Deutsche Telekom starts the commercial rollout of multivendor open radio access network (RAN) technology in Germany; BT uses network as a code to monetize EE's 5G mobile network; Singtel trials RedCap IoT technology.
A week in telecoms: BT and Nokia tie on Network as Code, DT takes open RAN steps in Germany and Singtel trials RedCap
Welcome to the Inform news round-up, where we take a look at a selection of recent CSP news and how it impacts the wider industry.
BT and Nokia tie on open APIs
BT Group plans to make use of Nokia’s Network as Code platform to help it create new ways of monetizing its 5G mobile network, operated by EE.
The operator aims to tap into Nokia’s ecosystem of developer partners to gain access to simplified network capabilities in the form of software code that can be built into applications for enterprise, industrial, and consumer use cases.
BT also said that its work with Nokia is aligned with the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, and that both will deliver “valuable learnings in our efforts to create a fully programmable network which supports wider development and innovation.”
Nokia said its platform helps operators monetize their 5G network assets beyond pure connectivity. It provides application developers with tools such as software development kits (SDK) and open application programming interfaces (APIs), which “give developers access to deep network functionality and data that enables them to build new use cases for their customers.”
Through their agreement, Nokia and BT will make those tools available to developers so they can utilize BT’s network features, write new use cases, and create new value for EE customers.
Nokia noted that it has already signed a similar agreement with US-based operator Dish Wireless.
The Finnish vendor said the platform was launched in September following many months of close collaboration with developers and operators. It is based on a revenue share model between developers, operators, and Nokia as the platform provider.
BT already provides open APIs to developers through its API Developer portal. Reza Rahnama, Managing Director, Mobile Networks at BT Group, said 5G networks are “fundamentally software-based and rich in capabilities – such as improving network quality on demand – that can really make a difference to enterprises and consumers in ways that were not possible years ago.”
To be sure, communications service providers (CSPs) need new business and operational models to monetize their costly 5G networks.
A new e-book from TM Forum explores how this will be enabled through technologies such as Network-as-a-service (NaaS) and connectivity-as-a-service (CaaS), as well as the ability to build partnerships with hyperscale service providers, applications developers, device vendors, systems integrators and vertical market specialists.
You can also read more about 5G monetization from Inform via this link.
Deutsche Telekom kicks off open RAN in Germany
It’s been a busy week for the Finnish equipment vendor, which also announced that Deutsche Telekom (DT) commenced the commercial rollout of multivendor open radio access network (RAN) technology in Germany, in collaboration with Fujitsu and Nokia.
The German operator noted that it plans to operate more than 3,000 ORAN-compatible antenna sites by the end of 2026.
Nokia said the technology is fully integrated into DT’s live commercial network and will initially provide 2G, 4G, and 5G commercial services to customers in the Neubrandenburg area.
DT first announced in March 2023 that it had selected Fujitsu, Mavenir, and Nokia “among others” for open RAN deployments across Europe. Fujitsu and Nokia are responsible for the rollout in Germany, while Mavenir is DT’s partner for open RAN deployment across its European footprint.
For Nokia, the project marks what it described as its “significant return” into DT’s network. In an interview with Reuters, Pekka Lundmark, CEO at Nokia, said the vendor has been “out of that network since 2017 and now we are making a comeback there through O-RAN technology, so that is a significant win for us”.
The German rollout also comes as welcome news for the vendor, which recently lost out to Ericsson in AT&T’s open RAN deployment contract.
DT and Nokia have agreed to explore related technologies such as cloud RAN, thirdparty containersasaservice (CaaS), the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), service management and orchestration (SMO), and energy efficiency.
Open RAN news has certainly picked up this year. Vodafone strengthened its commitment to the technology and revealed plans to start a commercial tender process for the disaggregated radio technology early next year.
Rethink Technology Research recently noted that Europe’s big five telcos — Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, BT and Telefónica — all have radio access network (RAN) contracts that are set to expire in around 2025 or 2026, and said this will “provide an opportunity for a significant switch towards open RAN.”
Singtel trials RedCap technology
Singtel completed what it claimed as Singapore’s first trial of reduced capability (RedCap) technology on its live 5G network in collaboration with Ericsson and MediaTek.
RedCap is specifically designed to support mid-tier Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smartwatches and industrial sensors.
Singtel noted that RedCap technology provides IoT devices with lower data flow and reliable connectivity which reduces power consumption, resulting in a significant increase in the battery life of devices. With this technology, businesses can address the challenges of replacing batteries in IoT devices, particularly in remote areas, as well as that of high device production costs.
According to MediaTek’s 5G RedCap Modem report, RedCap is estimated to reduce power consumption for end users and chipset printed circuit board (PCB) area by 60% compared to existing 4G IoT devices. Further research by Ericsson also showed that RedCap is expected to lower IoT device production costs for manufacturers by 50% to 70%.
Tay Yeow Lian, Managing Director (Networks), Singtel Singapore, said: “The successful completion of this trial is an important step forward for the telco sector. With RedCap technology, the complexity, size and capabilities of device platforms are considerably reduced, enabling cost-efficient integration into IoT devices. This unlocks opportunities for a multitude of devices to be connected to the 5G network, contributing to the expansion of the 5G ecosystem and supporting new designs for more scalable IoT innovations and applications.”
The month-long trial took place across five different Singtel 5G standalone (SA) locations, utilizing Ericsson’s RedCap solution and MediaTek’s RedCap testing device.
The operator said its 5G SA coverage spans over 1,600 outdoor locations and 800 buildings, including underground train lines.
Orange and Masmovil agree spectrum deal with Digi
Orange Group and Masmovil moved closer to completing the planned merger of their respective operations in Spain after agreement was reached with Romania-based Digi Communications on the sale of assets in order to achieve regulatory approval.
Digi said in a stock market filing that it agreed to buy a set of frequency blocks in the 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz and 3.5GHz bands for €120 million. It also noted that a separate contract on the option of national roaming had been concluded with Orange Spain, allowing Digi Spain to access all mobile technologies of Orange and its affiliates.
Following the deal, the European Commission updated its information concerning the merger process, setting a provisional deadline of February 15, 2024.
Digi also noted that the spectrum agreement and the national roaming option are both dependent on the approval and completion of the transaction between Orange and Masmovil.
Orange and Masmovil signed the merger agreement in July 2022 with the aim of creating a new fixed-mobile operator on the Spanish market. The new entity will take the form of a 50-50 joint venture co-controlled by the two entities, with equal governance rights in the combined entity.
The Commission launched an “in-depth” and “wideranging” investigation into the proposed transaction, and in June 2023 sent a statement of objections to both operators. However, on July 28, the Commission stopped the clock on its review of the merger while it sought additional information.
Since then, Vodafone Group has also agreed to sell its Spanish operations to investment firm Zegona.
T-Mobile set to get hold of new 2.5GHz licenses
T-Mobile US took a step closer to gaining possession of the 2.5GHz licenses for which it paid about $304 million to acquire at auction in 2022.
The House of Representatives passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act, which would require the FCC to release the licenses. The Senate passed similar legislation in September.
The Federal Communications Commission auctioned nearly 8,000 2.5GHz licenses in 2022. Congress then allowed the allowed the FCC’s auction authority to lapse, meaning that T-Mobile was unable to immediately make use of the licenses for the expansion of its 5G network.
Tony Russo, VP of Legislative Affairs at T-Mobile, said on X that the path is now clear for the FCC to release all T-Mobile 2.5 GHz licenses “and connect millions of Americans to high-speed internet.”
Also noted…
The European Union announced a political agreement on new rules governing artificial intelligence. The focus will now be on hammering out the details of the EU AI Act.
Telenor announced plans to sell its Pakistani operations to Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PTCL), which is part of technology and investment group e&.