Octasic rebrands as it focuses on custom 5G/4G solutions

Octasic unveiled its new corporate branding that better reflects the company’s 24-years of industry expertise and its vision to become a leader in the creation of the most advanced custom wireless solutions across the commercial, government, and defence markets.

Octasic, which is based in Montreal, offers develops programmable silicon for mission-critical custom wireless applications. Octasic enables both enterprise and government clients to go beyond commercial applications and build a myriad of customized base station, user-equipment (UE), and software-defined radio (SDR)-based systems deployed for numerous private network environments, including Industrial IoT, Non-Terrestrial Networks, tactical, automated warehouses, and autonomous mobile robots.

Octasic said it is proud to work with global technology innovators such as Capgemini and Radisys. Cambridge Consultants, part of Capgemini Group, has developed custom full-scale systems delivering breakthrough performance, tailored for specific mission critical communication and IIOT (Industrial Internet of Things) applications. Engineering teams at Capgemini have created an engineering center of excellence designing, integrating, and optimizing L1/L2/L3 for 5G RAN systems for Aerospace, Defense and Industrial customers. Radisys is an industry pioneer in delivering complex and high-performance subsystems RAN software across 3G/4G/5G to Defense and Public Safety customers, amongst others.

“We want to shape the future of customized wireless solutions for a connected and more secure world,” said Sébastien Leblanc, CEO of Octasic. “The time is right for a more cohesive and inspiring brand story that unites all our clients, partners and the incredible people at Octasic who build and support our highly advanced hardware and software products from our multiple sites, worldwide.”

“The roll-out of the new Octasic brand identity was an essential part to the company’s growth plan and to clearly communicate who we are today,” said James Awad, Vice President, Marketing and Programs, at Octasic. “This exciting new phase is about the depth of our expertise in signal processing and wireless development to rapidly expand into new wireless markets.”

https://www.octasic.com

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Nutanix extends its hybrid cloud environment to Microsoft Azure

Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) are now available on Microsoft Azure, extending the Nutanix hybrid cloud environment to Microsoft Azure dedicated bare metal nodes in North America.

Customers can now run workloads on NC2 on Azure and manage Azure instances from Nutanix's management interface. Nutanix says this enables customers to run hybrid workloads seamlessly across private clouds and Microsoft Azure without needing to re-architect their applications.

“Organizations are embracing hybrid multicloud to easily scale from on-prem to the public cloud, optimize costs for performant and secure workloads, and tap into a flexible subscription model,” said Rajiv Ramaswami, President and CEO of Nutanix. “NC2 on Azure gives our customers a frictionless on-ramp to Azure with consistent management of apps and data across their hybrid multicloud environment.”

“While public cloud has solidified as a crucial investment for businesses, many customers need to run and manage workloads across public and private cloud environments,” said Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President, Cloud + AI Group, Microsoft. “NC2 on Azure provides consistent management for businesses’ infrastructure across on-premises and cloud, reduces network latency, and increases cost efficiency.”

https://nutanix.com/azure

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NASA awards contracts for space communications

NASA awarded contracts to two companies – Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) USA of Denver and SpaceLink Corporation of McLean, Virginia – to develop capability studies to explore and demonstrate communications and navigation services in support of Artemis missions to the Moon.

The awards, under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix O, are firm fixed-price milestone-based contracts in the amounts of $161,638 for KSAT and $189,881 for SpaceLink Corporation.

The studies will involve direct-to-Earth and lunar space relay communications and navigation services that would enhance telemetry, tracking, and commanding services for orbital and sub-orbital missions at the Moon through relay of critical data between spacecraft and ground stations.

"All missions need communications and navigation services to send data back to Earth. These capability studies and demonstrations will highlight networking efficiencies and inform future planning for NASA missions," said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate.

https://www.nasa.gov/nextstep

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Comcast promotes Mike Cavanagh to President

Comcast Corporation named Mike Cavanagh has been as President. With this promotion, Mike will work closely with Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts to manage the businesses and teams across the company. Mike will be only the third President in the company’s 59-year history. He will remain Chief Financial Officer.

Mike joined Comcast seven years ago as Chief Financial Officer. With his leadership, the company has expanded its reach significantly in the US and globally. Mike came to Comcast after more than 20 years in the financial services industry. He was Co-CEO of JPMorgan Chase’s Corporate & Investment Bank from 2012 to 2014, a global leader in its industry with over $30 billion in revenue at the time and more than 60,000 employees located in nearly 100 countries. In this role, Mike co-headed all investment banking, cash management, investor services, and the largest global markets and trading business in the world. He also served as JPMorgan Chase’s CFO for six years – helping steer the company to successfully navigate the financial crisis.

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ESnet6 brings 46 Tbps capacity with 400 Gbps ~ 1 Tbps backbone links

 The U.S. Department of Energy unveiled the newest generation of its high- performance Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), which connects all of DoE's national laboratories, tens of thousands of DoE-funded researchers, and DoE’s premier scientific instruments and supercomputing centers. In 2021, ESnet carried over 1.1 exabytes of science data. Traffic on ESnet increases by a factor of ten every four years.

The new ESnet6 now offers 46 Terabits per second of bandwidth of capacity and supports programmable, and automated services that are uniquely built to support the multi- petabyte dataflows typical of science research today and are future-proofed to manage the emerging exabyte data era. 

Specifically, new ESnet6 capabilities and services include:

● A dedicated 15,000 miles of fiber optic cable footprint

● Network backbone links ranging from 400 Gbps to 1 Tbps 

● Customizable network services via a new automation platform

● High-precision telemetry to improve network performance

● Improved overall network security

● A future programmable API platform for scientists to directly request custom network services

Technology partners include Lumen Technologies, Ciena, Infinera, Nokia, and AMD. 

“ESnet6 represents a transformational change in the way networks are built for research, with improved capacity, resiliency, and flexibility,” said ESnet Executive Director Inder Monga. “Together, these new capabilities make it faster, easier, and more efficient for scientists around the world to conduct and collaborate on ground-breaking research.”

"ESnet6 provides the foundation for the future of the DOE mission science as we enter an age where discoveries will rely on the integration of scientific experimental facilities,supercomputers, and global science teams operating together as if they are colocated: one instrument in one location,” Monga added. “ESnet6 interconnects all of these resources to create a holistic science discovery system.”

ESnet6 was officially unveiled at a special event attended by DOE and Berkeley Lab leadership, as well as local, state, and federal government representatives, including U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Director of the DOE’s Office of Science. The event also featured keynote talks from Internet pioneer Vint Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google and ESnet Policy Board member; and Ian Foster, Distinguished Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago.

www.lbl.gov

ESnet and GÉANT upgrade loop to 200Gbps

Friday, August 13, 2021    

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) and GÉANT, Europe’s leading collaboration on e-infrastructure and services for research and education,have boosted the capacity of ESnet’s network loop in Western Europe to 200 Gbps. This upgraded network connects to ESnet’s 400 Gbps transatlantic network.“This upgrade to 200G is an important milestone for ESnet because it opens up more bandwidth, network reliability, and flexibility...

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ESnet upgrades optical backbone with Infinera

Tuesday, October 27, 2020  Esnet, Infinera  

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) has selected Infinera to build the optical substrate for its next-generation science network, ESnet6, interconnecting the DOE’s national laboratory system and experimental facilities with research and commercial networks around the globe. ESnet connects all of the DOE’s geographically distributed laboratories, experimental facilities, and computing centers across a dedicated fiber...

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ESnet6 makes progress toward 400G upgrade

Monday, August 17, 2020  400G, Esnet  

The Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) is making great progress with the rollout of ESnet6, its next-generation network dedicated to serving the Department of Energy (DOE) national lab complex and overseas collaborators. ESnet6, which is expected to be complete in 2023, will see the deployment of next gen optical, core and service edge equipment on ESnet’s dedicated fiber optic cable backbone. “We’ve had some delays, but our first priority is making...

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Google Cloud expands to Austria, Greece, Norway, RSA, Sweden

 Google Cloud announced new regions in five more countries: Austria, Greece, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden. This builds on new cloud regions in Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Thailand that were announced in August. In addition, Google Cloud already opened new regions this year in in Milan, Italy; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Columbus, Ohio; and Dallas, Texas. 

Google Cloud currently encompasses a total of 35 regions, 106 zones, 173 network edge locations and 22 subsea cables in over 200 countries and territories.

https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/introducing-new-google-cloud-regions

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Google Cloud Next: Cloud-native networks and 5G edge

 

In this 26-minute session, Gabriele Di Piazza, Sr. Director, Product Management, Google Cloud discusses network evolution with guests from Bell Canada and AT&T.

Topics include: (1) How Google Cloud is helping CSPs transform (2) 5G cloud-native network evolution (3) Bell Canada's journey to cloud-native (4) 5G edge monetization

Summary: Delivering a cloud based telecom core and radio access network (RAN) is key to ensuring Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are able to deliver smart and connected use cases for consumers and enterprises. The increased network agility will enable CSPs to drive new experiences and improve efficiencies across all industries. Deploying new networks and applications requires a new type of edge infrastructure, automation, and connectivity.

https://cloud.withgoogle.com/next/catalog?session=MOD204#modernize

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Spirent and Nokia show 800G interoperability

Spirent Communications and Nokia demonstrated 800G interoperability in data center environments. 

The interoperability testing was conducted at the recent Nokia SReXperts Americas event, leveraging Spirent’s B2 800G Appliance and the Nokia 7750 Service Routing (SR) platform powered by Nokia's FP5 network processor silicon. The demonstration featured Nokia generating 1.6Tbps of data through two Nokia 7750 SR series routers using 800G QSFP-DD DR8 optical transceivers. High-density 800G testing in a highly flexible, multi-rate 2U B2 test platform enables service providers and network operators to deploy muti-rate networking infrastructure to meet growing demand for network bandwidth. 

Nokia offers a suite of 800G enabled systems, scaling from linecards with 36x 800G QSFP-DD to fixed systems with 36x 800G QSFP-DD and 48x 800G QSFP-DD, including many smaller steps in between for the right scale power, capacity, and economics.

“Spirent has developed a comprehensive, end-to-end 800G testing suite that leverages our decades of experience in Ethernet testing,” said Aniket Khosla, VP of Cloud & IP Product Management at Spirent. “This latest successful 800G demonstration with Nokia to validate their FP5 network processing silicon and 7750 SR platform’s capability to support high-density standards based QSFP-DD 800G ports will ensure successful deployments of this complex new technology, while enabling Nokia’s customers to build deterministic, efficient high-speed networks to meet future needs and deliver high-quality user experiences.”

“For today’s IP networks to enable tomorrow’s applications, faster is better but it’s not enough,” said Ken Kutzler, VP of IP Routing Hardware at Nokia. “These networks must also be deterministic, secure, efficient, and consumable. Our high-profile demonstration with Spirent helped validate the market readiness of our FP5 silicon – the heart of Nokia’s IP service routing platforms – to deliver the right foundation to ensure IP networks can efficiently scale, evolve, and stay ahead of shifting market demands.”

https://www.spirent.com/products/800g-ethernet-testing

What's hot at OFC22? Spirent on 800G

Sunday, March 27, 2022  #800G, #OFC22  

One of the hottest topics at OFC22 was 800G (2x400G), enabled by 112Gbps electrical lanes, explains Steve Rumsby, Demo Architect, Spirent.A multivendor interoperability demo was hosted by the Ethernet Alliance.https://youtu.be/feZi4ipf...

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Spirent and MultiLane collaborate on QSFP-DD 800G testing

Wednesday, September 15, 2021  800G, Multilane, Spirent  

Spirent Communications has partnered with MultiLane, a global leader in data center interconnects, to offer vendor-neutral testing solutions supporting the 800G ecosystem. Specifically, Spirent and MultiLane are working together to resolve QSFP-DD800 testing challenges. QSFP-DD800 is one of the first port standards that uses individual electrical 100G lanes. The design, optimization, and fabrication of these 100G lanes presents a significant...

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Spirent and Innolight test 800G

Monday, April 19, 2021  800G, Innolight, Spirent  

Spirent Communications has validated an 800G optical transceiver from InnoLight Technology (Suzhou).The project successfully demonstrated an 800G link up and line rate traffic transmission using IEEE 802.3ck OSFP for VSR application. InnoLight and Spirent engineers worked closely to develop and get the 800G link operational to emulate the traffic of hyperscale datacenters.“We were delighted to work with Spirent to showcase this latest step towards...

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Crehan: Market adoption of 25GbE twice as fast as 10GbE

During the first half of calendar-year 2022,shipments of 25 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) adapters and controllers (NICs) posted a very robust 60% year-over-year growth, surpassing 10GbE shipments, according to a recent report from Crehan Research Inc. The growth propelled 25GbE shipments to more than 10 million ports, driving both record 25GbE and total server-class NIC shipments. Furthermore, 25GbE reached the 10 million port shipment milestone in less than half the time it took 10GbE to reach that number.

"The small price premium for two-and-a-half times more bandwidth, the rise of the hyper-scale cloud service provider segment, and the arrival of newer, bandwidth-hungry applications all contributed to the rapid market adoption of 25GbE," said Seamus Crehan, president of Crehan Research."

According to the Crehan report, 25GbE also ramped in conjunction with two alternative Ethernet NIC speeds that became available on the market concurrently, namely, 50GbE and 100GbE NICs. “The pace and size of the market’s adoption of 25GbE is even more impressive given the existence of these two other new NIC speeds on the market, both of which have also seen very strong growth," Crehan said.

In addition to the server-class NIC report, Crehan recently published a data center switch report showing that as with NIC shipments, 25GbE data center switch shipments also exceeded 10GbE data center switch shipments during the first half of calendar-year 2022.

https://crehanresearch.com

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NTIA milestone: Funding for tribal broadband projects tops $1.3 billion

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)  awarded 23 grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). These new grants, totaling more than $601.6 million, bring the total of the program to $1.35 billion awarded to 94 Tribal entities.

The projects funded by these awards will directly connect 42,268 unserved Native American households that previously had no connectivity to high-speed Internet as well as businesses and anchor institutions. 

“We are making an historic investment in Tribal communities to ensure reliable, affordable high-speed Internet for all,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These grants – made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - underscore President Biden’s commitment to closing the digital divide in the United States, especially within Tribal lands. Today’s awards will not only build high-speed Internet capacity within Tribal Nations, but also bring digital opportunities for good-paying jobs, education, and healthcare.” 

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative. The funds are made available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ($980 million) and President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ($2 billion). Additional grants will be announced on a rolling basis this fall.

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2022/biden-harris-administration-s-tribal-broadband-connectivity-program-hits

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Nokia launches Altiplano marketplace for network automation apps

Nokia launched its Altiplano Application Marketplace for broadband network automation applications. Seven apps are available at launch, organized under the categories of Network Support, Network Insights and Network Automation. New apps and marketplace features will follow in 2023.

The ‘Altiplano Application Marketplace’ is named after Nokia’s pioneering broadband network controller suite and will include Nokia and third party apps. Alongside the marketplace launch, Nokia is making available an ‘Altiplano Developer Portal’ which provides a software development kit (SDK) and virtual lab environment for developers to build and test apps.

Geert Heyninck, Nokia’s VP Broadband Networks, said: “No two networks, and likewise no two automation solutions are alike. By opening up the Altiplano platform for developers, partners and customers to create and add applications, we’re pleased to offer exactly the flexibility they need.”

https://www.nokia.com/networks/fixed-networks/altiplano-marketplace/

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Virtual-Q deploys Juniper's Apstra data center solutions

Virtual-Q, which specializes in IT-as-a-Service through its hosted desktop solution, has selected Juniper Apstra data center solutions to modernize and automate its network infrastructure to provide a scalable and seamless customer experience.

Virtual-Q has deployed Juniper's Apstra solution to simplify and automate data center operations management from design to deployment through everyday operations and assurance. Additionally, Apstra delivers a high level of visibility into the network fabric, allowing for faster resolution times and increased operational efficiencies. 

Virtual-Q is also deploying Juniper’s QFX switches, EX switches and MX series universal routing platforms to expand its capacity with 400G bandwidth. The company also utilizes Juniper professional services.

“In addition to simplifying data center management, Apstra allows its customers to automate each aspect of the design, deployment and operation of their data center infrastructure. Apstra enables Virtual-Q to lay a strong foundation for reliable and flexible operations regardless of vendor," states Mansour Karam, VP of Products, Juniper Networks.

https://newsroom.juniper.net/news/news-details/2022/Virtual-Q-Selects-Juniper-Networks-to-Provide-Scalable-Automated-Data-Center-Infrastructure/default.aspx

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Ekinops reports brisk growth as Q3 revenue rises 36% yoy

Ekinops reported Q3 2022 consolidated revenue of €32.8 million, up by a robust +36% versus Q3 2021.

At constant scope and exchange rates, revenue was up +29%, reflecting further acceleration and significant progress on the annual guidance of +15%, which was already increased in July.

For the first nine months of 2022, the Group's consolidated revenue totaled €96.1m versus €74.9m a year earlier, representing an increase of +28% (+23% at constant scope and exchange rates).

Ekinops noted brisk growth across all its businesss lines. In particular, sales for Access solutions reported accelerated growth (notably in France), up +26% over the nine-month period versus +21% at the end of the first half of 2022.

As in 2021, the first nine months of 2022 were characterized by the excellent momentum of Optical transport, which posted growth of +32% versus a year earlier (+31% in H1 2022) thanks to the success of 200 Gbps and 400 Gbps WDM systems.

Driven by the success of SDN (Software Defined Networks) solutions, network functions' virtualization and Services, revenue generated by sales of Software and Services increased by +32% year-on-year, representing 14% of Group's revenue over nine months.

The first nine months were marked by strong growth in international business (+23%), with an increase in all regions, particularly North America and Asia-Pacific. As of 30 September 2022, international business accounted for 64% of total revenue.

In North America, activity continued to record robust growth, with business volumes totaling €21.1 million, up +62% versus the previous year (+42% in US dollar). This growth benefited from strong demand for Optical Transport equipment. With 22% of its business now generated in North America, Ekinops achieved for the first time more than 20% of its revenue in that region.

After two years of business impacted by the pandemic, Asia-Pacific returns, quarter after quarter, to a dynamic growth trajectory at +36% for the first nine months. Asia-Pacific accounted for 6% of Ekinops' total revenue as of 30 September 2022.

EMEA (Europe, excluding France, the Middle-East and Africa), which represented 36% of business over the first nine months, generated revenue of €34.6 million, up +6% relative to the same prior-year period, in line with H1 2022 (+6%).

After virtually stable revenue in its domestic market in 2021 and Q1 2022, Ekinops restored sharp growth in France. Boosted by robust sales momentum in Access solutions, Q3 2022 growth amounted to +59% in France, an increase of +39% over the first nine months. Over the period, Ekinops recorded 36% of its sales in France.

https://www.ekinops.com/news/corporate/q3-2022-36-growth-28-for-the-first-nine-months-of-the-year-revenue-guidance-raised

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Megaport and Zenlayer enter alliance

Megaport and Zenlayer, a leading global edge cloud services provider, entered into a strategic partnership to expand the global reach of their networks to more than 800 locations across six continents to their joint customers. The combined footprint covers 800+ data centers.

Customers of Megaport and Zenlayer can now also take advantage of the companies’ full suite of enterprise services including Megaport Cloud Router, a virtual cloud routing service, Megaport Virtual Edge, a NFV hosting service that improves SD-WAN connectivity, Zenlayer’s Bare Metal Cloud, an on-demand edge compute service, and Zenlayer Global Accelerator (ZGA), a point-and-click service to instantly accelerate applications globally.

“Megaport’s strategic partnership with Zenlayer makes it easier than ever for our customers to use on-demand private connectivity to power their cloud networking anywhere in the world,” said Vincent English, Chief Executive Officer at Megaport. “Whether they’re deploying hybrid and/or multicloud or bridging SD-WAN to the cloud, Megaport customers can now securely connect mission-critical IT services in new markets, including those in Southeast Asia and South America, by using a combination of our NaaS solutions and Zenlayer’s Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offerings.”

“Adding Megaport’s extensive integration with cloud on-ramps and vast data centre reach to Zenlayer’s global network gives our customers greater choice in on-demand private connectivity to innovative and scalable IaaS solutions required by today’s digital-leading companies,” explained Joe Zhu, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Zenlayer. “Together, our global, private software-defined networks (SDNs) now make one of the largest SDNs in the world.”

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Keysight intros new network packet brokers for 400G visibility

Keysight Technologies introduced new Vision 400 Series Network Packet Brokers to deliver advanced visibility in high-speed 400G hybrid networks.

The platform offers advanced packet grooming features that strip and terminate 20 different tunnel headers to eliminate blind spots in complex software-defined networks used for application delivery. Multiple port configurations support current network performance while ensuring the networks can be upgraded with 10G/25G/40G/50G/100G/200G/400G offerings. It also offers support for both NRZ and PAM4 standards for maximum port density and flexibility.

“With the complexity and data demands of today’s networks, Keysight understands that IT and SecOps teams need scalable, high-performance, and highly flexible network monitoring solutions that offer full visibility into everything happening in their network,” said Recep Ozdag, General Manager and Vice President of Keysight’s Network Visibility Solutions. “We are excited to announce the Vision 400 Series Packet Brokers for customers to deploy as they transition to high-speed 400G networks to support and secure applications.”

www.keysight.com

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Exploring high-density fiber and connector solutions

This free webinar will discuss the rapidly evolving solutions for high-density connectors and fiber technology. Topics include fiber reliability and new fiber types for OBO and high density applications, such as multicore fiber, thin fiber, PMF, BiDi/SWDM MMF, as well as hollow core fiber for low latency applications. The webinar will also discuss connector types (12 and 16 fiber MPO, SEN, SAC, MDC, expanded beam, etc.), connector performance and connector impact on system performance, end-face cleanliness and inspection.

Our guests include Bulent Kose, Principal Optical Engineer, Panduit Laboratories; Yi Sun, Senior R&D Engineer, OFS; and G. Mabud Choudhury, Standards Manager, OFS.

Date: 19-October-2022

Time: 10am. Pacific

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7tiXzqcUQnGunpna-LLbbA

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NTIA reports $5.5B in Middle Mile requests, exceeding allocation by 5X

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) received 235 applications requesting $5.5 billion in funding for the Enabling Middle Mile Infrastructure Grant Program.  Applications were due by September 30th.

The Middle Mile grant program under the Biden administrations "Internet for All" initiative allocates $1 billion in funding to projects that connect high-speed Internet networks to each other and reduce the cost of bringing Internet service to communities that lack it. 

"Middle mile infrastructure is the connective tissue that links the networks that serve homes and businesses,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson. 

“NTIA’s Middle Mile Program is a force multiplier for connectivity and will be essential to delivering a cost-efficient Internet for All. The volume of applications we received demonstrates the high demand for increasing middle mile capacity throughout the country.”  

NTIA said it will evaluate the applications and make awards on a rolling basis no earlier than March 2023.

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2022/more-235-applications-submitted-biden-harris-administration-s-internet-all-middle

U.S. kicks off $45B “Internet for All” Initiative 

Monday, May 16, 2022    

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo kicked off the Internet for All initiative, which will invest $45 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden earlier this year.The goal of the Internet for All initiative is to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade. The initiative will be administered and implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications...

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Summary of new U.S. multilateral controls on advanced semiconductors

 The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a set of updates to its export controls aimed at restricting the People's Republic of China’s ability to obtain advanced computing chips, develop and maintain supercomputers, and manufacture advanced semiconductors. 

Specifically, the updated rule:

1. Adds certain advanced and high-performance computing chips and computer commodities that contain such chips to the Commerce Control List (CCL);
2. Adds new license requirements for items destined for a supercomputer or semiconductor development or production end use in the PRC;
3. Expands the scope of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) over certain foreign-produced advanced computing items and foreign produced items for supercomputer end uses;
4. Expands the scope of foreign-produced items subject to license requirements to twenty-eight existing entities on the Entity List that are located in the PRC;
5. Adds certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related items to the CCL;
6. Adds new license requirements for items destined to a semiconductor fabrication “facility” in the PRC that fabricates ICs meeting specified. Licenses for facilities owned by PRC entities will face a “presumption of denial,” and facilities owned by multinationals will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The relevant thresholds are as follows:  Logic chips with non-planar transistor architectures (I.e., FinFET or GAAFET) of 16nm or 14nm, or below;  DRAM memory chips of 18nm half-pitch or less; NAND flash memory chips with 128 layers or more.
7. Restricts the ability of U.S. persons to support the development, or production, of ICs at certain PRC-located semiconductor fabrication “facilities” without a license;
8. Adds new license requirements to export items to develop or produce semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related items; and
9. Establishes a Temporary General License (TGL) to minimize the short-term impact on the semiconductor supply chain by allowing specific, limited manufacturing activities related to items destined for use outside the PRC.

“As I told Congress in July, my north star at BIS is to ensure that we are appropriately doing everything in our power to protect our national security and prevent sensitive technologies with military applications from being acquired by the People’s Republic of China’s military, intelligence, and security services,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez. “The threat environment is always changing, and we are updating our policies today to make sure we’re addressing the challenges posed by the PRC while we continue our outreach and coordination with allies and partners.”

“The PRC has poured resources into developing supercomputing capabilities and seeks to become a world leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. It is using these capabilities to monitor, track, and surveil their own citizens, and fuel its military modernization,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Thea D. Rozman Kendler. “Our actions will protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests while also sending a clear message that U.S. technological leadership is about values as well as innovation.”

https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/about-bis/newsroom/press-releases/3158-2022-10-07-bis-press-release-advanced-computing-and-semiconductor-manufacturing-controls-final/file

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Nokia to lead 2nd phase of Europe's 6G initiative

Nokia will lead the Hexa-X-II project, the second phase of the European 6G flagship initiative.

This new phase, which aims to start work on 1 January 2023, with a planned duration of two and a half years,  will expand the Hexa-X partner list to 44 organizations that are tasked with creating the pre-standardized platform and system view that will form the basis for many inputs into future 6G standardization.

As part of the announcement, Ericsson takes the role as technical manager for Hexa-X-II. Orange, TIM SpA, TU Dresden, University of Oulu, IMEC and Atos will help coordinate various work packages such as radio evolution and innovation, future devices and flexible infrastructure, smart network management and values, and requirements and ecosystem.

The Hexa-X-II project has been awarded funding from the European Commission as part of the first call of the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU). This is the next significant step toward bringing together key industry stakeholders in Europe. The goal of both Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II is to establish Europe as leader in 6G.

Hexa-X-II represents the full value chain for future connectivity solutions. Its members range from network vendors and communication service providers to verticals and technology providers, as well as the most prominent European communications research institutes.   

Peter Vetter, President of Nokia’s Bell Labs Core Research, said: “Nokia is honored to lead in this pioneering project. In the 6G era, the digital, physical and human worlds will become far more integrated. Our goals must reflect this level of integration and inter-dependency. As billions more people and devices get connected, urbanization intensifies, and we strive to manage the limitations on energy and materials, the role of networks and 6G will only deepen. It is essential that we keep the larger context in mind as we imagine the new network.”

The Hexa-X-II consortium will strive to overcome the following societal challenges:

• Sustainability: Hexa-X-II will research technologies that contribute to a zero-carbon footprint and limit energy and material consumption.
• Inclusion: Hexa-X-II aims to provide connectivity to people in developing countries as well as to the under-privileged members of developed societies.
• Trustworthiness: Hexa-X-II will ensure data transparency, security and privacy, and network robustness.

https://hexa-x.eu/

Nokia to lead German 6G-ANNA Lighthouse project

Monday, July 11, 2022  6G, Germany, Nokia  

Nokia has been selected to lead 6G-ANNA, a German national-funded 6G lighthouse project.Nokia will collaborate with the 29 partners in 6G-ANNA to lead and drive 6G research and standardization. In particular, Nokia will work closely with the consortium, which includes partners from industry, subject matter experts, start-ups, research institutes and distinguished universities in Germany.Within 6G-ANNA, Nokia will focus on designing an end-to-end...

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Nokia collaborates with DOCOMO on 6G

Monday, June 06, 2022  6G, Nokia  

Nokia announced a partnership with DOCOMO and NTT to jointly define and develop key technologies towards 6G. The collaboration will focus on two proof-of-concepts for emerging 6G technologies: an AI native air interface and sub-THz radio access. These aim to demonstrate a performance gain with an AI based 6G air interface compared to a conventional air interface, and to show that high-data rate beamformed access can be achieved in a high frequency...

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American Tower and Airtel Africa target renewal power for mobile sites

American Tower Corporation, which operates more than 23,000 sites across Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, entered into a multi-year, multi-product agreement with Airtel Africa plc. 

The partners will collaborate on new site and product development capabilities. Through their combined efforts, the companies expect to substantially increase connectivity on the continent, extend digital inclusion to underserved communities and advance their mutual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction objectives.

All new site development under the agreement will comply with ATC Africa’s new green site specifications, which is expected to substantially reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reducing exposure to fuel price volatility for both ATC Africa and Airtel Africa. The parties have also committed to continue working together to convert existing telecommunications sites to ATC Africa’s green site specifications over time.

In addition, Airtel Africa and ATC Africa will partner to provide training around information and communications technology skills to underserved communities as part of their respective kiosks and Digital Communities programs. Under this partnership, it is expected that more than 200 Digital Communities will be deployed in these markets in the coming years.

“Over the last several years, ATC Africa has made forward-thinking investments to ensure we achieve tangible reductions in our on-site fossil fuel consumption in Africa,” Marek Busfy, SVP and CEO of ATC Africa stated.

To date, ATC Africa has invested approximately $300 million in energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy deployments and energy storage solutions to decrease on-site reliance on fossil fuels. The company has also earmarked additional investments to fund the implementation of future energy efficiencies.

“As we selectively extend the platform services we offer, we are demonstrating our commitment to introduce new and renewable sources of energy to power our sites, which protects the industry, our customers and consumers from ongoing and future volatility in fuel prices. Airtel Africa’s environmental goals are aligned with ours and, as we expand digital reach on the African continent, we remain committed to reducing GHG emissions in tandem with our growth.” 

https://www.americantower.com/investor-relations/press-releases/

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