Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on those sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Singtel launches 5G NSA network
Singaporean operator Singtel has launched its 5G non-standalone (NSA) network and introduced a three-month trial for its consumer and enterprise customers. Singtel’s 5G NSA network will use spectrum in the 3.5 GHz frequency as well as existing 2.1 GHz spectrum, while employing advanced technologies such as dual connectivity, the Asian carrier said in a release. Initially, Singtel’s 5G service will cover areas such as Harbourfront, Bugis and Dhoby Ghaut. “We are excited to introduce our customers to a high-quality 5G experience that will enrich their digital lifestyles,” said Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO of Consumer Singapore for Singtel. “With COVID-19 driving everyone online and dramatically increasing our reliance on digital services to work, learn and play, 5G is set to be a huge enabler in our lives in this new normal. We can tap on its potential in combination with applications such as augmented and virtual reality to deliver dynamic and immersive experiences offering the next best substitute to physical interactions, and also deepen our engagement with customers.” The three-month trial will extend free 5G connectivity and an additional 10 GB of local data to 20,000 early adopters. … Read more
Telefónica’s 5G debuts in Spain
Telefónica has commercially launched 5G services in Spain, the telco said in a release. The European operator said that 75% of the Spanish population will have access to 5G by the end of the year. “The launch of our 5G network constitutes a leap forward towards the hyperconnectivity that will change the future of Spain,” said José María Álvarez-Pallete, Telefónica’s executive chairman. Telefónica will launch offers for both individuals and corporate customers and also committed to the “numerous direct and indirect cross-cutting benefits” that 5G brings to key sectors such as transport, tourism, energy, the car industry and healthcare. “Spain will reap great benefits. 5G constitutes not only a new generation of mobile telephony, it’s also a revolution in terms of its practical applications for all the sectors and because it allows the extension of ultra-broadband coverage to rural areas, many of them depopulated,” said Álvarez-Pallete. The telco noted that businesses will have access to services like multi-access edge computing, in addition to services such as 5G private networks, mass IoT and critical communications, as well as network virtualization. … Read more
Orange launches commercial 5G services in Spain
Spanish operator Orange has launched commercial 5G services in Spain using equipment provided by Ericsson, the latter said in a release. The carrier initially launched 5G technology in Madrid and Barcelona with the deployment of Ericsson’s 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and core products and solutions. Orange’s initial 5G deployments with Ericsson in these two cities will be followed by other locations under a four-year partnership to help Orange Spain develop its 5G offering across Spain, the Swedish vendor said. Operating on 3.6GHz spectrum, the 5G network in Madrid and Barcelona is powered by the Ericsson Radio System (Baseband 6648 and AIR 6488 antenna), delivering massive multiple-input multiple-output, which increases network capacity and spectral efficiency. Ericsson also supplied Orange Spain with a 5G Evolved Packet Core to support 5G New Radio non-standalone (NSA), including control plane, user plane and policy network functions. … Read more
Samsung wins $6.6 billion contract with Verizon
Samsung has snagged a five-year, $6.6 billion contract with Verizon that primarily covers installing and upgrading the U.S. mobile provider’s infrastructure as part of the preparation for providing next-generation services. While little has been released about the details of the contract, including the specific equipment being provided to Verizon, Samsung said in a statement that the pair will “continue to push the boundaries of 5G innovation,” confirming that at least a portion of the deal is directly related to 5G. Dell’Oro Group recently released a report on the 5G network equipment landscape which says Samsung currently lays claim to approximately 13% of the market for 5G network sales, where it is following behind Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei. … Read more
CBRS PAL auction results
Verizon spent the most on CBRS Priority Access Licenses — nearly $1.9 billion — but Dish Network landed the most licenses, at more than 5,400. Cable companies hauled home significant numbers of PALs, while US Cellular won more PALs than T-Mobile US and AT&T ended up buying no CBRS licenses at all. The Federal Communications Commission today released the list of winning bidders in the PALs auction, which concluded last week after 76 rounds of bidding. The auction raised more than $4.58 billion in gross bids, from a field of 271 qualified bidders. Of those, 228 bidders won a total of 20,625 licenses. That’s out of 22,631 available licenses or 7 licenses per U.S. county. Bidders are only allowed to hold a maximum of four PALs per county, and that spectrum can be aggregated. Each PAL consists of a 10 megahertz unpaired channel at 3.55-3.65 GHz. In addition to PALs, 80 megahertz of the 150 megahertz band is available for use under the General Authorized Access (GAA) tier of the CBRS spectrum-sharing framework. … Read more
Verizon announces Tracfone buy
Verizon has agreed to spend up to $6.9 billion to buy prepaid mobile virtual network operator Tracfone from America Movil, expanding its focus on low-cost and prepaid services and saying that it will eventually offer 5G access to Tracfone customers. In addition to $3.125 billion in cash and $3.125 billion in Verizon common stock, the agreement also includes up to $650 million more in future cash payments based on performance metrics. Verizon said that it expects the transaction to close in the second half of next year and “drive significant benefits and network synergies” but not have material impact on capital expenditures. Tracfone is the largest wireless reseller in the U.S. and serves about 21 million subscribers, with more than 13 million of them using Verizon’s network through an existing wholesale agreement. Its products are available in more than 90,000 retail locations across the U.S., and the company operates a number of subsidiary brands including StraightTalk, Total Wireless, Walmart Family Mobile, NET10 Wireless, SIMPLE Mobile and others. Ronan Dunne, EVP and Group CEO for Verizon Consumer Group, said in a statement that the transaction “firmly establishes Verizon, through the Tracfone brands, as the provider of choice in the value segment, which complements our clear leadership in the premium segment.” … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News Archives for more stories from the past.
