Page 30 - SAMENA Trends - November 2020

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China Mobile Inks Pact with State Construction

Firm; 5G Base Stations Hit 385,000

China Mobile has signed a strategic 385,000 5G base stations nationwide, 130 million 5G package subscribers, whilst
cooperation agreement with the China State covering all prefecture-level cities. The the number of connected 5G terminals was
Construction Engineering Corporation operator also claimed to have more than over 90 million.
(CSCEC) to ‘enhance the complementarity
of resources, technologies and markets’,
Xinhua News Agency reports. Under the
agreement the two will continue to integrate
5G technology into the construction
sector, with a view to accelerating
innovation and development in both the
telecommunications and construction
sectors. The CSCEC has previously
partnered with other cellcos, and in May
2020 it established a construction ‘smart
site’ in partnership with China Unicom,
using a 5G network to connect people,
equipment and processes on the project.
Meanwhile, the development follows on
the heels of China Mobile’s announcement
this week that it has built more than

The Michigan Moonshot Partners with Toyota and
Cisco to Expand Wi-Fi Access in Detroit, Inkster,
Flint and Washtenaw County, Michigan

Residents of Detroit, Inkster, Flint and internet for basic informational needs Toyota Motor North America. Beyond
Washtenaw County will soon benefit from tied to living, learning and working,” said Washtenaw County where Toyota has its
expanded free Wi-Fi access at more than 50 Charlotte Bewersdorff, Merit Network’s North American research and development
community locations across S.E. Michigan. vice president for Community Engagement. headquarters, the Toyota USA Foundation
The effort, part of Merit Network’s Michigan The grants address the digital divide by provided grants to help address the digital
Moonshot initiative, was supported providing community organizations with
by contributions from the Toyota USA the technological ability to extend their
Foundation and Cisco. Washtenaw existing internet connectivity through Wi-Fi
Intermediate School District and Merit networks which are accessible outside the
Network provided in-kind contributions for buildings. Detroit Public Library will extend
the project. According to the U.S. Census their Wi-Fi network beyond the walls of
Bureau, Detroit Public Schools has the nine select sites, during normal business
highest number of households in the hours. Washtenaw Intermediate School
state without internet access at 82,894. District is coordinating 30 different access
The Flint School District has the second points at area schools and community
highest number with 14,221 households partners across the county. “As COVID-19
without internet access. In addition, 57% continues to spread throughout our nation,
of K-12 students in Washtenaw County Toyota is proud to partner with Michigan
do not have high speed Wi-Fi access at Moonshot and Cisco to expand free Wi-
home. “For thousands of students across Fi to Southeast Michigan area schools,
the state of Michigan, the pandemic has libraries and community gathering
introduced new challenges or highlighted locations to provide an immediate solution
existing ones. We expect this to help both to this urgent issue of access,” said Chris
rural and urban communities access the Reynolds, chief administrative officer,

30 NOVEMBER 2020