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.
Verizon Business and HCLTech shake hands in a significant $2.1 billion deal, blending Verizon’s renowned technological capabilities with HCLTech’s Managed Network Services. The partnership is geared to invigorate clients’ operations with next-gen technologies, buttressing the modernization of service delivery and putting Verizon on the fast track to revitalizing its fixed-line business. Following this, major portions of Verizon’s operations will smoothly transition to HCLTech.
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.
NEC Corporation has obtained O-RAN Certification from Japan OTIC (Open Testing & Integration Centres) for its MB5450 5G base station radio unit (RU), certifying that the RU conforms with the O-RAN Fronthaul Interface Specifications established by the Open Radio Access Network Alliance (O-RAN ALLIANCE). This RU has been delivered to Rakuten Symphony and is being deployed globally.
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.
Deutsche Telekom and MIRA dive into an ambitious project crafting the ‘shuttle service of the future’ in Bonn, using the premise of teleoperation or remote driving. Facilitated by speedy 5G data transmission, this experiment highlights the necessity of ‘network slicing’ and ‘quality on demand’ for autonomous vehicles. Yet, governmental restrictions on remote-controlled travel present a hurdle. Despite the challenges, both firms remain hopeful, envisioning a driver-free automobile future.
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.