Page 98 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Deutsche Telekom Tests 5G Uplink at Berlin Marathon

During the Berlin Marathon, Deutsche include pictures and videos of fans in the what it claims the world’s first live advert
Telekom (DT) successfully tested how transmission,” a statement said. It added, powered by 5G during the England versus
high-quality TV images can be integrated “5G’s quality features also allow high- Argentina match at the Rugby World Cup in
into worldwide live reporting via 5G. At quality content from private smartphones Japan. They filmed fans’ live reactions as
selected locations during the marathon, to be transmitted via the mobile network. little as five minutes before the half-time
5G smartphones were used as modems on Production companies can then use this break during which the ad was broadcast
professional cameras. They transported content in their reporting. This allows to illustrate how 5G can revolutionize
the camera images via DT’s 5G network viewers to be more intensively involved in sports coverage, among other things. The
to the control room. DT reports that the an event and simply get closer to it.” Last advert was intended to highlight some 5G
test was successful as the pictures were weekend O2, Telefonica’s UK mobil unit capabilities ahead of O2’s official launch
“absolutely smooth and of perfect quality”. and TV company ITN, used 5G to create later this month.
The marathon’s host broadcaster, Infront
Productions, incorporated the test images
into its worldwide live coverage. Tiana
Trumpa, 5G Product Manager at Deutsche
Telekom, said, “We want to make such
applications possible with our 5G network.
5G takes data transmission to a new level.
“The test in Berlin is an example of the
possibilities that guaranteed uploads offer
media companies. 5G offers production
companies high quality and low latencies
for live images.” In future, DT said TV
production companies may be able to save
time using 5G and avoid costs associated
with deploying additional connectivity
infrastructure. They could also more
easily incorporate crowd-sourced content
into coverage. “Telekom’s 5G network
could enable transmissions with little
effort and without complex technical
setup on-site through production in the
cloud. Another possible application is to

SIM Card Shipments Set to Decline Further

Increased prices of mobile phones will the traditional 18 and 24-month period, SIM card adoption dropped in India due
contribute to the further decline of SIM to 36 and 48 months. The increase in to operators consolidating and ending 4G
card shipments, more so than eSIM device life and contract lengths will reduce promotions. SIM card replacement rates
adoption, according to ABI Research. Phil replacement rates and thus SIM card will also be hit by the increased demand of
Sealy, research director at ABI Research, demand”. SIM card shipments dipped for eSIMs for hybrid smartphones such as the
said: “The greater threat for the removable the first time in five years in 2018 when 5.53 iPhone XR, XS, 11 and Google Pixel range.
SIM card form factor in the shorter term is billion SIMs were shipped. ABI predicts Continued growth is expected in M2M and
being presented by the handsets market. the SIM card market will contract from IoT due to increasing eSIM integrations
Mobile devices are becoming increasingly 5.2 billion this year to five billion in 2024. into automobiles. But Sealy said any eSIM
more expensive, some of which are now This year and 2018 saw many challenges impact on the market in the shorter term
above the $1,000 mark. “As a result, for the SIM market in the APAC region. In will be minimal. “The eSIM should be
consumers are looking to spread the cost China, roaming fees were relaxed which considered a longer-term market concern,
of a device over a longer period. MNOs was the primary drive behind multiple with a reduction in SIM replacement rates
have also taken note and are beginning SIM ownership. In Indonesia, ID card driven more in the near term by increasing
to lengthen subscription contracts from registration regulations were enforced. smartphone prices.”

98 OCTOBER 2019