Page 98 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

T-Mobile US Targets 2.5GHz 5G Boost

T-Mobile US finally gained Federal it plans to deploy over the next few days to million customers over roughly 300,000
Communications Commission (FCC) boost performance on its 5G network. The square miles, with the remainder of the
approval to deploy 2.5GHz spectrum it operator stated it would add the spectrum spectrum to be deployed as new towers
won in an auction in 2022, most of which to almost 11,000 sites covering nearly 60 are built. It detailed the plan on 6 March,
a little over a week after the FCC approved
access despite an objection by AT&T
due to concerns the allocation “would
exacerbate a 5G spectrum imbalance
and deepen concerns about long-term
wireless competition”. T-Mobile agreed
to divest some of the 2.5GHz spectrum
in Hawaii as a condition for the FCC’s
approval. The spectrum was in limbo after
the FCC lost its allocation authority in
March 2023. T-Mobile stated customers
would experience an immediate boost in
5G performance. In addition to faster data
rates, T-Mobile previously stated it would
be able to extend the reach of fixed wireless
access service by using the spectrum.
CEO Mike Sievert said the spectrum can
be deployed immediately due to years of
planning.

Malaysia Successfully Tests First 5.5G Technology in Southeast Asia

Maxis, one of the oldest and largest
telecommunications companies in
Malaysia, announced on February 23
that it and Chinese tech giant Huawei
have successfully staged the first
5G-Advanced technology trial in Malaysia
and Southeast Asia. The ‘5G-Advanced
Trial Showcase’ included a live speed
test to demonstrate 5G-Advanced’s
capabilities to achieve ultra-fast peak
speeds of up to 8Gbps. 5G-Advanced, also
known as 5.5G, promises up to 10 times
improvement in speed, connected devices,
and latency compared to 5G. Chairman
of the Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tan Sri
Mohamad Salim bin Fateh Din said that
this 5.5G trial demonstrates the potential expressed his hope that more industry commercial and industrial solutions. This
of Malaysia’s telecommunications sector players will pioneer innovative technologies will position Malaysia as a front-runner in
to contribute meaningfully to advancing that will help Malaysian enterprises move telecommunications globally, he added.
communications connectivity. He up the value chain through next-generation

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