Mobile World Live

European Commission fights-on in €13B Apple tax case

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 11:55:40 GMT

The European Commission (EC) announced it would take a long-running tax claim against Apple to the European Union’s top court, after losing a previous hearing on the issue earlier this year. In a statement, EC EVP and Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager (pictured) said the appeal against the European General Court's [1]decision would be filed with the European Court of Justice. Its claim is being made on grounds of perceived “errors of law” in the previous judgement in July, which cleared Apple of a bill of €13 billion the EC claimed it owed in back taxes [2]. The row dates back to a EC decision against Apple in 2016, which alleged the iPhone manufacturer benefited from illegal state aid and tax breaks in the Republic of Ireland. Announcing the upcoming appeal, Vestager said: “Making sure that all companies, big and small, pay their fair share of tax remains a top priority for the Commission.” “We have to continue to use all tools at our disposal to ensure companies pay their fair share of tax. Otherwise, the public purse and citizens are deprived of funds for much needed investments, the need for which is even more acute now to support Europe's economic recovery. We need to continue our efforts to put in place the right legislation to address loopholes and ensure transparency.” Apple has rejected claims of wrongdoing throughout the process and denies liability for the sum [3]. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/apple-wins-tax-battle-against-ec [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/apple-must-pay-up-to-e13b-in-unpaid-tax-says-ec [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/apple-begins-appeal-against-huge-eu-tax-bill

Apple ups podcast play with Scout FM buy

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 11:39:28 GMT

Apple acquired AI-powered podcast app Scout FM, Bloomberg reported, apparently looking to counter moves by music streaming rival Spotify to beef-up its own broadcast audio content offerings. The media outlet noted Scout FM was available on a range of platforms including Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant, Android and iOS. It employs AI to curate content based on users' preferences. Spotify raised the profile of podcasts [1] on its app earlier this year, as part of a move to grab users through increased personalisation. But the acquisition also taps a broader trend from Apple to strengthen its AI capabilities, following purchases of start-ups Xnor.ai [2] at the beginning of the year, and AI image processing company Spectral Edge [3] in late 2019. Financial details of the Scout FM move were not disclosed, Bloomberg reported, adding the podcast service had been halted following the acquisition. It was founded in 2017 and raised $1.4 million in rounds conducted in 2018 and in 2020, data from business information platform Crunchbase showed. TechCrunch reported Advancit, Bloomberg Beta and Precursor Ventures were among its backers. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/apps-home-banner/spotify-bets-on-increased-personalisation-in-app-update [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/apple-acquires-ai-start-up-for-200m [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/devices/news-devices/apple-buys-picture-tech-start-up

US court considers blocking TikTok ban

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:56:07 GMT

ByteDance was offered a glimmer of hope in a fight to prevent a ban on fresh downloads of its TikTok app in the US, after a judge reportedly gave the government 24 hours to justify the move. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stated a district court judge was considering upholding a request for an injunction preventing the block, which is due to come into force on 27 September. ByteDance filed the request earlier this week to give it time to finalise a deal [1] with Oracle and Walmart to run its US operations, WSJ reported. The judge was reportedly unswayed by government arguments regarding the national security risks posed by new users signing up to TikTok. Following the initial breakthrough with the US companies, the nation's administration gave them until 27 September to thrash out the details. But the app remains under threat as President Donald Trump originally aimed to have it removed from app stores on 20 September alongside Chinese multipurpose service WeChat, a move which was also blocked by a court [2]. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/bytedance-to-keep-control-of-tiktok-in-us [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/apps/news-apps/judge-blocks-us-wechat-ban

Ethiopia set to move on delayed incumbent stake sale

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:27:44 GMT

Ethiopia’s authorities outlined plans to kick-off the process for the sale of a 40 per cent stake in Ethio Telecom next month and conclude it in early 2021, alongside issuing two new licences, Ethiopian News Agency reported. Citing comments made by the country’s Ministry of Finance, the news agency said the 40 per cent stake would likely be sold to international investors. A further 5 per cent is set to be offered to Ethiopian nationals at a later date. The state will retain the rest. It plans to issue an investment prospectus and invitation to bid next month with the process expected to conclude in February 2021, matching the timeline [1] for allocating two highly sought-after [2] new mobile operator licences. Privatisation of Ethiopia’s telecommunications market has been in the works since 2018 [3] and had been slated for this year, before the process was delayed by issues related to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The Ethiopian Communications Authority announced it received 12 initial expressions of interest to acquire one of the two new mobile licences. Contenders include MTN, Orange, Saudi Telecom Company, Etisalat and a consortium comprising Vodafone Group and its Africa-focused affiliates. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/ethiopia-sets-new-licence-auction-deadline [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/orange-mtn-stc-among-12-vying-for-ethiopia-licences [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/ethiopia-opens-up-ethio-telecom-to-investors

KDDI leans heavily on Samsung in expanded 5G range

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:16:19 GMT

KDDI unveiled plans to grow its 5G smartphone line-up, with six models from Samsung, Sony and Sharp to be launched in the coming months. In a statement, the Japanese operator said it will introduce the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G and Sony Xperia 5 II in October, followed by three more Galaxy models in November. In addition to the high-end Galaxy Z Fold2 5G and Z Flip 5G, it will offer four different versions of the mid-tier Galaxy A51 5G. The Sharp Aquos Sense 5G is scheduled for release in early 2021. The operator launched 5G service [1] in late March along with rivals NTT Docomo and SoftBank. Docomo customers can choose from six 5G models [2] from Samsung, LG, Sony, Fujitsu and Sharp, while SoftBank subscribers [3] can purchase the Sharp Aquos R5G, ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G, LG V60 ThinQ 5G and Oppo Reno3 5G. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/kddi-makes-for-japan-5g-hat-trick [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/docomo-targets-first-to-5g-claim-in-japan [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/asia/asia-news/softbank-lays-down-mobile-5g-marker

Vodafone looks to pounce on Masmovil

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 09:55:02 GMT

Vodafone Group reportedly explored a possible acquisition of Masmovil, entering into talks with the three private equity funds which recently took a majority stake in the Spanish operator. El Economista reported Vodafone had used financial intermediaries to look into a possible Masmovil buyout, in a deal which could be valued at €6 billion. A tie-up would propel Vodafone Spain from its current third-place to the top spot in the market by connections, moving ahead of Orange's local unit and current market leader Telefonica. GSMA Intelligence figures show Vodafone had 13.6 million connections, including cellular IoT, in Q2, while Masmovil had 8.9 million. Telefonica had 16.3 million and Orange 15.6 million. Flipping for profit The report comes just a week after Masmovil's investors accepted a buyout offer from Lorca Telecom Bidco [1], a consortium comprising private equity funds Providence Equity, Cinven Capital Management and KKR Associates Europe. Lorca Telecom Bidco acquired an 86.41 per cent stake of the company’s capital for €2.96 billion through a tender offer, and the three funds now plan to squeeze out the remaining minority holders before delisting the company in the next few weeks. Vodafone wasted no time in testing the resolve of Masmovil’s new owners, which could stand to make a quick profit if a deal materialises. El Economista sources believe the consortium could fetch around €6 billion for Masmovil, including €2 billion in debt. But there could be some fallout over a Vodafone deal, after the original sale met with grumblings from major shareholders [2] over the amount tabled. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/masmovil-buyout-backed-by-majority-of-shareholders [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/masmovil-investor-renews-hostility-to-takeover-bid

M1 makes commercial 5G move

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 09:36:24 GMT

Singaporean operator M1 appeared to beat its rivals to the punch in launching commercial 5G services on a non-standalone (NSA) network, albeit with a deployment offering limited coverage. In a statement, M1 said the network covers the central business district, Orchard Road, Suntec City and Marina Bay, with key commercial and residential centres across Singapore scheduled by the year-end. The company said it is on track to start the rollout of its standalone (SA) 5G network in early 2021. The operator said all customers with compatible devices can access the service, with monthly data plans beginning at SGD15 ($10.91) for a package including 25GB of data. Its 5G network partner StarHub introduced a trial service [1] in August using the NSA architecture, with plans for a commercial SA launch by mid-2021. Market leader Singtel launched its NSA 5G network using the 3.5GHz band in selected areas of the city state on 1 September, offering free three-month trials for the first 20,000 customers. The government awarded licences for two SA 5G networks [2] in April, allocating 100MHz of 3.5GHz spectrum to the StarHub and M1 joint venture, and Singtel. Operators are required to cover at least half of Singapore by end-2022. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/asia/asia-news/starhub-opens-non-standalone-5g-trial-service [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/asia/asia-news/singtel-starhub-m1-combo-win-singapore-5g-licences

Telus VP warns of open RAN challenges

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 09:02:26 GMT

BIG 5G EVENT: Telus executive Bernard Bureau emphasised open RAN compatibility as a must for network vendors hoping to secure its business in future, and revealed the operator aims to deploy standalone (SA) 5G by end-2022. In a keynote, the VP of network and architecture strategy pointed to open RAN as “the way forward”, stating Telus would be looking for "a clear commitment" to the approach from vendors. Though Bureau predicted open RAN will be a “game changer”, he noted integration costs could be challenging for smaller operators. “It's more difficult for us to apply in Canada given the number of frequency bands we have", he explained, adding it could be harder to cover the cost of "this interoperability" because operators in the nation have around a tenth the number of sites of those in the US. Meanwhile, Telus' SA 5G launch timing is dependent on the speed with which the application ecosystem matures, Bureau said. The operator is targeting uses in agriculture, healthcare, smart cities and utilities. He warned operators in North America need to “speed up” development of new applications to compete with rivals in Asia and Europe, adding “there’s still time to catch up" before SA 5G "becomes mainstream".

AT&T, Orange highlight 5G convergence potential

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:37:02 GMT

BIG 5G EVENT: Executives from AT&T and Orange tipped standalone (SA) 5G as a catalyst for fixed and mobile network convergence due to the drastically lower latency on offer. During a panel session, VP of technology strategy and development at Orange’s US subsidiary Gabriel Sidhom said the less than five millisecond latency expected from SA 5G will enable a “qualitative change in the kind of applications that we can think of”. The Orange Silicon Valley executive compared the potential shift to being "unchackled" from fixed-line telephony by mobile. Gordon Mansfield, AT&T VP of mobility and access architecture, said network convergence is “very possible” with 5G because 3GPP standards now allow for resource sharing between different access technologies. However, he noted to deliver on the promise of ultra-low latency, operators must to look beyond their radio and core networks and “start thinking about the topology of their transport network” to avoid potential traffic bottlenecks.

Developers tool up in app store policy challenge

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 15:25:18 GMT

Some of the biggest critics of Apple’s App Store policies formed a non-profit lobby group to press for changes across all marketplaces, seeking to deliver a level playing field for developers. The Coalition for App Fairness includes Spotify and Fortnite-maker Epic Games, both of which have been ardent critics of Apple’s marketplace in recent months. The group stated it aims to promote fairness, innovation and consumer choice in app stores. Other participants include Match Group, parent of dating app Tinder; email app developer Basecamp; European Publishers Council members; News Media Europe; and Protonmail. The coalition pledged to advocate for reforms to help "app and game developers that rely on app stores and the most popular gatekeeper platforms”. While the group called for the operators of all app stores to act fairly, it singled Apple out, explaining app developers had spent "years" raising "concerns about the onerous and arbitrary" terms of the "App Store in particular, as well as last-minute iOS updates which equally disadvantage developers". Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney explained the company joined the coalition "to defend the fundamental rights of creators to build apps and to do business directly with their customers”. The game developer stepped up against Apple [1], after Fortnite was removed from the App Store due to a spat over a direct payment option. In June, the European Commission initiated a probe of Apple's policies [2], which it said was partly prompted by a complaint filed by Spotify in 2019. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/apps/news-apps/epic-games-fights-fortnite-ios-ban [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/ec-moves-on-apple-with-competition-probes

LG bolsters value-tier smartphone line-up

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 14:50:45 GMT

LG Electronics added three handsets to its value-tier K Series, promoting the devices on screen size, quad-camera set-ups and features similar to those on premium handsets. Days after rival HMD Global [1] launched its latest Nokia-branded devices, which targets the same crowded segment of the market, LG unveiled the K42, K52 and K62 citing “exceptional value for performance” as a key selling point. The K62 and K52 offer almost identical specifications: a 2.3GHz octa-core processor, 6.6-inch display, four rear cameras with the main one being 48MP, and 4000mAh battery. Differences come in the quality of the front camera, size of the ROM and colour options. LG’s K42 (pictured) has identical dimensions and screen size, but features downgrades in the chipset, cameras and memory. It also has a different finish on the rear, which the vendor describes as a “unique wave pattern that appears to change colours”. All three will be available in Europe next month, followed by LG's key markets in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Although the company did not disclose pricing its previous K Series handsets have been priced in the £100 to £250 range. The latest devices are upgrades on the K61, K51S and K41S announced in February [2]. Earlier this month, the company unveiled its latest handset aimed at the premium end of the smartphone market, its dual-screen LG Wing [3]. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/devices/news-devices/hmd-global-upgrades-value-focused-nokia-range [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/devices-home-banner/lg-updates-value-smartphone-line [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/devices-home-banner/lg-takes-alternative-angle-on-second-screen

EC gives itself more time on Google Fitbit deal

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:53:44 GMT

The European Commission (EC) extended the deadline for completing an investigation into Google’s $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit [1] to 23 December, more than 13 months after the deal was first announced. Following a preliminary assessment, the EC last month launched an in-depth probe citing concerns about the deal extending Google’s already strong position in the online advertising market and allowing it to access a larger pool of personal data. At the time EC Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the investigation aimed to “ensure that control by Google over data collected through wearable devices as a result of the transaction does not distort competition”. Its original deadline for the wider probe was 9 December. Google maintains the deal is about devices not data. In August its SVP for devices and services Rick Osterloh made a public commitment the company would not use health and wellness data from Fitbit for advertisements. It has also offered a legally binding pledge to the EC along the same lines. On announcing the big-money acquisition in November 2019, Google expected the deal to close during 2020. However, since then a number of authorities around the world have raised concerns and opened investigations into competition and data privacy implications [2]. Various consumer watchdogs have also voiced apprehension [3]. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/google-boosts-wearables-play-with-2-1b-fitbit-buy [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/devices/news-devices/doj-to-rule-on-google-move-for-fitbit [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/devices/news-devices/consumer-watchdogs-warn-on-google-fitbit-deal

EC to rule on Iliad, Play deal next month

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:38:13 GMT

The European Commission (EC) set a deadline of 26 October to make a decision on a proposed acquisition of Play, Poland’s largest operator, by Iliad which was announced earlier this week. In a filing on its website, the regulator said it would rule on the future of the deal by late next month, either clearing the tie-up with or without concessions, or opening a four-month investigation if it has serious concerns. Iliad announced a €3.5 billion deal, [1] including debt, to take control of Play through a two-part bid, striking an agreement to acquire 40 per cent of the company from its two largest shareholders and buying the remaining shares through a tender offer. The EC could, however, have some concerns, given Play is currently Poland’s largest operator with a 29 per cent market share. Iliad, owned by French billionaire Xavier Niel, also has a reputation of shaking-up mobile markets [2], instigating price wars in France and Italy through low-cost offers. It is also likely Iliad will look to expand Play’s operations beyond mobile, potentially with the launch of convergence offers in the country. The EC has notably also taken a hard line on telecoms mergers in recent years, blocking a number of deals on competition grounds. These include an agreement between Telia and Telenor in Denmark in 2015, and CK Hutchison’s proposed takeover of O2 UK in 2016. However, with the latter decision overturned [3] by Europe's second-highest court earlier this year, market watchers have suggested a new round of consolidation in the sector could be on the cards. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/iliad-targets-poland-in-latest-european-push [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/blog/blog-is-iliad-set-to-become-next-european-powerhouse [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/ec-challenges-hutchison-o2-uk-merger-in-top-eu-court

Virgin aims to crown UK connectivity with O2 merger

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:19:51 GMT

CONNECTED BRITAIN 2020: Virgin Media CEO Lutz Schuler (pictured) explained the company aimed to leverage a pending merger with O2 UK [1] to become a connectivity leader and boost competition in the country. Schuler argued the deal was a good fit for both brands, which are well received in their respective spheres spanning fixed and mobile services. He noted bringing the brands together would enable "cross-selling between the two customer bases” so users will get “Virgin products in a certain way and the other way around. And that will create a lot of opportunity”. Bringing fixed and mobile networks together will also unlock opportunities around B2B, Schuler said, explaining the merged business would be able "to really shift gears and become a challenger" in this sector. The deal between Liberty Global and Telefonica already includes a pledge to invest £10 billion in the UK market. But Schuler noted increased competition is another key aspect, stating this will be "good for the country", customers and shareholders. He said Virgin Media aimed to become “the national champion in quadplay”, offering mobile, video, and fixed voice and broadband services. The company expects this combination to boost ARPU and reduce churn. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/telefonica-liberty-global-agree-massive-uk-merger

Intelligence Brief: Is Czech Republic ready for 5G?

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 08:40:15 GMT

As a part of our blog series this year, we have looked at Sri Lanka [1], Taiwan [2] and South Africa [3] to study how suited they are for launching 5G. Our next market in focus, the Czech Republic, exudes such readiness given its sound 4G adoption (see chart, below, click to enlarge). What makes the country particularly interesting, though is an existing need of 5G in in support of Industry 4.0 aspirations. With three established players (T-Mobile, O2 and Vodafone), in Q2 the Czech Republic had around 14.8 million mobile connections, mobile penetration of 138 per cent, mobile broadband penetration of 80 per cent and 4G network coverage of 99.6 per cent. [4] Needless to say, the country exhibits impressive statistics, serving as a solid foundation for 5G. To that end, a steady shift towards 5G is predicted, with connections penetration forecast to reach 22 per cent by the end of 2025, which is quite impressive relative to other European Union (EU) countries. Beyond any 5G foundations, the latest developments from the country’s operators and regulator show how momentum is accelerating to help bring 5G into the mainstream. Operators’ strategies O2 Czech Republic became the first operator in the market to launch commercial 5G services in July, during the pandemic, by refarming existing LTE frequencies in the 800MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz spectrum bands. Vodafone, in turn, announced it would disconnect its 3G network by Q1 2021: it expects to use the frequencies more efficiently allowing additional available bandwidth for 5G as it stands ready to launch a network in October. Industry 4.0 focus Along with these on-going developments, the Czech Republic is joining only a select few EU countries in reserving spectrum for enterprise use. The regulator is promoting Industry 4.0 by reserving a spectrum block in the 3400MHz to 3600MHz band specifically for its deployment by enterprises. The holders of these blocks will be obliged to allow the industry an independent use of the radio frequencies. Now, the key questions are why does Industry 4.0 matter so much for the Czech Republic and what role will 5G play? The answers lie in the importance of the manufacturing sector, which contributed 32 per cent to the nation’s GDP in 2019. The booming industrial sector now leads all other sectors in terms of employment and gross value added. However, two key challenges threaten this success: an increasingly acute labour shortage; and low productivity, which is pushing the nation into a middle-income trap. Technology and automation can possibly address the above challenges, delivering digitised production lines and robotic systems in support of smart factories. The development of such applications and platforms, of course, will largely depend on the existence of fast, reliable and high capacity networks. Offering low latency, high speed and throughput 5G, then, promises to be the technology which will enable Industry 4.0. But what do operators need to be conscious of in the push for Industry 4.0? Simply launching 5G won’t be enough to make Industry 4.0 a reality. Operators need to be proactive on the following areas to get a leading advantage. • Partnership and collaborations: It is critical to develop strong collaborations with vendors, other ecosystem players like software and platform companies, and also with manufacturers to establish more 5G use-cases for industry and for the application of smart factories • Early trials and developments in manufacturing: As important as the right partnerships are, equally important is leveraging those partnerships to run trials of applications and solutions in Industry 4.0, such as automation, data analytics, AI, Robotics, Drones and so on. This provides an opportunity for the Czech Republic to lead other countries in Industry 4.0 developments and specific use cases within its domain. Likewise, early efforts will help to work through inevitable technology teething pains • Don’t let auction delays stop you: If auctions experience a snag, service providers have good prospects to replicate what operators in other countries did by not waiting and launching 5G without dedicated spectrum, using existing frequencies to get moving on the path. This will offer operators a window to continue planning networks planning and use cases well in advance of long term spectrum rights. The Czech Republic’s telecom landscape is robust and appears ripe for 5G launches. Moreover, the existing requirements of Industry 4.0 and the ability of 5G networks to deliver on those promises clear synergies. The manufacturing sector gains by automation and reduced labour dependency. Operators, meanwhile, benefit from a new customer segment (manufacturing) and can better support consumer demands at the same time. The nation presents an opportunity to offer some of the interesting developments in Industry 4.0. What is required, at this juncture, is for operators to act quickly and work towards partnerships, and expedite 5G launches as the technology can serve as a much-needed boost to the sector coupled with lift to the economy. - Bhawna Jain - senior research analyst and Akanksha Hira - research analyst, GSMA Intelligence The editorial views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and will not necessarily reflect the views of the GSMA, its Members or Associate Members. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/blog/intelligence-brief-should-sri-lanka-push-4g-or-5g [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/blog/intelligence-brief-how-promising-is-5g-in-taiwan [3] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/blog/intelligence-brief-does-5g-promise-brighter-future-for-south-africa [4] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CzechRepublic_tech_connections_proportion_GSMAi.png

Airtel backs local AI cloud telephony start-up

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 08:29:07 GMT

Bharti Airtel boosted its enterprise cloud offering with the acquisition of a 10 per cent stake in start-up Waybeo, a developer of call tracking and automation tools. Through the Airtel Start-up Accelerator Programme, the operator explained the deal offers it access to AI-based analytics for cloud telephony, while expanding the distribution reach for Waybeo. Financial details were not disclosed. Adarsh Nair, Airtel’s chief product officer, said cloud technologies are transforming the way businesses serve customers, citing IDC data predicting the public cloud services market in India will be worth $7.1 billion by 2024. “We are thrilled to onboard Waybeo to our Start-up Accelerator Programme”. Waybeo CEO Krishnan RV said the company is "focused on enterprise adoption for our call intelligence tools". "Most of the enterprises drive hundreds of thousands of phone calls a month. There is no analytics, no automation, and no means to optimise the customer experience." "We look at strategic investment from Airtel as an opportunity to scale our technology and enterprise reach.” Waybeo is the fifth start-up to join Airtel’s accelerator programme.

KDDI, Samsung hail RIC potential in 5G

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 08:15:22 GMT

KDDI and Samsung claimed an industry first after demonstrating end-to-end network slicing in a standalone (SA) 5G network using a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC). The companies stated the trial in Tokyo generated multiple network slices with quality assurance using a RIC, which performs advanced control of the radio network as defined by the O-RAN Alliance. They aim to homogenise end-to-end network slicing with an international standard organisation. KDDI said there was previously no established technical approach to providing multiple network slices which guarantee service quality end-to-end, noting the demonstration used a new technique to do so by generating slices covering 5G cores and the RIC-equipped radio network. Toshikazu Yokai, GM of KDDI’s Mobile Network Technical Development Division, said the demonstration "provides a foundation" for "new 5G commercial services" using its network, which went live in late March [1]. Taiyeon Kim, SVP and head of the global technology service team at Samsung's Networks Business, said the collaboration "is a significant step towards" creating "new business models using 5G technology". [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/kddi-makes-for-japan-5g-hat-trick

Experts warn complexity hindering enterprise 5G

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 07:32:06 GMT

BIG 5G EVENT: Executives from Cisco, T-Mobile US and Ericsson stressed simplicity as key for widespread enterprise 5G adoption, arguing too many options and requirements could be overwhelming. During a panel session, Cisco VP of product management for mobility and automation Masum Mir said there is demand from large enterprises for sophisticated 5G-powered applications including AR/VR, but flagged a “much bigger” opportunity to offer services to unserved businesses which “have not been able to cross the chasm into the digital economy”. To clear the way for mass adoption, “we have to make it simpler to consume, simpler to operate, and it has to be cost effective and secure”. GSMA Intelligence previously identified the enterprise segment [1] as a key 5G opportunity. But T-Mobile VP of strategy, product and solutions engineering Mishka Dehghan noted businesses are “really struggling” with “the multitude of optionalities that we as technology providers are putting in front of them”. Peter Linder, head of 5G marketing in North America at Ericsson, suggested industry players begin by focusing on two or three use cases and scale options from there based on individual enterprise's needs. “Then we can learn between businesses and we can learn between industries, and that I think is critical to get this off the ground.” [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/enterprise-sector-tipped-to-take-the-lead-on-5g

T-Mobile hits back at AT&T, Verizon spectrum claims

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:00:39 GMT

T-Mobile US accused AT&T and Verizon of attempting to handicap its ability to bid in a key mid-band spectrum auction in December, after they claimed the operator already holds more than regulators allow. In a blog, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert (pictured) argued AT&T and Verizon want to hamper its participation in a planned sale of C-Band spectrum [1] (3.7GHz to 4.2GHz) so "they can run the table unchecked”. Without a “fair, competitive” bidding process, he warned the US will reap lower auction proceeds and lose “the benefit of ensuring that spectrum is put to use, to drive competition, by those most motivated to do so”. His comments come after AT&T and Verizon noted in filings to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that T-Mobile’s low- and mid-band holdings already exceed the agency’s spectrum screen, which sets ownership limits to prevent anti-competitive market effects. AT&T pressed the FCC to clarify the policy, including how it will be applied to the auction and whether companies “will be permitted to continue to amass holdings" exceeding the limits. Operators identified mid-band spectrum as key for 5G because it offers broad geographic coverage and capacity for high data rates. A recent auction of spectrum in the shared 3.5GHz band [2] raised $4.6 billion, but C-Band is viewed as even more valuable because it offers access to larger swathes of licensed spectrum; fewer restrictions on transmission power levels; and aligns with global 5G frequency allocations. In a LinkedIn post last month, mobile network provider BitPath's COO Sasha Javid explained the C-Band sale could raise between $19 billion and $38 billion, based on the previous sale's prices. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/fcc-moves-toward-c-band-auction [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/verizon-dish-take-bulk-of-us-3-5ghz-licences

3 UK chief calls for consolidation

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:45:58 GMT

CONNECTED BRITAIN 2020: Robert Finnegan, CEO of 3 UK and Ireland (pictured), asserted consolidation in the UK would boost network quality and competition in a market he claimed was overcrowded. He said the UK market was "dysfunctional" because large players were “maybe hamstrung by their parent company in terms of their ability to invest”, and noted the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak had brought network quality to the fore. Consolidation, he argued, would aid the industry along with government goals for broadband availability. “And it would serve the customer well, because it would create a more pro-competitive environment”. He cited consolidation moves in Austria, Italy and Republic of Ireland as examples of creating markets which were “functioning extremely well, are really very competitive and have heavily invested over the last number of years so the quality of infrastructure is really strong”. Going forward, he emphasised on a need for a pro-investment environment. “We need the government to ensure that legislation is put in place or regulation is in place to allow investment to flow into the industry”, and pointed to change in the way of allocating spectrum as an option. In 2016, the European Commission blocked a proposal [1] by 3 UK’s parent CK Hutchison to acquire O2 UK, a move recently annulled [2] by the General Court of the European Union. [1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/european-commission-blocks-hutcho2-tie-up [2] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/top-three/eu-court-finds-no-harm-in-hutchison-o2-uk-tie-up