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• Ericsson pushes for more 5G coverage in Europe in order to achieve climate targets
  in 5G
  By Chris Coughlan

  The accelerated roll-out of 5G connectivity across Europe and the UK will have an immediate and catalysing impact in reducing CO2e emissions, according to a new study commissioned by Ericsson.

  As European nations ramp up efforts to address climate targets, a new Europe-wide analysis finds that implementing 5G technology across four high-emitting sectors - power, transport, manufacturing, and buildings - could create 55-170MtCO2e of emissions savings per year, the same saving that would be achieved by removing 35 million cars. That’s one in seven cars on Europe’s roads, Ericsson says.

  The study reports that at least 40% of the EU’s carbon reduction solutions, up until 2030, will rely on fixed-line and mobile connectivity.

  These solutions, such as the development of renewable energy generators, could reduce EU emissions by 550 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (550MtCO2e), which is nearly half of the emissions created by the entire EU energy supply sector in 2017, and 15% of the EU’s total annual emissions in 2017, the year chosen as a benchmark for the analysis.

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  Adding in the savings from applying 5G to the four high-emitting sectors would bring the total emissions reduction to nearly 20% of the EU’s total annual emissions in 2017. The equivalent of the total annual emissions of Spain and Italy combined, the report says.

  Ericsson says that despite the potential at stake, new forecasting of 5G roll-out from the annual Ericsson Mobility Report paints a concerning picture for Europe.

  At the end of 2020, 5G covered around 15% of the world’s population. In 2027, just three years before global emissions will need to have halved to stay on track to limit global warming to 1.5ºC, new forecasts predict that global roll-out will still only be at around 75%.

  North America and North East Asia are estimated to enjoy more than 95% population coverage by 2027. In contrast, Europe is estimated to be significantly behind its economic competitors with more than 80% population coverage.

  Ericsson says it has invested heavily in energy-efficiency-led R&D - and product and solution development - across all technology portfolios to offer customers the most sustainable alternatives for their network modernisation strategies.

  The study is a catalyst to drive more 5G coverage in Europe. However, many of the applications and industry transformations can be supported by fixed networks and even 4G wireless.

  Ericsson reported that its 5G Smart Factory manufacturing complex in Lewisville, Texas, USA, was built with end-to-end environmental sustainability best practice as a top priority. Ericsson’s own energy-efficiency 5G solutions are operational at the site. The factory was designed to utilise 24% less energy and 75% less indoor water usage, avoiding 97% operational carbon emission, than comparable buildings.

  The 5G Smart Factory has been awarded twice in 2021 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for its global leadership in next-generation Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) manufacturing and sustainability achievements, Ericsson said.

  Ericsson president and CEO Börje Ekholm says: “The EU and UK have set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions that will require transformational shifts across society. This new analysis demonstrates that connectivity, and specifically 5G, is vital to achieving these decarbonisation targets. It is difficult to see how these targets will be met unless the roll-out of digital infrastructure across Europe accelerates to match that of other leading countries and regions in the developed world.

  “At Ericsson we view sustainability as a vital responsibility, not an optional extra. This is why the role that limitless connectivity has to play in driving a sustainable future is a fundamental part of Ericsson’s company vision. We will continue to invest heavily, not just for our customers through energy-efficiency products and solutions, but in our own operations, just as we have done at our 5G Smart Factory in the US. It is a great example of the emission saving results that can be achieved through implementing 5G manufacturing.”

  Ekholm adds: “At present, with 5G roll-out, Europe is strolling towards a more digital, low-carbon future, while other regions are sprinting in the same direction. Policymakers and regulators have a major role to play here by realising the competitive economic, social and sustainable potential of 5G and working speedily together to clear practical, regulatory and financial obstacles so that people, businesses, industries and societies right across Europe can enjoy the benefits.”

  Let's all hope that Australia and our federal leaders can be finally dragged into the 21st century and do more to proactively support CO2 reductions with aggressive plans to transition industry to a greener future. Australia has always led in the release of new communications technologies like 5G and the NBN, these assets now need to be leveraged to create a brighter greener future for our children and their children.

  The report can be downloaded here.

  This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 1 November 2021.
• Telstra's 5G Home and Business plans: 1TB at 378Mbps speeds on average, then unlimited at up to 25Mbps download, 5Mbps upload speeds
  in Telecoms & NBN
  By Alex Zaharov-Reutt

  It's not evident on Telstra Exchange blog post or its information pages for the 5G Home Internet and 5G Business Internet pages, but in the Critical Information Summary is the good news that downloads after 1TB continue at a still decent "up to 25mbps", which is a welcome jump from 1.5Mbps speeds on mobile plans, but is 5G Home or Business Internet available in your area yet?

  Great news - Telstra 5G internet service is here at last, for homes and businesses - but it's not unlimited at whatever the maximum speed achievable is, as is the case with the Optus and Vodafone 5G Home Internet plans, and with Voda and Optus both offering cheaper plans that are still three to four times faster than Telstra's 25Mbps capped download speeds after 1TB is downloaded (with uploads counting towards the download limit).

  iTWire colleague David M Wiliams wrote about yesterday's announcement here, in an article titled "Telstra unveils $85 1TB 5G home and business Internet service" and which Telstra's Global Connectivity and Platform Products Lead, Sanjay Nayak, wrote about at the Telstra Exchange blog post titled: "Ridiculously fast 5G Home & Business Internet is here."

  Now, Telstra's 5G network is definitely bigger than that of Optus or Vodafone, but not everywhere that has 5G mobile coverage available is able to get Telstra 5G Home and Business Internet just yet. Even Telstra says its 5G Home and Business rollout is for a "limited number of services avaialble per post code", so the 5G service isn't flooded and presambly capacity can be managed and maintained, and presuambly as capacity grows, more people will be able to join the service.

  My address in Canberra has great Telstra 5G mobile coverage, but isn't yet eligible for the Telstra 5G Home and Business Internet service. Meanwhile, my sister's address in Sydney does say coverage is available. Other addresses I tested in Canberra with great 5G mobile didn't have service for the 5G Home or Business service.

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  Vodafone and Optus don't have 5G Home Internet coverage in all the addresses I checked just now, although my sister's place is one dark pixel of 5G coverage away on the map, and comes up on Optus as not being available, but seeing as she lives on the top floor, when I took the Optus 5G Home Internet modem I was testing to her place, downloads of 200 to 300Mbps were the norm, so there is fortuitous coverage out there but Australians await ever more 5G to be rolled out, even as that continues happening, faster with Telstra, and more slowly with Optus and Vodafone.

  So, if you ARE in an area with Optus and Vodafone 5G Home Internet coverage, they have unlimited downloads at either around 100Mbps, or also at maximum 5G speeds at $89 with Optus and $85 per month with Vodafone, and represent better value than Telstra.

  However, if you have Telstra 5G Home or Business Internet available, you still get 1TB of combined downloads and uploads, and then up to 25Mbps downloads and an as yet indeterminate number of Mbps up-to upload speeds. I have asked the question, so will update here hopefully soon.

  The answer has been received - it's 5Mbps, which is what I expected would be the number. This too will hopefully speed up in the future on Telstra before a presumed inevitable shift to unlimited data in the next couple of years was introducwed for competitive reasons, and because Optus and Vodafone already offer that today, but with smaller and much smaller 5G footprints. 

  Telstra will also presumably be forced by competition to increase its downloads speeds after 1TB (or a future higher amount is reached) from the current 25Mbps to double, or quadruple - or simply offer an unlimited service as does Optus and Vodafone.

  On Telstra's Critical Information Summary or CIS, for its Home and Business 5G plans, has a section which states:

  "Data Allowance

  "Once you exceed your included data allowance, your speed will be capped at 25Mbps download, and slowed further in busy periods. 25Mbps is suitable for small households with 1-3 people using multiple connected devices. It will allow simultaneous streaming of multiple standard Definition (480p) videos, emails, web browsing and social media. Or streaming of a single High Definition (1080p) video, if there are no other online activities. You will not have the option to purchase more data or top up with this plan."

  So, it's great to see Telstra 5G Home and Internet service arrive, even if in an obviously more limited area than the entire 5G footprint, and even with its limits, because the age of 5G in ever more places has just taken yet another leap forward.

  We even have the timeline Telstra has shared on how this service will expand as part of its T25 announcement, presumably to moderate demand and keep people on fixed NBN services which are getting ever faster at 250Mbps, 500Mbps and up to 1Gbps speeds, with Telstra stating:

  "We want to make sure our customers have a great experience, so we’ve developed a comprehensive service qualification that checks things like capacity and strength of Telstra 5G signal. Over the next 3-5 years, we will continue rolling out Telstra 5G and the doubling of metro cells to increase density for greater capacity and speed."

  In the meantime, Optus and Vodafone have a lot more 5G rollouts to do, too, so 2025 will really be the year of 2025G, and in the meantime, ever more places are getting 5G cell tower upgrades, ever more 5G phones and tablets are available, ever more mmWave 5G is being rolled out and ever more competition is entering the market, set to also be disrupted by various satellite broadband services going online this decade, with Starlink already here for months in beta form.

  The future of connectivity looks bright, at long last, with NBN upgrades aplenty to come, and tons more 5G too, and the age of ubiquitous connectivity will be even more entrenched and intertwined with our lives than it is now, with augemnted reality glasses of the 2nd and even 3rd generations expected by then, too. 

  It's an exciting time to be alive - and by then, let's hope we really are finally in the post-COVID era!
• ADLINK collaborates with ecosystem partners to provide end-to-end C-V2X solutions
  in 5G
  By Chris Coughlan

  ADLINK collaborates with ecosystem partners to provide end-to-end C-V2X solutions to accelerate technology innovation and commercialisation for connected cars and autonomous driving. An advanced C-V2X solution combines efforts and expertise to address complex technology challenges from data collection to communication to processing in real time.

  Edge computing company ADLINK Technology has joined forces with ecosystem partners Askey Computer, the Institute for Information Industry (III) and Excellence Opto. Inc. (EOI) to develop and deploy an end-to-end C-V2X solution.

  The collaboration integrates AI-enabled technologies and applications with 4G LTE/sub-6GHz 5G NR vehicle network connectivity, smart traffic lights and signal controllers. The C-V2X solution will significantly improve road safety and traffic efficiency, establishing a solid foundation to help accelerate technology innovation and commercialisation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), autonomous driving and connected vehicles, ADLINK says.

  V2X technologies are designed to connect vehicles to each other (V2V), to pedestrians (V2P), to roadway infrastructure (V2I), and to the network (V2N). The 802.11p Wi-Fi standard established the foundation for V2X communications to enable drivers to avoid accidents and traffic jams. With a wider range than a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and much lower latency, 4G LTE and 5G based C-V2X will communicate real-time data further. And, when used together with onboard intelligence, it will accelerate more intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and Level 3 and above autonomous driving, ADLINK contends.

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  “We are excited to work with our partners Askey, III and EOI to build and test the advanced C-V2X solution,” said ADLINK director of global business development for networking communications and public sector Henry Hu. “We are seeing a strong momentum worldwide in developing and implementing C-V2X as the technology can substantially improve road safety, traffic efficiency and revolutionise logistics. And importantly, C-V2X can greatly accelerate technology innovation and commercialisation of autonomous driving. A quick and broad adoption of C-V2X requires extensive collaboration of industry participants, which is why ADLINK is dedicated to building a comprehensive ecosystem. With a strong commitment to leading consortia, such as the Autoware Foundation and Open Source Robotics Foundation, we will continue our contribution to technology advancements of C-V2X, connected cars and autonomous driving.”
  
  ADLINK says the collaboration addresses the complex technology challenges from data collection to communication to processing in real-time by leveraging ADLINK’s deep expertise in developing and deploying rugged AI-enabled in-vehicle computers, private 5G networks, 5G edge servers, and intelligent edge infrastructure.

  The company said that the C-V2X solution integrates ADLINK’s AI-enabled in-vehicle computer platform, with Askey’s onboard/roadside unit (RSU/OBU), III’s: AI-enabled applications including image-based AI vehicle identification, tracking and warning technology, and EOI’s smart traffic light and traffic signal controller.
  
  There are already four C-V2X pilot projects underway across Taiwan that implement both direct sidelink and cellular network communications. The projects are designed to test various use cases based on the enhanced 5G quality of service (QoS) for ultra-reliable, low-latency and high bandwidth communications, ADLINK stated.
  
  Besides improving road safety and traffic flow, the C-V2X solution can provide autonomous driving and automotive system integrators with a validated, integrated template to speed time-to-market. It can also help wireless service providers create new business opportunities, ADLINK says.
  
  ADLINK says it is committed to building a comprehensive ecosystem for C-V2X. More information is available here on ADLINK's connected and autonomous vehicle solutions website here.

  This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 28 October 2021.
• Optus 5G now available to prepaid customers with Optus Flex
  in 5G
  By Chris Coughlan

  Optus announced that Optus Flex customers will be able to level up their streaming, scrolling and downloads as its 5G network is now available on its new ‘click and connect’ Flex 5G mobile plan.

  Optus says Optus Flex continues to give Australians a simple in-app experience that is fundamentally changing the prepaid mobile category. With Flex, Optus customers with an eSIM capable device can join Optus with a new mobile number in just a few taps all through the My Optus app, which removes the need to go in store, purchase a physical SIM or remember to recharge as customers can set and forget with auto recharge.

  And now with access to Australia’s fastest 5G mobile network, as awarded by OoklaTM*, VOLTE and Wifi calling enabled, it opens a world of new possibilities for customers. It’s the perfect combination of great value and our super-fast network – all on our most flexible mobile plan.

  Optus Flex plans bring customers more of what they want, when they want and allows them to customise their plan to suit their needs, which includes purchasing add-ons, whether it be an Unlimited Data Day or international talk plan to stay close with family and friends overseas, Optus says.

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  Optus advises that customers have the choice to take up a daily, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly plan with access to 5G plans starting at just $2 a day. If a customer does not max out their data, they won’t lose it, as up to 200GB of data will automatically roll over on an active plan.

  Optus MD of marketing & revenue Matt Williams said, “At Optus, we are committed to taking our customers’ experience to new levels and creating unique customer connections, which is why we are excited to open up the world of 5G to our Optus Flex customers.

  “Optus is focused on becoming Australia's most loved everyday brand, and our Optus Flex plans truly put our customers in charge of their connectivity with flexibility, choice, and amazing value," Williams concluded.

  More information can be found here.

  This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 1 November 2021.
• Four new Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G and 4G mobile platforms expected to launch in Q4 2021
  in 5G
  By Chris Coughlan

  Qualcomm upgrades mobile roadmap to deliver increased capabilities across Snapdragon 7, 6 and 4 series.

  Qualcomm Technologies introduced four new mobile platforms – Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G, 695 5G, 480 Plus 5G, and 680 4G – to enable increased performance and capabilities across high-, mid-, and entry-tiers. Qualcomms says these 5G and 4G mobile platforms enable increased performance and capabilities to provide OEMs with additional options to help meet the existing demand.

  “Mid-range smartphones are expected to be the main driver for accelerating 5G device adoption – especially in emerging regions,” said Qualcomm Technologies senior director product management Deepu John.

  “These four new additions to our roadmap create significant opportunity for our OEM customers and provides additional options to continue to meet the growing demand for our 5G and 4G mobile platforms.”

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  There is significant traction and momentum across all Snapdragon tiers. By bringing cutting-edge features from the Snapdragon 8-series into the 7-, 6-, and 4-series, it is contributing to the growing demand across each Snapdragon series the company stated.

  Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon 7-series has grown by 44% in the last year alone due to tremendous high-tier demand. In the 6-series, consumer trends are emerging that show mid-tier smartphones will be the main driver for 5G adoption especially in emerging regions. Additionally, after less than one year, there have been more than 85 devices announced or in development based on the Snapdragon 480.

  Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G Mobile Platform

  Snapdragon 778G Plus, a follow-on to Snapdragon 778G with boosted GPU and CPU performance, is designed to deliver cutting-edge mobile gaming and accelerated artificial intelligence (AI) to enable stunning photo and video experiences, Qualcomm says.

  Snapdragon 695 5G Mobile Platform

  The new Snapdragon 695 5G Mobile Platform delivers truly global 5G with support for both mmWave and sub-6 GHz. This platform features up to 30% faster graphics rendering and 15% improvement in CPU performance (compared to Snapdragon 690), which enables immersive gaming, high-end capture, and increased productivity, Qualcomm says.

  Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G Mobile Platform

  In less than a year, more than 85 devices have been announced or are currently in development based on Snapdragon 480. Building upon that success, Snapdragon 480 Plus will continue to help drive further proliferation of 5G, allowing users access to truly global 5G connectivity and boosted performance to power in-demand productivity and entertainment experiences, Qualcomm says.

  Snapdragon 680 4G Mobile Platform

  The new Snapdragon 680 4G Mobile Platform, which is built on 6nm process technology, is designed to deliver compelling all-day experiences, including optimised gaming and triple ISP featuring AI-enhanced low light capture technology. As 5G adoption continues to commercialise around the world, Snapdragon 680 helps address the continued demand for incredible LTE experiences, Qualcomm says.

  “As 5G becomes widely available we continue our commitment to bring this technology to our consumers around the world,” said Motorola Mobility vice president of products Dan Dery. “With the integration of these new Snapdragon mobile platforms into our upcoming 5G and 4G device portfolio, we are enabled to unleash incredible mobile experiences from faster connectivity to enhanced gaming and imaging experiences. Fully aligned with our vision of empowering our consumers to achieve their best.”

  “The new Snapdragon 695 5G Mobile Platform takes 5G truly global with mmWave and sub-6 in the 6-series, which will deliver high-speed connection enabled smooth experiences in all scenarios,” said OPPO vice president president of smartphone Henry Duan. “We’re excited to launch a device based on the Snapdragon 695 in the coming months and bring even more incredible experiences to consumers.”

  This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 27 October 2021.