5G News Round Up for the Week to 10 November 2024
This week saw continued progress in 5G network deployments and performance, with operators pushing the boundaries of speed and capacity. There were also notable developments in network sharing, spectrum deals, and the intersection of 5G with emerging technologies like AI.
Regulatory bodies continued to shape the competitive landscape, while industry groups highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing 5G adoption in developing markets.
Network Performance and Deployments
T-Mobile US achieved what it claims is a world record 5G uplink speed of 2.2Gb/s in a trial using New Radio Dual Connectivity to aggregate mid-band and mmWave spectrum. The test demonstrated the potential to significantly boost uplink capacity and efficiency, which T-Mobile says will be critical for emerging use cases like mobile gaming and extended reality.
In Malaysia, U Mobile received approval to build the country’s second 5G network, ending the single wholesale network model. U Mobile will work with vendors including Huawei and aims to reduce foreign ownership to 20% to increase local control. Other major operators are still considering their options following the regulatory decision.
Industry Partnerships and Deals
AT&T acquired spectrum from UScellular in a $1 billion deal, including 3.45GHz and 700MHz licenses covering over 100 markets. This follows recent spectrum sales by UScellular to T-Mobile US and Verizon as the regional operator restructures its holdings.
In Spain, Telefónica and Vodafone agreed to create a joint venture called FibreCo to share their fiber-to-the-home networks. The deal aims to maximise efficiency and capture future technology upgrades, with Telefónica holding 63% and Vodafone 37% initially.
5G and Emerging Technologies
At Huawei’s Mobile Broadband Forum, industry experts discussed how AI will impact 5G networks, driving increased data traffic and new types of workloads. There was debate around the balance between on-device and cloud-based AI processing, with implications for network capacity and architecture. 5G-Advanced was highlighted as a key enabler for AI applications.
SK Telecom unveiled plans to build an “AI infrastructure superhighway” in South Korea, starting with GPU-as-a-service offerings. The company aims to convert data centres to AI-focused facilities and expand to a regional hub, seeing 6G as an integration of communications and AI.
Regulatory and Policy Developments
The UK Competition and Markets Authority signalled it may approve the proposed merger of Vodafone and Three, contingent on the companies following through on pledges to invest in network upgrades and implement consumer protections.
The GSMA released a report on sub-Saharan Africa, predicting mobile could contribute $170 billion to GDP by 2030. However, the group emphasised the need to close coverage gaps, reduce costs, and improve digital skills to fully realise the potential of mobile connectivity in the region.
Suggested Reading
T-Mobile US hits 2.2Gb/s in mmWave, mid-band 5G trial
Highlight: T-Mobile achieves record 5G uplink speeds using dual connectivity
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/t-mobile-us/t-mobile-us-hits-2-2gb-s-in-mmwave-mid-band-5g-trial/
U Mobile to roll out second 5G network in Malaysia
Highlight: Regulator approves end of single wholesale network model
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/regulation/u-mobile-to-roll-out-second-5g-network-in-malaysia/
Intelligence Brief: What did we learn about AI, 5G-A at MBBF 24?
Highlight: Industry experts discuss intersection of AI and 5G-Advanced
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/huawei/intelligence-brief-what-did-we-learn-about-ai-5g-a-at-mbbf-24/
AT&T scores spectrum from UScellular in $1B cash deal
Highlight: AT&T acquires 3.45GHz and 700MHz licenses from regional operator
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/att/att-scores-spectrum-from-uscellular-in-1b-cash-deal/
GSMA pegs sub-Saharan Africa opportunity at $170B
Highlight: Report outlines potential and challenges for mobile in Africa
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/sub-saharan-africa/gsma-pegs-sub-saharan-africa-opportunity-at-170b/
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