Thursday, December 12, 2019

FCC advances C-V2X in 5.9 GHz proposal

The FCC is proposing rule changes for the 5.9 GHz (5.850-5.925 GHz) band, which has been reserved for use by Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), a radio service designed to enable vehicle-related communications.  However, after 20 years, DSRC still has not been widely deployed, and this spectrum therefore generally remains unused.

The FCC is proposing to designate the lower 45 megahertz of the band for unlicensed uses like Wi-Fi.  This 45 megahertz sub-band can be combined with existing unlicensed spectrum to provide cutting-edge high-throughput broadband applications on channels up to 160 megahertz wide. 

The FCC is proposing to dedicate the remaining 30 megahertz of the band for use by transportation and vehicle safety-related communication services.  Specifically, in the NPRM, the Commission proposes to revise its rules to provide Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X), an emerging standard for transportation applications, with exclusive access to the upper 20 megahertz of the band.  Under the Commission’s current rules, no spectrum is allocated for C-V2X.  The NPRM seeks comment on whether to retain the remaining 10 megahertz for use by DSRC systems or to dedicate it for C-V2X use. 

"One promising new technology that is gaining momentum in the automotive industry is Cellular Vehicle to Everything, or C-V2X.  C-V2X would use standard cellular protocols to provide direct communications between vehicles, and, as the name suggests, everything—including other vehicles on the road, infrastructure (like light poles), cyclists (like me), pedestrians, and road workers.  C-V2X also is expected to support new, advanced applications as we transition to faster, more responsive 5G networks.  And it’s backed by automakers like Ford, Audi, BMW, Daimler, and Tesla.  So we’re proposing to designate the upper 20 MHz for this exciting, new automotive communications technology," states Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman.

FCC looks to open 3.1-3.55 GHz band for 5G

The FCC is considering opening the 3.1-3.55 GHz band for advanced commercial services, including 5G. Specifically, the FCC is proposing to remove and relocate the non-federal users in the 3.3-3.55 GHz portion of the band, which currently is allocated for non-federal secondary radiolocation services and amateur use.  The item also seeks comment on the relocation options and transition mechanisms for these incumbent non-federal users to the 3.1-3.3 GHz band or to other frequencies.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai states: "Our action today is just another example of our comprehensive strategy to free up spectrum for commercial use across the country and advance American leadership in the next generation of wireless connectivity.  We have been aggressive in freeing up mid-band spectrum in particular.  For instance, an auction of the 3.5 GHz band will commence on June 25, 2020.  The Commission is also focused on commencing an auction of 280 MHz of spectrum in the C-band late next year.  And we recently voted to put the 2.5 GHz band—the largest swath of contiguous spectrum in the country below 3 GHz—to use for the American people.

In addition to these mid-band efforts, we’ve also been hard at work when it comes to high-band spectrum.  In January, we finished an auction of spectrum in the 28 GHz band.  In May, we concluded an auction of spectrum in the 24 GHz band.  And earlier this week, we launched an auction of 3,400 MHz of spectrum in the upper 37, 39, and 47 GHz bands, which is the largest spectrum auction in American history." 

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-considers-facilitating-shared-use-31-355-ghz-band

Facebook expands Eagle Mountain Data Center in Utah

Facebook is expanding plans for its Eagle Mountain Data Center, which is currently under construction. The new plan adds more than 500,0000 square feet to form a nearly 1.5 million square foot campus.

Construction of the data center began in May 2018.

Facebook said the expansion means that this data center will represent an investment of more than $1 billion. Once completed, the Eagle Mountain Data Center will support over 200 jobs.

The Eagle Mountain facility will be LEED Certified Gold once it’s operational. Facebook has contracted for more than 450 MWs of new solar energy in Utah which will support otsoperations in the region and will provide the Eagle Mountain Data Center with 100% renewable energy.

AT&T 5G now live in 10 markets

AT&T's 5G network is now live for consumers in 10 markets: Birmingham (AL),Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Providence, R.I., Rochester, N.Y., San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.

AT&T is offering two flavors of 5G.

  • 5G initially offers broad coverage areas for both consumers and businesses over low-band 5G. 
  • 5G+ offers extra speed and capacity over high-band 5G to serve high-traffic areas and places like arenas, campuses and more. It is currently available for businesses and collaborators who are exploring new ways to unlock the significant performance capabilities of 5G+. Service is now offered in parts of 23 cities, including recent entries into parts of King of Prussia and West Hollywood.

“We believe 5G technology will be game-changing, and we continue to help drive this next wave of innovation,” said Scott Mair, President of AT&T Technology Operations. “We were the first in the U.S. to offer commercial mobile 5G, and this is the next step as we build to nationwide service in the first half of 2020.”

Ciena hits Q4 revenue of $968 million, up 7.6% yoy

Ciena reported revenue of $968.0 million for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, ending October 31, 2019, up 7.6% year over year. For fiscal year 2019, Ciena reported revenue of $3.57 billion, as compared to $3.09 billion for fiscal year 2018.

Ciena's GAAP net income for the fiscal fourth quarter 2019 was $80.3 million or $0.51 per diluted common share, which compares to a GAAP net income of $64.0 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the fiscal fourth quarter 2018. For fiscal year 2019, Ciena's GAAP net income was $253.4 million, or $1.61 per diluted common share, as compared to a GAAP net loss of $(344.7) million, or $(2.49) per diluted common share for fiscal year 2018.

"Our outstanding Q4 financial performance rounded out an extraordinary year of industry-leading growth and profitability," said Gary Smith, President and CEO, Ciena. "Our innovation, diversification and scale uniquely position us to continue taking share while delivering improved operating margin and driving sustained EPS growth in 2020."

Some notes from Ciena:

  • One 10%-plus customer represented a total of 15.1% of revenue for the fiscal quarter
  • Three 10%-plus customers represented a total of 34.1% of revenue for the fiscal year
  • Cash and investments totaled $1,024.0 million
  • Non-telco revenue grew 25% year-over-year, led by web-scale customers
  • On track to have WaveLogic 5 in customers' hands during the company's fiscal Q1
  • On an annual basis, Packet Networking revenue grew 23% in fiscal 2019
  • Revenue from our Blue Planet business doubled in fiscal 2019
  • Headcount totaled 6,383



https://investor.ciena.com/news/press-release-details/2019/Ciena-Reports-Fiscal-Fourth-Quarter-2019-and-Year-End-Financial-Results/default.aspx

Broadcom posts revenue of $5.78 billion, up 6% yoy

Broadcom reported quarterly net revenue of $5,776 million, 4.7 percent higher than $5,515 million in the previous quarter and 6.1 percent higher than $5,444 million in the same quarter last year.

Gross margin 54.6 percent of net revenue. Operating income was $1,054 million, or 18.2 percent of net revenue. This compares with operating income of $865 million, or 15.7 percent of net revenue, in the prior quarter, and operating income of $1,652 million, or 30.3 percent of net revenue, in the same quarter last year. Net income was $847 million, or $1.97 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $715 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, in the prior quarter, and net income of $1,115 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.

The results do not include the Symantec Enterprise Security business, which Broadcom acquired on November 4, 2019.

On an annual basis, the semiconductor business declined 8% yoy, offset by gains in the infrastructure software business. All silicon categories declined for the year, with the exception of networking.

"Fiscal year 2019 concluded as expected. Our semiconductor solutions segment continued to work its way through a cyclical correction. This was more than offset by our infrastructure software segment, which delivered healthy results benefitting from the integration and performance of our CA business," said Hock Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom Inc. "Looking to fiscal 2020, we remain well-positioned across our technology franchises. We continue to believe that our core semiconductor business is bottoming and will return to year over year growth in the second half of our fiscal year. In addition, we expect to benefit from the integration of the Symantec Enterprise Security business into what is otherwise expected to be a stable infrastructure software segment in fiscal 2020."

CenturyLink debuts home gateway with Wi-Fi 6

CenturyLink announced its next-generation home gateway featuring Intel's Wi-Fi 6 Gig+ technology to deliver gigabit speeds.

"Every year connected homes face the challenge of powering more devices and keeping up with emerging technology, so it's important for consumers to have a powerful gateway enhanced with the latest Wi-Fi capabilities," said Andrew Dugan, CenturyLink chief technology officer. "

"Wi-Fi 6 is designed for our ultra-connected lifestyles and is one of the biggest achievements in connectivity during the last decade," said Weng Kuan Tan, vice president and general manager of Intel's Connected Home Division.

The CenturyLink Wi-Fi 6 gateway will be available to consumers in early 2020.