Page 34 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2023

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efficiency. Although we continue to make Flagship devices which combines one are on the horizon for 5G SA:
progress in enhancing uplink coverage, frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier and Specialized Network Services – think
we haven’t forgotten about the downlink. two TDD carriers. In the coming months, network slicing, precision location, private
Enhanced downlink and uplink carrier AT&T will also enable 5G New Radio routing, etc. – for tailored network solutions
aggregation capabilities work together Dual Connectivity (NR-DC), aggregating to meet specific user requirements;
to bring the 5G SA performance today’s our low and mid-band spectrum with Non-terrestrial network solutions to
technologies need. Last fall, we completed our high-band mmWave spectrum on supplement coverage in remote locations;
a 5G SA four component carrier downlink 5G SA. Our labs have achieved 5G NR- and Reduced capability 5G (RedCap) for a
call by combining two FDD carriers and DC downlink throughput speeds of up to new generation of 5G capable wearables,
two TDD carriers. These capabilities allow 5.3Gbps and uplink throughput speeds of industrial IoT or wireless sensors and other
AT&T devices to aggregate our mid-band up to 670Mbps. This technology will help small form factor consumer devices. AT&T
n77 in the C-Band and 3.45GHz spectrum provide high-speed mobile broadband is dedicated to being the best connectivity
ranges. Compared with low band and for both downlink and uplink in stadiums, provider. The 5G SA ecosystem is rapidly
mmWave spectrum, mid-band n77 airports, and other high-density venues. evolving, with new technologies and
provides a good balance between coverage The 5G SA ecosystem is rapidly evolving, capabilities being introduced to set the
and speed. This follows the 5G SA three with new technologies and capabilities foundation for next generation applications
component carrier downlink feature that being introduced to provide differentiated and services.
we introduced last year to 2022 AT&T experiences. Here are some features that

AT&T Conducts ‘Space-Based’ Call Using a Regular Smartphone

AT&T has achieved a significant milestone
by successfully conducting the first-
ever two-way audio call using satellites
with a standard smartphone. The call
was made from AT&T in Midland, Texas,
to mobile carrier Rakuten in Japan on
a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone
using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3
satellite. The breakthrough could help
to increase cellular access in the US and
developing countries. Typically, a mobile
phone call requires nearby cell towers to
provide service, which is not feasible in
rural communities and national parks.
The same technology could be a great
solution to the same issues in developing
countries, where satellites could act as
a space-based network of cell towers.
“It was a unique thrill and honor to have
the Rakuten team talk with Abel in a
world-first direct-to-satellite experience.
Congratulations to AST SpaceMobile
and all of its strategic collaborators on the birth of the telephone 147 years ago Amazon plans to deploy 3,236 satellites
this groundbreaking event,” said Mickey and has continued with many other firsts and the FCC requires at least half of them
Mikitani, Chairman & CEO of Rakuten. including trans-continental call, overseas to be operational by July 2026. T-Mobile’s
“As technological advancements like call, call from the moon, and partnering choice of partner is SpaceX, which has
space connectivity become possible with to deliver the only network built with already launched over 4,000 Starlink V2
pioneers like AST SpaceMobile, Rakuten and for America’s first responders,” said satellites into orbit. T-Mobile claims that
will also progress even further along Chris Sambar, Head of AT&T Network. customers should have satellite access
the road to democratizing connectivity “We connect people to greater possibility, through most existing plans and existing
for all.” AT&T aims to use satellites to and this important milestone with AST phones should work with the satellite
provide global cellular broadband from 2G SpaceMobile is a big step and we can’t offerings. While satellite offerings are not
to 5G. The technology holds the promise wait to see what’s next in our space- yet available for consumers, this latest
of bridging the digital divide to enable based journey.” Verizon, meanwhile, is successful test brings widespread access
everyone to participate in the global digital partnering with Amazon’s Project Kuiper one step closer to reality.
economy. “AT&T’s heritage began with satellite network for its alternative.

34 MARCH-APRIL 2023