Ofcom pushes back 5G spectrum auction due to COVID-19

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has pushed back its upcoming 5G spectrum auction due to COVID-19.

The latest spectrum auction was due to be held this month. However, with just a week left until the end of January, Ofcom issued the following statement this morning saying that it would be pushed back:

“Throughout our planning for the auction we have been closely monitoring the coronavirus situation.

Following a pause in the auction process, we are now planning for...

25 January 2021 | 5G

Nokia to provide 5G technology and expertise for US cybersecurity project

Nokia has been selected to lend its 5G technology and expertise to a US federal project led by the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE).

The NCCoE is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a collaborative hub where industry organisations, government agencies, and academic institutions work together to address businesses’ most pressing cybersecurity issues.

NCCoE’s latest project explores how the latest generation mobile...

15 January 2021 | 5G

NBN sets a world record for mmWave 5G transmission distance

NBN Co and its partners have set a new world record for long-range mmWave 5G transmission.

The Aussie network operator teamed up with Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Casa Systems to achieve the feat.

Gavin Williams, Co-Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote at NBN, said:

“The NBN fixed wireless network plays a vital role connecting Australians right across regional and rural parts of the country. We face some unique challenges, not least vast distances and...

14 January 2021 | 5G

Verizon CEO: 5G is ‘the platform that makes other innovations possible’

During the opening keynote of this year’s CES, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg took the opportunity to hype 5G’s potential.

5G is “the platform that makes other innovations possible,” Vestberg said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UtCumF6W0g

Verizon made several announcements, including a collaboration between the company’s subsidiary Skyward and UPS Flight Forward.

The companies are working together on delivery drones which will use 4G at first...

12 January 2021 | 5G

Verizon expands its 5G UWB to cover more homes and phones

Verizon has announced the expansion of its 5G Ultra-Wideband (UWB) network to cover a greater number of homes and phones.

"We create the networks that move the world forward, and our 5G network brings incredible capabilities that will drive us all as we move into the new year," said Ronan Dunne, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group.

"We're committed to providing our customers with access to the newest technologies and experiences that will shape our future."

Customers...

8 January 2021 | 5G

Former BT exec Katherine Ainley is Ericsson’s new UK and Ireland CEO

Ericsson has announced the appointment of former senior BT executive Katherine Ainley as the company’s new UK and Ireland CEO.

Ainley is joining Ericsson from BT and comes as the company ramps up its 5G strategy. She will succeed John Griffin who is returning to the role of country manager of Ericsson Ireland.

Commenting on her appointment, Ainley said:

“Ericsson is at the forefront of 5G deployment around the world, playing an especially critical role here...

7 January 2021 | Ericsson

New York Stock Exchange backtracks on plan to delist Chinese telcos

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) no longer plans to comply with a Trump administration order to delist Chinese telecoms groups.

NYSE began proceedings to delist China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom last week after the order signed by President Trump in November.

The order is designed to prevent transactions in securities “designed to provide investment exposure to such securities, of any Communist Chinese military company” by any person in the...

5 January 2021 | China

Ericsson CEO continues lobbying Swedish gov to overturn Huawei ban

Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm is continuing to lobby the Swedish government to overturn a ban of Huawei’s equipment.

Ekholm has been vocal in opposing the ban since it was announced in October last year.

Dagens Nyheter reports Ekholm has sent a series of phone messages to Foreign Trade Minister Anna Hallberg calling for her to review the ban order by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS).

Hallberg has said she has not had any contact with the PTS over the...

4 January 2021 | 5G

Opinion: Five ways to prepare telcos for 5G success

The rollout of 5G is gathering momentum, with almost one third of the UK now able to access the new network. Telecommunications companies are at a crossroads in terms of where to go next, with various considerations and options for their digital journeys ahead.

Today’s communications service providers (CSPs) have a real opportunity: They can green-light initiatives that take advantage of 5G’s hyper-connectivity, and in the process can re-envision and redesign their...

24 December 2020 | 5G

MPs reckon the UK will miss even its lowered broadband and 5G targets

A parliamentary committee believes the UK will miss its broadband and 5G targets, despite revising them lower just weeks ago.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee published a report this week which said that the industry had “no genuine belief” the UK will hit its targets.

Nationwide gigabit broadband was a key pledge made on the steps of Downing Street when Prime Minister Boris Johnson took office. Initially, the government planned for nationwide...

22 December 2020 | 5G