HTC uses private 5G and edge computing for high-fidelity wireless VR

HTC is harnessing the power of private 5G and edge computing to achieve high-fidelity wireless VR for its VIVE Focus 3 all-in-one headset.

VR users currently have to choose between physically connecting to a powerful PC for low-latency and high-fidelity, or compromise on performance for a wireless, all-in-one experience.

High-fidelity wireless VR is the ultimate goal to achieve mainstream adoption for both work and play. At CES 2021, HTC announced its first portable,...

6 January 2022 | 5G

Airlines warn upcoming 5G deployment will interfere with radio altimeters

Airline industry executives have ramped up their warnings that an upcoming type of 5G service will interfere with radio altimeters.

Radio altimeters measure the altitude above the terrain beneath an aircraft by timing how long it takes a beam of radio waves to travel to ground, reflect, and return to the craft. They are, of course, a key safety feature.

In February, the FCC completed a “C-band” (3.7–3.98 GHz) auction and issued licenses to several wireless network...

17 December 2021 | 5G

FCC: Verizon can acquire TracFone subject to ‘demanding conditions’

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Verizon approval to acquire TracFone, but it will be subject to “demanding conditions”.

Verizon announced its intention to acquire TracFone Wireless for $6.25B back in September 2020.

TracFone is the largest reseller of wireless services in the US and has around 21 million subscribers. The proposed deal naturally caught the eye of regulators.

One of the major concerns is that Verizon could hike prices...

23 November 2021 | Legislation & Government

Cisco and DISH establish ‘multi-layered’ agreement to accelerate 5G services deployment

Cisco and DISH Wireless have established a “multi-layered” agreement to accelerate the deployment of 5G services across the US.

The partners will build what they’re calling the first “smart” 5G network in the US.

In practice, DISH will be able to provide slices of its open network to meet the specific needs of various industry verticals. Cisco will help DISH with delivering a network that will predict, self-heal, and self-optimise with closed-loop automation...

17 November 2021 | 5G

Vodafone’s latest IoT solution aims to end water industry stagnation

Vodafone has launched a new IoT solution that aims to “accelerate change” in the water industry.

While many industries are embracing digital transformation – enabled by Industry 4.0 technologies – the water industry has largely remained stubbornly stagnant.

Anne Sheehan, Business Director at Vodafone UK, said:

“There is growing demand on the UK water companies to increase efficiency and reduce wastage. We’ve worked closely with the water industry to...

18 August 2021 | IoT

China proclaims 6G lead through its extensive patent portfolio

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) used state media this week to proclaim the country’s lead in the development of 6G.

CNIPA made the declaration on World Intellectual Property Day (April 26th) and pointed to its analysis of 6G-related patents which found – of 38,000 patents – around 35 percent (13,449) came from China.

The US took second place with 18 percent of patents relating to 6G.

In the report, CNIPA advises China to...

27 April 2021 | 6G

Vodafone set to Open(RAN) a pioneering new UK R&D centre

Vodafone has set out its plans to launch a pioneering new R&D centre in the UK that will focus on OpenRAN.

OpenRAN is set to bring about a new paradigm for how telecoms networks are deployed. Free of vendor lock-in, operators can use the interoperable equipment which suits their particular needs for cost and performance.

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said:

“The OpenRAN ecosystem is still in its infancy, and we want to spur its...

21 April 2021 | LTE

Eight 5G solution providers join Ofcom and Digital Catapult-led OpenRAN initiative

Eight 5G solution providers have joined an OpenRAN initiative led by UK telecoms regulator Ofcom and innovation centre Digital Catapult called SONIC.

The vendor-neutral and interoperable equipment OpenRAN delivers is seen as being the solution to disrupting the perceived monopoly held by the large telecoms vendors—helping to drive innovation, improve security, offer flexibility, and reduce deployment costs.

SONIC (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) is a...

25 February 2021 | Legislation & Government

T-Mobile US blames issues on severe weather in several areas

T-Mobile US blames network issues on severe weather being experienced across the country, especially in Texas.

DownDetector received a large spike in problem reports yesterday which tapered off for a while but picked back up again in recent hours:

The majority (53%) of reported problems related to lack of access to mobile data, followed by difficulties making calls (28%) and no signal (18%) entirely.

In a tweet, T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray acknowledged the...

16 February 2021 | Networks

Ofcom pushes back 5G spectrum auction due to COVID-19

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has pushed back its upcoming 5G spectrum auction due to COVID-19.

The latest spectrum auction was due to be held this month. However, with just a week left until the end of January, Ofcom issued the following statement this morning saying that it would be pushed back:

“Throughout our planning for the auction we have been closely monitoring the coronavirus situation.

Following a pause in the auction process, we are now planning for...

25 January 2021 | Legislation & Government