Amazon provides a look at Project Kuiper

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is promising to low-cost connectivity at rates from 100 Mbps for consumers to up to 1 Gbps for enterprise, government, and telecom applications when its constellation of LEO satellites enter service.

Project Kuiper’s ground infrastructure will include gateway antennas that securely send and receive customer data to and from satellites, along with telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) antennas. A global network will connect those gateway antennas to the internet, public cloud, or private networks.

Some highlights detailed in an Amazon blog:

• Project Kuiper’s initial satellite constellation design includes 3,236 satellites at an orbit between 590 and 630 kilometers.
• More than 1,000 engineers, programmers, and support personnel are currently working on Project Kuiper
• Development work on Project Kuiper is currently be carried out at a facility in Redmond, Washington. 
• 
  In 2023, Project Kuiper will open a dedicated satellite production facility in Kirkland, Washington with the capacity to build up to four satellites per day. 
• Amazon has announced contracts for up to 92 heavy-lift rocket launches,
• The smallest terminal will measure 7" and each side and be capable of 100 Mbps downlinks. The expected cost is under $500.
• Amazon built its own baseband chip, coded name Prometheus, to power all of its customer terminals. The Prometheus chip combines the processing power of a 5G smartphone modem chip, the capability of a cellular base station to handle traffic from thousands of customers at once, and the ability of a microwave backhaul antenna to support powerful point-to-point connections.
• The Prometheus chips will also be used in Project Kuiper’s satellites and ground gateway antennas. Each satellite will be able to process up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of traffic on board.
• The first two prototype Kuiper satellites are expected to launch on the first flight of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket.

https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/what-is-amazon-project-kuiper

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Telefónica offers access to its Open Gateway’s pre-commercial APIs

Telefónica has begun offering free access to its Open Gateway’s pre-commercial APIs. Three such APIs are currently available:

• Connectivity: enable control of service quality on mobile and Wi-Fi networks (throughput, latency, congestion).
• Fraud control: enable the obtaining of information for devices such as roaming status, approximate location, change of SIM and phone number verification.
• Payments: enable the ability to make payments charged to the carrier’s invoice.

Telefónica said developers will be able to test and validate selected use cases to generate end-to-end services for end customers (B2B and B2C). They will be able to experiment with high-performance network capabilities, including high-response and low-latency computing, to create applications of use to end users.

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NETGEAR intros first WiFi 7 router

NETGEAR launched the first WiFi 7 router.

Highlights of the NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700 Router.

• 320MHz high-capacity channels & 4K QAM – WiFi 7 smartphones and laptops can get speeds up to 5Gbps.
• Uses multiple WiFi bands at once to improve network reliability, reduce latency, and ensure data is delivered with maximum speed.
• 
  Supports up to 200 devices, such as security cameras, smart home devices, and speakers, while enjoying 4K/8K video streaming, online gaming and HD video conferencing.
• Multi-Gig Speeds with 10GbE Internet Port – 10 Gig internet port for cable and fiber plans up to 10Gbps.
• One wired 10Gbps and four 1Gbps LAN ports.
• Powered by Broadcom’s BCM6726/3 WiFi 7 system on a chip (SOC)
• US  MSRP is $699.99

"With the launch of our Nighthawk RS700 Router, we’re setting the pace for adoption of the next generation WiFi,” said David Henry, president & GM of Connected Home Products and Services at NETGEAR. “The RS700 is purposefully constructed for the highest possible performance. We’ve deployed our decades of RF expertise to maximize antenna range within a compact design that minimizes interference while fitting flawlessly into any home environment.”

https://convergedigest.com/netgear-unveils-first-wi-fi-7-router/

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Adtran and Satelles partner to deliver Satellite Time and Location

Adtran has formed a partnership with Satelles, a supplier of secure time and location technology using low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, to enable operators of critical infrastructure to safeguard their timing networks with Satellite Time and Location (STL) technology. 

Adtran will integrate Satelles’ STL into its Oscilloquartz network synchronization products. This can serve as an alternative to GNSS systems or a way to augment them with enhanced reliability and security.

STL provides augmented and secure backup for GPS or other GNSS by harnessing encrypted signals transmitted via LEO satellites. It ensures timing and location information that is highly precise, robustly secure, and accessible worldwide. STL is effectively impervious to cyberattacks and is far less susceptible to GNSS vulnerabilities such as signal disruption and manipulation. And because STL signals are up to 1,000 times stronger than GNSS, they can easily reach into buildings and other hard-to-reach locations. Through its partnership with Satelles, Adtran’s Oscilloquartz division will incorporate these benefits into its end-to-end timing toolkit. What’s more, as well as integrating STL into its grandmaster clocks, it will develop miniature M.2 form factor STL receiver modules for third-party product integration.

“We’re pleased to be working with Adtran’s Oscilloquartz division to integrate STL into its portfolio of PTP network timing devices. Together, we’re enabling even more customers to benefit from their game-changing aPNT+™ technology,” said Christina Riley, VP and GM of commercial enterprise solutions at Satelles. “Leveraging LEO signals that are 1,000 times stronger than GNSS, our STL solution is transforming the PNT industry. It’s ideal for providing accurate, reliable timing where GNSS can’t reach, such as indoor locations. "

“We’re excited to offer Satelles’ innovative STL technology as the perfect addition to our portfolio. Reliable, precise and secure, STL is an excellent source of alternative PNT services that’s ideal for use in situations where distributed PTP is unavailable. It also creates new market opportunities for indoor 5G and data center use cases. By incorporating it into our solutions, we’ll empower operators of mission-critical networks to bring robust timing to the most challenging environments and remove the expense of installing outdoor antennas and coring through concrete,” commented Gil Biran, GM of Oscilloquartz, Adtran. 

https://www.adtran.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/20230313-adtran-and-satelles-partner-to-deliver-satellite-time-and-location

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Colt upgrades LH network in Japan with Ciena 6500 RLS

Colt Technology Services has more than doubled its long-haul network capacity in Japan using Ciena's 6500 Reconfigurable Line System, Waveserver 5 compact interconnect platform and Manage, Control and Plan domain controller.

Ciena notes that its 6500 RLS offers built-in tools like Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP), network auto-discovery, and real-time network monitoring and visibility. Network adaptability is also enhanced with automated calibration. Additionally, with RLS’s integrated L-band amplification and ASE noise loading, the upgrade has no impact to existing C-band traffic and does not require any visits or changes to line amplifier sites, enabling stable and uninterrupted service launches.

“Throughout Japan, there is a growing ask to support the connectivity needs required to run cloud-based applications and bandwidth-heavy video content. Designed with programmability, performance, and scalability in mind, Ciena’s 6500 RLS enables Colt to deploy C&L-band optimized equipment with no service interruptions, empowering Colt to bring the digital universe to its customers faster than ever before despite the distance,” said Kazuyasu Takahashi, Vice President and General Manager, Ciena Japan.

https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/ciena-supports-colts-launch-of-long-haul-networking-services-in-japan

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AST SpaceMobile signs MoU with stc for satellite-to-mobile

AST SpaceMobile, which is planning to deploy a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's stc.

"We are thrilled to announce our commitment to expanding our digital services and communications, with a goal to provide a truly inclusive ecosystem that connects every corner of Saudi Arabia with unparalleled service quality and reliability,” said stc VP of Products & Solutions, Saud Alsheraihi. “As we forge ahead in our quest for a more connected and sustainable world, we are excited to collaborate with AST SpaceMobile to potentially revolutionize the telecom industry through Space in the Kingdom.”

“Our collaboration with AST SpaceMobile aims to help us achieve our goal of providing the highest quality and reliable communication services in Saudi Arabia. Our commitment to expanding our digital services and communications is unwavering, and this relationship is a testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence.'”

AST SpaceMobile’s mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. The company has entered into agreements and understandings with mobile network operators, who collectively have over 2 billion mobile subscribers.

https://ast-science.com/

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