Network operator and broadband ISP Grain (Grain Connect) has today finally announced that they’ve launched their new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network – using Point-to-Point (PTP) architecture – in the East Yorkshire (England) city of Hull. But at present it’s only available to around 20,000 premises. The provider has so far unveiled full fibre builds for […]

Mobile benchmarking firm Opensignal has produced an interesting insight into how download speeds on 4G and 5G networks – across operators including EE (BT), Vodafone, O2 (VMO2) and Three UK – compare, both generally and at different times of the day. The new research is based off crowdsourced data gathered from users on hundreds of […]

News

The South Korean operator is deepening its existing partnership with the air mobility specialist, aim to become a key player in country’s emerging Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market

Today, South Korea’s largest mobile operator, SK Telekom (SKT), has announced it will take a roughly 2% stake in UAM specialist Joby Aviation for $100 million.

Joby is currently developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with which it aims to ultimately provide commercial urban air travel. The aircraft will reportedly have a range of 241km and will be able to reach speeds of up 322km/h.

Joby is aiming to launch the vehicle in the US – the company’s home market – in 2024.

SKT first partnered with Joby in February last year, with the operator pledging to provide the prospective aerial taxis with connectivity and its nationwide ride-sharing app TMAP. By September, the SKT had announced a pilot programme on Jeju Island with the K-UAM Dream Team Consortium, which also included defence and IT specialist Hanwha Systems, the Korea Meteorological Institute, and Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), the national airport authority.

This consortium aims to participate in the South Korean government’s K-UAM Grand Challenge, a competition created to demonstrate the safety of UAM flight and find the country’s first official UAM operator.

With this direct investment in Joby, SKT is demonstrating its further commitment to this goal, hoping to leverage its national network and ridesharing experience.

“We will do our utmost to promote the demonstration and commercialization of urban air mobility in Korea, based on our partnership with Joby Aviation,” said Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SKT. “This technology promises to greatly reduce customers’ travel time and we look forward to turning Korea into a mobility powerhouse.”

“Our partnership with SKT places Joby in the best possible position to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the Korean market, where we continue to see a strong drive from the government to realize aerial ridesharing,” added JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “We’re grateful for SKT’s commitment to Joby and look forward to working with them as we develop a transformational air taxi service for Korea.”

SKT is targeting the launch of commercial flying taxis by 2025.

From autonomous driving to flying taxis, what role will mobile connectivity play in the transport infrastructure of the future? Join the operators in discussion at this year’s Total Telecom Congress live in Amsterdam

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Entertainment and technology firm Netgem, which provides set-top-box and video streaming solutions to broadband ISPs in the UK (and other countries) to help them launch Pay TV products for consumers, has signed a new deal with Gamestream that looks set to bring Cloud Gaming services to the platform. Gamestream claims to provide “high performance and […]

Press Release

Today, the City of Bellevue, recognized as one of the top cities in the nation for digital innovation, and T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced the launch of a joint project that uses network-based Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology and T-Mobile 5G to provide near real-time communications between cars, traffic infrastructure and vulnerable road users ― including pedestrians and cyclists.

This is all in support of Bellevue’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate road-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. To help achieve this goal, T-Mobile will provide cellular connectivity, C-V2X equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, technical integration and end-to-end testing. The City of Bellevue will utilize these assets to implement and evaluate various C-V2X use cases designed to detect and protect individuals on the road.

The project will leverage T-Mobile’s award-winning 5G network to establish reliable and low-latency connections, enabling vehicles and traffic infrastructure to exchange information and notifications about pedestrians and cyclists in near real-time ― even in situations that are beyond visual line of sight. The City of Bellevue and T-Mobile will also make a mobile app available for Bellevue road users to download. This app will provide drivers with early visual and audible warnings about potentially harmful road interactions, contributing to increased safety and awareness on the road. At launch, C-V2X will be used in scenarios involving reduced speed zones, school zone flashing beacons, mid-block pedestrian crossings and signalized intersections.

“We are continually looking for ways technology can improve the daily lives of our Bellevue residents, workers and visitors,” said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. “Moving people safely from place to place using intelligent transportation systems is critical as we work toward achieving our ultimate goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on city streets. T-Mobile has been a valuable partner for the Bellevue community, helping us push the possibilities. We’re thrilled to roll out this C-V2X technology pilot and to continue making strides in safety for all users.”

“We are in a fortunate position that empowers us to help make cities safer, starting right within our own community,” said John Saw, EVP and Chief Technology Officer, T-Mobile. “With our advanced network technology, valuable intellectual property and strong partner ecosystem, we have the extraordinary capacity to enhance the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens. And our vision extends beyond Bellevue as we aspire to positively impact our country and contribute to a safer world.”

Moreover, as a testament to this proactive endeavor, T-Mobile embraces and supports the U.S. Department of Transportation National Roadway Safety Strategy Allies in Action campaign in partnership with the City of Bellevue. This collaborative effort showcases a shared commitment to bridging public and private sectors to help reduce fatalities and severe injuries on America’s roadways.

These C-V2X solutions and early prototyping were developed at T-Mobile’s innovation center, the 5G Hub, located in Bellevue’s Spring District. It’s here that T-Mobile works with partners and developers to create new solutions leveraging the latest in wireless technologies.

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G, delivering the country’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network. The Un-carrier’s 5G network covers 326 million people across 2 million square miles – more than AT&T and Verizon combined. 275 million people nationwide are covered by T-Mobile’s super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G, and the Un-carrier plans to reach 300 million people with Ultra Capacity – nearly everyone in the country – this year.

What role will 5G play in the advent of connected vehicles and autonomous driving? Join the operators in discussion at Connected America

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Knowledge Network Article

by KOREC Group

How to reliably capture accurate survey data and transform it into intelligence for increased productivity and improved decision making

KOREC works with a number of utility and fibre companies who have adopted a digital approach to their field data collection and data handling workflows. These companies are now reporting significant benefits from accurately capturing survey data across four main areas; plan, design, build and operate & maintain.

KOREC specialises in tackling the challenges that can impede productivity in all of these stages:

PLAN & DESIGN: Using mobile mapping to enhance productivity for survey, planning and design services

Jorvik Design Group has revolutionised its data capture operations through its investment in a KOREC supplied, vehicle mounted mobile mapping system. Their Trimble MX50 system delivers a very accurate point cloud of the environment along with complimentary immersive imagery and enables Jorvik to create extremely accurate designs without time consuming and labour-intensive site walkovers.

KOREC worked closely with Jorvik to create an enhanced workflow so that clients can now provide a boundary map and all relevant UPRNs (Unique Property Reference Numbers) along with a  request that Jorvik plans a design for that network. An initial survey is then driven with the MX50 system mounted on Jorvik’s Land Rover Defender.

Having access to a current, high-accuracy, 3D point cloud means that the Jorvik Design Group can now provide an even better service for its clients through the provision of an accurate 3D point cloud data set for measurements related to costing; a faster design service based on correct asset location and a fully up to date, accurate map of all their assets at the job’s conclusion.

CONSTRUCT: Utility construction company working on new build site

Working on new build sites, the installation of utilities is based on designers’ detailed line drawings rather than OS MasterMap data which has yet to be created for new developments. However, digitising these line drawings to take into the field, sometimes up to 6,000 in a single project, is extremely problematic due to the density of the information contained.

In order to create a new digital workflow, KOREC’s software division, K-MATIC, worked with the client to create an easy drag and drop solution which allows for the easy transfer of these large files from the office on to field devices.

CONSTRUCT: Utility installation company seeking a digitised workflow for greater efficiency and faster payment

KOREC was approached by a company that wished to become more efficient in the field, collecting as-built information. The company required better than 10cm positional accuracy on each connection (as per UK legislation) and also wished to document each connection with attribute information fed live to a secure cloud-based portal. This would enable them to provide proof of connection and bill weekly for work done.

KOREC supplied the company with Trimble Catalyst, a low cost GNSS option (with a choice of subscriptions for different accuracies) and  KOREC Capture field data software designed to run on standard smartphones or loggers.

OPERATE & MAINTAIN: a network operator pre-empting potential problems and minimising risk

A utility company has to maintain an existing network including pole inspection and vegetation encroachment across the network. The company approached KOREC who undertook a mobile mapping survey through its Professional Services division. This data, once processed, was analysed with automated routines for poles that were not in the existing inventory and also locations where vegetation could encroach the network and impact connectivity. This allowed them to better manage their assets and foresee potential issues.

To learn more about KOREC, join them on Stand 33b at this year’s Connected Britain and look out for their exhibition presentation

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Independent Kent-based UK ISP Orbital Net, which also runs the Vfast sub-brand that sells packages to homes via a mix of wireless (FWA) and full fibre (FTTP) broadband networks, has today announced a few major changes to its executive committee. After some 25 years, CEO Darren Brown is retiring, and Ben Doherty will be filling […]

VIEWPOINT

China is at the forefront of developing the 5G ecosystem, leading to a significant increase in the revenue of all its three major service providers. The success of the country’s three major carriers demonstrates the revenue-growing potential of 5G technology.

China Mobile has recorded revenue growth of 10.5% and mobile revenue growth of 2.5%. On the other hand, China Telecom and China Unicom reported overall revenue growth of 9.4% and 8.3%, respectively. This corresponds with an increase in the 5G penetration rates from 6.7% in Q1FY21 to 28.5% in Q1FY22 to 44.6% in Q1FY23. This is mainly because of the incredible success the three telecom players achieved in rapidly migrating users to 5G.

The 5G ecosystem is at a crucial juncture. While the carriers have succeeded in growing their revenue by migrating users to the new technology, they need to now focus on the new capabilities for both individuals and businesses.

Understanding the two waves of 5G

“There are two waves of benefits in 5G development. First, the conventional user migration coupled with the traffic stimulation model has facilitated good results in China and among the first wave of 5G carriers outside China. The second wave is the model of “experience-based monetization through existing users along with the development of new services” and evolution towards a 5.5G. This can enable more powerful IoT/IoV and upgrade the overall 5G industry,” says Richard Liu, President of Global Carrier Marketing and Solution Sales, at Huawei. He was speaking at the ongoing Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2023 during the 5G Business Dialogue Salon.

Several Chinese and international carriers have already significantly increased revenues by enabling a rapid migration of existing users to 5G, which is the first wave of developing the 5G ecosystem.

China Mobile recorded a 10% increase in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for 5G players vis-à-vis 4G telcos. This has led to a revenue increase of 10.5% for the Chinese carriers. On the other hand, AIS in Thailand reported a 15% increase in ARPU, leading to revenue growth of 2.3. Zain KSA focused on Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) which led to ARPU growth of as much as 40% and a revenue increase of 14.8%.

“Specifically, 5G improves user experienced rates and delivers on higher-definition and smoother video services, thereby improving DOU and traffic volume, which translate into increased revenues,” explained Richard Liu.

The industry now needs to focus on the second growth wave to move from 5Good to 5Great by creating value-based operations and new pathbreaking 5GtoC and 5GtoB services. The second wave will allow the carriers to create use cases based on user segmentation and develop new services and industry upgrade. China is taking the lead in the second wave of 5G growth by developing use cases like new calling, cloud phones, naked eye 3D, 5G private networks and passive IoT, among others. For instance, New Calling allows telcos to enhance voice and video calling, which can potentially unlock a market worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Addressing the growing needs of businesses 

In the coming times, several 5GtoB services will accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises leading to significant gains for the telcos.

“5GtoB is a new growth engine that has driven continued rapid growth in China, whose success has been replicated in many industries outside China. The strong capabilities of 5.5G will enable industry upgrade,” says Richard Liu.

Several new uses are leading to the growth of this market. A case in point is China Unicom’s 5G package for streaming, which allows 50% improved uplink speed and higher priority. This has led to a 76% increase in ARPU for the telco. Another example is 3 Hong Kong’s 5G package for stock trading which allocates two times the network resources for priority assurance.

5G private networks is an important use case of this segment. In China, this market has grown from just $0.2 billion in 2020 to $0.5 billion in 2021 and $1.1 billion in 2022. Globally also, the telcos realize the importance of this segment leading to an increase from 104 private networks in May 2022 to 209 in May 2023.

As the industry moves from the first wave of 5G growth to the second wave, it must work together to further 5G development and exploration to maximize revenue. The industry needs to accelerate the adoption of 5.5G to confidently move 5Good to 5Great. The growing adoption of 5G use cases means the industry must move towards 5.5G to delight people and businesses with new use cases and to address the growing expectations of digital users.

Network builder and UK broadband ISP toob has today announced that their coverage via CityFibre’s existing Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network has been expanded again. This time they’ve moved toward East Sussex and are now becoming available to homes in Worthing, Brighton and Hove. Just to recap. The operator, which was originally backed by £75m from the […]

Broadband ISP Virgin Media UK (VMO2) has today announced that they’ve officially started selling services powered by their new 10Gbps capable XGS-PON based Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines, which is currently being rolled out as into new areas, via Nexfibre, and as an upgrade on their legacy Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) infrastructure. At present around 14.3 million […]