Month: February 2020

Huawei Launches New 5G RAN Gear, Including Massive MIMO and More

by , posted in Net Transformation, Ultra Broadband
Ed Gubbins – Principal Analyst

Summary Bullets:

• Huawei promoted several new RAN solution launches at an event held in London this month, including a Super Uplink solution for increasing 5G network capacity and radios utilizing 400 MHz of bandwidth.

• Huawei also emphasized the value of both frequency- and time-division spectrum.

At an event held February 20 in London, Huawei updated press and analysts on its latest 5G moves. The vendor cited its ability to provide end-to-end solutions for 5G networks, including RAN, core, and Multi-Access Edge Computing, which helps deliver 5G’s low-latency requirements. This comprehensive approach could also enable more cohesive network slicing, a key capability for enabling 5G’s ultimate value proposition.

But Huawei also introduced some important new offerings in its RAN portfolio, along with messages that it hopes will aid its 5G RAN strategies. Continue reading “Huawei Launches New 5G RAN Gear, Including Massive MIMO and More” →

HAPS Alliance Envisions an Alternative to Satellite for Connecting Remote Locations

by , posted in Net Transformation
John Byrne – Service Director, Global Technology Telecom and Software

Summary Bullets:

• The network will take years to develop, but the stratosphere’s stable climate and close proximity to Earth compared to satellite orbits could create a compelling value proposition. Bullets:

• The deep pockets of supporting companies, including Google/Alphabet, don’t hurt either.

A group of telecommunications, technology, aviation and aerospace companies announced on February 21 the formation of the HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) Alliance, dedicated to the promotion of a new communications platform supported by aircraft hovering in the earth’s stratosphere.

Continue reading “HAPS Alliance Envisions an Alternative to Satellite for Connecting Remote Locations” →

U.S. Government Control of Western Telecoms Vendors Would Be Naïve – and Damaging to U.S. Companies

by , posted in Net Transformation, Vendor Transformation
John Byrne – Service Director, Global Technology Telecom and Software

Summary Bullets:

  • U.S. Attorney General William Barr suggested the U.S. and its allies should consider buying a controlling stake in Nokia or Ericsson to compete more effectively in 5G.
  • Beyond being hypocritical and practically unworkable, the proposal runs counter to ongoing open RAN initiatives which could help U.S. vendors thrive in 5G by innovating.

Giving the keynote address at the U.S. Department of Justice’s China Initiative conference on February 6, U.S. Attorney General William Barr raised eyebrows by suggesting that the U.S. and its allies should consider buying a controlling stake in Nokia or Ericsson. The argument is that, while both vendors have proven successful in managing customers’ migration from 4G to 5G, they lack Huawei’s scale as well as the backing of a powerful country like China. Continue reading “U.S. Government Control of Western Telecoms Vendors Would Be Naïve – and Damaging to U.S. Companies” →

New 5G Network Recommendations Complicate UK Operators’ Rollout Plans

by , posted in Het Nets, Internet of Things, Net Transformation, Ultra Broadband, Vendor Transformation
Ed Gubbins – Principal Analyst

Summary Bullets:

  • The UK government has proposed limits in how much Huawei 5G RAN gear mobile operators deploy.
  • Exactly how operators will implement those limits is unclear, raising several questions.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s technical authority on cybersecurity, made big headlines this week by issuing recommendations for UK operators regarding how to honor national security concerns in selecting 5G network suppliers. But, beyond the headlines – primarily regarded as a win for Huawei, since the NCSC allowed a role for Huawei in UK 5G networks despite pressure from the U.S. – the NCSC’s actions raise plenty of questions about how UK operators will source, plan, and deploy their 5G radio access networks (RANs). Continue reading “New 5G Network Recommendations Complicate UK Operators’ Rollout Plans” →