News 

The collaboration is an extension of the 2021 5G and edge cloud solutions partnership between the two firms 

Ericsson and Google have announced an expansion of its partnership with Google Cloud to develop an Ericsson Cloud RAN solution on Google Distributed Cloud (GDC).  

According to a statement from Ericsson, the partnership to develop an Ericsson Cloud RAN on GDC aims to “offer integrated automation and orchestration and leverage AI [artificial intelligence] /ML [machine learning] for communications service providers to benefit from”. 

The partners successfully demonstrated the full implementation of the Ericsson vDU (virtualised distributed unit) and vCU (virtualised central unit) on GDC Edge, running the solution on a live network in the Ericsson Open Lab in Ottawa, Canada. 

GDC is designed to transfer fully managed virtual hardware and software functions to the edge and enterprise data servers. By joining the Distributed Cloud, service providers will have access to Vertex AI, Big Query, and other Google Cloud services that will improve the usability of Cloud RAN datasets. 

This, sequentially, will allow CSPs “to control, inspect, configure, and optimise their RAN infrastructure”, according to Ericsson. 

“This partnership enables us to deepen and expand our valuable collaboration with Google Cloud, and it opens new opportunities for operators to utilize the benefits of cloud-native solutions and automation,” said Mårten Lerner, Head of Product Line Cloud RAN at Ericsson.  

“Ericsson remains committed to ensuring the adaptability of its Cloud RAN applications on diverse cloud infrastructures, offering operators enhanced flexibility and choice in deploying Cloud RAN as well as supporting the evolving hybrid cloud architectures together with Google Cloud.” 

Back in 2021, Google Cloud and Ericsson announced a partnership to jointly develop 5G and edge solutions for communications service providers (CSPs), aiming to unlock new enterprise and consumer use cases. This, in turn, was built on a previously formed service partnership to enable application migration through cloud-native, container-based solutions. 

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Also in the news:
Vodafone’s Andrea Dona: The UK has fallen behind on 5G, but not lost the race
Zegona in talks to buy Vodafone Spain
Connected Britain 2023: the award winners 

News

The auction saw all available spectrum in the 900 MHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands purchased by the nation’s operators

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) has announced the results of its latest spectrum auction, with all three of the country’s major operators not only participating, but purchasing all available spectrum.

The auction has been in the works for a long time, with PTS explaining that the allocations should help bolster the nation’s wireless services for years to come, particularly 5G.

“The assignment aims at an efficient and secure use of frequencies that contributes to the continued digitalisation of Sweden,” said PTS in a statement.

“PTS shall assign national block licenses in the 900 MHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands. The licenses shall be assigned well in advance before the current licenses expire. The purpose of the assignment is to enable continued digitalization and technology development, to contribute to the mobility objective of the Government´s broadband strategy by deploying new masts along roads and railways and in other areas.”

The auction itself was concluded in a single day last week, raising a total of SEK 4.23 billion ($380 million) for the Swedish government.

More specifically, Telia purchased 2×15 MHz in the 900 MHz band, 2×20 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band, and 2×30 MHz in the 2.6 GHz band, paying SEK 1.55 billion ($140 million).

Hi3G (owned by CK Hutchison) 2×10 MHz in the 900 MHz band, 2×20 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band, and 2×10 MHz (FDD) plus 1×10 MHz (TDD) in the 2.6 GHz band. In total, the company paid SEK 1.21 billion ($110 million).

Finally, Net4Mobility (the joint venture between Tele2 and Telenor Sweden) took home 2×10 MHz in the 900 MHz band, 2×20 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band, and 2×30 MHz in the 2.6 GHz band, spending SEK 1.47 billion ($130 million).

The 900 MHz licences will be valid from the start of 2026 until the end of December 2048, while the 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz licences will begin at the same time and run a little longer, to the end of December 2050.

Want to keep up to date with the latest developments in the world of telecoms? Subscriber to receive Total Telecom’s daily newsletter here 

Also in the news:
Vodafone’s Andrea Dona: The UK has fallen behind on 5G, but not lost the race
Zegona in talks to buy Vodafone Spain
Connected Britain 2023: the award winners 

Insight

Andy Bell, Head of Public Sector at ITS

Digitalisation has long been on the local government agenda. The ambition to utilise modern technologies to improve how we live and work is a priority. While technology has advanced, the biggest obstacle to adoption has often been a lack of long-term strategy and access to the infrastructure to support it. Andy Bell, Head of Public Sector at wholesale full fibre provider specialist ITS Technology Group gave us this exclusive interview on how this is changing, fast.

The switch to full fibre 

The UK is undergoing a once in a generation telecom infrastructure upgrade as the country’s legacy copper networks are replaced with full fibre cables capable of delivering futureproof highspeed connectivity and broadband services. Local authorities are playing a vital role in this as they look to deliver on their strategic ambitions and find new solutions that will create a better future for their communities.  

Delivering infrastructure that works for the long term 

Decision-making and influence in a local authority can make or break a digital strategy and its outcomes. The public private partnerships that reap the strongest outcomes are those where there is deep collaboration from the very early stages – to have the opportunity to really dig into the ‘art of the possible’ – which helps to shape plans for the long term. That is why at ITS we refer to ourselves as a strategic connectivity partner rather than simply a supplier. 

ITS has more than 80 local authorities located across its UK-wide fibre footprint and has a strong track record of working with the public sector. We sit on several procurement frameworks including Crown Commercial Services’ NS3. We signed the first UK concession agreement which was with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to reuse its CCTV ducts to build out a network to support businesses. We have since forged further agreements including flagship joint ventures LCR Connect in Liverpool City Region and Digital Greenwich Connect in The Royal Borough of Greenwich. By establishing commercial entities, the joint ventures will channel back 50% of the returns directly to the councils involved to support their wider objectives. Our mission is to build relationships for the long term.  

By bringing together an ambitious council with the proven track-record of a network provider, it will also deliver on the needs of a mixed economy, not just what is most commercially attractive. This approach helps to close the digital divide. 

Social value 

The economic benefits of full fibre are well understood. As a gateway to the technologies that increase collaboration and productivity, this infrastructure is boosting local economies through for example, attracting inward investment, and nurturing and retaining a highly skilled workforce.  

As well as delivering modern public services, the social value that can underpin these networks at a very granular level are a fundamental benefit of making full fibre and high-speed services available to everyone. By striving towards a shared and equal community where nobody is left behind, it will build a future-facing community and improve lives. There isn’t a one size fits all. Social value must be tailored to the needs of each local authority area and can take many forms – for example, WiFi access in community hubs, creating apprenticeships, mentoring local businesses, and preparing children for the world of work, or delivering digital skills courses for all ages. 

Successful collaboration 

The most successful collaborations are those where the local authority is truly engaged in the process – this not only helps with the mechanics of the rollout itself, from where the network is built, to reuse of existing assets, highways, and wayleaves, but it also ensures that there is support around the uptake of services and the future outcomes delivered by the infrastructure.  

Ultimately, whatever the device and application in use, whether it is being accessed indoors or outside, it will rely on a fast internet connection to function. Full fibre is the key to enabling all aspects of our lives – from smart technologies applied across services including transport and health, to working from home, and streaming Netflix. The digital agenda must be designed so that no one is left behind. 

Want to keep up to date with the latest developments in the world of telecoms? Subscriber to receive Total Telecom’s daily newsletter here 

Also in the news:
Vodafone’s Andrea Dona: The UK has fallen behind on 5G, but not lost the race
Zegona in talks to buy Vodafone Spain
Connected Britain 2023: the award winners 

PRESS RELEASE

At the Autonomous Networks Summit held in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 20, 2023, the fifth edition of the Autonomous Networks (AN) whitepaper — Autonomous Networks: Empowering digital transformation – Evolving from Level 2/3 towards Level 4, jointly written by TM Forum and 66 industry partners, was officially released. Many industry partners, including China Mobile, Vodafone, Telefonica, Zain, AIS, MTN, EANTC, and Huawei, attended the release conference.

The past four years witnessed five releases of the AN whitepaper and significant progress in the development of systematic AN concepts, standards, implementation methods, and application cases. This has resulted in a widespread consensus within the industry and notable achievements in AN standards, practices, and deployment. The fifth edition of the AN whitepaper made the following progress based on the fourth edition:

1. Social and Business Value of AN

According to the whitepaper, AN can unlock social value by facilitating high-quality development of the extensive ICT industry, empowering digital transformation in many industries, stimulating the digital economy, and fulfilling various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, including zero hunger (SDG 2), quality education (SDG 4), clean energy (SDG 7), economic growth (SDG 8), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). At the same time, AN is creating tremendous business value to CSPs in four aspects, including enabling network monetization, achieving efficient operations, increasing resource efficiency, and improving customer experience.

2. General Characteristics of AN Levels

In the whitepaper, general L4 characteristics and the key points of L3-to-L4 evolution are summarized from business and capability perspectives. Domain-specific L4 characteristics can be defined based on the guiding principles of the general L4 characteristics to help CSPs and vendors plan more advanced AN capabilities.

3. ANF

The AN framework (ANF) is proposed by TM Forum and many industry partners to help CSPs formulate AN strategies and advance operations practices. It includes four key elements (KEIs, level standards, target architecture, and AN map), operations practices, and industry assessment and certification, helping CSPs quickly fulfil the Zero-X and Self-X vision.

4. AN Business Cases and Key Enabling Technologies

30 cases in the whitepaper offer a systematic description of how to apply key AN concepts, such as the target architecture, closed-loop mechanism, Self-X capabilities, single-domain autonomy, and cross-domain collaboration in the production and service scenarios of CSPs. Furthermore, these cases serve as a valuable reference for CSPs to improve their 2B revenue and enable more services. TM Forum outlined the technologies that will enable the development of L4 and L5. These include network AI foundation model, trustworthiness technology, digital twin, online simulation, cognitive intelligence, human-machine symbiosis, TelcoGPT, and knowledge management. The whitepaper calls on industry partners to collaborate and make technical breakthroughs to develop innovative applications.

The period from 2023 to 2025 is crucial for CSPs to formulate AN strategies, accelerate large-scale AN implementation, and evolve from L2 or L3 to L4. The fifth edition of the AN whitepaper can provide CSPs with methodology guidance, practical reference, and innovative ideas and promote the healthy and prosperous growth of the AN industry.

PRESS RELEASE

— Xinghe Network Large Model, Powering the Network Digital Map

[Shanghai, China, September 21, 2023] At HUAWEI CONNECT 2023, Huawei released the industry’s first large network model — Xinghe Network large model. This future-oriented model empowers the iMaster NCE network digital map, and accelerates network digitalization and industry intelligence.

Huawei Xinghe Network large model is a communication network model trained based on Huawei PanGu models. The large model aggregates more than 20 billion corpuses (such as configuration items and command lines) in the Huawei data communication domain and the experience of more than 30,000 network experts. It has powerful semantic understanding capabilities and professional knowledge, and supports knowledge Q&As, interactive service analysis, and decision-making assistance.

Huawei Xinghe Network large model stands out with three highlights:

Multi-dimensional awareness: Detects multi-dimensional network data and application data in real time and completes hierarchical modeling.
Proactive prediction: Establishes a prediction model to accurately predict the network traffic trends, network and security risks, and impact scope.
Decision-making assistance: Sets up a hierarchical multi-objective decision-making model to intelligently recommend the optimal handling policy and suggestions.

Huawei Xinghe Network large model has three key benefits.

Multi-Dimensional Scanning, Identifying Network Risks in Advance

The model performs hierarchical modeling on parameters in approximately 10,000 dimensions (such as networks, applications, and devices) and implements in-depth correlation inference of abnormal data to predict network faults and risks in real time and automatically recommend optimization policies.

Dual-Model-Driven, Creating Ultimate Network Experience

The application experience prediction model is used to evaluate the application health from six dimensions and predict application experience deterioration. The application-based traffic steering decision-making model automatically learns service level agreement (SLA) requirements of applications and intelligently recommends traffic steering policies based on link loads and tariff packages, thereby achieving optimal application experience on the entire network and minimizing private line costs.

Multi-Dimensional Modeling and Analysis, Predicting Unknown Threats in Advance

Huawei Xinghe Network large model performs modeling and analysis from multiple dimensions (such as identify, terminal, and session), identifies abnormal traffic, analyzes the impact scope of network faults, and automatically generates virtual patches. In addition, the model scans all users and terminals to prevent network security risks in advance, thereby making network security threats manageable and controllable.

Huawei iMaster NCE network digital map is the first product and solution to integrate Huawei Xinghe Network large model. Oriented to the campus network, wide area network, and data center network scenarios, the digital map enables network-wide unified management and functions as a digital brain for enterprise networks, accelerating the intelligence of a wide range of industries such as finance, public services, and education.

 

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