Monday, October 16, 2017

Verizon, Qualcomm and Novatel to expedite 5G NR mmWave rollout

Verizon, Qualcomm Technologies, and Novatel Wireless, are pushing ahead with plans to expedite the rollout of 5G New Radio (NR) millimeter wave (mmWave) technology.  The companies have agreed to collaborate on over-the-air field trials based on the 5G NR Release-15 specifications being developed by 3GPP, with hopes of moving the mobile ecosystem towards faster validation and commercialization of 5G NR mmWave technologies at scale before the end of the decade.

The expedited plan call for an initial focus on 5G NR operation in 28 GHz and 39 GHz mmWave spectrum bands. The goal is to achieve robust multi-gigabit per second data rates with mobility at significantly lower latencies than today’s networks. Over-the-air trials are expected starting in 2018, that will be compliant with the first 3GPP 5G NR specification that will be part of Release 15. The trials will utilize 5G NR mmWave mobile test platforms from Qualcomm and will employ advanced 5G NR Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna technology with adaptive beamforming and beam tracking techniques.

“Since the inception of the 5G Technology Forum, Verizon has been working closely with Qualcomm Technologies and other technology leaders to accelerate a global 5G specification to help usher in the next generation of wireless innovation for customers,” said Ed Chan, senior vice president, Verizon Technology Strategy & Planning. “Verizon’s investment in mmWave spectrum has given us the flexibility to pursue a first-of its kind fixed wireless broadband customer trial, which has been invaluable in advancing our expertise in the deployment of mmWave technology. With the collaboration we’re announcing today, we are taking the next logical step towards extending our leadership position in the advancement of 5G, part of the Verizon Intelligent Edge Network.”

“Qualcomm Technologies is committed to delivering 5G NR mmWave technologies to meet the ever-increasing connectivity requirements for enhanced mobile broadband experiences,” said Joe Glynn, vice president, business development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We are excited to collaborate with Verizon in making 5G NR mmWave a commercial reality for mobile devices, including fixed wireless home routers, mobile hotspots, tablets and smartphones.”

“Novatel Wireless has been delivering innovative products for over 17 years, and has pioneered new categories of mobile devices with every technology generation since the inauguration of mobile data. We are excited to be closely collaborating with Verizon and Qualcomm Technologies to deliver on the 5G promise." said Dan Mondor, president and chief executive officer, Inseego. "We believe our unique expertise and capabilities are well aligned in the commercialization of 5G by delivering the next generation of high-performance mobile broadband and IoT solutions,” said Stephen Sek, chief technology officer, Novatel Wireless.

Qualcomm shows 5G NR mmWave prototype


Qualcomm unveiled a 5G NR mmWave prototype system based on the 5G New Radio (NR) Release-15 specifications.  Peak download speeds of up to 5 Gbps are possible. The prototype system, which operates in millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum bands above 24 GHz, demonstrates how advanced 5G NR mmWave technologies can be utilized to deliver robust mobile broadband communications at multi-gigabit-per-second data rates in real-world mobile environments. Qualcomm's...


Qualcomm - first 5G data connection on a 5G modem chipset

Qualcomm announced a big milestone for the mobile industry -- the first 5G data connection on a 5G modem chipset for mobile devices.

During testing at the company's headquarters in San Diego, the forthcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem chipset delivered gigabit speeds and a data connection in the 28GHz mmWave radio frequency band. The 5G data connection demonstration test used several 100 MHz 5G carriers. In addition to the Snapdragon X50 5G modem chipset, the demonstration also utilized the SDR051 mmWave RF transceiver integrated circuit (IC). The demonstration utilized Keysight Technologies’ new 5G Protocol R&D Toolset and UXM 5G Wireless Test Platform.

Additionally, Qualcomm Technologies previewed its first 5G smartphone reference design for the testing and optimization of 5G technology within the power and form-factor constraints of a smartphone.

“Achieving the world’s first announced 5G data connection with the Snapdragon X50 5G modem chipset on 28GHz mmWave spectrum is truly a testament to Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership in 5G and extensive expertise in mobile connectivity,” said Cristiano Amon, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and president, QCT. "This major milestone and our 5G smartphone reference design showcase how Qualcomm Technologies is driving 5G NR in mobile devices to enhance mobile broadband experiences for consumers around the world.”


DT has four 5G NR antennas running in Berlin

Deutsche Telekom has now activated four antennas in Berlin running pre-standard 5G NR technology.

The network is achieving throughput of more than 2 Gbps to a single customer device, as well as a latency of three milliseconds on commercial sites in Berlin's Schöneberg district. The network is running in the 3.7 gigahertz band. Huawei is the lead supplier.

"5G New Radio in Berlin is the first major step towards 5G for everybody," said Deutsche Telekom CTO Bruno Jacobfeuerborn. "As soon as the standard is defined and is available, we will proceed in 2018 to lay the foundation for large-scale build-out. This is how we are driving the technology development in Europe and demonstrate our innovation power.”

Nokia combines PON with integrated wireless drop

Nokia introduced a "wireless PON solution" that allows operators to bring gigabit services to customers using WiGig wireless technology, eliminating the need to bring fiber all the way to a home or building.

Nokia's Wireless PON integrates Passive Optical Network (PON) technology with WiGig, a high-speed, 60 GHz standard otherwise known as 802.11ad. It can be mounted to telephone poles, street lights or a building facade and uses beamforming to bring connections of up to 1Gbps to Nokia WPON home units located up to 300 meters away on the outside of a building or home. The solution has the ability to connect multiple access points in a row. Network operators might also use the wireless PON or create a WiGig meshed network in a neighborhood.

Federico Guillén, president of Nokia's Fixed Networks Business Group, said: "Multi-technology strategies are key to helping operators quickly roll out new ultra-broadband services to more people. Leveraging advancements made in today's wireless technologies, we're demonstrating how operators can use a wireless drop alternative to effectively deliver fiber-like speeds to customers. Nokia's new Wireless PON solution will introduce FTTx options that operators can use to enhance the way customers experience their broadband services. With a strong portfolio across all FTTx technologies including fiber, DSL, cable and wireless, Nokia has the experience it takes to deliver these multi-technology broadband networks and make the business case work."

Nutanix powers Indonesia's Tokopedia

Tokopedia, Indonesia’s largest and fastest growing e-commerce and online retail giant, has deployed Nutanix to power its enterprise cloud operations.

Nutanix announced several other significant wins in Southeast Asia, including Thailand’s Kasetsart University, Faculty of Engineering; Kaneka, a chemical manufacturing company in Malaysia; and Reed Exhibitions, one of the world’s largest exhibition and conventions companies.

Nutanix noted that since its initial public offering in September 2016, it has experienced 68% year over year growth in revenue and over 875 new end-customers in its recently concluded fourth quarter.

UAE's du tests Nokia's software-defined access

du, the incumbent carrier in the United Arab Emirates, is the first provider in the Middle East to trial SDAN technology on NG-PON from Nokia.

The trial uses Nokia's SDN technology to flexibly program and automate du's next-generation PON network, such as using the transport network for future 5G mobile access networks, network slicing and wavelength mobility. The trial also showcases automated network workflows with self-healing and optimizing capabilities that reduce the time and complexity.

Nokia said its SDAN solution enables a more open, automated network environment that makes it easier and faster to create and deploy new intelligent services.