New download peak speed benchmark: 7.3Gbps

Telstra, Ericsson claimed a new 5G download peak speed benchmark of 7.3Gbps for a single user.

The result was achieved at a Telstra live mobile site located at the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia. 

This new global 5G benchmark of 7.3Gbps for a single user was demonstrated using a smartphone form factor mobile test device, powered by Snapdragon X70 5G Modem-RF System. The mobile device connected to a live commercial Telstra mobile site equipped with an Ericsson Radio System base-station supporting New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) between 800MHz of n258 (26GHz) mmWave spectrum and 100MHz of mid-band n78 (3.6GHz) Time Division Duplex (TDD) spectrum.

The Ericsson base station used in this milestone has two Ericsson’s Baseband 6648, AIR5322 n258 26GHz mmWave radios, AIR6488 n78 3.6GHz radios and commercial Ericsson RAN software running 5G NR DC (new radio dual connectivity) capability. The high peak speed is achieved by aggregating eight 100MHz mmWave carriers (800MHz total bandwidth) running peak modulation of 256QAM and combining with 100MHz of mid-band TDD using NR dual connectivity.

The peak speed to 7.3Gbps surpassed  the previous 5G downlink benchmark also set by Telstra in February 2022 of 5.9Gbps (peak modulation of 64QAM on mmWave).

https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/7/2022/telstra-ericsson-and-qualcomm-achieve-new-download-speed-benchmark

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Apples boosts its cloud security

Apple introduced three advanced security features to protect user data in the cloud:

• iMessage Contact Key Verification, allows users to verify they are communicating only with whom they intend. 
• 
  Security Keys for Apple ID - users have the choice to require a physical security key to sign in to their Apple ID account. 
• Advanced Data Protection for iCloud -  uses end-to-end encryption to provide Apple’s highest level of cloud data security, users have the choice to further protect important iCloud data, including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes, etc.

“At Apple, we are unwavering in our commitment to provide our users with the best data security in the world. We constantly identify and mitigate emerging threats to their personal data on device and in the cloud,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. 

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/12/apple-advances-user-security-with-powerful-new-data-protections/

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Ericsson to divest IoT Accelerator and Connected Vehicle Cloud to Aeris

Ericsson will divest its IoT Accelerator and Connected Vehicle Cloud businesses to Aeris,

The IoT business, with 2022 full year forecasted net sales of SEK 0.8 billion, has been the key driver of the losses in Business Area Technologies and New Businesses in the Enterprise segment. The transaction will eliminate quarterly losses of SEK 0.25 billion. The divestment, related cost and other portfolio optimizations will lead to a negative one-time EBIT impact of SEK 1.1 billion in Q4 2022, of which 80 percent being cash and the majority occurring in Q1 2023. The IoT business will be transferred to Segment Other in Q1 2023 in anticipation of closing of the transaction, with an expected EBIT loss of SEK 0.25 billion during the first quarter.

Aeris’ Intelligent IoT Network, targeting industry verticals such as transportation, energy, automotive and healthcare, gives communications service providers the opportunity to monetize new services on top of connectivity enabled by the IoT Accelerator.  The company, which is based in San Jose, California, has already teamed up with several leading communication service providers including Softbank, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Vodafone, and is also working with leading automotive original equipment manufacturers. 

Ericsson IoT Accelerator is used by over 9,000 enterprises to manage more than 95 million connected devices with 22 million eSIM connections globally. These enterprises and connections leverage Ericsson's growing ecosystem of over 35 communications service provider partners for global IoT cellular connectivity. Ericsson Connected Vehicle Cloud is currently being used to connect six million vehicles and counting across 180 countries.

Together, Aeris’ and Ericsson’s IoT platforms will connect over 100 million IoT devices worldwide, covering 190 countries. 

Åsa Tamsons, Head of Business Area Technologies & New Businesses at Ericsson, says: “Aeris has been successful in extending its IoT solution offering beyond connectivity and has the right focus, assets, and capabilities to realize the full value creation potential of Ericsson’s IoT business and its strong market presence. Despite significant investments to address the fragmentation of the IoT market, Ericsson has only tapped into a limited part of the value chain, limiting the returns of such investments. The combined business will offer an unparalleled IoT platform for enterprises and new revenue streams for communication service providers, ultimately benefiting Ericsson’s customers. Aeris is a good home for our IoT business.” 

Marc Jones, President and CEO of Aeris, says: “Building the best technology to support the success of our customers and drive innovation in the IoT space have always been at the forefront for Aeris.  Our intelligent, software defined IoT network and Ericsson’s leading connectivity management platform will provide the leading IoT technology stack in the industry. We look forward to bringing these new, transformational IoT solutions and Ericsson’s IoT Accelerator and Connected Vehicle Cloud products to our customers.”

https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2022/12/aeris-to-acquire-iot-business-from-ericsson

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Korea Internet Neutral eXchange picks Nokia for optical backbone

Korea Internet Neutral eXchange (KINX) will use Nokia's  optical networking solution to connect KINX data centers in Korea.

Nokia's Re-Configurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) solution supports Colorless, Directionless, Contentionless, and FlexGrid (CDC-F) capabilities to enable improved performance and reduced operational costs. The solution will allow KINX to ensure reliable services to its end users without service impact, even in the case of multiple failures.

Nokia said its solution will provide KINX with full Layer 0 restoration capability using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) feature. This provides seamless service continuity to the end customers in case of multiple fiber cuts and/or equipment failures, and allows KINX to reduce network disruptions by enabling automatic re-routing through alternate paths when required. 

The KINX network will be deployed using Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch platforms, and includes use of fifth-generation Photonic Service Engine chipset (PSE-V), which deliver application-optimized performance for metro and regional networks.

Kevin Ahn, Head of Korea at Nokia, said: "The new state-of-the-art data center interconnect network will allow KINX to reduce operational expenses by automating the manual tasks of network provisioning and restoration. Nokia's next-generation optical network solution will allow KINX to provide a superior customer experience by quickly restoring network in case of a disruption. We are excited to work with KINX on this initiative to upgrade the legacy data center interconnect network for greater efficiency and cost optimization."

https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2022/12/07/nokia-builds-next-generation-optical-backbone-for-kinx-data-centers-in-korea/

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Fujitsu and Accelecom deliver Middle Mile for Kentucky

Fujitsu Network Communications is partnering with Accelecom to connect businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky with a high-speed fiber broadband network.

Accelecom leverages dark fiber from the KentuckyWired middle mile network, which connects all 120 counties and provides commercial access to 100G symmetrical data services. Kentucky is the first U.S. state to build an open-access, fiber optic network reaching every county. The Commonwealth, which in 2017 ranked 47th in the U.S. for broadband speeds and capacity, now ranks third in the nation for internet speeds.

Fujitsu serves as the network systems integrator for the project and was responsible for network design, deployment, testing and turn-up of the network, including specifying, sourcing and integrating multi-vendor optical equipment and software. 

The next-generation broadband network incorporates Fujitsu 1FINITY Lambda blades, as well as 1FINITY T300 transport blades, to enable ROADM functionality, reliability and spectral efficiency. Network management is simplified with the Virtuora Network Control software-defined network (SDN) solution. Additionally, Fujitsu provided migration and deployment services to install 21 new huts to house the optical equipment.

“With activation of the Accelecom broadband network, underserved businesses are seeing exponential increases in available internet speeds and latency problems have virtually disappeared,” said Kim Epley, chief commercial officer, Accelecom. “The robust broadband infrastructure and professional services provided by Fujitsu allowed us to build a future-ready gateway to the internet economy so that new economic development, job and education opportunities can thrive throughout Kentucky.”

“Through their steadfast commitment to democratize bandwidth and narrow the digital divide, Accelecom has propelled Kentucky into the top tier of states with statewide, high-speed broadband,” said Greg Manganello, senior vice president and head of global network services at Fujitsu. “With their investment dedication, network persistence and operational drive, Accelecom can now offer 100G access to businesses and enable service providers to provide ultra-fast internet offerings to all Kentucky residents. It has been a remarkable turnaround.”

https://www.fujitsu.com/us/about/resources/news/press-releases/2022/fnc-20221207.html

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Proxxima Telecom deploys Padtec dual 400 Gb/s transponders

Proxxima Telecom, a telecommunications service provider of Paraíba (Brazil), is deploying Padtec’s new line of dual 400 Gbps transponders for its new DWDM network connecting the municipalities of Campina Grande, in Paraíba, and Caruaru, in Pernambuco.

Proxxima Telecom intends to expand the service offerings and its customer base in this region and to later expand its operations to other neighboring cities and states. 

“To accomplish this, we intend to continue counting on Padtec’s partnership, which has also helped us in planning the investment necessary to expand our network”, says Leonardo Gomes, CEO of Proxxima. He also emphasizes the quality of service and the agility of Padtec’s support areas as important differentials offered by the company.

The new generation of Padtec transponders features flexible pluggable network interfaces, with up to 400 Gbps of transmission capacity (based on CFP2-DCO). 

“With this, we combine greater performance of the optical channels with the gradual expansion capacity of the network, according to the growth in demand and the performance of providers in the market”, emphasizes Argemiro Sousa, Business Director at Padtec. Another highlight is the product’s compatibility with the three shelf models of the LightPad Platform (with 2, 4 and 14RU height), supporting applications of different capacities in short, medium and long distance networks.

In addition, Padtec’s new line of 400 Gb/s transponders can also be financed through credit lines offered by the company to providers, of different sizes, throughout Brazil. Padtec offers the market financing options through BNDES, FIDC with the Sifra group, Finep (branch of investments in technology and innovation of the federal government), “vendor financing” with private banks and “forfait” operations for international sales.

https://www.padtec.com.br/en/proxxima-telecom-invests-in-padtec-dual-400-gbs-transponders-to-meet-demands-for-new-services/

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SiTime debuts MEMS-based oscillators for wireless infrastructure

SiTime introduced a new precision timing platform for wireless infrastructure including radios in small cells, remote radio units (RRUs), microwave backhaul, and SATCOM equipment. 

The new SiTime Elite RF Super-TCXO is an entirely new class of MEMS-based temperature-controlled oscillators designedto withstand extreme environments in which 5G radios are deployed, while delivering the phase noise, accuracy, and resilience in a single, highly integrated device. 

SiTime said its new devices also meet the stringent performance requirements specified by the IEEE 1588v2 timing synchronization protocol.

Until now, mini-OCXOs were the primary timing reference for 5G and SATCOM radios. Mini-OCXOs provided the stability over changing temperature that was necessary to clock advanced synchronized radios. While mini-OCXOs are accurate, they are notoriously unreliable, especially in harsh environments, and they consume excessive power and board space and require additional components, such as jitter cleaners and VCXOs for generating RF-capable clocks. One Elite RF Super-TCXO replaces all these components.

“To enable new services, radios are expected to deliver 10x the bandwidth of previous generations with significantly lower latency,” said Piyush Sevalia, executive VP of marketing, SiTime. “To achieve these performance goals, next-gen radios must be deployed closer to the user, and all nodes in the network must be time-synchronized. Past radio architectures used separate timing devices for the radio and for synchronization. The SiTime Elite RF platform integrates these two clocking functions, simplifying the radio timing architecture and delivering on the promise of 5G bandwidth and coverage.”

Elite RF Super-TCXO Family Highlights

• 1 to 220 MHz any frequency output
• ±100 ppb stability over temperature
• -40 °C to +105 °C operating temperature range
• ±0.9 ppb/°C stability over temperature slope
• ±400 ppm digital control with ±0.05 ppt (parts per trillion) resolution
• 100 fs typical integrated phase jitter (19.2 MHz, 12 kHz to 20 MHz integration range)
• 0.3 ppb/day typical daily aging
• 144 mW power consumption at 1.8V
• 5.0 mm x 3.5 mm ceramic package

https://www.sitime.com/products/super-tcxos/sit5376

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Lumen partners with Genesys on cloud-based contact centers

Lumen Technologies has partnered with Genesys to launch a cloud-based Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS).

Lumen Solutions for Contact Center – Genesys Cloud is an all-in-one contact center solution for enterprise-grade and Public Sector-grade communications, collaboration, and customer experience management. The API-first, experience-orchestration platform enables organizations to coordinate every customer interaction and touchpoint with frictionless and connected experiences for customers and employees.

"Moving from older contact center infrastructure to the latest technologies is a major change for companies, but the massive improvements to efficiency and effectiveness make it worth the effort," said Craig Richter, senior director of UC&C product management for Lumen. "Legacy platforms are capital intensive, while newer cloud-based or hybrid solutions are much more flexible and cost effective."

https://lumen.com/en-us/communications/genesys-cloud

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