Mark Bole

Reflections on a major shift in the industry affecting at least a third of rural telecom infrastructure We all know the story of Icarus and Daedalus. Icarus ignored the advice of his father, Daedalus, not to fly too close to the sun. But this never stops us challenging the limits. Sometimes it just takes more than beeswax to keep the plane in the air. Large financial resources are always useful to push a venture forward. But sometimes grit, determination, a sense of common purpose and a good corporate culture is more sustaining. read more here : https://lnkd.in/gyWm6rJu

25

6 Comments

Download the report on CPaaS API vs Network APIs     This report, written by Dean Bubley at Disruptive Analysis, clears the industry's confusion about CPaaS APIs vs. #NetworkAPIs and explains their roles in unleashing programmable network capabilities.

8

Great article highlighting one of the points that has had a major impact on the deployment of networks across the globe - how Governments 'sell' spectrum to MNOs and the impact this can have on rollouts. We have seen auctions in the past that have raised billions for Government coffers, but that leaves MNOs with major headaches in terms of monetisation as they then must upgrade (or build) masts and networks across the entire country, add new active equipment and provision upgraded backhaul, all of which is expensive, especially when they are in price wars with each other for customers. Renewals of these spectrum allocations will become more and more of an issue as the original licence periods expire, interesting to see how the German regulator is approaching the issue – especially considering their decisions creating new challenger companies when other M&A has taken place which potentially creates more headaches later on. Worth a read. #connectivity #networks #spectrum #strategy #investment #innovation #mnos #regulation #2g #3g #4g #5g #business #enterprise #germany #europe #UK #growth #mobile #mobilenetworks #telecoms #telecommunications https://lnkd.in/ejVdwW6T

5

Interesting article by Mike Dano about mobile voice. But wow. 15 years after I started running “Future of Voice” workshops & advising on voice applications “beyond the call”, parts of the mobile industry are finally starting to wake up to the idea that there could be options beyond basic telephony. ☎️ But these use-cases are still the same old “session” and call-centric ideas. And they’re stuck in the trap of thinking that IMS is a platform. They’re blending dead-end phone calls with undead zombie RCS 🤦🏻‍♂️ As a reminder, IMS was already obsolete in 2006 and yet here we are, nearly 20 years later, still trying to pretend it’s a suitable basis for voice innovation… just because operators were forced to deploy it to support the deeply-flawed VoLTE. 📞 Meanwhile the real world of value in voice communications has bypassed telcos. Look at the world of non-call voice, from chatbots & smart speakers, to in-game voice chat and even podcasts. There are no 5G microphones at 5G conferences, for instance. 🎤 I’ll have to do a deep dive on this at some point, but I’ll note that the GSMA “5G New Calling” paper doesn’t once mention the words “acoustic”, “echo” or “noise”. This should give a warning of how much they understand the broader world of audio communications and human voice experience. A further warning of irrelevance should be its use of the term “OTT” and its insistence on the 140 year model of a “call”. 🔊 (Edit: a historical note that in the 1890s, it was already possible to get one-way "streaming music" via phone networks, aka The Theatrophone. No, it wasn't monetised by telecom operators, beyond the user paying for a phone call as access) #5G #standards #VoLTE #GSMA #RCS #mobile

19

4 Comments

Update on ARIANE (Accelerating RAN Intelligence across Network Ecosystems) Quick reminder: a UK DSIT and Industry co-funded 18 month project, showing the power of Automation and AI for RAN. As a consortium, we're building and trialing a set of prioritised rAPPs and xAPPs across multiple RIC platforms using real world test scenarios, at BT's Adastral Park Lab. And there's more...the add-ons to individual application performance testing, are technical observations during application conflicts, a paper on standardising onboarding and portability of apps, performance benchmarking of the E2 interface for multiple RICs, and insights and recommendations to make the 1st 'dare I say it' quantum safe OpenRAN stack. Consortium includes Telecom Infra Project, Accenture, Amdocs, Arqit, BT Group, HCLTech, Reply, VIAVI Solutions, VMware @ Broadcom Read this presentation to find out more and to get some early insights. If you're a telco operator, you'll be interested in the early doors test results of AI/ML applications that can help tuning the RAN network, if you're a vendor, look for an opportunity to apply your platform or skills into similar TIP led projects. Come to #fyuz2024 to see the apps being demo'd and further technical insights from this project. #telecominfraproject #fyuz2024 #accenture #amdocs #arqit #netreply #hcltech #viavisolutions #vmware@broadcom

33

3 Comments

With streaming services for live sport in high demand this Summer following Wimbledon, the Euros and the Olympic Games, it's important to ensure that users can rely on seamless broadband connection even during peak viewing times. In this article for TVBEurope, I explored the importance of QoE performance measurements for tackling latency and more to ensure customers don not suffer because of demands on the home network. Read the full article here:

13

More consolidation in the UK Fibre market with Netomnia and Brsk announcing a merger. Not a surprise given the amount of altnets in the market, and a trend that mirrors the MNO landscape of consolidation in order to pursue growth. Will be interesting to see what happens next. #connectivity #networks #merger #investment #innovation #mnos #fibre #business #enterprise #altnet #UK #fibre #property #realestate #growth #telecoms #telecommunications #technology

5

2 Comments

The development of connectivity is an amazing story - from the 1794 optical telegraph between Paris and Lille to the launch of Starlink low-earth orbit satellite based broadband in 2020. Networks and demand have become more heterogeneous, whilst European policy has focussed on gigabit fibre and 5G targets for 2030. Yet the belief that underpinned this focus, that traffic and peak bandwidth demand would continue growing exponentially, has not held up. Supply, for many, is now ahead of demand; and an EU White Paper (2024) observed that achievement of the 2030 targets is now "in doubt". This note by Robert Kenny and myself explores the future of connectivity and concludes that a nimbler approach, less focussed on long-term targets and plans, and more focussed on adapting policy as supply side possibilities and valued demand side applications are revealed, should be pursued. In the short-term, error-correction is called for.

75

6 Comments

I've written a report on the differences and synergies between 5G Network APIs and #CPaaS, on behalf of a new client, Shabodi. The theme is "Co-existence not Convergence". The download link is in the comments. The two worlds coexist, but there is limited overlap. Both sets of APIs are valuable for CSPs and other providers. But I think that with some exceptions, they are suitable for *different* groups of developers, in different situations. (Note: I'm one of few analysts who has covered both wireless networks and CPaaS). Several previous posts covered the evolution of Network APIs, especially for #5G networks. I've been watching ongoing work relating to #CAMARA and #OpenGateway initiatives - my general stance has been that they are "necessary but not sufficient", particularly for public MNO networks. I've also been skeptical of some of the quantitative forecasting of revenues, especially for quality-on-demand and #networkslicing. A key challenge I've identified is that APIs for quality are only useful in locations with sufficient, reliable network coverage and capacity - and public 5G SA networks are very patchy, especially indoors. It's been noticeable that more discussion has been about using APIs to *create* #Private5G slices from national networks, than using APIs *inside* dedicated P5G networks for industry or other use-cases. I think the latter are more important. IMO that's the immediate opportunity for fine-grained network awareness and control: specific locations where networks have been tightly engineered for relevant applications. Factories, mines, sports venues, ports, hospitals etc. Those are not the places or applications most in need of VoIP calling or SMS messaging APIs. Most CPaaS users and platforms are completely distinct to those for (wireless) network capabilities and awareness. They focus on contact centres, customer experience, messaging, or building voice/video applications with protocols like #WebRTC and SIP. Some CPaaS providers also offer APIs for email and marketing campaign management. At the moment, the main current emphasis from 5G Network API platforms appears to be on aspects such as fraud management, numbering and SIM-swaps, location and so forth. These are more plausibly "CPaaS adjacent" although developers have lots of other choices for those as well. I've long said network-aware applications are more important than application-aware networks. So APIs which give network status data to developers, and also allow them to specify requirements such as necessary latency and bandwidth, are potentially useful - as long as they apply to the right network(s). In summary - while there are some overlaps between CPaaS and Network APIs for abstraction and enablement, they fundamentally have very different characteristics. They may coexist on broader API/XaaS platforms and aggregated marketplaces, but that will be “complementary”, not “converged”. Download the report from the link & let me know what you think.

123

32 Comments

Check on the most viewed session of the ONE Summit by István Kispál about how to orchestrate Nokia CNFs using Nephio . Intent based network management realized with open source.

9

Check out the latest advancements on 6G radio design and innovation on topics including AI-driven air interface design, advanced MIMO transmissions, joint communication and sensing, integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, and a lot more from Hexa-X-II! https://lnkd.in/ddaSZXuM #SNSJU #6G #AI

33

Funding is tricky in the Alt-Net world, but that’s not dampening Matthew Hare’s ambition to build Zzoomm into a 1 million+ premises passed Alt-Net, despite the company halting all new build and laying off staff. Acquisition/merger is the key, Matthew tells me, and although he doesn’t share specific details, it’s clear he sees Zzoomm doing well from the Big Alt-Net Consolidation. Check out my interview with Matthew on my YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/eKVpe2xm   Last time Matthew visited me at our HQ in Rochdale, he was CEO of Gigaclear, so he certainly knows his beans when it comes to building full fibre networks.   We cover lots of interesting ground, including:   * Zzoomm has stopped building, but would build more if the debt markets were not completely constipated, due to nexfibre and CityFibre filling up the banks’ loan books. * How big does an Alt-Net need to be to attract scale retailers like Zen Internet? * Where will Zzoomm fit in the big consolidation? * What will Zzoomm do long-term with its retail business? * Will BT Group’s finance people decide to buy wholesale from rural Alt-Nets rather than funding Openreach build? * Just how much personal money did Matthew put into Zzoomm?   Huge thanks Matthew for doing this interview – it was very insightful, very open, energetic, and a real pleasure. #fullfibre #altnet #gigabit #broadband #isp

50

Exciting times ahead for IoT and satellite connectivity.   I’ve been closely following the evolution of the IoT and its interconnection with satellite technology for many years, so I was interested to see a recent report from Juniper Research that predicts a 150% increase in the number of satellites supporting Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity over the next five years, with the total number of satellites increasing from 10,000 in 2024 to more than 24,000 in 2029.    The report highlights the critical role of multi-orbit structures, which combine the low latency of LEO satellites with the wide coverage of GEO satellites, which will be key to meeting the needs of IoT applications, from data-intensive operations to low-power, wide-area connectivity.   With the value of global satellite IoT transactions set to nearly quadruple by 2030, strategic partnerships will be essential to fill coverage gaps and provide seamless service. This is a defining moment for the satellite broadband industry and Brdy is committed to being at the forefront of this development, enabling reliable connectivity for all sectors. Find more information here: Satellite IoT Services Market Report 2024-30: Size, Growth www.juniperresearch.com #IoT #SatelliteConnectivity #LEO #GEO #BrdyBroadband

14

1 Comment

"The age-old wisdom of a Native American proverb, “You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep”, resonates strongly with the current malaise pervading the telecoms industry. It is a fitting metaphor for the industry’s collective denial of its own flawed 5G gambits, which is costing it dearly in capital and, more deeply, compromising its long-term viability." Credit: Luke Kehoe, "5G: telcoms’ denial of its flaws and failures is costing them dearly" Short term the industry needs to get back to basics - customers, efficiency, 101 running a good business Long term... #6G cannot be the next #5G https://lnkd.in/eQDy-vj6

42

14 Comments

We are often asked about proven, scalable use cases for 5G technology and one of the key sectors we will highlight is broadcast and media. The ability to deliver very high capacity, high speed secure networks to broadcasters has been a huge success at many events. Expect to see many of these examples to be demonstrated at at the Olympics in Paris next month. Before that we have the 2024 European Championships kicking off at the end of this week and Deutsche Telekom has been pushing its private 5G networks will be used by broadcasters to beam the action around the world. Deutsche Telekom's partnership with RTL Deutschland for UEFA EURO 2024 is a prime example of how 5G SA is revolutionising these live events. Its private 5G SA network will ensure live broadcasts, even with heavy mobile network traffic at many of the venues. It's no surprise that Deutsche Telekom is leveraging this technology for Euro 2024, following its successful implementation at other high-profile events, 5G SA is proving to be a game-changer for live broadcasting.  We've already seen 5G SA deliver exceptional performance at the Coronation of King Charles in the UK last year, and at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham in 2022. These successful deployments demonstrate the power of 5G SA to transform live broadcasting, guaranteeing exceptional video quality, even in crowded and data-hungry environments. Deutsche Telekom is going seeking to create a deep reliable mobile experience for fans at Euro 2024. Their efforts extend beyond the deployment of a 5G SA network that echo what is happening elsewhere in the world in big location based event connectivity. Here's a closer look at the approach: ⚽ Infrastructure Upgrades: Mobile communications infrastructure at all 10 Euro 2024 stadiums is being significantly upgraded to handle the anticipated surge in mobile data traffic. This includes enhancing existing cell sites and installing new ones to ensure optimal network coverage throughout the venues. ⚽ Temporary Mobile Sites: To provide additional capacity Telekom is deploying over 130 temporary mobile sites around the stadiums. These temporary sites will be strategically placed to ensure a strong and consistent signal for all spectators, regardless of their location within the stadium. Wherever they are deployed, these commitments are not straightforward and can be extremely complex but networks and organisers understand that a significant and reliable mobile and data presence is vital both to those in the stadium and to amplifying the event on social media and video sites. #5GSA #5GEuro2024 #LiveBroadcasting #DeutscheTelekom #Connectivity #Innovation

11

My colleague, Geoff Blaber recently attended Intel's Vision 2024 conference in the USA. Geoff published our latest instant insight report diving deep into the announcements at the event detailing the company's AI ambitions. The battle for the ownership of the white-hot deployment of AI was writ large across the event. Intel Corporation was keen to remind the world that it too has a huge part to play in the market as it accelerates. Key Takeaways 🔘 Intel Gets Real: While acknowledging AI's hype, Intel cut through the noise by highlighting the real challenges enterprises face in rolling out AI: unclear ROI, data quality woes, privacy concerns, and more.  🔘 Intel's Strategy: It's clear that Intel understands it takes more than just chips to succeed. It’s emphasis on system-level offerings – a mix of silicon, software, and engineering support – is targeted at lowering costs and simplifying AI adoption. This feels very aligned with the wider industry's needs. 🔘 Challenging NVIDIA: Intel is boldly taking on Nvidia by positioning its products around power, performance, and openness. It’s support for open-source frameworks like PyTorch indicates a future where developers aren't locked into a single ecosystem. Get the Full Scoop: Read CCS Insight's Instant Insight report for a deep dive on Intel's strategy and what it means for telecoms. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eBZaqYC7 #IntelVision2024 #AI #EnterpriseSolutions #Telecoms #Innovation

5

Aug Edition -The Next G Alliance (NGA) Spectrum Working Group is working toward influencing spectrum access, management, and policy recommendations at this pivotal moment in time. The Working Group’s #6G #Spectrum Considerations and Spectrum Needs for 6G publications aim to establish global consensus on 6G spectrum needs from the North American perspective. The NGA has identified key priorities of relevance to spectrum including identifying spectrum suitable for 6G services and estimating the required amount of spectrum per application based on a data rate-based methodology. This paper covers the evolving spectrum management and access types to maximize 6G opportunities for the bands and applications identified in the previous white papers. Follow us on Kaneshwaran Govindasamy and Global 5G Evolution Check out last week's #5G #conference, Infobip's #API updates! A must watch! click comment box

32

3 Comments

GNX solves the connectivity puzzle for Enterprise as Enterprise moves to a more modern secure communication structure, Podcast GNX started 6 years ago with the focus on local and global enterprise, their data and their security. Now that enterprise is amid a global transition where enterprise is moving away from MPLS to SDWAN or SASE/SSE – GNX is in a perfect position to help them. Don Witt, of The Channel Daily News, a TR publication, speaks with Rick Mur, CTO for GNX about the enterprise migration process. Whether an enterprise is deploying a hybrid solution or one that is all cloud, there are some key factors that need to be identified and resolved for the end implementation. Where is your data? Where is your data going to or coming from? What is the latency? Who are the best service suppliers from which to select? Listen is as Rick answers these questions and more in a short and very informative podcast. About: They believe everyone deserves to own and take control of their global connectivity. It’s your next generation network, right at your fingertips.​ They were born with a vision – to simplify global connectivity and everything in between. They are here to break the industry mold, to offer transparency, a carrier-neutral and straightforward approach, and to provide you with the right platform for you to regain total control over your global network. They are here to say: let them make it happen.​ They are here to break down barriers. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, they knew what needed to change to make things better, and that’s exactly what they are doing.​ For more information, go to: www.GNX.Net

1

CCS Insight is producing high-quality research on the roll-out of high-capacity and high-speed broadband around Europe using either fibre or #5G. This research acknowledges that advanced optical networks are the backbone of the transformations that are sweeping the continent. But what's the next step for telecom providers? As demand grows exponentially, balancing investment with the potential revenue uplift is a challenge to plans for network roll-outs. Telecom providers must go beyond basic connectivity: they must now enrich user experiences, offer engaging digital content and unlock opportunities in multiple industry sectors. If deployed appropriately, advanced connectivity will give a significant boost to the economy and a real competitive advantage to nations and regions. Two large events took place recently in Germany that emphasised the urgency of expanding connectivity, and the immense opportunities it offers: the #ISC High-Performance event in Hamburg and #ANGACOM in Cologne. At both events, Chinese equipment manufacturer ZTE Corporation showcased several of its latest products for bringing fibre connectivity to homes and businesses, as well as smart home devices and server and data centre solutions. Traditionally recognised as one of the largest mobile infrastructure manufacturers, ZTE is striving to position itself at the forefront of enabling digital transformation. In addition to its traditional strengths, ZTE pioneers smart home solutions that revolutionise daily life and industrial solutions that empower businesses. Germany is just the first stop on ZTE's journey. Through its EuroDigitalWave mission, the company is participating in and attending events throughout this year and beyond. It's developing a reputation for innovative and valuable technology in fixed networks and for providing a wide range of consumer devices such as set-top boxes, customer-premises routers and smart speakers. It's already the number-one choice in many Asian markets and is looking to create a similar presence in the European market, not only among consumers but also businesses that need carrier-class server and accelerator technology in their networks. This month's debuts at the shows in Germany starts that journey.

121

2 Comments