T-Mobile US launches nationwide NB-IoT

T-Mobile launched its Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) service across the United States -- the first carrier to do so.

NB-IoT operates on spectrum guard bands, which T-Mobile describes as the network equivalent of driving down the shoulders on the highway. It is a low power, wide area network (LPWAN) LTE-Advanced technology boasting low power usage, long battery life and low device cost. T-Mobile was also first to trial NB-IoT in the U.S. last year.

Significantly, T-Mobile’s NB-IoT plan costs just $6 a year – one tenth of Verizon’s Cat-M plans – for up to 12 MB per connected device. Several NB-IoT modules based on Qualcomm MDM9206 LTE IoT modem are certified for use on T-Mobile’s network.

T-Mobile worked with Ericsson, Nokia and Qualcomm Technologies to deploy nationwide NB-IoT.

T-mobile also announced its new partner program, T-Mobile CONNECT, to help IoT solution providers collaborate and bring their products and services to market on T-Mobile’s network -- and into the hands of customers -- more quickly.

“We’re always innovating to bring customers the latest technology, and NB-IoT is the globally-preferred standard to power the rapidly expanding world of IoT applications,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile. “So of course, T-Mobile is the first to bring NB-IoT to the U.S., lighting up new capabilities to connect massive numbers of devices at low cost.”

For applications that require more bandwidth and voice, T-Mobile also offers Cat-1 IoT Access Packs. In addition, the new T-Mobile CONNECT program will help IoT solution providers accelerate the development and commercialization of their products and solutions.

https://iot.t-mobile.com/


See video: https://youtu.be/QU0dv6Zbcmc

T-Mobile US to deploy Nokia 5G in 600MHz and 28GHz mmWave this year

Tuesday, February 27, 2018  #5G, #MWC18, Nokia, T-Mobile  

T-Mobile U.S. announced plans to build out 5G in 30 cities this year and Nokia confirmed that its equipment has been selected for the rollout. T-Mobile will deploy its 5G RAN using both 600MHz and 28GHz millimeter wave spectrum.

Nokia will begin building the network during the second quarter of 2018, completing the deployment during 2020. Financial terms were not disclosed.

T-Mobile said New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Las Vegas will be first to get 5G. Service, of course, will require a 5G smartphone and these are expected to launch early in 2019.

Nokia listed the following elements in T-Mobile's deployment:

• Nokia AirScale baseband and remote radio heads supporting 5G NR, and ReefShark-enabled portfolio in the 600MHz and 28GHz mmWave spectrums. The Nokia 5G-ready AirScale radio access portfolio, which is software upgradable to full 5G services will provide enhanced RAN support for 4G and 5G T-Mobile subscribers
• Nokia installed Core technologies will be enhanced to support 5G, implementing a cloud-native architecture, powered by the Nokia AirFrame data center solution, Subscriber Data Management, CloudBand and Cloud Packet Core
• Nokia Mobile Anyhaul framework to enable ultra-broadband connectivity
• Nokia Digital Experience and Monetization solutions will support 5G device management and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) solutions
• Nokia CloudBand Management and Orchestration (MANO) software suite will automate cloud application deployment and lifecycle management
• Nokia NetAct virtualized network management software provides capabilities for troubleshooting, assurance, administration, software management and configuration, and managing the smooth evolution to 5G
• Nokia Global Services expertise, including automation to speed the rollout and analytics to help optimize network performance

Read More

LinkedIn pushes ahead with Open19 in its data centers

In a blog post, LinkedIn's engineering team announced that it working to deploy its Open19 technology in its data centers.

The Open19 project, which LinkedIn launched in July 2016, aims to establish a new open standard for servers based on a common form factor. The Open19 platform is based on the standard 19-inch, four post rack used in data centers.

According to the blog post, since adopting Open 19, LinkedIn experienced a 7X improvement in rack integration and an ability to install 4X the number of servers per rack.

LinkedIn also announced that it has become a Platinum member of the Open Compute Project (OCP).

https://engineering.linkedin.com/blog/2018/07/data-center-innovation--developing-and-broadening-with-the-commu

LinkedIn's Open19 Project Aims for New Rack/Server Spec

Tuesday, July 19, 2016  Data Centers, LinkedIn, Servers  

LinkedIn is launching a new Open19 project that aims to establish a new open standard for servers based on a common form factor.

LinkedIn believes a new spec could lead to lower cost per rack, lower cost per server, and optimized power utilization in its hyperscale, cloud data centers. The project is open and industry participation is welcomed.

The Open19 platform is based on standard building blocks with the following specifications:

Read More

Microsoft delivers sizzling quarter with Office365, Azure, LinkedIn

Microsoft reported revenue of $30.1 billion for its fourth fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018, up 17% yoy. Operating income was $10.4 billion, up 35% yoy. GAAP net income was $8.9 billion and non-GAAP income was $8.8 billion.

“We had an incredible year, surpassing $100 billion in revenue as a result of our teams’ relentless focus on customer success and the trust customers are placing in Microsoft,” said Satya Nadella, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “Our early investments in the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge are paying off, and we will continue to expand our reach in large and growing markets with differentiated innovation.”

Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $9.7 billion and increased 13% (up 10% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• Office commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 10% (up 8% in constant currency) driven by Office 365 commercial revenue growth of 38% (up 35% in constant currency)
• Office consumer products and cloud services revenue increased 8% (up 6% in constant currency) and Office 365 consumer subscribers increased to 31.4 million
• LinkedIn revenue increased 37% (up 34% in constant currency) with continued acceleration in engagement highlighted by LinkedIn sessions growth of 41%
• Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased 11% (up 8% in constant currency) driven by Dynamics 365 revenue growth of 61% (up 56% in constant currency)

Revenue in Intelligent Cloud was $9.6 billion and increased 23% (up 20% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• Server products and cloud services revenue increased 26% (up 24% in constant currency) driven by Azure revenue growth of 89% (up 85% in constant currency)
• Enterprise Services revenue increased 8% (up 7% in constant currency)

Revenue in More Personal Computing was $10.8 billion and increased 17% (up 16% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• Windows OEM revenue increased 7% (up 7% in constant currency) driven by OEM Pro revenue growth of 14%
• Windows commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 23% (up 19% in constant currency) driven by an increased volume of multi-year agreements and the mix of products that carry higher in-quarter revenue recognition
• Gaming revenue increased 39% (up 38% in constant currency) with Xbox software and services revenue growth of 36% (up 35% in constant currency) mainly from third party title strength
• Surface revenue increased 25% (up 21% in constant currency) driven by strong performance of the latest editions of Surface against a low prior year comparable
• Search advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs increased 17% (up 16% in constant currency) driven by higher revenue per search and search volume

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/earnings/FY-2018-Q4/press-release-webcast

Read More

Deutsche Telekom deepens investment in Open Source networking

Deutsche Telekom has enrolled as a Platinum member of Linux Foundation Networking (LFN).

"Linux Foundation Networking has made rapid advancement in developing comprehensive solutions that will set industry standards for the future of telecommunications technologies," said Arash Ashouriha, SVP Technology Architecture & Innovation, Deutsche Telekom. "Providing a standard platform for network automation and increased interoperability through the ONAP project is an area we're especially keen on contributing to in support of our 5G activities. The work in ONAP will complement our activities in ETSI-ZSM to lead the industry towards a fully automated network and service management. This will be a critical success factor for our companies to leverage the full benefits of 5G. We see great value in the global collaboration LFN provides for accelerating that process, for both our businesses and customers."

The Linux Foundation notes that with the addition of Deutsche Telekom, LFN projects now enable nearly seventy percent of all global subscribers.

Read More

Orange to extend 5G trials across Paris

Orange announced that France's national regulatory authority, ARCEP, has approved its plan to extend 5G testing to the greater Paris region using the 3400-3800 MHz band.

In Paris'Opéra district, Orange will set-up a 5G use case demonstration.

At the Orange Gardens laboratory site in Châtillon, Orange will offer its partners the chance to test innovative 5G products and services, including virtual reality and augmented reality, communications in an immersive environment and 4K/8K video. 5G services for companies will continue to be addressed in co-innovation projects at the dedicated Paris-Saclay platform.

Orange to conduct 5G tests in Linas-Montlhéry focused on applications for the automotive industry.

• Earlier this month, Orange announced regulatory approval to begin 5G testing in the 3.7 - 3.8GHz frequency band in the city of Marseille. Orange will use equipment from Nokia for this trial deployment.

Read More

A10 awarded contract by an Asian Tier-1 mobile operator for 5G project

A10 Networks disclosed that an Asian Tier-1 mobile service provider has selected its 5G-GiLAN solution for its next-gen 5G-ready network rollout. Financial terms were not disclosed.

A10 said its service provider customer is leveraging the Gi/SGi firewall and advanced network translation components to provide the scale and security needed to meet the demands of its 5G infrastructure rollout and IoT adoption.

“We are pleased to have been selected by the Tier-1 provider in a highly competitive bake-off. The fast-approaching rollout of 5G networks around the world represents a dramatic transformation in mobile services, including exciting new revenue opportunities for service providers,” said Lee Chen, CEO of A10 Networks. “However, it will also elevate the breadth and sophistication of IP-based threats facing carriers and their customers. The A10 5G-GiLAN solution plays a major role in helping service providers simplify, scale and secure their 5G deployments. We are currently working with many Tier-1 providers who are seeking next-generation security and networking solutions for 5G.”

Read More

Toshiba and Western Digital announce 96-layer BiCS FLASH memory

Toshiba announced 96-layer BiCS FLASH, its proprietary 3D flash memory, with 4-bit-per-cell (quad level cell, QLC) technology that boosts single-chip memory capacity to the highest level yet achieved. The advancement pushes the bit count for data per memory cell from three to four, thus significantly expanding capacity. The new product achieves the industry's maximum capacity of 1.33 terabits for a single chip which was jointly developed with Western Digital Corporation.
A capacity of 2.66 terabytes can be achieved with a 16-chip stacked architecture in one package.

Toshiba Memory will begin sampling to SSD and SSD controller manufacturers from the beginning of September, and expects to start mass production in 2019.


Separately, Western Digital announced its second-generation, four-bits-per-cell architecture for 3D NAND using 96-layer BiCS4 technology. BiCS4 was developed at the joint venture flash manufacturing facility in Yokkaichi, Japan in partnership with Toshiba Memory Corporation. Consumer products marketed under the SanDisk brand are expected to begin shippint this year. Western Digital expects to deploy BiCS4 in a wide variety of applications from retail to enterprise SSDs.

Read More

Samsung develops 8-gigabit LPDDR5 DRAM for 5G mobile devices

Samsung Electronics is ready to begin mass production of the first 10-nm class 8-gigabit LPDDR5 DRAM for use in upcoming 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered mobile applications including smartphones and automobiles.

The 10nm-class LPDDR5 DRAM will be available in two bandwidths – 6,400Mb/s at a 1.1 operating voltage (V) and 5,500Mb/s at 1.05V.

The new memory incorporates a number of innovations including to lower its voltage in accordance with the operating speed of the corresponding application processor, when in active mode. There is also a deep sleep mode which cuts power to approximately half of the idle mode. Samsung estimates power savings of up to 30% over the previous generation.

The newly-developed 8Gb LPDDR5 is the latest addition to Samsung’s premium DRAM lineup, which includes 10nm-class 16Gb GDDR6 DRAM (in volume production since December 2017) and 16Gb DDR5 DRAM (developed in February).

“This development of 8Gb LPDDR5 represents a major step forward for low-power mobile memory solutions,” said Jinman Han, senior vice president of Memory Product Planning & Application Engineering at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to expand our next-generation 10nm-class DRAM lineup as we accelerate the move toward greater use of premium memory across the global landscape.”

Read More

Telia to acquire TDC's Norwegian operations for US$2.6B

Telia Company agreed to acquire the Norwegian operations of the Danish operator TDC at an enterprise value of NOK 21 billion (US$2.6 billion) in cash.

The Danish operator TDC’s Norwegian business encompasses GET, a leading provider of fixed and TV services, with a total of 518,000 households and businesses connected to its fiber-based network, and more than 1 million private and business customers who use the TV and broadband services on a daily basis. TDC’s B2B business in Norway is also part of the transaction which paired with Telia’s enterprise business will enable converged offerings to B2B-customers.

Telia plans to combine its mobile network with GET’s supreme TV and fixed services to create a strong challenger on the Norwegian market with converged customer offerings.

“It is with great excitement and commitment that we announce the agreement to acquire GET and TDC Norway. It will create a leading convergent operator for both consumers and enterprises in Norway which can compete in the market with a lot of attractive and new products and services. This transaction is beneficial for the Norwegian customers and society. We are building a great company with passionate employees where we have invested heavily in our mobile network which now covers 98 percent of the country. As part of Telia Company, GET will continue to invest in the rollout of broadband and fiber,” says Johan Dennelind, President and CEO of Telia Company.

Read More

Benu Networks raises $17.5 million in funding

Benu Networks, which offers a carrier-class Virtual Service Edge software platform has closed a total of $17.5 million in two funding rounds over the past 12 months. The most recent round of $10 million, which closed in July 2018, was led by new investor Spring Lake Equity Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm.

The earlier funding round of $7.5 million was led by long-time investors Sutter Hill Ventures and Liberty Global Ventures, a global investment fund owned by Liberty Global, the world’s largest international cable company.

Benu Networks’ Virtual Service Edge platform enables network operators to rapidly create new business opportunities for Mobile Wi-Fi, Managed Business Networking, Managed Home Networking, Managed Security, and Managed Internet of Things (IoT).

Benu Networks is based in Billerica, Mass.

https://benunetworks.com/

Read More