The recent signal disruptions experienced by Sky Mobile users in the UK have been linked to the government-mandated removal of Huawei equipment from the network, fuelling concerns over national security. Network operators have voiced scepticism, predicting significant disruption, increased expenses, and potential delay in the rollout of 5G infrastructure. Sky Mobile, however, assures compliance with the directive and minimal impact on their customers.
The EU’s first annual State of the Digital Decade report highlights an urgent call to action for increased investment to meet its 2030 technology targets. The report underlines the significance of collective efforts by member states to successfully navigate the prevalent digital transformation. The document illuminates areas such as 5G deployment, which has been slower than expected, and inadequate fiber network coverage, among others. Simultaneously, it draws attention to other essential aspects, like digital sovereignty and the digitalization of businesses, suggesting an additional investment of at least €200 billion may be necessary. Issues such as these could hamper the bloc’s ambition to double its share in the semiconductor sector by 2030.
The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has finalized plans to auction off mmWave spectrum for mobile services, with an eye on potential effects a pending Vodafone/Three UK merger might have. This move underscores the regulatory body’s diligent efforts to enhance 5G spectrum allocations, allocating citywide licenses to 68 major UK locations. Despite the anticipated delay due to the merger’s evaluation, Ofcom plans to award licenses on a first-come, first-served basis in less densely populated areas, promising a balanced landscape for both telecom giants and early adopters.
Nvidia aims to convince telecoms to use its GPUs in 5G networks, citing NTT Docomo’s recent GPU-accelerated 5G launch in Japan. Yet, the role of Nvidia’s GPUs in telecom remains unclear. Meanwhile, the FCC breaks a two-year deadlock, reigniting net neutrality debates. Telefonica Germany partners with Skylo for global IoT connectivity, expanding options for businesses and consumers. Nokia explores rugged 5G devices for harsh environments, catering to specialized industries with challenging conditions.
Swedish telecom giant, Ericsson, is making strides in harnessing the virtues of Open and Cloud RAN through a series of noteworthy offerings and trailblazing collaborations. Recent ventures with Telefónica on joint Cloud RAN trials underline a shared vision for a dynamic, open network architecture. This exploration goes beyond mainstream, incorporating automation and intelligent orchestration, with potential benefits to macro networks and enterprise applications alike. Ericsson’s commitment to open standards is further emphasized through successful deployment of radio hardware ready for next-gen open fronthaul technology and an intriguing pledge to offer an expansive Open RAN portfolio by next year.
Amid growing inflation and swelling telecom budgets, the advent of 6G brings in costly implications tied to Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment. As these financial implications loom, The Next Generation Mobile Network (NGMN) Alliance proposes a different approach to 6G implementation that may spare existing 5G infrastructure from unnecessary renewal. They advocate an operator-driven decision process in refreshing the 5G RAN, maintaining that 6G upgrade should not compromise 5G user experience and should be software-upgradable on existing network elements. As 5G capex reaches its peak in markets like the U.S., NGMN’s stance could potentially redefine traditional strategies in introducing new generations of mobile technology.
Sweden’s recent spectrum auction has not only proved to be a triumph for the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), but also for the nation’s digital future. The robust participation from the country’s primary operators substantiates the utility of the spectrum in bolstering Sweden’s wireless services and advancing its 5G capabilities. In an impressive display, not just of interest, but also of investment, an imposing SEK 4.23 billion ($380 million) was raised in a span of just one day. This unprecedented event echoes Sweden’s commitment to digital progress, with new licenses primed to spark a wave of innovative advancements in the long-term. Stay tuned for more updates on the fascinating world of telecommunications.
Unveiling a new dimension to their collaboration, Ericsson and Google aim to enhance Cloud RAN solutions leveraging Google’s Distributed Cloud. This endeavor, targeting seamless automation, orchestration, and incorporation of AI and machine learning, promises wide-ranging benefits for communications service providers. Observations from the Ericsson Open Lab revealed the power of the Google Distributed Cloud in extending network functionalities, opening exciting new possibilities in the telecoms landscape.
Charting the future of mobile networks, the advent of Open vRAN technology, equipped with software-defined systems on standard hardware, delivers on the ambitious goals of 5G while retaining unmatched energy efficiency. Pushing these advancements further, QCT and Intel have introduced cutting-edge servers integrating Intel’s pioneering FlexRAN architecture. This merger of CPU computing power with an accelerated system, transforming standard network structures and allowing innovative software integrations, is the driving force behind the striking efficiency improvements within mobile networks.
Vodafone’s collaboration with Salience Labs and iPronics aims to advance open radio access networks (open RAN) by harnessing the potential of silicon photonic chips. This light-based technology could promise enhanced network programmability and ultra-low latency powered by their increased speed and reduced energy consumption — elevating critical 5G capabilities. With silicon photonics making waves in data centers, the industry, poised for rapid growth, radiates intrigue on the horizon. Yet, it also questions current cost dynamics, especially around open RAN technology.
