NTT, NEC and partners develop DCX optical path algorithm

NTT, NEC Corporation, the Politecnico di Torino, Columbia University, Duke University, and Dublin University have developed a Data Center Exchange (DCX) solution designed to automate the complex process of setting optical wavelength paths. 

The DCX technology relies on an intelligent algorithm that calculates the optimal path based on factors that influence data flow, such as the quality of optical signals and the specific equipment in use.

The practical application of DCX has already been demonstrated on a Linux-based open platform, utilizing a variety of open interface architecture tools. Field validation efforts, conducted in collaboration with university partners on the NSF COSMOS testbed in Manhattan, have successfully simulated the DCX service, showcasing its efficiency and effectiveness.

The partners said they are committed to enhancing the performance of DCX technology further and advocating for its standardization. This initiative aims to make optical wavelength path setup quicker and more streamlined, allowing data centers to more adeptly adjust to fluctuating connectivity demands. This development is particularly vital for the management of large-scale, decentralized data center operations and is poised to have a transformative impact on telecommunications and IT infrastructures worldwide.

Here is a blog post by NTT's Daniel O'Connor:

https://group.ntt/en/magazine/blog/tdcc/

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Verizon has deployed 130,000 O-RAN capable radios

Verizon has now deployed over 130,000 O-RAN capable radios which includes the massive MIMO radios as part of the previously announced 15,000 O-RAN compliant virtualized cell sites with O-RAN compliant baseband units in its commercial Radio Access Network. 

The deployment is part of Verizon's multi-year upgrade of its network architecture that consolidates, simplifies, and modernizes its core and access networks. Virtualization and orchestration are key components of this modernization. Along with many vendor partners, Verizon has been leading the charge of the design, development, and deployment of virtualized Radio Access Network technology. This move to a cloud native, container-based, virtualized architecture has led to more flexibility, faster delivery of services, greater scalability, and significant cost efficiency in the network.

Verizon said the deployment underscores its commitment to driving O-RAN standards and technology in the industry.

“Verizon is fully supportive of O-RAN technology and is focused on commercializing an operationally sound O-RAN architecture,” said Adam Koeppe, SVP of Technology Planning at Verizon. “Our commitment to developing O-RAN standards and to deploying compliant equipment in our active Radio Access Network is helping to drive the industry forward which will result in a variety of tangible benefits for our customers who expect leading-edge technology from Verizon.”

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-advances-o-ran-technology

• Early in 2019 Verizon announced the virtualization of the core network with a cloud-native, containerized architecture. 
• In 2020, it announced that the achievement of fully virtualized baseband functions – the heaviest portion of computing on the Radio Access Network. 

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Nokia reaches patent deal with vivo

Nokia signed a multi-year patent cross-license agreement under which vivo will make royalty payments to Nokia. The arrangement will make catch-up payments to cover the dispute period. The agreement resolves all pending patent litigation between the parties, in all jurisdictions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nokia said it will begin recognizing net sales from this agreement, including catch up payments covering the periods of non-payment, in Q1 2024. Nokia Technologies is progressing towards the conclusion of the smartphone licensing renewal cycle and is making good progress in its growth areas of automotive, consumer electronics, IoT and multimedia. It remains confident that its annual net sales run-rate will return to EUR 1.4 to 1.5 billion in the mid-term.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, said: “This is the sixth major smartphone patent license agreement we have signed in the past thirteen months, and we have now almost completed our smartphone license renewal cycle. Together these licensing agreements demonstrate Nokia’s significant contribution to developing key technologies relied upon by the entire smartphone industry and they will provide long-term stability to our licensing business for years to come.”  Lukander added: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with vivo which reflects mutual respect for each other's intellectual property rights. vivo is one of the leading players in the global smartphone industry. We look forward to bringing more innovation to their users around the world through our collaboration.”

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NXP posts Q4 sales of US$3.42 billion, ahead of expectations

NXP Semiconductors reported Q4 2023 revenue of $3.42 billion, up 3 percent year-on-year. Full-year revenue was $13.28 billion, up 1 percent year-on-year.

Fourth quarter GAAP gross margin was 56.6 percent, GAAP operating margin was 26.5 percent and GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $2.68. Full-year GAAP gross margin was 56.9 percent, GAAP operating margin was 27.6 percent and GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $10.70.

“NXP delivered full-year 2023 revenue of $13.28 billion, an increase of 1 percent year-on-year. In the fourth quarter, revenue was $3.42 billion, an increase of 3 percent year-on-year, above the mid-point of our guidance range. In review, NXP delivered solid results throughout 2023, reflecting strong execution, consistent gross margin, and healthy free cash flow generation despite a challenging semiconductor market environment. We are navigating a soft landing by managing what is in our control, especially limiting over shipment of products to customers,” said Kurt Sievers, NXP President and Chief Executive Officer.

https://investors.nxp.com/financial-information/financial-information-0

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Intelsat validates Arctic Circle high-speed aircraft connectivity

 Intelsat completed a series of historic test flights to the Arctic Circle demonstrating that airlines that require inflight internet connectivity on long-haul flights at extreme northerly latitudes can access low-latency, high-throughput service at any point on their route map. The test flights were completed on Intelsat’s test aircraft, a CRJ-700 regional jet equipped with an Electronically Steered Array (ESA) antenna.

• On December 17, 2023, Intelsat operated its test aircraft from Seattle, Washington to Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is located at roughly 61° north, making it the northernmost city served by major airlines, anywhere on the planet. This flight was operated using Intelsat’s fleet of geostationary (GEO) satellites, proving high-throughput GEO service is available using Intelsat ESA at all global airline hubs.
• On December 18, 2023, Intelsat operated a roundtrip flight from Anchorage to Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow, AK). Utqiaġvik is situated at a latitude of 71° north, the same as many polar routes connecting Asia, North America and Europe. This flight was operated using OneWeb’s fleet of low Earth orbit satellites and demonstrated that high-speed, low latency performance is available even in a challenging geographic region that previously never had inflight internet service.

“The two tests validated the capabilities of Intelsat’s multi-orbit solution for airlines,” said Pat Walsh, senior vice president of Engineering. “As the aircraft traveled due north from Anchorage into the Arctic Circle, we seamlessly connected to the OneWeb low-earth orbit constellation delivering 150 megabits per second inflight and on the ground in Alaska. In addition, near the polar region, Intelsat’s GEO operations exceeded expectations, delivering a reliable, high-speed connection all the way to Anchorage.”

Intelsat connectivity to expand to all Airbus aircraft

Tuesday, September 19, 2023    

Intelsat announced that its inflight connectivity (IFC), which uses its LEO and GEO satellites, will be available to airlines and aircraft lessors through Airbus’ Airspace Link (HBCplus) solution. Intelsat will be the largest service provider in the manufacturer’s flexible IFC service catalogue.Airbus offers airlines the option of choosing their Ku-band ESA terminal, specifically designed to enable simultaneous connections to Intelsat's GEO and LEO...

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Oracle Cloud to open in Nairobi

Oracle is planning to open a public cloud region in Nairobi, Kenya, underscoring its commitment to Africa and the digital transformation of the Kenyan government, public institutions, enterprises, startups, universities, and investors in Kenya and the continent. The facility enables Oracle to offer its full suite of more than 100 hyperscale cloud services. 

“We are delighted to see Oracle planning such an important investment in Kenya,” said President William Ruto.  “I am excited to see major technology companies like Oracle investing in Kenya and bringing state of the art technologies like AI and cloud applications that will benefit Kenyan citizens, especially in creation of jobs.”

"We are delighted to extend our commitment to helping Kenya accelerate the digital transformation of its government and private sector,” said Scott Twaddle, senior vice president, Product and Industries, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “OCI is leveraged by governments and companies across the world as a scalable and secure platform for mission-critical workloads on which to drive innovation and transformation. We already have a strong business in Kenya, and the upcoming public cloud region in Nairobi represents a significant next step forward in helping support the country’s economic goals.”

https://www.oracle.com/news/announcement/oracle-plans-to-open-a-public-cloud-region-in-kenya-2024-01-31/

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