European telecommunications giant Vodafone, chipmaker Qualcomm, and smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi have announced a successful test of new 5G technology that achieved download speeds of nearly 1.8 gigabits-per-second (Gbps). 

Conducted in Germany and Spain, the tests utilized a more efficient data transmission method called 1024 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), an upgrade from the current 256 QAM system. 1024 QAM reportedly allows for more data to be packed into each transmission, translating to faster download speeds for users.

The test device used was Xiaomi’s latest flagship, the 14 Ultra, equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System. The results varied slightly across locations: in Germany, the test showcased a roughly 20% throughput improvement on a commercial network over a distance of 600 meters. However, it was Vodafone’s 5G test center in Ciudad Real, Spain, that witnessed the impressive peak download speed of 1.8 Gbps.

The impact of 1024 QAM may extend beyond raw speed. Vodafone says the increase in speed and data throughput will increase network capacity, allowing it to support more users in congested areas like shopping centers. Theoretically, 1.8 Gbps could provide a capacity gain of up to 25% in ideal conditions, claims Vodafone. 

“The successful trials conducted in Germany and Spain with Vodafone and Xiaomi are proof that we are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with 5G technology,” said Qualcomm’s Dino Flore in a statement. 

Vodafone expects that this new technology will be widely available by 2025. However, it’s important to note that not all current 5G devices may be compatible with it. 

(Via)

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In what could be seen as a major boost, Chinese chipmaker UNISOC has announced that its T820 5G chip has officially passed the Vodafone Operator Certification. According to a statement released by UNISOC, the chip has been certified to run smoothly and stably on Vodafone’s 5G, 4G, and 3G networks. The T820 passed the operator’s network compatibility, network security, function, and other acceptance tests.

Vodafone currently runs 5G services in 294 cities in 11 countries. The UNISOC T820 chip has also passed the conformance test due to the global terminal certification association, GCF/ PTCRB. This verifies that the T820 chip has global interoperability and versatility. The Vodafone network certification is the latest in a slew of operators in South Asia, Latin America, and other regions for 5G chips. This approach, according to Unisoc, is to help brand manufacturers shorten the time to market their products in oversea markets.

The T820 chip adopts an octa-core design from a 6nm EUV process. It has built-in financial-level security solutions and supports 5G dual card dual standby. It also supports a 108 million pixel high-definition camera, FHD+ resolution, HDR10+ standard, and 4K 60-frame high-definition video recording. The chip supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 8 TOPS AI computing power. The octa-core CPU of the UNISOC T820 consists of one ARM Cortex-A76 large core and three ARM Cortex-A76 at 2.76GHz and 2.3GHz respectively, in addition to four Cortexx-A55 at 2.1GHz.

With the raft of certifications already achieved by the chipset, we are close to seeing the hardware in an actual product. There are no indications yet, however, which product will debut the T820 and when it will enter the market.

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Indian Finance minister stated earlier today (1st February 2022) that the nation will begin 5G airwaves auction later this year. With this schedule, the next generation of telecommunications will begin rolling out in India by the end of March 2023.

According to a Reuters report, the news arrives as New Delhi is aiming on offering incentives to accelerate the 5G networking in the country. In a statement, Peeyush Vaish, partner and telecom sector leader at Deloitte India stated that “The (5G) roll-out across the country will also happen much faster than other previous generation roll-outs considering the fact that the finance minister in her speech has also talked about fiberisation of all villages by 2025.”

Back in November 2021, we had reported on the government delaying the 5G auctions with telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea received a six months trial expansion. In other words, this news is also in line with our previous report. Notably, the three major carriers in India are also rushing to roll out their respective 5G networks, with Jio claiming that it will be the first operator to launch 5G services in India.

As of right now, the country has more than a billion wireless subscribers and its market potential has led to tech giants like Facebook and Google to invest billions into the region as well. Interestingly, Google and Facebook have poured together 10 billion US Dollars into Reliance Jio, which is the the largest mobile operator, back in 2020. Although, the Search Engine giant has also invested 1 billion US Dollars into its rival Bharti Airtel just last month.

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• Jio 5G leaked speed test reveals ultrafast 420 Mbps download speeds

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Qualcomm Technologies, Vodafone, and Thales together demonstrated the world’s first smartphone with working iSIM (integrated SIM) technology that allows the SIM card to be embedded into the device’s processor, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated slot.

The breakthrough paves the way for the commercialization of the technology, which if picks pace will not only kill the need for dedicated SIM card slots but also eSIMs — something that has seen a rather slow adoption by both carriers and smartphone OEMs alike.

The greatest advantages of the SIM and processor integration include better system integration, higher performance, and increased memory capacity. It also does away with the need for a separate chip that’s required by eSIMs.

The iSIM conforms with GSMA specifications and delivers benefits for both consumers and telecom operators, further paving the way for mobile services to be integrated into devices other than mobile phones. This means that it would be far easier for laptops, tablets, VR platforms, IoT devices, wearables, and others to make use of LTE or 5G services.

The demonstration of the technology took place in Europe in Samsung’s R&D labs where it made use of Vodafone’s network, illustrating its readiness and efficiency in working with existing infrastructure.

A Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G powered by the Snapdragon 888 5G was used and it ran the Thales iSIM operating system for the purpose.

Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president and president of Qualcomm Europe said: “iSIM solutions offer great opportunities to MNOs, free-up valuable space in devices for OEMs, and provide flexibility for device users to benefit from the full potential of 5G networks and experiences across a wide range of device categories. Some of the areas that will benefit most from iSIM technology include smartphones, mobile PCs, VR/XR headsets, and industrial IoT. By engineering the iSIM technology into the SoC, we are able to create additional support for OEMs in our Snapdragon platform.”

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Europe’s first smart railway port to be managed by a 5G private network is set to be built soon thanks to a cooperation agreement signed by Huawei and Vodafone.

After completion, it will become Europe’s largest intelligent multimodal transport railway hub and the first to use a 5G private network for internal communications and the operation of technological devices (via: Pandaily). East-West Gate is located in Fényeslitke, Hungary, covering an area of 85 hectares.

The port project’s 5G network will be provided by Vodafone Hungary and Huawei Technologies Hungary. It will be used to control the terminal’s fully self-propelled giant cranes remotely. These cranes are capable of even, fine movements. The terminal will be able to handle up to 1 million 20-foot containers (TEUs) per year after its completion in the first quarter of next year.

Colin Cai Lingyu, CEO of Huawei Technologies Hungary, said at the signing ceremony that this is the first time that the company has used 5G technology to empower the traditional railway logistics industry in Europe and realize remote control of cranes through 5G technology. With the technical advantages of 5G technology, such as high speed, low delays and high capacity, workers only need to sit in the central control room and use the high-definition video returned by 5G to complete the operation remotely, which improves the working environment and operation efficiency.

At the signing event, Colin Cai Lingyu, CEO of Huawei Technologies Hungary, stated that this is the first time the business has employed 5G technology to empower Europe’s traditional railway logistics industry and achieve remote control of cranes. Using this, workers simply need to sit in the central control room and execute the operation remotely using the HD video returned via 5G, which improves the working environment and operation efficiency.

Hungary’s Deputy State Secretary for Digitization, Károly Balázs Solymár, stated that the government is devoting special attention to industrial solutions based on 5G technology, with the logistics industry as a target. Hungary will use cutting-edge digital technology to carry out additional innovations in the future, boosting its competitiveness even further.

According to China Securities Journal, Huawei predicted in its “Intelligent World 2030” report that 1 million businesses will build their own 5G private networks (including virtual private networks) by 2030, and that the penetration rate of 5G industry private networks in large and medium-sized businesses will reach 35%.

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The Italy-based unit of Vodafone has received conditional approval from Rome to use the equipment made by the world’s leading telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei in its 5G radio access network, reports Reuters.

As per the sources aware of the development, the government of national unity led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi has authorized the deal between the two companies — Vodafone and Huawei, on 20th May.

The government has reportedly imposed a set of prescriptions, including restrictions on remote intervention by Huawei to fix technical glitches and an extremely high-security threshold, adds the report based on sources.

Italy can block or impose tough conditions on deals involving non-European vendors under “golden powers.” So far, the golden powers have been used three times since 2012 to block foreign interest in industries deemed to be of strategic importance.

The development comes at a time when the United States has banned Huawei in its country and is also lobbying its allies, including Italy and other European countries to block Huawei from participating in the deployment of next-generation 5G infrastructure. The US government is citing national security risk as a reason behind sanctions against China-based companies like Huawei and ZTE, among others.

However, Italy has not banned Huawei entirely from the 5G infrastructure but has adopted a tougher stance against the company. Previously, Rome had prevented telecoms group Fastweb in October from signing a deal with Huawei to supply equipment for its 5G core network, where highly sensitive data is processed.

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OPPO is apparently pushing more aggressively towards the European market, especially after a partnership with telecom giant Vodafone. This move is an expansion of the Chinese company’s presence in the region and may even hamper Huawei‘s performance as well.

After losing Google support and services, Huawei has had to launch its Android smartphones with its own services and app ecosystem, like AppGallery. However, many popular major apps like YouTube, Facebook, and more are missing, which is likely to be a major hindrance to its overseas users, especially in Europe. While this puts pressure on the Chinese tech giant, it also opens up opportunities for other players like OPPO to step up.

Editor’s Pick: Honor X10 features Huawei’s Super Uplink (SUL) 5G technology for increased speed and reduced latency

In a recent announcement, OPPO had revealed that it is partnering up with Vodafone to brings its smartphones to the European market. The deal begins later this month and will have OPPO aggressively launching and promoting its 5G enables handsets. These devices will likely arrive with the value for money philosophy the company practices and offer affordable 5G smartphones in the growing European 5G market.

The UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Turkey are the first nations where OPPO is aiming at right now. Notably, Vodafone had pulled Huawei handsets from its UK 5G network last year after the company had been banned by the US. But now, the telecom operator has found another Chinese vendor to replace the growing demand for 5G smartphones. The partnership will have the companies jointly look into online sales aggressively, considering that physical stores are still closed under the coronavirus lockdown.

UP NEXT: ZTE Axon 11 SE will be the first 5G phone to support all four carriers in China, launches on June 1

(Via)

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Indian telcos request OTT services like Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, YouTube, and others to reduce the burden on their infrastructure networks. They are appealing this so that they can offer stable services to healthcare, banking, education, businesses, and others amid lockdown across India due to coronavirus outbreak.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) which comprises of the country’s telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea has requested the popular video streaming services in the country to temporarily offer SD playback over HD and above quality for a certain period of time till the lockdown persists. The association has also asked them to avoid feeding high-bandwidth consuming advertisements and pop-ups to users.

Rajan Mathews, the director-general of the Association told Economic Times that they have appealed Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as well as Home Ministry to urge ‘video streaming service providers/broadcasters’ to manage their traffic distribution pattern in a way that they don’t stress the networks of telcos. By this, the network infrastructure can be used for other critical needs such as healthcare, online/digital education, digital banking transactions, and other important purposes.

Almost all the streaming services have already started taking steps to avoid using more bandwidth without compromising on the quality of the stream by using their proprietary software and algorithm. However, we are not sure whether or not they will limit playback to SD quality like the popular international services such as Netflix and Prime Video have done in other markets.

UP NEXT: Huawei collaborates with Airtel and Vodafone to start 5G trials in India

(Source)

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5G is the new wireless technology for cellular networks. It brings faster internet speeds and lower latencies compared to its predecessor, 4G. Network operators have begun rolling out 5G networks in major markets, and phone manufacturers have been announcing 5G devices even before the network began rolling out. 

According to Ookla’s 5G Map, commercial 5G has been deployed in 6490 locations across the globe, with the bulk of it in North America, and by a total of 106 operators.

Apart from having a 5G device and a 5G network to connect to, another important requirement is a 5G plan. Mobile network operators in markets that have already rolled out 5G service have followed it with the launch of various 5G plans that their subscribers can choose from. The price of these mobile plans varies from network operators to countries much like our existing 4G mobile plans.

This article will be comparing China’s 5G mobile plans to that of major markets (read the US and Europe).

China – Affordable has a limit

China is at the forefront of 5G not only with respect to the network coverage but also with devices. Manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, Honor, and Realme have all announced 5G smartphones and they are selling pretty quickly. Huawei revealed it sold 6.9 million 5G devices and the amazing thing about that figure is none of these phones are priced below $300, which is where a significant percentage of 5G mobile phones sold lies.

To sell more 5G phones, Xiaomi announced affordable 5G plans exclusive to owners of the Redmi K30 5G phone, the cheapest 5G phone you can buy right now. The pricing for these mobile plans even beat some 4G plans. You may be wondering how Xiaomi is able to offer its own mobile plans – the reason is that Xiaomi also has a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) or virtual carrier/subcarrier that is based on China Unicom, one of the three main network operators in China.

Virtual carriers are popular in several countries, especially in the US. They use the infrastructure (base stations, switching centers, etc.) of an already established network operator and provide services to subscribers on their network. Google Fi is an example of an MVNO.

Listed below are Xiaomi’s 5G mobile plans:

• ¥49 (~$7.10) which gives you 20GB of data and 50 minutes of talk time
• ¥69 (~$10) which gives you 30GB of data and 100 minutes of talk time
• ¥99 (~$14.35) which gives you 40GB of data and 200 minutes of talk time

Just to compare, I pay ₦8,000 (~$26) for 20GB of LTE data (5GB bonus when you renew before it expires) here in Nigeria with no talk time included.

At the moment, no other smartphone manufacturer offers 5G mobile plans. Xiaomi’s data plans should help it drive more sales and give it an edge over its competitors. And since the Redmi K30 5G has dual-SIM support, you can have a different network in the second SIM slot which you use for calls and SMS. We do not know if Xiaomi will make the service available to its other 5G devices (Mi 9 Pro 5G, Mi MIX 3 5G).

Now, let us compare Xiaomi’s own mobile plans to that of the other three operators.

It is easy to see that Xiaomi’s mobile data plans are much cheaper but since it is only exclusive to the Redmi K30 5G, owners of other 5G phones will have to settle for any of the above.

While all three operators offer similar basic plans, China Unicom and China Telecom take the win by offering more than double the talk time China Mobile offers. The ¥198/¥199 plan of the three networks follow the same pattern with China Telecom and China Unicom, again offering more talk time compared to China Mobile.

However, all three operators provide the same amount of data and talk time for their most expensive plans.

China’s data plans are cheap when compared to that of other countries mentioned below and in comparison to 4G data plans with respect to the price per GB. The low price is expected to encourage subscribers that spend a similar amount on 4G data plans to make the switch to 5G which offers faster speeds.

However, as we shall see, some of the operators in these countries throw in some really nice perks such as free access to video and music streaming platforms as well as game streaming services too.

United States – more expensive but with perks

In the US, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint have begun rolling out 5G across the country, though the service is only available in some areas and not statewide. The plans vary with each network operator and pack multiple additional features which makes it impossible to have a table comparing the networks side-by-side. 

Verizon

Starting with Verizon, the carrier is sticking to nearly the same price as its LTE plans. If you have a 5G device and are subscribed to any of its LTE plans, all you have to do is pay an extra $10/month to access 5G. However, that access fee is currently waived for all plans except the Start Unlimited plan. Verizon says it is for a limited time and has not yet announced when it will begin charging for it. There is also no mention of throttling when you reach a certain data mark but expect that to happen.

Below are the 5G data plans for the network operator.

Verizon also has a 5G Mobile Hotspot called the Inseego MiFi M1000 that sells for $649 ($27.8/Month) or $499 (2-year contract). If you add the MiFi to your Verizon account, you will be charged $30 per month for 50GB of 5G data and 15GB of LTE data.

T-Mobile

If you are on T-Mobile, you do not pay extra for 5G. The magenta network says users will pay the same amount they currently pay for its 4G unlimited plans which starts at $70 per month per line.

AT&T

AT&T doesn’t have special 5G data plans. The network operator is including 5G coverage with its Unlimited Elite and Unlimited Extra plans which cost $85 and $75 respectively. Below are the differences between the plans:

Sprint

Sprint users can access 5G by subscribing to the Unlimited Premium Plan which costs $80 per month and offers unlimited data, unlimited calls, and unlimited SMS. The plan also includes 100GB of data to use as an LTE mobile hotspot and includes access to Amazon Prime, Twitch Prime, and Tidal HiFi.

Sprint also has a number of 5G phones you can purchase along with data plans. There is the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, LG V50 ThinQ, and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. 

UK – Brexit while roaming

In the UK, EE, Vodafone, and Three have rolled out 5G service. EE was the first to launch its 5G network in the UK, ahead of Vodafone and Three. Things are not so straightforward in the UK but one unifying feature is support for roaming in multiple countries.

EE

The operator has only one 5G SIM-only data plan but several other plans that are tied to the purchase of a 5G device from them. Their range of 5G devices includes the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, Samsung Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Note10+ 5G, OPPO Reno 5G, and the LG V50 ThinQ, etc.

The amount you pay for a particular plan varies from device to device with the Galaxy Fold having the most expensive plan since it is the most expensive device available.

Pricing starts at £49/month for 10GB of 5G data and up to £69/month for unlimited data for a phone like the Reno 5G. While a phone like the Galaxy Fold starts at £99/month for 10GB of data and goes up to £109/month for unlimited data.

Vodafone UK

Vodafone on the other hand also offers three unlimited 5G plans – Unlimited Lite, Unlimited, and Unlimited Max. The image below shows the three plans and what they offer:

Although not stated above, the data speeds are capped at 2Mbps for Unlimited Lite, 10Mbps for Unlimited, while Unlimited Max will be able to access speeds as fast as the device and network supports. Those data speed caps are pretty ridiculous for 5G and you are better off sticking to a 4G plan.

Vodafone's Red Plans

There are also three mobile plans that do not offer unlimited data but you get unlimited calls and texts. There is no mention of a speed cap for these plans, so you should get the maximum speed of your device and the network supports.

Three UK

Three rolled out its 5G service in the UK last but claims its own 5G is “true 5G”. There are several plans available depending on if you want a monthly contract, a 12-month contract, or a 24-months contract. For this post, we will stick to the monthly contract.

There are four plans available for the monthly contract and only one of them offers unlimited data:

You get unlimited data if you pay £1 extra! Deciding which plan to choose between the Unlimited and the 30GB data plan is definitely a no-brainer.

SWITZERLAND – Swiss Watches, Swiss Chocolates, and Swiss 5G

Switzerland is one of the leading markets with respect to 5G in Europe. Swisscom, one of the country’s leading network operators already has 5G coverage in 90% of the country. That should not be a big surprise since Switzerland is a very small country with respect to the land area. It also has a small population that is under 10 million. The other major network operators in Switzerland are Sunrise and Salt but the latter is yet to roll out its 5G service.

Swisscom

Swisscom says it does not have a special 5G mobile plan but all subscribers have to do to enjoy 5G internet speeds at up to 2Gbps is to pay for Premium Speed option on top of their current plan. This speed option costs CHF 10 (~$10/~ ¥71) and is available for their “inOne mobile go”, “inOne mobile basic”, and “Swiss mobile flat” tariffs. There is a top tier plan, the “inOne Mobile premium” that costs CFA 200 (~$206) and already has the Premium Speed option included.

Swisscom has a variety of mobile plans including special ones for everyone under the age of 26. Some of these plans have a certain amount of allocated data while others have unlimited surfing.

Sunrise

Sunrise has also rolled out 5G to several cities and towns across Switzerland. The operator has a variety of mobile plans which include 5G access. Sunrise has a mix of plans with 5G included and others where you have to pay CHF 10 per month to get 5G access. Below are the plans with 5G access included.

There is a 7 days mobile prepaid plan that costs CHF 19.90 (~$20.5) and you get unlimited calls, unlimited SMS/MMS, and unlimited 5G data.

New subscribers for the Freedom Europe & US and Freedom Young Europe & US plans will get a brand new HP Probook 440 G6 computer that is worth CHF 929 (~$957).

Other than these plans, Sunrise has a special cloud gaming service for 5G devices called Sunrise Game Cloud Option. For CHF 9.90 (~$10) per month, you get access to a library of over 50 games that includes high-end games such as Tomb Raider, DiRT Rally, and Deus Ex Human Revolution. You will be able to play these games in resolutions up to 4K over 5G on your 5G phone or 5G tablet, or on a PC connected to a good WLAN connection that meets the minimum system requirements. If you buy their HTC 5G Hub, you can even play on your TV by connecting the hub to the TV via HDMI.

At the moment, Sunrise is offering free 3 months of service to anyone who subscribes.

Spain – One step at a time

In Spain, Vodafone is still the only operator that has rolled out 5G service in at least 15 major cities in collaboration with Huawei. The network operator has two 5G plans for individuals.

Conclusion

Looking at the data plans of these key markets, prices are expected to drop in the future, especially for those that are charging extra for 5G access. We foresee the extra charge will be removed but the base prices will remain the same. However, subscribers may even get more features bundled with these plans such as free access to game streaming services.

We also expect 5G hardware such as phones, modems, and CPE to get cheaper in the coming months and years. Not only will they get cheaper but network operators will bundle them with free data plans and other perks just to gain more subscribers. However, what will remain unchanged is the difference in pricing with respect to regions. Network operators can only lower prices to beat their competitors in the same market as there is no sense in lowering prices to rival other countries, though the regulatory bodies in each country can step in to see that prices are fair for the subscribers.

China will continue to be at the forefront with respect to hardware (cheaper and more options for 5G mobile phones), 5G coverage, and certain 5G services (smart cities, gaming) as long as it remains the manufacturing hub for mobile electronics and Huawei and ZTE remain in the network business.

When it comes to other applications of 5G such as with self-driving cars, China may also take the lead this decade with key players such as Baidu, Tencent, and even Huawei pumping resources into autonomous driving. That is not to say other countries like the USA will be left behind but the Chinese government has shown more resolve with 5G development compared to other countries.

We have also seen China’s application of 5G in healthcare with the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus. ZTE announced a few days ago that it has launched a 5G remote diagnosis and treatment system between West China Hospital and Sichuan University’s Chengdu Public Health Clinic Center. This center allows for experts from West China Hospital to provide video consultations to the public health clinic center and will expand to more hospitals soon. In the future, we will see more collaborations between hospitals for other medical services including surgeries.

5G is still at the early stage but the future looks promising with all the new ways it is expected to change our lives.

UP NEXT: EU allows Huawei to build its 5G network in a limited capacity

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BT and Vodafone are reportedly set to support Huawei’s involvement in the development of the UK’s 5G network. The companies are preparing a letter to be sent to the Prime Minister to lobby him to support the move, saying a ban on Huawei could stunt the growth of the UK’s digital economy. Britain is set to take a final decision on Huawei’s role in building new 5G networks this month.

The government is facing pressure from the US to prohibit Huawei from any involvement with the 5G communications network. British and American security staff reportedly met in London this week to discuss the issue, and the US’s view is that it would be “nothing short of madness” to allow the Chinese firm to work on the project. US security chiefs reportedly handed UK officials a dossier of evidence on Huawei’s alleged vulnerablities in an attempt to get Downing Street to block the company.

EDITOR’S PICK: Huawei launches HMS Core 4.0 globally with a slew of new services in tow

Telecoms industry sources said that Philip Jansen, BT chief executive, and Nick Read, who runs Vodafone, were contemplating writing to Mr Johnson during the early part of next week. One source familiar with its prospective content said it would emphasise the priority which both companies placed on the security of their networks, while arguing that they had seen no evidence that would justify an outright ban on Huawei.

Vodafone, which uses Huawei’s telecom equipment in its radio network, has previously said a blanket ban on the Chinese company would costs it millions of pounds and significantly slow down the roll-out of 5G networks. Vodafone has already paused the deployment of Huawei’s equipment in its data-heavy core networks, a year ago until Western governments give the company a full security clearance.

BT also uses Huawei’s equipment in networks, but it is not deployed in the intelligent core of its fixed-line network and it is removing Huawei from the core of its mobile network. In addition, BT has already excluded Huawei from the bidding process for its future 5G network.

UP NEXT: UK’s PM Boris Johnson throw shade at the US; asks Huawei’s critics to suggest alternatives

(Source)

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Huawei, the electronics giant, is well known for its consumer products like smartphones and other home appliances. However, the company is also a renowned telecommunications equipment provider, especially for the 5G network. Now, the Chinese company is partnering with local network providers like Airtel and even Vodafone to start 5G trials in India.

According to a new report, Huawei will team up with Bharti Airtel for the first 5G trials in Bangalore, alongside testing in Delhi with Vodafone. The telecom firms have already submitted the applications, as per an anonymous source. On 31st December 2019, the Indian Government had initiated the process of rolling out 5G network in India and had met various operators and vendors for the same. As per the road map, the early trials will take place during January and March of 2020.

Furthermore, the last date to submit an application for the trials was yesterday, 15th January 2020. These applications will be taken into consideration by the Government, which will distribute trial regions to the licensed telecom service providers. The reporting agency had also tried reaching Huawei for a statement but the company has yet to respond.

Currently, Huawei is facing scrutiny in various western regions like the US and other European countries. It has faced multiple allegations from foreign Governments regarding a possible link to China and the security of the data it handles through its telecommunications equipment and smartphones. The US is at the forefront of such accusations and believes the company has the capabilities of spying on other countries for the Chinese Government.

Editor’s Pick: TSMC 10nm chip shipments contributed to just 1% of wafer revenue, 7nm at 35% in Q4 2019

Huawei has frequently denied such claims but it still faces obstacles even in Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. On the other hand, nations like, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are accepting of Huawei. 5G is the next major step in networking advancements and is also being seen as a hallmark of a developed nation. Thus, countries like China and South Korea which are leading in this regard are seeing an increase in 5G smartphones in their home markets.

In India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has already approved the prices for the spectrum auction, which is scheduled to be held by April 2020. Out of the 8,300MHz of airwaves, 6,050MHz has been allocated to 5G network with a cost of INR 492 crore (roughly $69 million) per megahertz. The Government is also pushing for telecom firms to conduct experimental spectrum trials by providing incentives and lesses fees per trial.

As of right now, Huawei has secured more than 50 commercial contracts for 5G networking in various countries. In comparison, India is behind on the adoption curve of the newer and faster bandwidth. However, the local Government is placing an increased emphasis on network advancement alongside education, agriculture, waste management, and healthcare.

UP NEXT: Apple products may get Smarter as the company buys an Edge Computing Startup for $200 million

(Via)

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The 5G network is already live in various countries, including the US, UK, China, South Korea, Switzerland, and now it is switched on in Italy. Vodafone has lit 5G services across 28 municipalities of the Milan metropolitan area and in four more cities including Rome, Turin, Bologna, and Naples.

Must See: Two major UK carriers drop plans to sell Huawei’s 5G phone

Talking about the plans, Aldo Biso, Vodafone’s CEO, said the company aims to extend the 5G services to 45 to 50 cities by the next year, and 100 by 2021. He further revealed that it would take another 4-5 years to get the same coverage for 5G as we have for the 4G nowadays. He believes, “5G paves the way for a new era of digital development services across the country, we expect our services to grow exponentially and have a profound social and economic impact.” 

TIM and Fastweb will soon compete with Vodafone by launching their 5G services throughout the country.

Vodafone users can enjoy the 5G network with three new smartphones – Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G, LG V50 ThinQ 5G, and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. However, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is currently available on sale, whereas the other two devices will be available in the next few days. The interested users have to pay an extra €5/month to enjoy the 5G services.

Up Next: George Zhao confirms Honor 5G smartphone launch in Q4 2019

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The known European carrier Vodafone has launched a new line-up of affordable phones: Vodafone Smart N9 and N9 Lite. These devices have been launched in the U.K. (Vodafone’s homeland) and several other nations, they belong to the low-end sector and they are available to purchase through various payment solutions to fit the needs of everyone who has a low budget. As you probably understood when you read their names, the first device is the most expensive and it features a 5.5-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The panel has an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. Under the hood, Vodafone N9 Smart sports an entry-level MediaTek MT6739 CPU paired with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.

The main camera is a 13 MP sensor, and under the camera, there are a LED flash and a circular fingerprint reader. The front snapper has an 8 MP resolution and it is paired with a LED flash as well, while the battery has a sufficient 2900 mAh capacity. The handset has a cheap polycarbonate design, but this does not mean that it’s not attractive. In the U.K. it is available for just £109.  Vodafone Smart N9 Lite has a smaller 5.34-inch display but it retains the 18:9 aspect ratio and the HD+ resolution. The SoC is the same, but the amount of RAM is just 1 GB.

The rear camera has an 8 MP resolution, while the secondary one has a 5 MP sensor and ditches the LED flash. Even the battery is smaller with a capacity of 2460 mAh. Note that, despite the fact they are made of plastic, these devices are solid durable, according to the carrier. The N9 Lite is available for just £85; in the U.K. it is also possible to get these handsets for free with a monthly plan which starts from £32/month. Other monthly plans are available in other nations such as Italy, where you can get them for just €3 per month after an initial payment of €60 and €20, respectively.

(via)

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The Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem has been designed by Qualcomm to support 5G networks. Today, Qualcomm has confirmed that at least 18 different smartphone manufacturing companies will be launching Snapdragon X50 5G modem enabled smartphones. Moreover, the U.S.-based chip maker has confirmed that various telecom service providers from across the world will be starting the trail run of 5G networks soon.

The Snapdragon X50 5G NR (New Radio) mobile modem chipset can attain download speeds of several gigabits. In October 2017, Qualcomm had unveiled the new 5G modem and confirmed that it would be commercially available during the first half of 2019. Now that Qualcomm has released press releases for the carriers and smartphone manufacturers that will be supporting and releasing 5G smartphones featuring Snapdragon X50 modem, it seems that the company is well on track of fulfilling the promise of making 5G phones available in 2019.

The smartphone OEMs that are working with Qualcomm to launch phones with Snapdragon X50 5G modem next year are Asus, Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Connected Technologies Limited, HMD Global (Nokia), HTC, Inseego/Novatel Wireless, LG, NetComm Wireless, NETGEAR, OPPO, Sharp Corporation, Sierra Wireless, Sony Mobile, Telit, vivo, Wingtech, WNC, Xiaomi and ZTE.

Two of the major smartphone manufacturing companies namely, Apple and Huawei are missing from the list. Samsung has signed a separate cross-license partnership with Qualcomm recently which may also include plans to launch 5G enabled Samsung phones soon. Lenovo too is absent from the list.

The list of select global mobile operators that will conducing live and OTA mobile 5G NR trials include AT&T, British Telecom, China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, KDDI, KT Corporation, LG Uplus, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Singtel, SK Telecom, Sprint, Telstra, TIM, Verizon and Vodafone Group.

Read More: Gizmochina Explains: 5G Network Standard

Which smartphone company will be releasing the first 5G smartphone next year? OPPO CEO Tony Chen had confirmed in the previous month that it will be among the first manufacturers to release a 5G smartphone. ZTE CEO Lixin Cheng has recently claimed that a 5G ZTE phone would be launching at the end of 2018 or early 2019. Two months ago, Huawei CEO Yu Richard said that a 5G Huawei smartphone would be releasing in the second half of 2019.

5G smartphones featuring Snapdragon X50 will allow users to connect to public Wi-Fi without login. Such phones will offer ultrafast downloads, high-speed internet browsing, topnotch quality video and voice calls, lag free streaming of 360-degreee video and instant cloud access. Qualcomm will be also bringing 5G connectivity on other devices like Always Connected PCs, VR and AR.

(source 1, 2)

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