emergency medical service personnel and police officers – with fast and secure communications to save lives.

Leveraging existing infra

Integration with narrowband infrastructure would support services such as real-time video, massive use of sensors and augmented reality.

Under the terms of this new agreement, such jointly developed solutions can be integrated into Leonardo Command & Control propositions to bring the benefits of critical mobile broadband into public safety operations.

Nokia and Proximus announce fibre breakthrough

Annie Turner
-
0
Nokia and Proximus announce fibre breakthrough

New line cards based on the Quillion chipset allow existing physical infrastructure to run at up to 25Gbps.

Nokia’s new multi-passive optical network (PON) line cards that mean operators can introduce new PON options into the existing physical infrastructure.

As well as saving time and money on deployment, it also promises PON speeds of up to 25Gbps.

The two demonstrated the first link using the new tech to connect the Port of Antwerp and Proximus’ central office in the city centre (pictured). It ran at over 20Gbps.

At scale next year

During a Q&A with press, it seems more work is needed before commercial deployment at scale, which is expected in 2022.

Proximus has 45.9% of the Belgian fibre market and plan to add 10% more coverage annually to reach 70% of households by 2028.

It currently stands at the bottom of the Fibre Council Europe’s latest ranking with just over 1% fibre penetration as of September 2020.

Its fibre infrastructure will be available on a wholesale basis as outlined in Proximus’ Inspire 2022 strategy to avoid fiber overbuild.

In the meantime the incumbent operator is working with Nokia to improve the performance and longevity of VDSL.

Unlimited potential

Rupert Wood, Research Director for Fiber Networks at Analysys Mason, said: “Today’s 25G PON achievement demonstrates the unlimited potential of fibre.

“This next evolution in fibre technology will provide enterprises with greater than 10Gbps connectivity and the capacity needed to support 5G transport along with future next generation services such as massive scale virtual reality and real time digital twins.”

Federico Guillén, President Network Infrastructure Nokia, said: “Ten years ago our companies launched the technology which enabled a switch to HD TV. Today we make history again with a network that is 200x faster…powered by Nokia’s Quillion chipset, which supports three generations of PON technologies.

“Quillion has been adopted by more than 100 operators since its launch last year and all operators deploying the Quillion based GPON and XGS-PON solution today have the capabilities to easily evolve to 25G PON.”

Vodafone Deutschland “expanding mobile network offensive”

Annie Turner
-
0
Vodafone Deutschland “expanding mobile network offensive”

The operator says 5G is ahead of schedule, available to 25 million people, and it is building 4,000 new LTE sites.

Vodafone Deutschland says its 5G build-out is ahead of schedule and its accelerated expansion continues.

This calendar year it has embarked on 7,000 mobile network construction projects, including 3,000 sites to activate 9,000 5G antennas.

5G alone

It said that increasingly 5G is deployed independently of LTE infrastructure and linked directly to the Standalone core network – this applies to about 1,000 antennas currently.

The operator has also reallocated frequencies formerly used for 3G and over the summer Vodafone intends to install 18,000 more LTE base stations that will use the spectrum.

Vodafone Deutschland was given special mention by Group CEO, Nick Read, earlier this month when he the presented the group’s annual results.

He said, “I am pleased that we achieved full year results in line with our guidance and we exited the year with accelerating service revenue growth across the business, with a particularly good performance in our largest market, Germany”.

More voice

Vodafone Deutschland’s CEO, Hannes Ametsreiter (pictured), said, “Stable networks are more important than ever before in order to stay in contact with our loved ones and with our work colleagues.

A look at our network shows that people are taking more time to make calls again. Each call lasts more than three minutes on average – 35 seconds longer than a year ago. Video calls and streaming caused almost 40% more data to rush through our network.”

He added, “We are the first provider in Germany to turn 5G into a commercial real-time network in more and more places – completely independent of the existing LTE infrastructure.”

Vodafone said its LTE covers more than 99% of German homes.

The operator’s CTO, Gerhard Mack, comments, “For the first time in Europe, 5G is available at full power. For us, 5G brings high bandwidths, low latencies and network slicing”.

The operator’s digitization group intends to quadruple the number of 5G standalone antennas by the end of the year and more 5G data centres will be activated to achieve latency of around 10 milliseconds in future.

KPN to deploy private 5G and fibre for Port of Moerdijk

Annie Turner
-
0
KPN to deploy private 5G and fibre for Port of Moerdijk

The pair say the collaboration will build a digital port over the next 20 years.

The Port of Moerdijk and KPN have signed an exclusive agreement to build a private corporate fibre and 5G network.

The new partnership between the port authority and KPN includes fibre to the office infrastructure in the existing port area and in the planned Logistics and Industrial Park.

It also involves the expansion and installation of mobile masts for a 5G network which is expected to put the port authority and the companies in the area to  “at the forefront of the digital transformation”.

New possibilities


The port authority’s investment in infrastructure for mobile and data traffic is to gain extra range, reliability, and speed for 4G and 5G sooner, to support applications such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), the use of autonomous robots, augmented reality, and drone inspections.

The camera network in the port and industrial estate will be also renewed in the coming years and equipped with smart cameras, which is described as a major step forward for security on the site, but is dependent on the “urgent expansion” of the fibre network.

Connectivity as the basis


KPN and the Moerdijk Port Authority have a long history of partnership Ferdinand van den Oever, Director of the Port Authority, pictured, said, “The basis of our port is connectivity. We connect customers to the world.

“One of the ambitions is to further strengthen and digitalize our modalities and infrastructure. For us and our companies, so that the Port of Moerdijk remains the hub of sustainable logistics and the process industry in the Flemish-Dutch Delta. That’s what we’re doing it for.”

Unique agreement


Anja de Vos-Biemans (pictured) is Regional Director South at KPN. She commented, “The Port of Moerdijk is of great importance for the region. We will be investing in the port’s digital future for the next 20 years. We’re doing this with the construction of both fibre and 5G, a unique and future-proof approach that ensures the port has a leading position in the field of mobile telecom and data traffic.

“In this way, we’re creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and the further digitalization of the port contributes to their success.”

Nokia launches AI use cases as a service for telcos

Annie Turner
-
0
Nokia launches AI use cases as a service for telcos

The Australian mobile operator TPG was the first commercial adopter of Nokia AVA AI on public cloud.

Nokia claims making its AI use case library availalble as a service for telcos on a public cloud – Microsoft Azure  – is a world first.

Nokia is delivering the multiple AI use cases by integrating its security framework with Microsoft Azure’s digital architecture.

TPG’s case in point

TPG was the first commercial adopter of Nokia AVA AI on public cloud, using a local instance of Microsoft Azure. It can deploy and scale additional AI use cases fast and has been able to optimise network coverage, capacity and performance.

This is through, for instance, detecting network anomalies with great accuracy; reducing radio frequency optimisation cycle times by 50% and at lower cost; and decreasing CO2 emissions by eliminating drive-testing.

Declan O’Rourke, Head of Radio and Device Engineering TPG, said: “Nokia’s AVA AI as a service utilises artificial intelligence and analytics to help us maintain a first class, optimized service for our subscribers, helping us to predict and deal with issues before they occur.”

Secure injection

The vendor says operators can “securely inject AI into their networks nine times faster than using private cloud and scale fast across their network”.

AI use cases are essential for operators to 5G and cloud networking, Nokia says this will accelerate their digital transformation.
 
Operators can complete data set ups in four weeks using the Nokia AVA AI as a service, according to the vendor, which says it also takes care of data sovereignty and compliance with global regulations.

Scaling clusters

Azure’s platform enables speeds the AI deployments and lets operators scale fast across multiple clusters.
 
Nokia says that after the initial data set-up, operators can deploy additional AVA AI use cases within a week and scales resources up and down as needed, within one day across multiple network clusters.

The security framework segregates data “to provide the same level of security as a private cloud,” Nokia says.

MASMOVIL chooses Ericsson as main supplier for 5G core

Annie Turner
-
0
MASMOVIL chooses Ericsson as main supplier for 5G core

Ericsson will upgrade Grupo MASMOVIL’s core network in Spain with 5G Standalone technology.

The project to evolve MASMOVIL Group’s to 5G standalone includes deployingds Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, its Cloud Native Infrastructure, Cloud IMS, automated CI/CD, Ericsson Orchestrator, CENX Service Assurance and 5G Managed Services.

Ericsson says new core will help MASMOVIL to introduce 5G quickly and while maintaining and expanding existing services. The new core allows the operator to expose capabilities to a partner’s ecosystem to facilitate business innovation, taking care of security and separating the capabilities from the underlying complexities of the infrastructure.

5G build out

Grupo MASMOVIL offers 5G services in more than 300 municipalities across all Spanish provinces and in the next few days will expand the coverage of new services enabled by the core.

Earlier this year long-running rumours of a merger with Vodafone España were reported in the Spanish press as well as Grupo MASMOVIL being interested in acquiring the regional operator Euskaltel.

Meinrad Spenger, CEO MASMOVIL Group, says, “We will work with Ericsson to make MASMOVIL one of the most advanced 5G operators. We believe in innovation and virtualized and secure networks to be able to offer our customers the best services on the fastest and most modern networks in the market.”

Massive scale

José Antonio López Muñoz, Head of Ericsson Spain, says: “Our growing partnership with MASMOVIL is helping them to increase their future service capacity on a massive scale. Their selection of the Ericsson portfolio to implement their growth and evolution plans is a great example of how our best-in-class 5G technologies can be effectively used to evolve and transform existing core networks.”

1&1 Drillisch accepts Telefonica Deutschland’s roaming agreement

Annie Turner
-
0
1&1 Drillisch accepts Telefonica Deutschland’s roaming agreement

Telefonica put the new deal on the table in February after the two had been unable to agree terms, but it’s taken some ironing out.

1&1 Drillisch – which formerly changed its name to 1&1 in April – and Telefonica Deutschland (which operates under the O2 brand in Germany) have finally hammered out the details of their roaming agreement.

It seems reports that the two had reached agreement in February was somewhat premature, but the deal is now sealed. The terms of the agreement are largely confidential, but 1&1 will serve its subscribers by roaming on Telefonica’s national infrastructure for five years.

At the end of that five years, there is the option to extend the contract for two more five-year periods, although the second of them will be renegotiated.

1&1 must use the time to build its own network to fulfil the terms of its controversial national 5G licence which it won in 2019.

The German regulator took the 5G spectrum auction as an opportunity to award a licence for a fourth national operator. This decision was challenged in courts and taken to the European Commission by the unhappy incumbents, but prevailed.

A win:win outcome?

In a statement Telefonica said, “As planned, the companies are putting their long-term partnership on a new contractual basis with the signing of this agreement. With the NRA [National Roaming Agreement] Telefónica Deutschland is securing long-term valuable revenue streams”.

Tensions arose between Telefonica Deutschland and 1&1 Drillisch last September after the latter complained about price increases on the host network and argued that Telefonica had broken pricing conditions it agreed to when it acquired E-Plus in 2014.

The owner of 1&1 Drillisch, United Internet, later reported the price increase between July and the end of last year cost it €34.4 million, but said it would offset the loss in the first half of this year.

And finally…

Telefonica made a new offer in October, but it did not satisfy 1&1 Drillisch which took its woes to the European Commission.

After an investigation, the Commission sided with 1&1 Drillisch and ordered Telefonica to make a better offer, which appears to be acceptable.

Now 1&1 Drillisch can crack on with the small issue of building a new national 5G network.

Amdocs, Microsoft extend collaboration to support operators’ cloud migration

Annie Turner
-
0
Amdocs, Microsoft extend collaboration to support operators’ cloud migration

More of Amdocs’ portfolio will be available on Microsoft Azure and Azure for Operators: Amdocs becomes Preferred Industry Scenario Partner.

The collaboration is intended to enable and speed up service providers’ move to cloud-native solutions, cloud transformation services and deployment of 5G networks in the cloud.

The two say the advantages of a more rapid cloud migration are that service providers will be able to offer new and differentiated cloud services to drive growth.

They also claim it will boost customer loyalty and add value thorugh fast and agile interactions, and an ecosystem of third-party partners.

BSS/OSS in the cloud

All this will be possible, they say, by using Amdocs’ cloud-native BSS/OSS solutions and services, and “unique delivery accountability model” while benefiting from Azure’s cloud capabilities to build, manage and deploy operator applications at scale. 

Shuky Sheffer, President and CEO of Amdocs, said, “Microsoft is playing a pivotal role in accelerating [communications service providers’] journeys to the cloud…We are therefore delighted to become a Microsoft preferred Industry Priority Scenario (IPS) Partner.

Unique opportunity

Hudson Althoff, EVP, Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business, added, “In the era of 5G and the cloud, service providers have a unique opportunity to future-proof their networks, lower operating costs and boost revenue.

“Still, to realise the benefits of the cloud, service providers need a business system infrastructure that can operate with scale, agility and pace. Our collaboration with Amdocs delivers the advantages of 5G and the cloud in addition to offering service providers a rich ecosystem of apps and devices.

“With our joint integrated platform, service providers can provide mobile edge computing and private networks for the digital enterprise.”
 

Netherlands’ government orders telcos to avoid certain vendors

Annie Turner
-
0
Netherlands’ government orders telcos to avoid certain vendors

The Dutch mobile operators are banned from revealing any details.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has confirmed the Netherlands’ government issued orders to mobile network operators about their choice of network suppliers.

It also made it clear that KPN, T-Mobile and VodafoneZiggo are prohibited from revealing any details of the orders.

Naturally the assumption in the press is that the government has banned the operators from deploying Chinese vendors’ equipment in their 5G networks.

Maybe the secrecy is to avoid being in Sweden’s boots, whereby a ban by the regulator on Chinese vendors has led to naked threats of retaliation from the Chinese government.

Sweden’s Ericsson has issued another, stark warning this week that it could suffer in the Chinese market as a result of the Swedish ban.

Or maybe not. A Huawei spokesperson told the Financieele Dagblad that, “We do not supply 5G core equipment in the Netherlands”.

Vodafone-led consortium wins first operating licence for Ethiopia

Annie Turner
-
0
Vodafone-led consortium wins first operating licence for Ethiopia

The country has awarded its first telcoms licence for $850 million (€698 billion). MTN’s bid for a second licence was declined.

The winning consortium is led by Kenya’s Safaricom with Vodafone and Vodacom, and includes the British finance development agency, CDC, and Japan’s Sumitomo.

South Africa’s MTN bid $600 million for a second licence, which was rejected on the grounds of being too low. The licence will be offered for tender again.

Ethiopia is a closed economy where telecom services are provided by what the Financial Times calls “the world’s largest remaining telecoms monopoly”.

The country has a population of 114 million and a booming economy, driven by state-led development. The Ethiopian government described it as the “deal of the century”.

Restrictions

However, the government has imposed some restrictions. New entrants must build their own infrastructure rather than look to third-party towercos or leased capacity from incumbent Ethio Telecom.

It was also against allowing mobile money services, which Safaricom launched the hugely M-pesa mobile payments service in Kenya in 2007, although it has now said new entrants will be allowed to offer such services within a year, subject to approval by the central bank – something that has proved a stumbling block in many markets.

This subdued the appetite to enter the market for some, coupled with the unrest in Tigray late last year.

Second chance

However, telco groups Orange and Etisalat are widely expected to reassess the opportunity when the second licence is put out for tender.

1...394395396...1,638Page 395 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