Sean Sergent

Trend report: Operational applications in the age of radio and broadband networks Many private radio users are migrating towards broadband networks, be they government mission critical broadband networks, private broadband networks or commercial broadband networks. A key feature for operational applications is that they serve all users, and bring all users together regardless of the device and network they are using. This enables organizations and teams to use the best tools for their operations. Users can also migrate towards broadband solutions at their own speed, while working together and communicating with all other stakeholders on various networks. Portalify solutions are ready-to-go for the hybrid (radio and broadband networks at the same time) and mission critical broadband networks. For example, Portalify Locate Server is a location tracking server that supports both TETRA radio and broadband device location tracking. It also supports advanced features like indoor location tracking, also on both TETRA radios and broadband smartphones. Portalify Locate Server has already been deployed large scale for public safety network operators using it on both TETRA and broadband public safety networks. Provide state of the art location services on your networks today and seamlessly into the future! Portalify SmartChat secure on-prem messaging solution supports messaging between all users: smartphone app, office users and TETRA radios. TETRA support includes ability to send text and photo to TETRA radios. Portalify SmartChat enables modern secure messaging and allows you to reach all of your users, regardless of their device. Portalify SmartQuery integrates mobile users with databases and IT systems. You can provide the same operational information access and reporting to users on smartphones and TETRA radios, in a suitable way for each device and network. Always available information enables more efficient data-oriented operations. https://lnkd.in/dRsx-VUp

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Signal problems plague smart meters in Northern England... Secure and reliable connectivity should be a priority for any smart meter manufacturer. And yet half of the UK's smart meters are successfully running on cellular connectivity, while the North of the UK meters instead rely on longer-range radio frequencies. Customers are being forced to submit manual readings and receive estimated bills due to connectivity issues with their smart meters, which aren't passing back usage data to suppliers. BBC Panorama investigate 👇 Head to Eseye to compare the strengths and limitations of different connectivity types for smart meters https://okt.to/2UnT5G

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From GIS data to #AI-powered computer vision, the way we deploy #fibre networks is changing. At #ConnectedBritain, we caught up with Sitetracker's Michael Roach to discuss how the company is using the latest technologies to make planning and deploying fibre networks simpler, faster, and more cost effective. You can watch our full interview from the link below!

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The UK has a new government and a new Secretary of State for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle. At the time of writing the department's junior ministers - and specifically whoever is responsible for #telecoms and so-called "digital infrastructure" - had not yet been named, but I'll update this post when it happens . I wrote a quick thread on X yesterday about some thoughts and recommendations for the new people coming into office. These are repeated here, with a couple of edits and additions. Some recommendations for telecoms & innovation: - Don’t get hung up on specific network technologies like #5G or fibre #FTTP. There’s a wide range of alternatives & having a mix is good (for instance #satellite connectivity and #WiFi) - Be wary of numerical targets that are easy but not meaningful. You'll be given headline stats on gigabit "homes passed" or "mobile coverage" which need to be rethought. - #AI is important & shiny, but don’t ignore equally-important tech domains like connectivity & semiconductors - Don’t just listen to big companies or their lobby groups. Diversity of size & specialism is key in tech/telecom - Infra-sharing will be everywhere - wholesale networks for mobile & fibre, spectrum-sharing, datacentres etc - Ignore calls to try to tax Internet traffic, regulate interconnect or emulate the worst elements of the EU’s DMA or its white paper. Understand the criticisms - Liaise closely with colleagues involved with planning, electricity / transport infra to optimise network deployment & synergies - Be wary of large consulting companies churning out huge forecasts or parroting boilerplate views. NB the tyranny of consensus - Radio #spectrum is more important than you think. Consider if the VF/3 merger allows “national infra spectrum” as a remedy - Plenty of techs are important but overhyped. Satellite, 5G, #edgecompute, #GenAI etc. Seek out the underhyped ones - Push for collabs with US, Japan, EU, S Korea - but also don’t be scared of UK-specific approaches to regulation & policy - Avoid the word “digital”. It’s cringe - UK fibre deployment is fast-growing but a messy patchwork. Expect consolidation, encourage “open access” models - DSIT telecoms & broadband teams are good. So are many at Ofcom. Lots of tech expertise - If anyone says the word “nationalisation”, kick them out - The EU pushes agendas driven by old-school big telcos & against US tech companies. Take a different path for UK. Avoid temptation to be an asteroid that protects dinosaurs & kills mammals - Work with likeminded countries on key topics like cybersec & future #6G - Don’t be too risk-averse. Be wary of anyone citing the so-called “precautionary principle”. It’s often just Luddism & lack of weighing risks/benefits - Study the phenomena of path-dependency & tech lock-in. Keep options open & consider how to switch paths - Don't re-merge DSIT & DCMS - Reach out to independent analysts and experts 😉 Congrats & enjoy the role!

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A welcome discussion of new spectrum to fill in the short distance gaps in coverage in open spaces, because more and more mobile coverage is failing in towns due to contention (full signal shown, no data can be transferred).

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51% of households argue over wifi speeds, only 42% are happy with their broadband speed and an outage come behind only boiler breakdown, water leak and power cut as the most feared utility crisis. Why faster, more reliable consumer broadband remains important to voters, and therefore politicians. There appears to be a gulf between the "lived experience" of consumers and the complacency of government/regulators with what is actually being delivered/received and/or available. Why is that so? I suspect we need to unravel a quagmire of misunderstanding and mythology. https://lnkd.in/e_qSPAW8

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Thursday School: Spectrum Access : Improved Opportunities and Outcomes? Access to spectrum is the lifeblood of Mobile Networks. There are currently a number of initiatives in the UK and elsewhere aiming to improve access to spectrum for non-MNOs, largely recognising that these mechanisms have positive effects of society. The mechanisms vary, from CBRS, Local Access Licensing, Campus Spectrum, Shared Access (Lightly Licensed) and now new initiatives in Spectrum Sandbox. Looking, for example, at the proliferation and use of Shared Access Spectrum, we can see that the numbers and distribution are broadly good. 890 - mostly outdoors - licenses issued right across the UK. But what are they used for? The major use is different slants of Private Networks. Private Networks add coverage and capacity in unserved and underserved locations. They maybe Neutral Host Networks – deploying publicly accessible spectrum – Host Private Networks – deploying spectrum for exclusive use of the deploying body or landlord – or a Hybrid, deploying spectrum for both. For Neutral Host, integration with MNO systems and processes is needed. Freshwave’s Omni solution announced yesterday is an example of this, as well as Shared Access, Boldyn Networks, Dense Air, Cellnex UK, Wireless Infrastructure Group, NET CS and many others. For Host Private Networks, integration with Enterprise IT systems and processes is needed. Industrial and FWA are 2 examples of this. For Hybrid, it’s clearly both. A campus network could be a great example, opening up Private Land for Public Mobile Access, but also allowing connection and processing of private data, such as sensor data, CCTV cameras (optionally including Video Analytics/Computer vision). But it’s clear from measures to further improve access, that the spectrum access is adding value and will continue to do so!  #InvisibleInfrastructure #EveryDaysaSchoolDay #Mobile 🤳🏼 #Telecommunications Previous Post: https://lnkd.in/epakF_6T

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Three set to miss rural broadband deadline Three is likely to miss its rural broadband coverage targets as the deadline to address mobile signal “not spots” looms. Mobile network operators have until July to extend their coverage to encompass 88% of the UK’s landmass, the initial goal of a £1bn government initiative. While Vodafone has confirmed it will meet the deadline and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) is also on track, smaller rival Three has stated it is “working hard” to achieve the targets but has not confirmed its compliance. BT, which owns the EE network, recently struck a rural coverage agreement with some of its competitors to help meet the deadline. Sources reveal that BT has arranged for VMO2 and Vodafone to access some of its mobile masts in remote areas. EE, boasting more mobile masts than its rivals and contributing separately to the rural coverage project, met its initial target earlier this year: https://lnkd.in/eqGgQhUr #telecoms #broadband #rural #networks #connectivity

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In Q2 2024, global fixed broadband connections reached 1.46 billion, following a quarterly growth of 0.95%.  We recorded a decline in fixed broadband subscriptions in 18 countries[1], down from 23 in Q1 2024. Some of these markets have high mobile subscriber penetration, others are experiencing economic headwinds or are already highly saturated markets, for example Hong Kong, Switzerland, Monaco. Yet others are still at war. https://lnkd.in/eAkmBTjC #broadband #FWA #satellite #fullfibre #broadbandsubscribers #isps

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The deployment of new #broadband and #fibre infrastructure can be costly, especially when navigating obstacles such as roads, rivers and railways. Digging up these essential structures or rerouting deployments around them can not only be time consuming, but they can also displease the public.   AssetHUB is advising #networkbuilders to consider using existing infrastructures such as public or private duct, utility infrastructure and other assets to overcome obstacles, speed up deployments and reduce costs.   Find out how you can access thousands of assets that can be repurposed to deploy broadband across obstacles on AssetHUB’s marketplace for buying and selling infrastructure here: https://lnkd.in/g7s6KmUM

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Ready to close the gap to your #fibre future? Unlock skills and expertise from a team that designs at a run-rate of millions of KM and endpoints a year. ✅ Technical due diligence 📊 Geodata analysis  📐 #GIS services and as-built design 📶 Technical surveys, including #PIA 📄 High- and low-level planning ... and so much more.   Let's talk about your #FTTX challenges: https://lnkd.in/enYt4riv

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We have just published my review of William Webb's book "The End of Telecoms History". It's a well-argued book that is well worth reading. My key takeaway is that although some might disagree with William's vision for the future, you'd be hard-pressed to argue with the facts underlying his argument. Mobile data traffic growth has indeed been slowing consistently by around 5-6 per cent a year since 2014 (although it is of course still growing at a reduced rate). It’s also true that these days, with the important exception of mobile payments in the global south, mobile operators are little more than “bit-pipe” providers giving their users access to the internet without providing much added value. Finally, it is also true that most people’s requirements have been met, at least when it comes to download speeds. Although mobile coverage is not yet ubiquitous, most have access to the broadband speeds needed for everyday tasks like video conferencing, video consumption and social media. If we have to judge William on his predictions, it's worth nothing he has a pretty good track record so far. In 2000, Webb made several predictions in his first book about the future of technology. He got many right, including that by 2020, we would be able to book flights and tables at restaurants with a “personal communicator”. Following the same model now leads him to the conclusion that dramatic new inventions fuelled by 6G are unlikely. I don't think this is far-fetched. Personally, I agree with William that we are reaching the end of this particular chapter in telecoms history. What will come next is unclear, but it will have really big implications for the whole industry. https://lnkd.in/eB8KdRYf

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Looking forward to an interesting session. FCS are replacing their November CSP meeting with an extended session focusing on change.   The new Government are looking at the Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, there will be a panel session on what the complex supply chain need from regulation. One of my concerns is that regulation is placed on the end user transaction and this is not always enforced on the carrier, which places additional responsibilities and processes on service providers like ourselves.   Other sessions will include a look at Business Switching, and changes to the Ofcom General Conditions.   A lot of change in just two hours, which should be stimulating and useful.   https://lnkd.in/eTzn66p4

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Curious to understand more about investment in broadband infrastructure globally? Our recent working group webinar produced with Omdia analysed the lessons learned from different deployments of broadband infrastructure across the globe and provided guidance and advice to all stakeholders considering investment in broadband infrastructure. Watch on demand today --> https://lnkd.in/eCWb8RcZ Key Highlights: - Real-time Q&A sessions with subject matter experts from top organizations. - Understand critical metrics for successful broadband infrastructure projects. - Explore strategies to enhance investment viability and discover innovative financing models. #WBBA2024 #BroadbandInfrastructure #ConnectivityInvestment #TelecommunicationsInnovation #GlobalBroadbandDeployment #InvestmentStrategies

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