Today’s industry news roundup: Middle Eastern e&m is helping Abu Dhabi energy giant ADNOC build a massive private 5G network that promises big benefits. Virgin Media O2 has agreed to help the company if the merger of network sharing partners Vodafone UK and Three UK is approved. Global 5G connections are closing in on 2 billion, but the silver bullet for return on investment is still nowhere in sight.And much more more!
Giants of the Middle East Electronics & “Build the energy industry’s largest private 5G wireless network, spanning 11,000 square kilometers AdnocADNOC, the energy and petrochemical group wholly owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, said the network will “provide high-bandwidth connectivity across ADNOC’s onshore and offshore operations.” [enabling] ADNOC will further integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in its most remote facilities, using automation to reduce costs, improve efficiency, minimize emissions and enhance employee safety.” Build-out of the private network is expected to be completed next year, and once complete, it will “relay information from sensors embedded in more than 12,000 wells and pipelines to autonomous control rooms, helping to make real-time recommendations to extend the life of these assets and ensure safety in the field. The network will also enable the digitalization of wells, providing end-to-end operational visibility and improving productivity across the company’s value chain,” the companies said. This announcementThey also claim that the network is “expected to generate $1.5 billion (5.5 billion dirhams) in value over the first five years of operation” by enabling autonomous operations, optimizing production, and reducing emissions. Needless to say, this headline figure is not elaborated upon.
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) They are lending a hand to domestic competitors. Vodafone UKby agreeing to a spectrum deal that addresses regulatory concerns over the latter’s proposed merger. Three UK. agreement VMO2 provides for the acquisition of spectrum at market prices from the new entity (now called MergeCo, as a result of the merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK) subject to the completion of the ongoing merger. Under investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)According to VMO2 and Vodafone UK, the deal will result in the UK telecommunications market being comprised of “three large mobile network operators with better alignment of their spectrum holdings.” They further stated that the deal will “provide greater quality mobile connectivity, choice and [will mean] MergeCo’s commitment to invest £11 billion in its network over the next decade, combined with VMO2’s commitment to invest £2 billion annually in its network and services, will “enhance competition.” But customers aren’t the only ones to benefit from the deal. The companies say businesses, including mobile network operators (MVNOs), will also benefit, as they will now have “three high-quality, scaled wholesale competitors to choose from.” This will further support the UK’s already booming MVNO segment. In a statement, the companies also claim that the deal will reduce “the current spectrum ownership imbalance” between UK mobile operators, “enhancing competition in the mobile market and enabling MergeCo and Virgin Media O2 to offer customers improved capacity, speeds and coverage.” The deal is part of an extension of an existing mobile network sharing agreement. “The proposed merger and this agreement will create a strong third player in the UK mobile market, promote competition, improve balance of spectrum ownership and level the playing field among UK mobile operators,” said Ahmed Essam, Vodafone’s CEO for European Markets. VMO2 CEO Lutz Schuler said the agreement “addresses the concerns we expressed and those outlined by the CMA in their original decision and we will continue our negotiations with the regulator in this spirit.”
There were about 2 billion people 5G According to the research group, the number of internet connections worldwide is expected to increase by 185 million by the end of the first quarter of 2024. Omdia Industry lobbying groups 5G AmericaThe rollout of 5G services is booming in North America, with 220 million 5G connections now accounting for 32% of all mobile phone connections in the region, and unsurprisingly, industry groups are paying close attention to these numbers. “The wireless technology sector continues to demonstrate its strength and importance with rapid adoption and sustained strong growth globally, with North America remaining at the forefront of 5G implementation,” stressed Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas. It’s a debatable claim, but it might not carry as much weight if the relatively quick rollout of 5G services wasn’t visible. What matters is whether 5G services are good for customers, service providers, and the broader communications sector, and the consensus at this point is that 5G has been somewhat disappointing. Sure, there may be nearly 2 billion connections worldwide, but the benefits are hard to find. Network operators around the world are still looking for ways to get a big return on their 5G investments, and are exploring how to generate new revenue and business opportunities from the deployment of the latest mobile phone generation. 5G-enabled fixed wireless access has been touted as a great “use case” and may be considered a success in markets such as the United States, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg and not the answer to the big question of what 5G will ultimately be good for. It would make sense if 5G Americas and other industry groups could present solid evidence that 5G is delivering quantifiable, transformative benefits across the broader ecosystem. Reaching 2 billion connections is an impressive milestone, but in some ways it underscores that enhanced mobile broadband services alone do not make the economic case for 5G. Perhaps by 2028, when Omdia expects the global total of 5G connections to reach 7.7 billion, the industry will have figured out how to make a decent return on its huge investments.
Australian Telecommunications Companies Optus Use Cisco We have introduced security technologies to strengthen our defenses in the era of hybrid work. Announced TodayThe two companies plan to offer enhanced network and data security services for Optus Enterprise and Business customers that address the complexities associated with a hybrid workforce. Optus noted that more than a third of Australians are working remotely on a regular basis, and organizations are increasingly adopting software-as-a-service (SaaS) public and on-demand network services. “This change, coupled with increased vulnerabilities, can expose systems and users to significant risks across devices and software,” it added. The two companies plan to increase investment in the expansion of their company’s integrated network operations centre and security operations centre to deliver “networks that are secure by design.”
Canadian Operators Rogers Communications The company conducted a trial deployment of its 5G Cloud Radio Access Network (RAN) technology in Canada. The trial, held to celebrate Canada Day on July 1, was conducted in collaboration with vendor partner Ericsson and the company said it was the first time the technology has been deployed over a commercial network at a live event in Canada. “Cloud-native technology is a critical component of next-generation wireless networks and we are proud to have completed Canada’s first deployment of 5G Cloud RAN technology at a major live event,” said Ron MacKenzie, chief technology and information officer at Rogers. The Canadian telecommunications company explained that cloud-native will enable it to respond quickly to wireless consumer and enterprise market demands, improving network reliability, energy efficiency and 5G advancements. Learn more
Wireless backhaul transmission equipment vendors Aviat Network Have Acquired Industrial Wireless Access Solutions Specialist 4RF Wellington, New Zealand-based 4RF has developed a product portfolio that includes narrowband point-to-point/multipoint radios and private 4G/LTE and 5G routers designed specifically for critical infrastructure networks in utilities, oil and gas, mining, public safety, military, etc. Austin, Texas-based Aviat said the acquisition will enable it to enter new markets, including the narrowband connectivity sector (which Aviat believes is worth about $200 million annually) and the cellular router market. According to Berg Insightis currently worth $1.4 billion and could grow to $2.5 billion by 2027. Aviat said last year $70 million acquisition NEC’s wireless backhaul business: Previously Acquires microwave backhaul vendor Ceragon after bitter trials $235 million bidding war 2022.
– Telecom TV Staff
