Alcatel Submarine Networks has activated a private 5G network on its submarine systems production and assembly site based in Calais.
Strategic partners include Nokia, Iliad, Free Pro, Sopra Steria and BSCA.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Alain Biston, President of ASN, Patricia Fornet, Director of Industrial Operations at ASN, Thomas Reynaud, CEO of Iliad Group (Free) and Pierre-Gaël Chantereau, CEO of Nokia France.
Expeto, a start-up based in Vancouver, announced a $12 million Series B funding round for its solutions for simplifying enterprise networking over private and public mobile networks.
Expeto’s cloud-based NeXtworking platform solves mobile complexity for enterprises by making any kind of mobile connectivity (CBRS, MNO-provided LTE, 5G, etc.) a seamless part of a privately managed network. The goal is to enable enterprises to seamlessly extend private networks via any type of cellular connectivity with single-SIM mobility between public and private instances of the network.
Expeto can be deployed behind a corporate firewall, in a private or public cloud, at the edge or geographically remote sites depending on use case requirements. It supports creation of secure network segments, management of subscribers and network policies, and monitoring of network usage and performance.
“Expeto hides the complexity of mobile network management behind an easy interface and powerful routing platform that has been proven to help achieve ambitious mobile connectivity management goals in large-scale commercial deployments,” said Expeto CEO Michael Anderson. “Our work with enterprises and MNOs is rooted in solving the challenges enterprises face expanding private networks with cellular connectivity and the role we can play in helping transform industries based on compelling new use cases.”
The round was led by Sorenson Capital and included existing investors Evok Innovations, Lavrock Ventures and Mistral Venture Partners. Additional new investors included 5G Open Innovation Lab and Samsung Next. Expeto has raised over $20M total financing to date and will use funds from the Series B to accelerate innovation and expand go-to-market programs.
Nokia will deploy the first industrial-grade LTE private network in a port terminal in Chile at San Antonio Terminal Internacional S.A. (STI), a facility spanning 31 hectares and supported by hundreds of workers, sensors, equipment and vehicles.
The new private wireless network will be based on the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform and will use 4.9G LTE. As the single supplier for this project, Nokia will also provide the RAN network, training, implementation services and remote support.
San Antonio Terminal Internacional S.A. (STI) is the main port terminal in Chile and one of the most important port terminals in South America. It is also the closest port to all the main cities in Chile, only 110 km. from Santiago through highway 78; and also connected to many key production centers in Southern Chile.
Is private 5G reaching an adoption inflection point in Germany? Is so, what are the drivers? Why would enterprises bother with building their own 5G infrastructure instead of relying on Wi-Fi or the public cellular network? What spectrum is available in Germany? Is it easy to attain? What value can a network integrator such as NTT provider for the enterprise customer.
Kai Grunwitz, CEO of NTT Germany, answers our questions.
https://youtu.be/kutgXILAT3w
Teltech Group, which offers logistics/supply chain services, asset management and technology solutions, is deploying Betacom 5G as a Service to automate its 200,000 square-foot warehouse in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Teltech consolidated four Dallas/Fort Worth-area warehouses into a single warehouse in 2020, developing the entire space and supporting systems from scratch. The Betacom private 4G/5G network supports the company’s NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and enables enhanced scanning capabilities that greatly increase efficiencies in material receiving, order fulfillment and shipping. Airspan, a partner of Betacom and Teltech, provided the underlying radio access network (RAN).
Founded in 1999, Native American and woman-owned Teltech provides a wide array of services, ranging from warehousing and third party logistics solutions (3PL) to solar power system development, talent resourcing and, recently, tethered drones that provide broadband in hard-to-reach places.
“Teltech is leading the way in adoption and promotion of advanced technologies enabled by private wireless, increasing their own efficiencies while empowering others to do the same through ongoing awareness and education,” said Johan Bjorklund, CEO of Betacom. “I am very proud of the work we are doing together and look forward to working with them to bring more people to a clear understanding of the benefits of automation that will lead to the realization of Industry 4.0.”
Amazon Web Services announced commercial availability of its Private 5G service, which uses CBRS spectrum and AWS-managed infrastructure to enable a private mobile network.
The service, which currently is only available in 4G mode with future 5G capability, promises long range coverage, indoors and out, and fine-grained access control.
In a blog, Jeff Barr, Chief Evangelist for AWS, writes " This cool new service lets you design and deploy your own private mobile network in a matter of days. It is easy to install, operate, and scale, and does not require any specialized expertise. You can use the network to communicate with the sensors & actuators in your smart factory, or to provide better connectivity for handheld devices, scanners, and tablets for process automation."
There are no upfront fees or per-device costs. The customer is charged at an hourly rated based on the number of active radio units on premise. A starter package includes a radio unit and ten SIM cards. The radio unit requires AC power and wired access to the public Internet, along with basic networking (IPv4 and DHCP).
https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/new-aws-private-5g-build-your-own-private-mobile-network/
Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a new managed service that helps enterprises set up and scale private 5G mobile networks using license-free CBRS spectrum.
Customers of the forthcoming AWS Private 5G service will be able to use the AWS console to specify where they want to build a mobile network and the network capacity needed for their devices. AWS will then deliver and maintain the small cell radio units, servers, 5G core and radio access network (RAN) software, and subscriber identity modules (SIM cards) required to set up a private 5G network and connect devices. AWS Private 5G automates the setup and deployment of the network and scales capacity on demand to support additional devices and increased network traffic. Pricing is based on network capacity and throughput. There are no upfront fees or per-device costs.
“Many of our customers want to leverage the power of 5G to establish their own private networks on premises, but they tell us that the current approaches make it time-consuming, difficult, and expensive to set up and deploy private networks,” said David Brown, Vice President, EC2 at AWS. “With AWS Private 5G, we’re extending hybrid infrastructure to customers’ 5G networks to make it simple, quick, and inexpensive to set up a private 5G network. Customers can start small and scale on-demand, pay as they go, and monitor and manage their network from the AWS console.”
“We deploy technology outside of Amazon Fulfillment Centers (FCs) to make moving tractor trailers around safer and more accurate and efficient. We have to provide network services for these systems across millions of square feet of outdoor space. Previously, to get proper Wi-Fi coverage in the parking lots around our FCs, we had to add light poles for the Wi-Fi equipment, modify our outdoor electrical systems and either trench fiber or support Mesh systems. This was expensive, disrupted productivity during installation, and had a high support burden,” said Jeff Armstrong, Director of Infrastructure Engineering at Amazon. “With AWS Private 5G, we can use two outdoor small cells mounted on the corners of our warehouses and achieve additional coverage in our parking lots, which was much quicker and cheaper to deploy. Just as important, we will be able to scale up our AWS Private 5G deployment as we expand our facilities.”
https://aws.amazon.com/private5g/?nc2=h_ql_re_nw
Kajeet, which specializes in private wireless and managed IoT connectivity solutions, will become an authorized distributor of Samsung’s private RAN solutions in the U.S.
The collaboration matches Kajeet’s Smart Private 5G Platform with Samsung’s Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) solutions.
Samsung’s CBRS products to be deployed by Kajeet include its Massive MIMO 64T64R macro cell and 4T4R 4G/5G radio. Certified by the OnGo® Alliance, these products support a variety of use cases requiring campus-wide connectivity with massive data capacity. This includes enabling FWA for underserved rural areas and industrial IoT applications connecting thousands of sensors to analyze data.
Kajeet builds and manages private 5G networks on behalf of school districts, smart cities, municipalities, universities and community colleges, utilities, libraries, healthcare organizations, and other enterprises in key vertical markets.
"Samsung has been a pioneer in RAN innovation, and we are excited to be collaborating with them to address the needs of our expanding array of customers that want robust, reliable and affordable carrier-class private wireless networks,” said Derrick Frost, SVP and GM of Private Wireless Networks at Kajeet. “Kajeet’s open innovation in 5G edge & core, paired with Samsung’s CBRS solutions that enable seamless migration to 5G and suit any vertical use case, provides enhanced connectivity experiences both today and tomorrow.”
“Samsung is committed to advancing private network innovation and putting this technology into action for various enterprises and organizations today,” said Imran Akbar, Vice President and Head of New Business Team, Networks Business, Samsung Electronics America. “Kajeet has extensive experience in deploying and managing end-to-end private and public networks, and we look forward to collaborating with them to accelerate deployment of Samsung’s industry leading private 5G solutions to help lead digital transformation for enterprises.”
Airspan Networks reported revenue of $46.9 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, up 25% sequentially from first quarter 2022, and up 12% year-over-year. Gross margin was 40.1% compared to 32.1% in first quarter 2022, and 45.7% in second quarter 2021. There was a net loss of $21.0 million, compared to a net loss of $29.7 million in first quarter 2022, and a net loss of $10.4 million for second quarter 2021.
“Four of our largest customers signed new purchase orders during the quarter. We continue to see growing demand in the core markets we serve, namely mobile networks, private networks and fixed wireless,” said Airspan President and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Laxdal.
Some highlights:
The Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) selected Nokia to design, build and maintain a next generation railway communications system over the next decade in Perth.
METRONET infrastructure and public transport program is the long-term blueprint for Perth's future. As a critical element of the METRONET program and as part of the agreement, more than 160 LTE/4.9G radio sites will be built to modernize the railway communication system that includes additional METRONET track and tunnels with a total of 250km of railway. The solution will be based on Nokia private 4.9G/LTE mission-critical IP/MPLS, Data Center Fabric and microwave backhaul solutions, to support a Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) High Capacity Signalling system for greater accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional signalling systems.
Rob McCabe, Head of Enterprise for Oceania at Nokia, said: “We are thrilled to partner with PTA for this prestigious project to design, build and maintain the next-generation railway communications network. Powered by Nokia’s private wireless network solution, the new railway communication system will help enhance the accuracy of the system leading to improved experience and safety. Nokia is at the forefront of supporting railway networks accelerate digital transformation for more efficient operations while delivering greater value to the passengers.”
Nokia has deployed mission-critical networks to more than 2,200 leading enterprise customers in the transport, energy, large enterprise, manufacturing, webscale, and public sector segments around the globe. It has also extended its expertise to more than 485 large private wireless customers worldwide across an array of sectors.
Virginia International Terminals, which is a privately held terminal operating company that is owned by the Virginia Port Authority, has selected Verizon to build a private 5G Ultra Wideband network at one of The Port Of Virginia’s main container terminals.
VIT is one of the most technologically advanced container terminal operators in the world, and will use the network to explore the use of autonomous over-the-road trucks for accessing the terminal to drop-off and pick-up shipping containers.
Verizon's On Site 5G private network provides the ability to replace WiFi with secure, private 5G connectivity across its Virginia International Gateway facility, a 275 acre marine terminal.
The deal is Verizon Business’ second with a major international port and its first with a U.S.-based terminal.
“Seaports provide some of the best possible examples of the power of private 5G, with uses spanning autonomous vehicles, connected heavy equipment, and secure, real-time tracking and logistics, among many others,” said Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Business. “That’s why On Site 5G is ideal for innovative partners like Virginia International Terminals. It puts a wide range of 5G capabilities on offer, from data-intensive, high-bandwidth industrial needs to secure, reliable broadband for everyday business.”
https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-business-vit-reach-agreement-private-5g-network
The Keysight Open Radio Access Network Architect (KORA) test solutions are moving to cloud-based deployment. In addition, the company’s LoadCore software for testing 5G Core (5GC), is now available as a metered, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solution in AWS Marketplace to allow customers to scale costs with usage.
KORA is Keysight’s suite of test solutions that verify the functionality and performance of end-to-end O-RAN wireless infrastructure. A component of KORA, Keysight's LoadCore 5GC testing software enables customers to perform network capacity tests, measure device data throughput and model a wide variety of end-user behavior and mobility scenarios. A scalable 5GC network performance validation solution, LoadCore can verify that delivered connectivity service remains stable under various demanding conditions such as sudden spikes in network usage caused by disasters or other major events.
“As a cloud-based pay-as-you-go offering, users can purchase and provision KORA test solutions immediately to fit their testing needs,” said Kalyan Sundhar, vice president and general manager of 5G Edge to Core Solutions at Keysight. “This is an exciting new delivery model that offers customers the flexibility and scalability to use Keysight’s test solutions in the environment they want, in the cloud.”
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.
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."
Private wireless radio access network (RAN) shipments and revenues are again coming in below expectations, resulting in another markdown, according to a newly published forecast report from Dell'Oro Group.
“We have not made any changes to the potential market calculations and still estimate private wireless is a massive opportunity,” said Stefan Pongratz, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group. “At the same time, the message we have communicated for some time still holds – we still envision the enterprise and industrial play is a long game. This taken together with the fact that the standalone LTE/5G market is developing at a slower pace than previously expected forms the basis for the near-term downgrade,” continued Pongratz.
Additional highlights from the Private Wireless Advanced Research Report:
https://www.delloro.com/news/private-wireless-forecast-adjusted-downward/
Telefónica and NTT DATA are executing a private 5G proof of concept (PoC) with CIE Automotive, a global automotive supplier.
At its facilities in Itziar (Guipúzcoa), a 5G intralogistics management platform has been developed and is being implemented as an integrating and enabling solution for the automation of the transport of finished products from the end of the production line to the warehouse.
The objective of the solution is to increase the flexibility, efficiency and traceability of internal logistics processes through the intelligent management of multiple sensors and mobile devices, such as AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots).
Jon Ezkerra, R&D project coordinator of the CIE Automotive group, highlights that “The proof of concept being developed in collaboration with Telefónica and NTT Data will be validated in one of the automated welding cells for the manufacture of fuel rails at the CIE Norma plant located in Itziar (Gipuzkoa) and will connect through the use of 5G technology with the plant’s management system to perform intra-logistics movement via AGVs, will allow connection through the use of 5G technology, with the plant’s management system to carry out intra-logistical movement by means of AGVs, establishing the continuous flow of supply and collection of finished product packaging for stacking at height in the warehouse.”
Andrés Escribano, director of New Business and Industry 4.0 at Telefónica Tech, said: “This initiative will allow us to bring logistics automation solutions to many of our customers in a simple and flexible way. The application of 5G connectivity will help to solve the challenges faced in this field of Industry 4.0.”
Nokia launched a 5G Innov Lab platform with the objective of testing and integrating 5G industrial uses, using an open and transversal approach; and brings together various entities, including Airbus Secure Land Communications, Augmented Acoustics, Digital Immersion, IMT, SNEF Lab, Nokia Bell Labs, and Paris-Saclay Hardware Accelerator.
The 5G Innov Lab platform will rely on a 5G private network comprised of different frequencies (2.6GHz TDD, 26GHz, and the 3.8 – 4.2GHz band, with three major focus areas:
The 5G Innov Lab platform is part of the France Recovery plan.
Pierre-Gaël Chantereau, President of Nokia in France, said: "5G will play a critical role in the transformation of the industry and verticals and this Nokia-led platform will enable the development in France of new use cases, with the support of all partners. France has many assets, supported by both historical and new players, and the cooperation of these actors is essential to accelerate developments and guarantee our competitiveness at the European and global levels.”
Google Cloud launched a private 5G solution for enterprises looking to expand wireless performance and security across their campuses.
The service leverages Google Distributed Cloud Edge and technology from a number of partners, including Betacom, Boingo, Celona, Crown Castle, and Kajeet.
Google Distributed Cloud Edge provides a centralized control and management plane for secure networks, scaling from one to thousands of locations. GDC Edge allows customers to run private networks including virtualized RAN for connectivity and edge applications in a single solution.
Google's partners include:
Japan's Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) has deployed Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology as part of a Local 5G network. NS Solutions served as integrator for the project.
Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), an end-to-end private wireless networking and edge computing platform, is designed to empower enterprises from different industry verticals to leverage 5G-powered automation for greater efficiencies. The Nokia solution also includes the Japanese model of FastMile 5G Gateway, which was developed especially for local 5G use cases in Japan.
Takashi Oshiro, Executive Director and Senior Vice President, at NS Solutions, said: "Our expertise coupled with field-proven Nokia solutions allow us to deploy best-in-class Local 5G networks for enterprises from different industry verticals. Nokia DAC will enable us to quickly deploy Local 5G for NAIST to help them gain new research capabilities and allow them to use the network to conduct research for upcoming technologies. In addition, Nokia Fastmile CPEs allow the users to deploy 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) quickly and easily."
Donny Janssens, Head of Customer Team Enterprise Japan, at Nokia, said: “Nokia Digital Automation Cloud will allow NAIST to benefit from a highly reliable local 5G network to better manage its data assets and provide a superior learning experience. In addition, our FastMile 5G Gateway allows NS Solutions to offer high-speed, reliable wireless connectivity for the local 5G network at NAIST. These solutions enable enterprises to leverage 5G technology in order to acquire new capabilities and gain a business edge. We are pleased to work with NS Solutions on this project and look forward to helping other enterprises benefit from innovative 5G use cases."
Nokia says it has deployed mission-critical networks to more than 2,200 leading enterprise customers in the transport, energy, large enterprise, manufacturing, webscale, and public sector segments around the globe.
Kajeet has selected Open Networking Foundation's (ONF's) Aether platform to build their own private 5G Networks-as-a-Service offering. The Kajeet solution provides a cloud-based platform providing enterprises Private LTE and 5G, both indoor and outdoor, with seamless mobility between public and private cellular networks, as a turnkey cloud-managed Network-as-a-Service.
Kajeet’s Private 5G platform provides cloud-based SIM management, device and network management, and end-to-end smart network slicing with QoS SLA assurance for addressing the challenges of mission-critical enterprise applications. It enables customers to manage their private wireless networks with 24/7/365 Tier-1 support from Kajeet.
ONF has deployed and demonstrated the capabilities of Aether at multiple global sites in concert with its leading vendor and carrier partners. Since its introduction in 2020, Aether has achieved a number of significant milestones, including:
“We are excited to work with the ONF to offer an innovative, open, carrier-grade Private 5G Platform that is purpose-built for enterprises. It seamlessly combines Kajeet’s public and private wireless solutions and expertise," states Derrick Frost, SVP and GM of Private Wireless Networks at Kajeet.
https://opennetworking.org/category/news-and-events/latest-news/
BT and Ericsson announced a multi-million-pound new partnership to provide commercial 5G private networks for the UK market.
Under a multi-year contract, BT will sell Ericsson's mobile network technology products to businesses and organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, defense, education, retail, healthcare, transport and logistics.
Marc Overton, Managing Director of BT’s Division X, part of its Enterprise business, said: “This UK-first deal we have signed with Ericsson is a huge milestone and will play a major role in enabling businesses’ transformation, ushering in a new era of hyper-connected spaces.
“We have combined our skill and expertise at building converged fixed and mobile networks with Ericsson’s leading, sustainable and secure 5G network equipment, to offer a pioneering new proposition that will be attractive to many industries. 5G private networks will also support smart factory processes and the advancement of Industry 4.0 which can realize significant cost savings and efficiencies for manufacturers.
Katherine Ainley, CEO Ericsson UK & Ireland said: “This ground-breaking agreement with BT means we are together taking a leading role in ensuring 5G has a transformative impact for the UK. The high quality, fast and secure connectivity provided by Ericsson Private 5G can help organizations make all-important efficiency gains that can create safer, more productive, and sustainable business operations and help the country build global leaders in the industries and technologies of the future.”
Albemarle Corporation, a specialty chemicals company with leading positions in lithium, bromine, and refining catalysts, has selected NTT Ltd. to deploy a pilot private LTE/5G and Wi-Fi network at Albemarle’s lithium mine in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The network will enable engineers to connect with technicians for remote site surveys and assists. Previously, it was difficult for global engineers to visit Albemarle’s site due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, which significantly impacted the process of decision making and timing. The use of private LTE/5G will enable Albemarle to enhance its hybrid working process and reduce the amount of global travel needed to operate.
“We’re incredibly proud to be partnering and consulting with Albemarle on this innovative pilot,” said Parm Sandhu, Vice President, Enterprise 5G Products and Services, NTT. “A private LTE/5G network will continue to transform business outcomes in mission-critical environments for Albemarle, and this is just the start of their journey. We look forward to working closely with the manufacturer as it continues to digitally transform its business for the future.”
In addition, Transatel - subsidiary of NTT since 2019 - announces the worldwide deployment of a new 5G IoT solution for the industrial, IT and automotive sectors. After France, Belgium and Japan, Transatel’s global 5G IoT services is now available in the USA and will be extended to the rest of the world in the coming months. The announcement follows the recent launch of NTT’s breakthrough Private 5G Network as-a-service platform.
Starting May 12, NTT will be offering both private and public 5G connectivity in the USA. This mobile broadband continuity of service will prove to be critical for many industries, as IIoT applications process an ever-growing volume of data. Public 5G service will be available through Transatel’s global cellular IoT connectivity platform.
“The Transatel SIM is already an integral part of the NTT Ltd enterprise focused Private 5G solution, giving NTT P5G customers the benefit of having a single SIM serving both their private network needs while also enabling global roaming for enterprises requiring this feature beyond factories and campuses.” said Shahid Ahmed, NTT Ltd. EVP New Ventures and Innovation. The announcement of Transatel’s 5G offer further enhances the NTT P5G offering by allowing continuous 5G coverage between private and public networks. In the past only 4G public coverage was available, thereby limiting the potential business benefit and use case development. "We are excited to launch 5G IoT in the USA and abroad. NTT’s cellular networks hybridation capabilities demonstrates the strong synergies within the group." added Jacques Bonifay, CEO of Transatel, NTT’s global MVNO.
NTT’s global MVNO offers 3G, 4G, LTE-M and now 5G networks agreements with hundreds of mobile carriers around the world.
