Ericsson, the global telecom giant, has just shattered 5G records, achieving an incredible 5.7Gbps download speed by ingeniously blending three frequency bands. This breakthrough, a result of Ericsson’s advanced hardware, software and RAN coordination, opens a new horizon in performance boost and superior connectivity for 5G users. This latest success cements Ericsson’s spot at the forefront of the race for ultra-high-speed connectivity, even as competitors also explore the potential of carrier aggregation.
Transferring 5G workloads to the public cloud is proving slower than expected, leading financial firm Dell’Oro to adjust its growth predictions for 5G standalone (SA) solutions down. Despite this, a growth rate of 65% over five years is still anticipated. However, the slow adoption of 5G SA by mobile network operators and enterprises has led to a cautious approach. Hyperscale cloud providers look set to hold just 6% of total market revenue in the next five years, underscoring the remaining untapped potential in the 5G SA market.
In an impressive advancement for 5G technology, Verizon has secured a $45.5 billion C-band spectrum, overcoming hurdles posed by satellite operators once occupying parts of this range. As operators transitioned off the C-band, motivated by the FCC’s lucrative rewards, Verizon confirms the completion of this process. This newfound access paves the path for an expansion that could amplify the bandwidth for 5G users nationally, providing a minimum of 140MHz of spectrum throughout the US, with full 200MHz access in a portion of markets.
In a first for the region, Ericsson and Australian operator TPG are creating a cloud-native AI-powered analytics tool, designed specifically to streamline 4G and 5G networks. With the power to predict and fix performance issues in real-time, this tool aims to enhance response times to network issues and reduce reliance on complex infrastructure analysis. Showcasing TPG as an early adopter, this technology also enhances network flexibility as usage increases, allowing for tracking of around five million subscribers.
As Poland launches its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction in the 3.5GHz band, all four national mobile operators are joining the race. With COVID-19 delays and governmental cybersecurity amendments posing uncertainties, the stakes remain high in Poland’s quest for competitive 5G capabilities. As the process evolves, international eyes are keenly watching the influence of these audacious moves on the global telecommunications landscape.
Unveiling a fresh milestone, the UAE’s TDRA has concluded phase two of its 5G Advanced trials, achieving a staggering 10 Gbps speed. This development, achieved in collaboration with operators e& and du, utilized the full potential of the 400 MHz bandwidth in the 6 GHz band. This accelerates the data transfer rate, vastly enhancing capacities for IoT, smart city projects, and metaverse evolution.
Significant strides are being made in Slovakia’s telecommunications sector with O2 Slovakia and Slovak Telekom finalizing an eagerly anticipated network sharing agreement. Ultimately expected to lower costs and enhance service quality, this move notably excludes Bratislava and Košice, with both operators maintaining their separate networks in these areas.
In a strategic move, 1&1 penetrates the German 5G market through a new agreement with Vodafone, leaving Telefonica potentially at a loss. Details of the agreement, such as leveraging on Vodafone’s robust 5G, 2G, and 4G networks, and potential future technologies, raise various possibilities for 1&1’s continued growth.
Despite the seemingly lagging global investment in standalone 5G networks, promising trends in the telecom sector indicate an upcoming surge. With minimal progress indicated by Global Mobile Suppliers Association’s statistics, the industry pins hopes on major moves from operators like New Zealand’s Spark and Vodafone. Meanwhile, the increasing adoption of 5G SA in private networks for various sectors shows an encouraging forecast. The journey towards profitable 5G investments seems complex, yet strides are being made in the right direction.
As T-Mobile launches its 5G SA network slicing beta, it offers a unique window of opportunity to developers, aiming to improve video calling applications. With the rising demand for such apps in the remote work era, developers leveraging the tailored network slices could unlock applications showcasing faster speeds, decreased latency, and better reliability. As some experts express high hopes for the potential of network slicing, could this move revolutionize telecommunications amidst the surge in hybrid work?
