Comparison site Broadband Genie has today published a new 2023 Global Broadband Affordability Index, which explores the affordability of “high-speed broadband across the globe“. Overall, the United Kingdom was found to rank 22nd out of a total database of 132 countries. Naturally, there are a few caveats to consider with this study. Firstly, some countries […]

News

A new deal will see the Italian operator expand their existing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ERG to encompass a further 200GWh/year of renewable energy over the coming decade

This week, TIM has announced a new PPA agreement with independent renewable energy firm ERG via the latter’s subsidiary Telenergia.

The new nine-year agreement will see ERG provide the operator with an additional “baseload” 200 GWh/year of renewable energy.

TIM first signed a deal with ERG for renewable energy back in May 2021, securing 340GWh/year for ten years over the 2022–2031 period.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed

As a result of this deal, around 34% of TIM’s energy purchases will come from renewable sources via PPAs.

“We are the second biggest Italian energy consumer and therefore it is crucial to make choices with the goal of resolving environmental issues,” explained TIM CEO Pietro Labriola. “The new agreement signed with ERG will help us to reach the ESG targets we have set ourselves, while at the same time stabilising costs in a context of continued macroeconomic uncertainty. The agreement confirms, once again, the importance of forging robust partnerships which share an industrial vision as well as consideration of the environment.”

TIM aims to use only renewable energy by 2025 and to generate Net Zero carbon emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) by 2040.

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News

Following successful trials in Plymouth and Basingstoke, Vodafone says it is ready to move forward with the sunsetting of its 3G network next month

This week, Vodafone UK has confirmed that it will begin its nationwide 3G network shutdown in June.

The operator said it had conducted successful trails in Plymouth and Basingstoke in February this year, giving the operator confidence to begin its wider shutdown next month.

The first areas to be switched off in June will reportedly be Hull, Oxford and Greater London, with the rest of the South set to follow. The remainder of the UK will see its 3G network shutdown later in the year.

“Our focus remains to continue to build the UK’s most reliable mobile network and to continue to do this, we need to ensure our technologies are fit for purpose,” said Vodafone’s Network Director in the UK, Andrea Dona. “3G use has already dropped significantly as most of Vodafone’s customers now use the 4G network. Currently less than 4% of the data is used on our 3G network, in comparison to more than 30% in 2016.”

The operator says that few customers should be affected by the shutdown, but highlighted the availability of its Digital Skills Hotline to help vulnerable customers that may need extra support when migrating to new handsets and new services.

Vodafone first announced that it was targeting 2023 for its 3G switch-off last year, shortly after the UK government announced that all of the UK’s mobile operators had agreed to shut down both 2G and 3G networks by 2033.

Despite being an older technology, Vodafone’s 2G network will remain operational for some time after the company’s 3G shutdown, since it remains useful for low-power IoT devices like smart metres, as well as a far-reaching backup for voice communications.

Vodafone notes that switching off their 3G network will allow the network’s spectrum to be refarmed for use in its more modern 4G and 5G networks. According to a statement given to ISPreview at the start of last year, around 10MHz of spectrum in the 900MHz band will be used to bolster the operator’s 4G network, with the rest of that spectrum band being explored for use in 5G.

The operator also points out just how much more energy efficient these next generation networks are compared to 3G, with a terabyte of data sent over 5G using just 7% of the energy used to send the same amount of data across the 3G network. As such, the sunsetting of the company’s 3G (and later 2G) networks represent a major step towards the company’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2027.

If all goes to plan, Vodafone’s 3G network will be completely shut down by the end of the year.

Both EE and Three UK are planning more gradual 3G switch off, aiming for a complete phase out of the legacy technology in 2024. Customers are already being migrated to the companies’ 4G and 5G networks.

Virgin Media O2, meanwhile, has yet to set a date for its own 3G switch off.

Is the UK telecoms industry on track to meet the government’s ambitious coverage goals for 2030? Join the experts in discussion at this year’s live Connected Britain conference

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VIEWPOINT

As the network evolved to multiple technologies, including 2G to 3G, 4G and even 5G, and more services needs to be delivered through the network because of the diversified requirements, for example, AR/VR, drone, smart factory, the network operation has become more complicated.

To manage this complexity, network automation seems to be a must. In 2019, TM Forum jointed the industry partners to promote the Autonomous Networks (AN) as an effective way for network automation, which is featured as the architecture of “single-domain autonomy and cross-domain collaboration” and divided to six levels, from L0- L5, based on the maturity of AN.

AN architecture will encapsulate the complexity into a coherent architecture, providing a solution to this problem. With the ability to make decisions on its own terms within the single-domain autonomy, the network complexity will be reduced and operation process will be simplified.

Additionally, in 5.5G era, with the 10 times benefits of reliability, connectivity and experience etc., the operational complexity will be up to 10 times compared with the 4G and 5G. Since the manpower cannot be increased by 10 times, the AN Level 4, where the machine will make the decisions by itself in certain cases, is the essential way to achieve the required operation efficiency for counterbalancing the growth in complexity.

“By implementing AN, you can increase your efficiency and reduce your operating costs, resulting in a better bottom line. Additionally, AN can provide an enhanced customer experience that can help retain your customers, giving you a competitive advantage in the long run.” said Kevin McDonnell, Senior Director of Huawei Ireland Research Center, in his presentation in FutureNet World.

More partners joined AN collaboration and some leading operators have released their strategy goal of reaching L4 by 2025. “Heading for AN Level4, three key points that industry needs to be clear about: how to unleash the network potential, standardize the network API and generate more values” stated Kevin McDonnel.

Single-domain autonomy unleashes potential of networks

Thanks to the expertise and capabilities in the network, network vendors have advantages to solve the classic problems in the network domains by leveraging their powerful capabilities in EMS, which will definitely unlock the potential of networks. Huawei is committed to develop Autonomous Driving Network (ADN) solution, which called 8+1 intelligent series, to deliver network end-to-end automation for operators. The 8 intelligent X, such as IntelligentRAN, are developed for specified network domains, and IntelligentServiceEngine for the domain collaboration. Huawei ADN solution has achieved a great success in different markets, such as the cloud optical solution, where Huawei is hitting level 3.5 and cloud network level 3.2.

Industry collaboration for standardizing network APIs

Facilitating network automation in an end-to-end way is one important aspect that we need to embrace. Some projects, such as CAMARA from GSMA and Linux Foundation, are trying to define the service APIs at a higher level to create an overall network-as-a-service (NaaS) offering. To do this, the network APIs at lower level, the interface of resource layer in TM Forum AN architecture, should be defined in a standard way, which is not only for the NaaS, but also very critical for the end-to-end automation of network operation. Hence, all industry players, including network and OSS vendors, operators, should collaborate on standardization of network APIs.

Creating more values with Huawei ADN Solution

Huawei believes ADN solution will deliver values in four areas: network manetization -NaaS capabilities enable zero-wait service provisioning, customer experience – proactive QoE optimization deliver full-lifecycle ultimate experience, Resource efficiency improvement- energy saving practices “0 Bit, 0 Watt” on networks, Employee efficiency improvement- automatic fault management achieve ” 0 potential risk, 1 fault 1 ticket, fault locating within 3 minutes, and ticket dispatching within 5 minutes ” with high reliability.

AN L4 cannot be achieved immediately by purchasing one or more systems. Network devices must have sufficient intelligent awareness units to prepare for upgrade in advance. Single-domain EMS and cross-domain OSS need to collaborate to streamline process automation, and long-term intelligent components are required.

Let’s start the journey from now, and prepare for the upcoming of 5.5G era in next two years.

VIEWPOINT

Communication Service Providers (CSP) are now facing tremendous challenges related to network operations. The networks are becoming remarkably complex with evolution to multi-RAN technology coexistence (3G, 4G, and 5G), cloudification and containerization, and AI computing. The services on top of networks are also becoming remarkably complex in B2C, B2B, and B2X domains with increasing demands on customer experience excellence. The traditional, network-centric operation model is no longer viable in today’s digital era as it comes with limited automation, manual processes, isolated workflows and data silos, and outdated technologies and platforms. CSPs will be more and more difficult to achieve operation excellence in order to deliver service excellence. There is then an urgent need to transform traditional operation model to the New Generation Intelligent Operation model.

“There are three major trends for Intelligent Operation. Firstly, we need a more intelligent platform underpinned by Telecom specific automation and AI capabilities. Secondly, we need to move from the traditional, network-centric operation model to a new, service-centric operation model to deliver closed-loop management of customer experience. Lastly, we need a transformed operational organization not only with upskilled existing workforce but also with new roles like Network Strategist, Data Analyst and Application Orchestrator in order to realize agile development of operation APPs”, said Kevin Ye, President of Intelligent Operation Domain of Global Technical Service, Huawei.

Left: Kam-Shing Fung, HKT VP of Digital Operations Transformation.

Right: Kevin Ye, President of Intelligent Operation Domain of Global Technical Service, Huawei. 

Three Zeros of Huawei Intelligent Operation

The vision of Huawei Intelligent Operation is Three Zeros: “Zero” Service Impact, “Zero” Intervention, and “Zero” Code Development. Huawei has continuously invested in platform, process, people and technology innovation to achieve this vision.

Elaborating on this, Kevin Ye said, “Huawei has introduced Intelligent Event Management (iEM) to enable the transformation from network-centric operation to service-oriented network operation and then to service-centric operation. iEM implements closed-loop analysis, diagnosis, and troubleshooting of network faults with multi-dimensional data sources and measurements of service impacts of each fault on end users”.

“Huawei Intelligent Operation solutions support multi-service convergent operations, such as MBB, 5GC, ToH, ToB, and Industrial Private Networks, helping CSPs quickly lunch new services with good network quality. The solutions also adopt a new “4+1” process framework (4 capability domains of Service, Enabling, Governance, and System, 1 transformation methodology) to facilitate digital operation transformation”, Ye added.

“Lastly, AUTIN also provides a powerful low-code development platform with scenario-based orchestration capabilities, which enables CSPs to shorten their operation APP development cycle from months to weeks” Ye added. “AUTIN is the brand name of Huawei Intelligent Operation solutions. It means “Automation + Intelligence”, Ye also explained.

With over 30 years of rich experience in ICT operations, Huawei is at the forefront of developing innovative network operation solutions for the industry. The company has successfully delivered over 200 Intelligent Operation projects in more than 100 countries and serving 1.6 billion end users worldwide.

Huawei has set up the first-of-its-kind O&M Lab to continuously explore technology innovations in ICT operation domain. The company has accumulated more than 1000 automation rules, 150 AI models, 300 knowledge graphs, 1000 scenario-based APIs, and 200 atomic capabilities. The powerful R&D capabilities has made the company one of the core contributors to the international standards, for example, Huawei’s recent contribution to TMF standard IG1294 EDNS (Expected Demand Not Served).

“We have been focusing on several root technologies in the operation domain, for example, network topology restoration. Huawei can provide high-precision multi-layer network topology for cross-domain intelligent risk identification and fault demarcation. Further, our Knowledge Centre has unique algorithms to enable automatic diagnosis of fault root cause analysis with accuracy rate of more than 80%”, Ye said.

“Another technology innovation example is our Automatic Alarm Behaviour Discovery Pro (AABD Pro). Based on the adaptive spatiotemporal data mining algorithm and expert experience, AABD Pro implements AI mining of fault propagation relationships and fault clustering and demarcation, helping users quickly identify root Network Elements and service impact scope. The fault clustering accuracy reaches 90%, and the root NE identification accuracy reaches 93%. Further, we have built measurement models to quantify the service impacts of network problems. This helps in bringing down CSPs’ business loss by more 5% to 10%,” Ye added.

Empowering CSPs’ Digital Operation Transformation

Huawei is partnering with a number of CSPs, including HKT, to transform their network operations. Kam-Shing Fung, HKT VP of Digital Operations Transformation, highlighted several key challenges faced by HKT for better running its modernized network infrastructure.

“HKT looked for something that would help Operations correlate multiple detected anomalies from different monitoring views to a single event or incident in order to quickly and accurately identify the root problem. This helps in quick resolution of the problem thus benefiting the customer. This will also help lift the pressure from our operation team as multiple anomalies are consolidated and correlated into a single event and team can focus on the root cause to quickly resolve the problem. So “Event Management” is one of the very important criteria or successful key in the transformation,” said Fung.

Digital Operation Transformation can lead to significant financial benefits. HKT has achieved considerable OPEX savings in the mobile domain in just one and a half years since initiating this transformation.

“We now plan to take similar steps in the ToB Area. We will work closely with Huawei to identify some strategic areas to enable Intelligent CAPEX Allocation. Additionally, we are very keen to drive the Transformation forward in a more holistic manner so that like Sales & Marketing can also benefit from it. As more and more business units realize its value, we can devote more resources to transformative investments, not just Operations.” Fung added.

Conclusion

Huawei’s Intelligent Operation solutions are helping CSPs, like HKT, to transform their network operations. In the future, Huawei will continue to strengthen such partnerships. Through continuous investments, improvements and innovations Huawei will continuously integrate the latest digital technologies and platforms into Intelligent Operation solutions to better help CSPs to embrace the digital transformation challenges and create lasting value to CSPs’ future growth.

At the start of this year Vodafone became the first UK mobile operator to begin the process of switching off their old 3G mobile (mobile broadband) network, which started with a pilot in the Devon city of Plymouth and the Hampshire town of Basingstoke. The operator now plans to start switching off the remainder of […]

Broadband ISP Quickline, which is working to roll out their gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) network to 96 rural locations (55,000 premises) across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England, has announced that they’ve “connected” their first UK “Q Hub” in the village of Hibaldstow, near Brigg in North Lincolnshire (England). The term “Q Hub” appears to be […]

News

The US-based network equipment maker says that Huawei is charging “grossly excessive” fees for use of their intellectual property (IP)

This week, ADVA Optical Networking has revealed it is suing Huawei Technologies, arguing that the Chinese giant is using its dominant position in telecoms IP to exert undue influence over the market.

The case, brought before the Texas Eastern District Court, alleges that Huawei is charging extortionate prices for the use of its patents, as well as asking ADVA to pay for patents that are not required by international standards.

Huawei is required to licence its IP to companies on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) basis, as per the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s technological standardisation process.

ADVA claims that Huawei has failed to follow these FRAND obligations and has also infringed on ADVA’s own patents.

In the filing, ADVA describes Huawei’s strategic approach to IP as a ‘conspiracy’, accusing the company of working in tandem with its ‘worldwide affiliates’ and the Chinese government “to wrongfully dominate and control the market for telecommunications equipment”.

Huawei is the one of the largest patent holders in the world, with only IBM, Samsung, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) holding more patents as of 2022. Many of these patents are related to image compression, digital information transmission, and wireless communication networks, especially 5G mobile technology.

Indeed, this patent domination has become a major source of revenue for Huawei at a time when its smartphone and network equipment businesses have been largely hamstrung by US trade sanctions.

Huawei reportedly made between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion in patent revenue between 2019 and 2021 and since then has only increased its R&D efforts.

In the company’s latest financial results, Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou revealed that the company had spent $23.2 billion on R&D in 2022, roughly a quarter of the company’s total revenue.

Led by Huawei, Chinese companies were reportedly behind 65% of standard essential patent filings to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) last year, a fact that has not gone unnoticed.

“I’m strongly urging and encouraging companies to file and file and file patents… Chinese companies are doing it a lot,” said European Commissioner Thierry Breton last month, noting that the European Union’s competitiveness in the connectivity sector could be under threat.

Nonetheless, earlier this year, Huawei’s global intellectual property head, Alan Fan, said that his department was “a corporate function, not a business unit” and that the company was not looking to aggressively monetise IP. He noted that any royalties made from the company’s patents was funnelled back into R&D.

In closing, it is worth noting here that while patent licencing can certainly generate significant revenue for companies like Huawei, it is ultimately a matter of quality over quantity.

For example, Huawei’s largest rivals, Ericsson and Nokia, both have smaller patent portfolios than Huawei, but routinely generate higher licencing revenues; Nokia reportedly earned €1.5 billion from patent licencing in 2021, while Ericsson took home €900 million in 2022.

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Also in the news:
Vodafone and Three UK closing in on merger
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Belfast-based UK broadband ISP Fibrus, which is currently deploying a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across parts of Northern Ireland and England, has today revealed that they’ve begun the next phase of their rollout in the North of England – targeting 125,000 premises across 40 locations. At present the Infracapital-backed operator has already covered a […]