GSA: 101 commercial 5G networks now operating in 44 countries

A total of 101 mobile operators in 44 countries/territories have now launched one of more fully commercial 3GPP-compliant 5G services, according to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).

Of these commercial networks, GSA data records that there are now 94 operators live with 3GPP-compliant 5G mobile services (up from 63 at the end of March 2020), while 37 have launched 3GPP-compliant 5G FWA or home broadband services (up from 34). 

As of September 2020, the GSA GAMBoD database included detailed data and analysis on a total of 397 operators in 129 countries that have announced investment in 5G, including trials, acquisition of licences, planning, network deployment and launches. 

“5G remains on track to become the fastest adopted mobile technology ever,” said Joe Barrett, President, Global mobile Suppliers Association. “There are now over 400 announced 5G devices; 5G subscriptions are doubling quarter on quarter; there are 20 commercially available 5G mobile processors and platforms and eight discrete 5G modems from five different semi-conductor companies. With over 100 commercial 5G networks now launched, and many more still being invested in by operators worldwide, we are seeing the mobile industry working together to drive 5G uptake at an unprecedented rate.”

https://gsacom.com/paper/5g-market-status-september-2020-snapshot/?utm=reports5g

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Microsoft announces Azure Communication Services

Microsoft announced Azure Communication Services, the first fully managed communication platform offering from a major cloud provider.

Azure Communication Services is built natively on top of the Microsof Azure cloud at global scale using the same low latency global communication network as Microsoft Teams, which currently is supporting over 5 billion meeting minutes per day. 

The idea is for enterprises to build rich communications into their existing application, including mobile apps, using the Azure communications network.

Azure Communication Services will enable developers to tap into other Azure services, such as Azure Cognitive Services for translation, sentiment analysis, etc. The service over encrypted communications to meet privacy and compliance needs, such as HIPAA and GDPR.

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/communication-services/

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Microsoft and Telstra enter cloud + 5G partnership

Microsoft and Telstra are extending their long-standing strategic partnership to focus on accelerating cloud-based solutions combined with 5G. Telstra has named Microsoft as its preferred cloud provider for ongoing internal digital transformation.

Telstra and Microsoft also agreed to:

• harness IoT, Edge, AI and digital twin capability to develop important new industry solutions in areas such as asset tracking, supply chain management, telematics and smart spaces;
• leverage Azure as preferred cloud for Telstra’s ongoing internal digital transformation.
• explore and pursue technology and data-driven solutions to advance our sustainability and climate commitments and
• build ground-breaking, nationally important solutions that leverage the Telstra Data Hub.

The companies also agreed to partner on digital twins for Telstra customers as well as for Telstra’s own commercial buildings and selected other infrastructure – which when fully deployed will be one of the largest Azure-based digital twins in Australia. 

“We already have a longstanding relationship with Microsoft and have worked together in areas that are market-leading to create unique experiences for our customers. Over the past 18 months, we have exclusively launched Xbox All Access for Australian gamers, were the first to launch Telstra Calling for Office 365, the only native Teams voice calling plan in Australia, which we recently expanded to include Microsoft Business Voice for SMB customers; and co-collaborated on Telstra Data Hub to help industries better manage their data securely,” said Telstra CEO Andrew Penn.

“The broad adoption of cloud and 5G technology will create new opportunities for businesses worldwide, including in Australia,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “We’re expanding our partnership with Telstra and bringing together the power of Azure and Telstra’s network to build new solutions in critical areas like asset tracking, supply-chain management, and smart spaces, harnessing the latest advances in AI, digital twins, and mixed reality.”

https://news.microsoft.com/2020/09/24/telstra-microsoft-partnership-signals-new-generation-digital-foundations-for-australian-businesses/

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European Commission investigates Chinese dumping of fiber cables

  The European Commission is launching an investigation into the alleged dumping of single mode optical fibre cables from China into the EU at below market prices.

The complaint was initiated by producers representing more than 25% of the total EU production of optical fibre cable. The complaint argues that the price of optical fibre cables in China is articially low due to distortions in the Chinese telecommunications sector by the Government of China.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOC_2020_316_R_0009&from=EN

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Vast Broadband implements ADTRAN’s Mosaic Subscriber Insight

Vast Broadband, which serves customers in four states, has selected ADTRAN’s Mosaic Subscriber Insight to gather actionable intelligence from its access network, enabling it to gain better visibility into network performance and quickly troubleshoot and resolve issues.

Vast Broadband provides high-speed broadband, video and voice services to over 61,000 residential and business customers in South Dakota and Minnesota. It also operates Vexus Fiber in Texas and Louisiana, deploying a high-quality fiber network that passes more than 70,000 homes and businesses. Vast Broadband and Vexus Fiber serve some rural customers that are 90 miles from a network technician, which creates significant challenges in troubleshooting and issue resolution velocity.

ADTRAN's Mosaic Subscriber Insight intuitive dashboard and network analytic capabilities provides the tools and visibility to close this customer service gap. Vast Broadband is already leveraging ADTRAN’s Total Access 5000 (TA5000) fiber access platform for its FTTH buildout, and it selected ADTRAN to accelerate its network and subscriber monitoring capabilities across both regional networks. Its goal is to deploy Mosaic Subscriber Insight to 300,000 residential customers within the next two years to better understand subscriber behavior, quickly resolve issues and even reduce expensive and time-consuming truck rolls.

“It’s critical that service providers understand their subscribers’ challenges and needs,” said Brian Efimetz, Regional Vice President of Service Provider Sales at ADTRAN. “Mosaic Subscriber Insight does just that, by helping providers, like Vast Broadband, quickly recognize what might be impacting subscribers’ broadband experience and fix it before it becomes an issue. This helps them improve subscriber satisfaction and generate more revenue.”

http://www.adtran.com/Mosaic-Subscriber-Insight

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DISH selects Blue Planet automation software for its 5G network

 DISH selected inventory and service order management software from Ciena's Blue Planet division to automate its 5G network.

Blue Planet's software automation delivers real-time management of all inventory, enabling on-demand provisioning and faster rollout of customer network slices. 

“Blue Planet is a key component within our 5G platform, allowing us to dynamically manage all of our network inventory and service orders in real-time,” said Marc Rouanne, executive vice president and chief network officer, DISH. “With Blue Planet’s open, agile and programmable approach, DISH can rapidly deploy services and allocate resources to wholesale and enterprise customers, allowing them to provision network slices based on SLAs.”

“Delivering 5G requires a network that can adapt, which is why gaining control over the operations environment is critical,” said Rick Hamilton, senior vice president, Blue Planet. “With closed-loop automation from Blue Planet, DISH will execute its innovative network strategy and usher in the 5G era.”

http://www.blueplanet.com

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Calix debuts Wi-Fi 6 CPE for service providers

Calix introduced its GigaSpire BLAST u4 CPE with customizable branding for communications service providers (CSPs).  The u4 offer Wi-Fi 6 encased in a compact, minimalist design. 

Units are pre-integrated into Calix Support Cloud, so CSPs can take advantage of the support center, and Calix Marketing Cloud for data-driven marketing campaigns. As with all BLAST systems, the CSP’s branded CommandIQ™ mobile app and EDGE Suites are fully integrated, establishing the CSP’s branded virtual storefront with revenue-generating services in multiple rooms in the home.

“The GigaSpire BLAST u4 is a perfect balance between a beautiful consumer aesthetic and carrier-class reliability, management, and insight. There are no compromises in this system as evidenced by the industry leading Wi-Fi 6 performance that enables a CSP to deliver the ultimate Wi-Fi experience to their subscribers,” said Michael Weening, chief operating officer for Calix. 

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