Page 88 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

KDDI, Samsung Verify 5G Network Slicing In Latest Trial

KDDI (au) of Japan and Korean gear maker streaming services. Further, the trials and an ultra-low latency network without
Samsung Electronics have successfully also demonstrated that users ‘can switch compromising connection quality for
completed a trial of 5G network slicing between an ultra-fast virtual network certain services’.
technology (a type of virtual networking
architecture that allows improved network
flexibility through the partitioning of
network architectures into virtual elements)
in Tokyo. In a statement, Samsung said
that the verification trial was carried out
under laboratory conditions using ‘a RAN
intelligent controller with a handset, 5G
base station, and 5G standalone core
equipment’. 5G network slicing is expected
to help carriers deliver services such as
autonomous driving, cloud gaming, and
industrial IoT applications due to its ‘low
latency and high reliability’, the vendor said,
adding that it will also improve connection
speeds for virtual reality, augmented
reality, and ultra-high resolution video

Three Ireland Switches on 5G Network

Three Ireland has begun offering 5G is reported to be powered by Ericsson’s 5G rollout with Ericsson last year, building
connectivity on a commercial basis, fully virtualized 5G Core and the latest our network to bring customers in both
having partnered with Swedish vendor products and solutions from the vendor’s rural and urban areas the best possible
for its network rollout. In a press release Radio System portfolio. Commenting experience of 5G from the very beginning,
regarding the switch-on, Ericsson noted on the launch, Three Ireland CEO Robert which includes providing superfast
that Three Ireland has initially rolled out Finnegan said: ‘As Ireland’s largest mobile broadband to remote areas in Ireland. With
5G on a total of 315 sites across Ireland, data network, carrying 68% of all mobile our nationwide 5G footprint now in place
offering 35% population coverage. Looking data, I am delighted that Three is now and a variety of 5G-enabled devices on the
ahead, the mobile network operator (MNO) launching Ireland’s largest 5G network, market, we believe now is the right time to
is expected to add a further 500 5G-capable which will be available to Three customers launch.’
sites in 2021. The MNO’s new 5G network in every county from today. We started our

M1's 5G Network Now Live In Singapore

M1 has announced that it switched on Further, M1 is offering customers who sign systems available nationwide by end 2022.
its 5G non-standalone (NSA) network in up before end-2020 a 70% reduction on Commenting, M1 CEO Manjot Singh Mann,
Singapore on 24 September for existing their bill for six months, as well as a free said: ‘It is no secret that 5G will play a
and new users, accessible via a simple year-long subscription to video streaming pivotal role in boosting Singapore’s digital
5G Booster pack to their existing mobile provider Viu. From launch, M1’s new 5G economy. We have already seen glimpses
plan. Claiming a first in the city-state, the network is available in Singapore’s central of its potential through various enterprise
cellco confirmed its network is available business district (CBD), Orchard Road, and consumer 5G use cases and trials that
to all customers with no limit on the Suntec City, and Marina Bay, with plans to we have embarked on so far. Now, we’re
number of sign-ups or restrictions on extend coverage to the rest of the country’s thrilled to bring our customers the very
any plans. M1’s 5G Booster packs start at key urban areas/towns by end-2020. best of this game-changing technology to
SGD15 (USD10.9) for a 25GB data bundle Moreover, it aims to begin deployment of our customers.’
– customers only need a compatible 5G its 5G Standalone (SA) network in early
NSA device to take advantage, it notes. 2021, with a view to having SA-based

88 SEP-OCT 2020