Page 114 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

KDDI and Ericsson Claim ‘Breakthrough’ in 5G Core SA Software

Deployment

Ericsson and Japanese communications and functionalities, while maintaining announcement from KDDI that, working
service provider KDDI (au) have successfully the high quality and availability of the 5G with Nokia, it has recently completed a 5G
demonstrated cloud-native Continuous core network’. Ericsson went on to note core SA network trial, moving it closer to
Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) that the pair have teamed up ‘to create a being able to provide 5G-enabled services.
pipeline delivery for the latter’s standalone cross-organizational end-to-end 5G CI/CD The standalone trial used Nokia’s 5G
(SA) 5G core network – claiming ‘a pipeline – moving from native to virtualized AirGile cloud-native core solution and
breakthrough in delivering software and cloud-native network functions. The was conducted ‘entirely independently
features speedily and efficiently’. In a press pipeline seamlessly deploys software from of previous generations’ mobile network
release, the Swedish vendor said that Ericsson’s product development units architecture’.
its ‘container-based technology enables into KDDI’s environment without human
automatic deployment of new software intervention.’ The update follows the recent

AIS Launches 5G Services in 2600MHz Band

Thai mobile operator AIS has launched a 5G service using
frequencies in the 2600MHz band, after receiving its
2600MHz spectrum license on 21 February 2020. AIS chief
consumer business officer Pratthana Leelapanang said that
4G subscribers using smartphones compatible with the band
can immediately benefit from the 5G service, which offers a
400% improvement in download speed. AIS chief Somchai
Lertsutiwong revealed that ‘thousands’ of AIS cell sites
are currently compatible with the frequency band, though
he highlighted that full 5G adoption requires collaboration
from all related parties for ecosystem development: ‘Real
optimum benefits from 5G can be expected within one or
two years. AIS invites vertical industries to collaborate to
shape up the ecosystem and use cases.’

Three UK Confirms Mobile 5G Launch Plans

Having launched its ‘5G Home Broadband’ operator able to meet the International
service in August 2019, British mobile Telecoms Union (ITU) 2020 standard for
network operator (MNO) Three UK has now full 5G services, by having at least 100MHz
outlined its plans for the introduction of of 5G-suitable spectrum. As such, the
mobile 5G connectivity. In a press release operator claimed it is ‘set up to be the
regarding the matter the cellco confirmed fastest 5G network in the country’, and said
its aim to launch a mobile 5G offering in 65 it would provide peak mobile speeds up to
towns and cities – including Birmingham, two times faster than other providers due
Cardiff, Coventry, Glasgow, London, to its ‘substantial’ 5G spectrum holding.
Manchester and Nottingham – ‘from the Meanwhile, Three UK also confirmed that
end of February’. In announcing its mobile all new and existing customers will have
5G launch plans, Three UK was keen to access to 5G with no speed caps and at no
highlight the spectrum advantage it has extra cost on all post-paid, pre-paid and
over rival cellcos, noting that it is the only SIM-only tariffs.

114 FEBRUARY 2020