Page 88 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TIP, WBA Team on 6GHz Wi-Fi

The Telecom Infra Project (TIP) and Wireless Broadband Alliance
(WBA) announced plans to work together on software for Wi-Fi
devices, with a goal of automating frequency coordination so
outdoor equipment can operate in the 6GHz band while protecting
incumbent users. WBA works to help mobile network operators
integrate and provision Wi-Fi. It will participate in TIP’s Open AFC
Software Group, which is working to develop a reference open
source implementation of an automated frequency coordination
(AFC) system. The 6GHz band has been approved for Wi-Fi use by
41 countries, but frequency coordination is necessary to ensure
outdoor devices do not disrupt the fixed microwave links already
active in it. These links are used by public safety systems, mobile
network operators and utilities, often to backhaul sites lacking
access to fiber. The collaboration builds on a recent adoption of outdoor access points in the 6GHz band, and complement TIP’s
the WBA’s OpenRoaming standard by TIP. The system enables OpenWiFi initiative, designed to boost equipment interoperability
users to roam on Wi-Fi networks without logging in or supplying through open source code. WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues stated AFC
passwords. In a statement, the organizations argued AFC will “will enhance Wi-Fi” connectivity and user experience in a range
enable the benefits of OpenRoaming by making it easier to deploy of locations.

Operators Warn of Open RAN Fragmentation Risk

Executives from Orange and BT Group warned a Telecom Infra Providing guidance for vendors is an objective for TIP, along with
Project (TIP) forum of a risk of fragmentation in open RAN if the testing and validation of disaggregated network equipment. Hatefi
approach is not carefully managed and coordinated, noting vendors cited a push by Orange and four other major European operators
require clear guidance on the direction to take. During the TIP as a means of preventing open RAN fragmentation, noting the
Insights 2021 event, Orange head of software and RAN architecture companies plan to communicate priorities to the broader market,
Atoosa Hatefi noted there are already variances in the approach solicit feedback and then “rely on TIP to develop, test and certify
to open RAN which could ultimately result in fragmentation. She in line with our needs”. But she cautioned vigilance was required
argued this risk makes it “important to move from standardized to to “avoid new vendor lock-in with open RAN”. Crane cited the
prioritized” approaches in open RAN specifications. Paul Crane, RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) as “probably the most interesting
converged network research director at BT and a member of component” of open RAN, because it could allow operators “to
TIP’s technical committee, concurred, noting a “need to provide focus on the customer experience” by using APIs to implement
clarity and certainty and avoid fragmentation”. He noted TIP is RAN policy and segregate service levels. “It is early days and there
currently involved in 35 tests and trials, and had published more is going to be a lot of work to do to make sure ambition comes to
than 40 technical requirement specification documents this year. fruition and we don’t suffer from getting back to a vendor lock-in”.

Celcom Conducts VoNR Trial Call

Malaysian mobile network operator (MNO) Celcom has reportedly represented a step towards it realizing the full potential of 5G
carried out the country’s first Voice-over New Radio (VoNR) trial for consumers and business, with it serving as a foundation for
call, SoyaCincau reports. According to the local press outlet service and application innovations such as video conferencing
the trial was conducted as part of a 5G demonstration project and 5G interaction for augmented and virtual reality technologies.
and innovation trial in Langkawi to validate its end-to-end 5G Meanwhile, Celcom CEO Idham Nawawi was quoted as saying
voice call capability and 5G data session in parallel over a 5G that, as Malaysia prepares for Digital Nasional Berhad’s (DNB’s)
Standalone (SA) network. Citing a statement issued by Celcom, 5G infrastructure launch – which is scheduled to take place before
the report noted that the 5G VoNR call had been made between the end of and will see that company offer wholesale access to
the cellco’s trial sites located at Kuah and Taman Berlian in its network to all local MNOs – the VoNR trial had demonstrated
Langkawi. Utilizing a cloud-native 5G SA network, the VoNR call Celcom’s continuous commitment to 5G innovation and readiness
was established directly within the network without relying on to provide high-quality fifth-generation services.
4G LTE technology. The MNO suggested that the development

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