Page 64 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Docomo, Qualcomm Launch Sub-6GHz 5G CA

NTT Docomo and Qualcomm claimed band to boost 5G performance and network Qualcomm, added: “By providing access to
a global first after activating carrier capacity. Docomo CTO Naoki Tani said the breakthrough technologies like 5G carrier
aggregation (CA) on the operator’s 5G operator is “pleased to begin delivering aggregation, we are enabling consumers
network using two sub-6GHz spectrum this advanced and groundbreaking mobile and companies throughout Japan to
bands, delivering peak downloads speeds technology to our customers nationwide”. access faster connectivity, enhanced
of 4.2Gb/s on Snapdragon 865-equipped He added the pair’s efforts had established capacity and better reliability.” Docomo
devices. In a statement, the companies “a new standard of possibility for the launched its 5G service in late March and
said the commercial CA deployment industry” which, in turn will “help initiate aims to have 2.5 million subscribers by
combined 100MHz of spectrum in the a new era of connectivity in Japan”. Durga end-March 2021.
3.5GHz band and 100MHz in the 4.5GHz Malladi, general manager of 4G and 5G at

O2 UK Announces Successful O-RAN Tests

British mobile network operator (MNO) Mavenir using its Cloud RAN technology Commenting, O2 UK’s CTO Brendan O’Reilly
O2 UK has successfully piloted the ‘aligned to the JOTS Neutral Host In- said: ‘Mobile connectivity is playing a
integration and operation of Vilicom’s Building connectivity model’, and unlike vital role in rebuilding Britain and O-RAN
Open RAN (O-RAN) infrastructure, it has legacy solutions, is a fully digital business technology presents an opportunity to
announced. In a press release regarding model. Meanwhile, it has been suggested provide better mobile coverage across the
the development, O2 UK said that it had that the CaaS network platform will UK. We continue to invest in delivering the
enhanced indoor mobile connectivity for streamline operations, rapidly reducing the best possible network and are excited to
its business customers over Vilicom’s cost and space requirements of inbuilding be working with Vilicom to enhance indoor
Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) network 4G and 5G public and private mobile coverage for our business customers.
platform. The company claims to be the connectivity for the UK’s industries and O-RAN integrations such as this are an
first MNO to work with Vilicom to trial businesses. O2 UK’s business customers integral part of our commitment to deliver
this technology and it reportedly plans to within the coverage area of Vilicom’s the best network experience for our
connect the pilot rollout to its live network CaaS network are expected to benefit from customers, where they need it most.’
next year. Vilicom’s infrastructure is said an enhanced network service, including
to have been developed in partnership with improved voice quality and data speeds.

T-Mobile CR and AGC Glass Test Transparent Glass Antennas

Prague-based T-Mobile Czech Republic and AGC Glass Europe
have successfully completed initial tests of a new type of antenna
for what are being termed ‘WAVEATTOCH’ mobile networks —
which are designed to be installed directly on glass facades or
windows of houses. With T-Mobile CR looking to improve coverage
and increase the capacity of mobile networks, including 5G, the
deployment of WAVEATTOCH is seen as a means of achieving this,
especially in historic city centers, where the standard placement
of conventional antennas on the walls of houses is unsuitable. In
a press release, the mobile network operator (MNO) noted: ‘The
antennas were tested together with another original solution –
WAVETHRU thermal insulation window glass, the surface of which
is specially modified for easier passage of the mobile signal. The
WAVETHRU reduces the attenuation of the mobile signal ten to a
hundred times (depending on the frequency band of the signal)
while maintaining all its key thermal insulation properties. The
novelty has the potential for use not only in the construction
industry, but also in other buildings where thermal insulation
glass with a metallized layer is used – for example, in modern
railway wagons.’
64 DECEMBER 2020