Vodafone UK embarks on a nationwide 3G shutdown, prioritizing modern 4G and 5G networks while retaining 2G for low-power IoT devices. As other UK telecom operators plan gradual phase-outs, industry experts debate the journey to meet the government’s coverage goals.
AST SpaceMobile has made history by successfully connecting a direct voice call between the United States and Japan via its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, using standard smartphones. The use of standard smartphones makes this a world first, as no one has previously achieved a direct voice connection from space to unmodified cellular devices. AST SpaceMobile partnered with some of its mobile operator partners, including AT&T, Rakuten, and Vodafone, to make the connection. The test call was made using AT&T spectrum and a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone in the Midland, Texas area, connecting to Rakuten in Japan. The successful test call validated AST SpaceMobile’s network architecture and systems, including its BW3 satellite, which it describes as the largest commercial communications array in low-earth orbit. The call also paves the way for space-based cellular broadband. AST SpaceMobile’s goal is to provide coverage to close to 50% of the world’s population…
US carriers to address airline safety concerns over C-band spectrum In an open letter, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US and UScellular agreed to take voluntary steps to allay worries about aviation safety and allow these telecom companies to fully utilize their C-band spectrum. According to the letter, the steps are intended to minimize operational impact on C-Band operations and support full-power deployments across the C-Band spectrum. In the past, airlines have resisted the introduction of C-band spectrum for 5G services due to concerns over interference with aircraft altimeters. To assure the secure coexistence of C-band frequencies and radio altimeters, which are more than 220 MHz apart, the FCC has issued licensing and technical standards. Read the full article. Deutsche Telekom now owns a 50.2% stake in T-Mobile US According to CEO Tim Höttges, Deutsche Telekom now owns 50.2% of T-Mobile US, completing a long-term objective initially stated at the company’s 2021…
Salesforce launches a generative AI CRM technology The world’s first generative AI customer relationship management (CRM) platform, Einstein GPT, has been released by Salesforce. The system will provide personalized content for interactions across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and IT using real-time data from the Salesforce Data Cloud. Clients may integrate data with OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI models or employ external models within Salesforce CRM to create dynamic content that responds to user requirements. In order to invest in high-potential businesses and support ethical, reliable, and generative AI, Salesforce Ventures has also established a $250 million Generative AI Fund. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2vu9vhnn Dish Wireless receives FCC permission to test T-Mobile’s 5G spectrum Dish Wireless will perform 5G testing using part of T-Mobile’s low-band spectrum before determining whether to acquire the spectrum later this year. The Federal Communications Commission approved the testing, which will be conducted in Arizona until September 30. Dish…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put forward a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that gives airlines an additional year, until February 1, 2024, to address faulty altimeters in their aircraft. These altimeters, which measure an airplane’s height above the earth’s surface, are present on 7,993 planes registered in the United States. The FAA believes that 180 of these altimeters will need to be completely replaced, while 820 will need filters added to comply with the proposed modification requirement. This upgrade is expected to cost a total of $26 million. The ruling is part of a settlement reached between the aviation and cellular sectors after AT&T and Verizon paid $69 billion for C-Band spectrum licenses. Airplane altimeters typically operate in the 4.2 – 4.4 GHz frequency, but certain altimeters cannot filter out 5G signals from the carriers’ spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz range. The FAA is therefore…
The launch of two new offerings, Spectrum Business Connect with RingCentral and Spectrum Enterprise Unified Communications with RingCentral, has been announced as a result of a strategic partnership between Charter Communications, a provider of broadband connectivity, and RingCentral, a global provider of enterprise cloud communications solutions. By integrating RingCentral MVPTM with Charter’s Spectrum high-speed internet and network solutions, these new offerings will give SMB and enterprise clients of Spectrum access to a robust, secured and user-friendly communications platform that will allow them to be productive from any location. Additionally, Charter’s clients will benefit from RingCentral’s AI-powered upgrades such as Advanced Meeting Insights and advanced analytics, which will help them modernize and optimize their communications and optimize their business growth and operations. More than 90% of Spectrum markets currently have access to Spectrum Business Connect with RingCentral, the solution’s exclusive UCaaS provider. In the upcoming months, this service will…
A multibillion-dollar merger between Shaw Communications and Rogers Communications Inc., two of the biggest telecommunications businesses in Canada, was officially rejected by the federal industry minister. “Today, I officially denied that request. My decision formally closes that chapter of the original proposed transaction,” said Canadian Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. The US$19 billion merger between the two businesses was revealed in March, but it was met with opposition because it may limit consumer choice and drive up mobile costs. Shaw’s wireless spectrum licenses would have been completely transferred to Rogers as a result of the acquisition. Shaw’s ownership of Freedom Mobile has been largely viewed as the biggest impediment to the deal’s ratification. Videotron, located in Montreal, agreed to purchase it for $2.1 billion earlier this year. Champagne stated that he wanted two specific commitments before approving the Videotron merger. Videotron would have to agree to maintain the…
When choosing the right equipment, it is important to consider the additional criteria that is necessary to meet the changing expectations of professional equipment for mobile workplaces. Among other things, this includes the seamless use of purchased devices anywhere, and the possibility of multi-purpose technology. Snom has been taking this approach in the development of its IP phones for some time now. Through numerous integrations, Snom IP phones have become integral to intelligent office environments. Snom is now extending this strategy to its headsets and conference phones, while its new A330 M/D headset and the new C300 speakerphone contribute to the work-life balance of employees. Snom A330 M/D: Headset with full-band audio and comfort Thanks to state-of-the-art D/A converter technology and optimized speakers, the Snom A330 M/D is a mono- or binaural USB headset that delivers outstanding HD audio quality across the entire human hearing spectrum. The…
The EU Secure Connectivity Program has welcomed Rivada Space Networks, a wireless technology company focused on open access wholesale and the fusion of terrestrial and satellite communications. The EU space-based, secure communication system proposes to use the most recent quantum communication technology for secure encryption in order to accommodate growing and changing governmental and business demands. The program aims to enable access to advanced, dependable and high-speed connectivity for citizens and businesses across Europe, including coverage of communication dead zones. This initiative is aimed at ensuring cohesion among Member States, and providing the long-term availability of worldwide uninterrupted secure and cost-effective satellite communication services. In its submission to the EU Secure Connectivity Program’s preliminary market consultation, Rivada Space Networks outlined the main characteristics of its laser-linked LEO constellation architecture. The business also suggests that the member nations and project stakeholders should use its Open Access Wireless Marketplace platform…
T-Mobile is collaborating with SpaceX to expand its network coverage. Last week, the two businesses announced that they will collaborate to provide extensive cellular access, including full coverage in most parts of the United States. The collaboration seeks to beam down connectivity using SpaceX’s fleet of low Earth orbit satellites for the benefit of T-Mobile customers. With this initiative, T-Mobile consumers should be able to connect to the SpaceX satellites through a new network, transmitted from Starlink’s satellites utilizing T-Mobile’s midband spectrum across the country. SpaceX currently provides home internet access globally through its Starlink program. Even though T-Mobile hasn’t yet provided details on the network’s deployment, the company claims that this collaboration should provide nearly complete coverage almost anywhere in the US. The two companies intend to provide this service in order to replace the use of satellite phones in off-the-grid locations such as national parks or…
