Thursday, July 15, 2021

Ericsson and Verizon sign multi-year $8.3 billion 5G deal

Ericsson confirmed a multi-year 5G supply agreement with Verizon valued at $8.3 billion.

Under the agreement, Verizon will deploy Ericsson's 5G MIMO C-band, low-band and millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions to enhance and expand Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband coverage, network performance and user experience. Ericsson's technology solutions, including Massive MIMO, Ericsson Spectrum Sharing and Ericsson Cloud RAN, complement the high-performing Ericsson Radio System portfolio to support 5G services. Ericsson’s industry-leading software functionality provides end-users with the speed and performance they expect from 5G networks.


Niklas Heuveldop, President and Head of Ericsson North America, says: “This is a significant strategic partnership for both companies and what we’re most excited about is bringing the benefits of 5G to U.S. consumers, enterprises and the public sector. We’re looking forward to working with Verizon to leverage solutions like Cloud RAN and our Street Macro, adding depth and versatility to 5G network rollouts across the U.S.”

“With this new agreement, we will be able to continue driving innovation and widespread adoption of 5G,” says Kyle Malady, Chief Technology Officer for Verizon. “We are pleased to continue this work through our long-standing relationship with Ericsson.”

  • In 2020, Verizon was the first communications service provider to receive a commercial 5G mmWave Street Macro base station from Ericsson's new state-of-the-art U.S. smart factory in Lewisville, Texas. 

Verizon tests carrier aggregation of C-Band + mmWave

Verizon achieved speeds of 4.3 Gbps in a trial of carrier aggregation using its newly acquired national footprint of C-band spectrum and its existing mmWave spectrum. 

The lab trial aggregated 100 MHz of C-band spectrum together with 600 MHz of mmWave spectrum to provide greater efficiency for data sessions transmitting over the wireless network. The basebands and radios used were from Ericsson’s industry-leading Ericsson Radio System portfolio including the RAN Compute Baseband 6648, Antenna-Integrated Radio (AIR) 6449 for the C-band spectrum, and the Streetmacro 6701 for mmWave. The radios leverage massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) architectures. The device used in this lab trial was a pre-market test device based on MediaTek’s M80 modem, which combines mmWave and sub-6 GHz 5G technologies onto a single chip.


“The depth of our spectrum portfolio, now the strongest in the industry, allows us to quickly expand access to a world-class 5G experience for our mobile and fixed broadband customers, providing high speeds, low latencies and enormous capacity,” said Adam Koeppe, Senior Vice President of Technology Planning at Verizon. “These lab trials demonstrate the exceptional network performance our customers will receive as we are able to integrate our newly acquired C-band spectrum with mmWave spectrum.” 

The trial follows the recent announcement of new agreements with Verizon’s tower partners, Crown and SBA Communications, which provide for process improvements including standardizing and reducing forms and minimizing legal reviews. Additionally, Verizon has already started installation of C-band equipment from Ericsson and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd to speed deployment of its 5G Ultra Wideband and fixed wireless broadband service. These combined efforts, along with ongoing lab trials to optimize 5G technology on C-band spectrum will allow Verizon to offer expanded mobility and broadband services to millions more consumers and businesses as soon as the spectrum is cleared. 

In the first quarter of 2022, Verizon expects to put into service the new 5G C-band spectrum in the initial 46 markets and to provide 5G Ultra Wideband service to 100 million people. Over 2022 and 2023, coverage is expected to increase to more than 175 million people and by 2024 and beyond, when the remaining C-band spectrum is cleared, more than 250 million people are expected to have access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband service on C-band spectrum.

Verizon appoints Hans Vestberg as next CEO - former boss of Ericsson

Verizon Communications named Hans E. Vestberg to succeed Lowell C. McAdam as CEO, effective August 1, 2018.

Vestberg, 52, is the former CEO of Ericsson and currently serves as Executive Vice President and President of Global Networks and Chief Technology Officer. From 2007 to 2009, Vestberg served as Chief Financial Officer at Ericsson, and he previously served in a number of leadership positions at Ericsson. From 2009 till 2016, Vestberg led Ericsson during a period of significant industry and company transformation. He joined Ericsson in 1991 and earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Uppsala, Sweden.

McAdam, 64, has served as CEO of Verizon since 2011 and as chairman since 2012. During his tenure, Verizon took over complete ownership of Verizon Wireless in 2014 through a $130 billion purchase of Vodafone’s 45 percent stake in the company. McAdam also led the acquisitions of major media, fiber and telematics assets, including AOL, Yahoo!, XO Communications and the purchase of millions of miles of optical fiber from Corning. 

Google Cloud opens in Delhi National Capital Region

Google Cloud inaugurated its new Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), its second Google Cloud region in India and 10th to open in Asia Pacific. 

Google Cloud region highlighted several major customer already active in the Delhi NCR, including InMobi, Groww, HDFC Bank, and Dr. Reddy's Lab.

Delhi NCR joins 25 existing Google Cloud regions connected via Googles high-performance network.

https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/google-cloud-region-in-delhi-ncr-is-now-open

Google Cloud Platform expands to Delhi, Doha, Melbourne, and Toronto

Google Cloud Platform will open new regions in Delhi (India), Doha (Qatar), Melbourne (Australia) and Toronto (Canada). Each region will have three zones (data centers) to protect against service disruptions. Each will launch with a portfolio of key GCP products,. Delhi, Melbourne and Toronto are the second regions within those markets enabling in-country disaster recovery for mission-critical applications. As previously announced, GCP this year...


Bell Canada enters strategic partnership with Google Cloud

Bell Canada has entered into a multiyear strategic partnership with Google Cloud to power Bell’s company-wide digital transformation, enhance its network and IT infrastructure, and enable a more sustainable future. 

Bell is looking to Google Cloud to drive operational efficiencies, increase network automation, and deliver richer customer experiences through the following initiatives:

  • Shifting critical workloads to the cloud
  • Unlocking multicloud, next-generation network technology -- with the combined power of Bell’s 5G network and Anthos, Google Cloud’s multicloud solution, Bell will deliver a consistent customer experience with greater automation and enhanced flexibility that scales with customer demand. The increased speed and bandwidth capacity of the Bell 5G network will support applications that can respond faster and handle greater volumes of data than previous generations of wireless technology.
  • Leveraging the power of AI, data and analytics -- Bell will leverage Google Cloud’s expertise in AI and big data to gain unique insights through real-time network data analytics that will enhance the customer experience, improve service assurance, and assist with network capacity planning.
  • Google Cloud will contribute to Bell’s target of achieving carbon neutral operations by 2025

“We’re excited to partner with Google Cloud as part of our ongoing digital transformation and take Bell’s 5G network leadership to the next level,” said Mirko Bibic, CEO, BCE Inc. and Bell Canada. “Supporting Bell’s goal to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world, Google’s proven expertise in cloud and leadership in sustainability will provide our customers with even faster, more reliable access to the best broadband network and communications services in Canada.”




“The acceleration of 5G has created new opportunities for industry leaders like Bell to redefine their business and create richer customer experiences,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. “We’re proud to partner with Bell to support their transformational shift to the cloud, and power a better network experience for people and businesses across Canada.”

KT activates 5G Standalone (SA) service with Samsung

KT activated Korea’s first commercial 5G SA network in collaboration with Samsung.

For this commercial launch, Samsung provided KT its end-to-end 5G network solutions from Radio Access Network (RAN) to Core. KT facilitated a smooth transition to 5G SA by using Samsung’s 5G RAN and Core, which can support 5G SA and NSA simultaneously. 

“Samsung is proud to play a leading role in placing Korea at the forefront of network technology innovation,” said Seungil Kim, Vice President and Head of Korea Business, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our reliable and flexible 5G SA architecture, powered by our 5G RAN and Core, will enable KT to offer its users the next generation of enhanced use cases and mobile experiences. By introducing 5G SA services in Korea, we are taking a meaningful step in 5G journey, and look forward to delivering more transformative experiences to customers and businesses with KT.”


“Our 5G SA service will be an important step in unlocking the full potential of 5G and it will bring new value to our customers,” said Youngsoo Seo, Senior Vice President and Director of Network Research Technology Unit, Network Group at KT. “As a digital platform company, KT will continue to make efforts to help drive Korea’s Digital New Deal and ensure our customers enjoy the best experiences and opportunities that 5G has to offer.”


Verizon Business expands its 5G fixed-wireless

Verizon Business' has expanded its 5G fixed-wireless Internet service is now available in parts of 42 U.S. cities, an expansion from the previous total of 24 announced in April.


Verizon Business is also offering a credit of up to $1,500 to offset early-termination fees for eligible customers switching to Verizon from another Internet provider, and the previously announced 10-year price lock guarantee for eligible new customers is still in effect.

“5G Business Internet customers get more than just a new kind of superfast Internet connectivity for today -- they also get a 5G digital-transformation platform for tomorrow," said Sampath Sowmyanarayan, Chief Revenue Officer of Verizon Business. "Professional installation from Verizon means easy setup and quick application deployments from the start, and, as 5G technology evolves, customers will also have a scalable framework for leveraging technologies like edge computing and IoT.”


Enea to acquire AdaptiveMobile Security Ltd,

Enea agreed to acquire AdaptiveMobile Security Ltd, a  provider of security solutions for mobile networks, for approximately EUR 45 million on a cash and debt free basis. 

AdaptiveMobile Security, which is based in Dublin, Ireland, delivers software and services for messaging and signaling security in mobile core networks. The company’s products protect mobile networks, their subscribers, and their data from all types of network-borne attacks. Messaging security prevents unwanted traffic which can be linked to security threats, service abuse, or revenue loss. The purpose of signaling security is to prevent cyberattacks exploiting signaling traffic. The offering is a combination of carrier-grade signaling firewalls, reporting, and advanced monitoring. AdaptiveMobile Security will continue to operate under its current brand as a new business unit within Enea and will be headed by Brian Collins.

Enea, which is based in Sweden,  estimates that AdaptiveMobile Security will have sales of approximately EUR 17 million for the full year 2021, with an EBIT margin in 2022 that will be close to Enea's operating margin target. Closing is expected in July 2021.

“I am proud to announce an acquisition that significantly strengthens our cybersecurity portfolio,” says Jan Häglund, President and CEO of Enea. “As the global leader in mobile network security, AdaptiveMobile Security expands our market presence and broadens our offering to operators, creating interesting opportunities in areas such as 5G security.”

“We are thrilled to become part of Enea, a well-respected leader in the telecommunications and security markets. We are aligned on market strategy and can leverage product synergies that will drive market and customer penetration. Our unique offering of security products will enhance Enea’s product offerings, especially in the area of 5G.” says Brian Collins, CEO of AdaptiveMobile Security. “It is critical to protect mobile networks against an ever-increasing threat landscape to maintain the integrity of national and international communications. Together with Enea, we can now serve a wider range of customers and offer an unrivalled combination of networking and security expertise.”


Millicom picks Ericsson for upgrades in Bolivia, Paraguay and Honduras

 Millicom has awarded contracts valued at US$135 million to Ericsson for network upgrades in Bolivia, Paraguay and Honduras.

As part of the three-year project, Ericsson will upgrade TIGO’s current networks with the latest Ericsson Radio System products and solutions and replace the existing 4G packet core with Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, delivering significant improvements to network performance, and introducing LTE and 5G-ready technology for greater speed, stability and user experience.  

Xavier Rocoplan, EVP, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Millicom, says: “Millicom has a strategy to achieve and maintain network leadership in all the markets in which it operates.  We want to offer the best mobile experience in the market and connect more people in both urban and rural areas. With this project, we further our purpose to build the best digital highways where we operate, to connect people, improve lives, and help develop our communities.” 

Arun Bansal, President of Europe and Latin America, Ericsson, says: "Ericsson is leading in 5G. With our drive for innovation, we are incredibly pleased to unite with Millicom and bring the crucial connectivity to Latin America while paving the way towards 5G. Working alongside such a prominent telecommunication provider, we double-down on our commitment to closing the digital divide globally. While the pandemic has changed much more than simply how we communicate, connectivity remains as crucial as ever.”