FCC prorates grants under Rip-n-Replace at 39%

 The FCC has begun approving reimbursements for the removal and replacement of equipment from Huawei and ZTE under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Reimbursement Program).

The Reimbursement Program is funded by a $1.9 billion congressional appropriation.

In February, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel first notified Congress that providers initially requested approximately $5.6 billion under the program.

Because demand for program support exceeds available funding, the FCC confirmed that it is implementing a prioritization scheme that requires funding to be allocated first to approved applicants that have 2,000,000 or fewer customers (Priority 1).

After review of the submitted applications, the FCC has determined that Priority 1 applicants have submitted approximately $4,640,284,672 in cost estimates that are reasonable and supported. 

Because available funding is substantially less than that amount, the Commission rules require that allocations to Priority 1 applicants be prorated on an equal basis. The pro-rata factor applied to those allocations is approximately 39%.

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-supply-chain-reimbursement-program-approved-applications

FCC sees strong demand for Rip-n-Replace as requests top $5.6 billion

Sunday, February 06, 2022  FCC  

 FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel notified Congress that providers have initially requested approximately $5.6 billion from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to cover the costs of removing, replacing, and disposing of insecure equipment and services in U.S. networks.“Last year Congress created a first-of-its kind program for the FCC to reimburse service providers for their efforts to increase the security...

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Biden signs Secure Equipment Act

Thursday, November 11, 2021    

President Biden signed into law the “Secure Equipment Act of 2021,” which requires the Federal Communications Commission to adopt rules clarifying that it will no longer review or approve any authorization application for equipment that poses an unacceptable risk to national security.The bill would prevent further integration and sales of Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua – all Chinese state-backed or directed firms – in the U.S. regardless...

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Telefónica and Ericsson demo automated slicing in 5G Standalone

Telefónica and Ericsson have demonstrated end-to-end, automated network slicing in 5G Standalone, including Dynamic Radio Resource Partitioning.

The lab test was carried out at 5TONIC, a Madrid-based open research and innovation laboratory focused on 5G technologies, founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks. The proof-of-concept covered different use cases including a 360-video production in motion in collaboration with technology start-up YBVR, remote control of an automated guided vehicle (AGV), and gesture recognition in collaboration with Spanish SME Fivecomm.

The network slicing for enterprise demo was carried out on Android 12 and 13 Beta powered smartphone devices. The demo proved that the onboarding of a network slice, from core to radio, may be configured and deployed in less than 35 minutes thanks to the solution’s automation capabilities. All the use cases executed needed a specific and complex service configuration, therefore full automation is a key success factor to turn network slicing concept into a reality and accelerate time to market.

Telefónica said the most relevant capabilities of network slicing technology that have been validated are:

• Automation in the provision and life cycle management of end-to-end network slices.
• Network Slicing service assurance.
• Definition of different scenarios for the traffic prioritization in a network slice, such as Radio Resource Partitioning (RRP) that enables the sharing of radio resources between use cases with different service requirements.
• Simultaneous access of a handset to different network slices, having the possibility to select the traffic sent to the different network slices.

Telefonica aims to accelerate the network slicing capabilities across its networks as well as in the industry. Through its program called LIME, Telefonica is collaborating with Ericsson as a key partner to further develop network slicing as a technology that will bring to life a variety of new 5G applications and services

“Ericsson has achieved a key milestone by demonstrating fully-automated deployment of end-to-end network slices (from RAN to Core) in cooperation with Telefónica, at 5TONIC lab. The deployed network slices will secure dedicated resources in the radio access network as well as in the Core for satisfying specific needs of selected use cases, enabling that Telefónica meets new customer demands on a zero-touch operation. Network Slicing is key to accommodating new use cases leveraging 5G, with the promise to provide new capabilities to a variety of users and enterprises with minimal or no manual intervention”, Jorge Navais, Global Account Manager of Telefónica, said.

“Bringing together the end-to-end ecosystem required for network slicing to thrive as a product is key for Telefonica and the rest of the telco industry. We are proud of being one of the first operators to demonstrate the benefits and differentiators of network slicing to our customers thanks to Radio Resource Partitioning and automation for full end-to-end slicing life cycle management. We look forward to continued collaboration with our partners and the rest of the industry to make slicing a commercial success for all”, Cayetano Carbajo, Director of Core & Transport in Telefonica CTIO, said.

https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/telefonica-and-ericsson-pioneer-end-to-end-automated-network-slicing-5g-sa/

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Internet2 renews with Indiana University for GlobalNOC

Internet2 awarded a new three-year contract for Indiana University's GlobalNOC to provide customer service desk and break-fix support for the Internet2 national network. The agreement will commence on January 1, 2023. 

“We greatly appreciate the community team that convened to assist with shaping the RFP process, analyzing proposals, and providing instrumental input on this consolidated support approach,” said Rob Vietzke, vice president of network services at Internet2. “Reengaging with the IU GlobalNOC allows a clear path forward for the Internet2 Network Operations Center to continue providing world-class, transparent, and trusted support for our member community. This decision also aligns with Internet2’s strategic priorities for 2022, including the rollout of new tools and services enabled by our Next Generation Infrastructure and the expansion of our senior- and mid-level engineering functions.”

“For nearly a quarter century, the GlobalNOC at Indiana University has been proud to partner with Internet2 to help provide innovative support, services, and technologies to advance research and education networks,” said Rob Lowden, IU vice president for IT and chief information officer. “We are honored that Internet2 chose to continue our partnership after a competitive request for proposal process. Our culture of high expectations, scientific curiosity, and world-renowned expertise make the GlobalNOC an excellent fit to continue working with Internet2 well into the future.”

In addition, Rob Vietzke, Vice President of Network Services at Internet2, is stepping down to pursue other career opportunities. Rob has served the Internet2 community in this role since 2006. As Vice President of Network Services, he led strategic planning, management, and operation of the Internet2 Network, including evolving and transforming its business model, relationships with regional partners, developing and expanding the service portfolio, and assuring the financial model. Vietzke led three major network upgrades during his time at Internet2. Most recently the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI), completed in 2021, offers a fully automated 400G national infrastructure with new services, new capabilities, and major efficiencies for the R&E community.

https://internet2.edu/internet2-and-indiana-university-agreement-for-network-operations-support/

Internet2 completes migration to its 5th gen optical backbone

Tuesday, January 18, 2022  Internet2  

Internet2, which serves 323 U.S. universities, 59 government agencies, 46 regional and state education networks, has migrated its research and education (R&E) network traffic to its fifth-generation backbone.The new network’s optical layer now supports up to 32 terabits per segment with a new generation of transponders in increments of 400-800 Gbps. NGI’s new packet layer provides 8-16 petabits per second of port capacity per location. NGI delivers...

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IBM cites growth in software and hybrid cloud

IBM reported Q22 2022 revenue of $15.5 billion, up 9 percent, up 16 percent at constant currency (about 5 points from sales to Kyndryl).

"We are a faster-growing, focused, disciplined company with sound business fundamentals," said James Kavanaugh, IBM senior vice president and chief financial officer. "Our recurring revenue stream and solid cash generation position us well to continue to invest in R&D, acquire new companies, and strengthen our talent in every part of the business, while also returning value to shareholders through our dividend."

Some highlights:

Software (includes Hybrid Platform & Solutions, Transaction Processing)— revenues of $6.2 billion, up 6.4 percent, up 11.6 percent at constant currency (about 7 points from sales to Kyndryl):

-Hybrid Platform & Solutions up 4 percent, up 9 percent at constant currency (about 1.5 points from sales to Kyndryl):
 - Red Hat up 12 percent, up 17 percent at constant currency
   -- Automation up 4 percent, up 8 percent at constant currency
   -- Data & AI flat, up 4 percent at constant currency
   -- Security flat, up 5 percent at constant currency
- Transaction Processing up 12 percent, up 19 percent at constant currency (about 22 points from sales to Kyndryl)
- Software segment hybrid cloud revenue up 14 percent, up 18 percent at constant currency 

Consulting (includes Business Transformation, Technology Consulting and Application Operations)— revenues of $4.8 billion, up 9.8 percent, up 17.8 percent at constant currency:

- Business Transformation up 9 percent, up 16 percent at constant currency

- Technology Consulting up 14 percent, up 23 percent at constant currency

- Application Operations up 9 percent, up 17 percent at constant currency

- Consulting segment hybrid cloud revenue up 20 percent, up 29 percent at constant currency

Infrastructure (includes Hybrid Infrastructure, Infrastructure Support)— revenues of $4.2 billion, up 19.0 percent, up 25.4 percent at constant currency (about 7 points from sales to Kyndryl):

- Hybrid Infrastructure up 34 percent, up 41 percent at constant currency (about 7 points from sales to Kyndryl)

   -- IBM z Systems up 69 percent, up 77 percent at constant currency

   -- Distributed Infrastructure up 11 percent, up 17 percent at constant currency

- Infrastructure Support down 2 percent, up 5 percent at constant currency (about 8 points from sales to Kyndryl)

- Infrastructure segment hybrid cloud revenue up 24 percent, up 30 percent at constant currency

Financing (includes client and commercial financing)— revenues of $0.1 billion, down 29.9 percent, down 26.6 percent at constant currency

https://newsroom.ibm.com/2022-07-18-IBM-RELEASES-SECOND-QUARTER-RESULTS

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FCC incentivizes to open underutilized spectrum for rural carriers

The FCC voted to create an Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (ECIP) to establish incentives for wireless licensees to make underutilized spectrum available to small carriers, Tribal Nations, and entities serving rural areas. 

The new program encourages licensees to partition, disaggregate, or lease spectrum to better match available spectrum resources with entities that seek to provide needed services to under-connected communities. 

 

Under this new program, small carriers and Tribal Nations can qualify, as can rural-focused entities. Transactions through the new program must offer at least half of the licensed spectrum from a given Wireless Radio Service license to an unaffiliated eligible entity for long-term use within specific geographic parameters. Under the program, any covered geographic licensee may offer spectrum to an unaffiliated eligible entity through a partition and/or disaggregation, and any covered geographic licensee eligible to lease in an included service may offer spectrum to an unaffiliated eligible entity through a long-term leasing arrangement.

FCC Chairwowan Jessica Rosenworcel states: "I’m excited to see the new deployments this program will foster. I’m also grateful for the creative spark to establish this initiative that was first provided by Senator Klobuchar and Senator Fischer in the MOBILE NOW Act. We’re making their incentive ideas from that legislation a reality today and I think it will help expand wireless deployment in rural and Tribal communities. It’s a terrific tool to use— among others—to make sure we reach 100 percent of us with high-speed service."

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-establishes-enhanced-competition-incentive-program-0

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Quantum Machines to head Israel Quantum Computing Center

Quantum Machines, a start-up developing a Quantum Orchestration Platform (QOP), has been selected by the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) to lead the establishment of the Israel Quantum Computing Center. The center is part of the Israel National Quantum Initiative (INQI) and will host Israel's first fully functioning quantum computer that is available to the commercial and research communities. 

Other consortium partners include:

• Elbit Systems is a strategic partner in this project and will be part of the center's advisory board. Elbit will lead the design of quantum applications for the government sector and assign dedicated teams to advance their development.
• QuantWare will provide its superconducting Quantum Processing Units (QPUs)
• ORCA Computing will provide its scalable quantum photonics computing system
• ColdQuanta will provide its cold atoms based quantum computing system
• ParTec will provide a High-Performance Computing (HPC) platform and provide services for the integration of HPC and quantum computing
• Classiq and Super.tech will provide their state-of-the-art software application layer capabilities, including quantum software development tools and benchmarking software for all of the center's platforms.

"We look forward to working with the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) to lead the development of the country's first fully functioning quantum computing center," said Itamar Sivan, co-founder and CEO of Quantum Machines. "The open architecture approach that Quantum Machines and our world-leading partners in the consortium enable, will ensure compatibility with the quantum technologies of the future. This will allow the center's quantum computer to scale from tens of qubits today, to hundreds and thousands of qubits in the next few years. Our goal is to give Israeli companies access to the most advanced quantum technologies and services so that they can develop deep quantum expertise across industry and academia. This expertise will allow Israeli companies across a broad range of sectors and industries to gain a leading global position."

https://www.quantum-machines.co

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Singtel deploy 5G campus + edge core for Hyundai's Innovation Centre

Singtel will deploy its 5G infrastructure network solutions at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore (HMGICS), which includes an electric vehicle production facility. 

Singtel’s 5G campus network with mobile edge core solution  will provide uninterrupted high-speed connectivity and massive bandwidth to enhance HMGICS’s high-precision quality control in manufacturing operations.

HMGICS is the HMG’s open innovation hub for research and development in advanced mobility ecosystems with the aim of revolutionising the future mobility value chain. Apart from introducing smart mobility solutions in areas such as electric vehicles (EV), autonomous vehicles, and new forms of mobility products and services in Singapore, the HMGICS will also serve as a testbed for human-centred intelligent manufacturing and verification of Industry 4.0 technologies. 

"Singtel’s 5G network and MEC solutions will overcome the performance limitations of WiFi to deliver the promise of digital twins and eventually metaverse for advanced manufacturing operations. With innovation from Hyundai and enablement from our 5G solutions, we are looking at a new concept of manufacturing where the station comes to the cell, unlocking opportunities for hyper-customization and other novel applications. Together, we are paving the way for Singapore to be the centre for Smart Manufacturing in the region."

https://www.singtel.com/about-us/media-centre/news-releases/singtel-partners-hyundai-motor-group-to-develop-advanced-manufac

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Telkom Indonesia hosts open networking demo with Edgecore, TIP, OCP

Edgecore Networks, in collaboration with Telkom Indonesia, Telecom Infra Project, Open Compute Project, and IP Infusion, are hosting a demonstration in Indonesia of open disaggregated solutions. 

The demonstration event was launched on July 11 and 12 at Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia, showcasing Edgecore hardware platforms and IP Infusion networking software platforms for various solutions, including broadband access, 5G access, OpenWiFi access, and data center. After the launch event, the demonstration lab will remain open through the whole of Q3, giving all interested parties plenty of time to visit.

The demo showcased:

• 5G Access – Edgecore’s Cassini AS7716-24SC optical packet transponder and AS7316-28XB Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway will be the open hardware platforms demonstrated running IP Infusion’s OcNOS. Edgecore’s Cassini is the industry’s first modular open-source packet transponder, offering a high-capacity combination of 100GbE packet switching ports and 100/200 Gbps coherent optical interfaces. The AS7316-28XB is an OCP Accepted switch.
• Broadband Access – Featuring Edgecore’s ASXvOLT16 virtual Optical Line Terminal (vOLT) and the AS5916-54XKS aggregation router. The ASXvOLT16 is a 16-port 10G XGS-PON vOLT with 4 x 100G/40G QSFP28 fixed ports. The AS5916-54XKS is an aggregation router with 48 x SFP+ switch ports and 6 x 100G QSFP28 ports capable of line-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching.
• OpenWiFi Access – The demonstration includes a range of Edgecore Wi-Fi 6 access points – EAP101, EAP102, and EAP104 – that all come preinstalled with TIP’s OpenWiFi software, and the wireless LAN controller EWS101. OpenWiFi is a community-developed, disaggregated Wi-Fi software system, which includes both a controller SDK and AP firmware, both designed and validated to work seamlessly together.
• Data Center – The Edgecore AS5812-54X switch, which provides full line-rate switching across its 48 x 10GbE ports and 6 x 40GbE uplinks. The switch can be deployed either as a Top-of-Rack switch, or as part of a 10GbE or 40GbE distributed spine, forming a non-blocking folded-Clos data center fabric. The AS5812-54X is an OCP Accepted switch.

https://www.edge-core.com

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Ericsson partners with Thai university on 5G education

Ericsson announced a partnership with King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) on a 5G ICT skills program.

The partnership will provide KMUTT students with access to ‘Ericsson Educate’, Ericsson’s online education initiative that supplements the students’ ongoing technical studies with courses that aim to strengthen their ICT skills and increase their job readiness. Around 2,000 students are expected to benefit from this program in the first year alone.

http://www.ericsson.com

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