Wednesday, February 19, 2014

WiFi Roaming Demoed at MWC

WiFi Roaming Demoed at MWC

Posted by Sam Churchill on
The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and Wi-Fi Alliance will co-host a demonstration of Wi-Fi roaming at Mobile World Congress next week in association with the WBA Carrier Wi-Fi Summit hosted onsite.
The demonstration features seamless network authentication and roaming across different networks using Certified Passpoint devices made available for attendees. Supported by 18 operators, the demonstration offers a look at a live Next Generation Hotspot network from seven vendors. The association says it reflects the momentum toward industry-standard easy-to-use Wi-Fi hotspots and roaming.
According to research conducted by Maravedis-Rethink on behalf of WBA, more than half of operators surveyed have become “more confident” about investing in public Wi-Fi than in the previous year. More than 27 global operators have participated in three phases of WBA NGH trials, and to date, more than 400 devices have obtained Passpoint certification, including a wide range of smartphones and tablets.
By 2018, ,small cells will be contributing 28% of additional capacity and 75% of them will integrate Wi-Fi, according to Maravedis-Rethink.
The WBA brought together nearly 20 of the world’s largest operators and vendors to participate in defining the Carrier Wi-Fi vision. They include: Accuris Networks, AT&T, BSG Wireless, BSkyB, BT, CableLabs, China Mobile, Cisco, Comcast, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Qualcomm, Ruckus Wireless, SK Telecom, Time Warner Cable and Towerstream.
The “CableWiFi” network identifier (SSID) allows devices to auto-connect to a “CableWiFi” hotspot when in range. The wireless gateways that Comcast is installing in Xfinity Homes, contain two SSIDs, enabling consumer cable WiFi boxes to “share” their WiFi.
See related Dailywireless articles; Comcast Buying Time Warner Cable, Ad-Sponsored WiFi Initiatives from Gowex & Facebook and Comcast Creates Hotspot 2.0 National Network

2013: 6.7 Billion Mobile Subs

2013: 6.7 Billion Mobile Subs

Posted by Sam Churchill on
The Ericsson Mobility Report released today says mobile subscriptions through 2013 are now 6.7 billion, although the actual number of subscribers is around 4.5 billion, since many have several subscriptions.
Close to 60% of all mobile phones sold in Q4 2013 were smartphones, compared to around 45 percent in Q4 2012. Some 40 million new LTE subscriptions were added during Q4 2013.
The report also shows that data traffic grew 70% between Q4 2012 and Q4 2013. Voice traffic, meanwhile, was practically flat, and an increasingly tiny percentage of the bandwidth used.
A recent GSMA report suggests that China will be a significant player in the field of 4G with up to 900 million 4G users by 2020.
4G Americas predicts that by the end of 2018, HSPA/HSPA+ subs would number 4.2 billion while some 1.3 Billion connected devices would use LTE.

Pentaband Antennas Deployed

Pentaband Antennas Deployed

Posted by Sam Churchill on
Saudi Telecom will deploy Huawei Penta-band Antennas to boost their TD-LTE and FD-LTE network. STC, the Middle East’s largest operator with 160 million subscribers, decided to deploy Penta-band Antennas since its GSM/UMTS network was unable to meet rapid growth in demands for data services. It now operates the world’s largest TDD/FDD convergent network.
Huawei’s Penta-band antennas simultaneously supports five bands on the 690-960MHz and 4×1710-2690MHz spectrum bands in a single compact antenna design.
The antennas support plug-and-play EasyRET (Remote Electronic Tilt), which provides embedded remote control unit to enhance system efficiency. Different spectrum bands are able to be independently adjusted to achieve better coverage.
Huawei says they have shipped more than 1.65 million antennas to more than 360 operators in 155 countries. According to ABI Research, the Total Cost of Ownership is 13% lower for a LTE-TDD network. If utilized for backhaul, LTE-TDD can provide a 33% saving over Point-To-Point Microwave and a 43% saving over fiber.
Sprint recently demonstrated 2.6 Gbps TD-LTE throughput over a single sector using NSN’s commercially available Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station. The tests conducted at NSN’s Mountain View facility, aggregated 120 MHz of Sprint’s TDD spectrum to achieve an unprecedented speed of 2.6 Gbps.
The previous record was 1.6 Gbps. Sprint has plenty of 60 GHz chunks, which can deliver over 1.3 Gbps. Even if the average total throughput is something closer to 300 Mbps to end users, that’s still equivalent to 100 HD video streams (using H.265 at 3 Mbps each).
NSN’s TD-LTE 8-pipe radio module supports up to 120 MHz of channel bandwidth in Band 41 spectrum (used by Sprint’s 2.6 GHz band). The 2.6 GHz LTE TDD spectrum is used in Brazil, China, India, Japan, Russia and the USA.
Broadcom, NSN and Finnish operator Elisa demonstrated LTE data rates of 300 Mbps on a live commercial network in the Nordic Countries, aggregating two 20 MHz channels, one in the 1800 MHz band (LTE Band 3) and one in the 2600 MHz band (LTE Band 7) to reach speeds of 300 Mbps.
NSN provides infrastructure equipment for all three of South Korea’s FDD-based LTE Advanced networks, which were each launched last summer by SK Telecom, KT and LG U+.

Tablets Up, Laptops Down, Desktops Out

Tablets Up, Laptops Down, Desktops Out

Posted by Sam Churchill on
A report tabled by NPD Display Search claims demand for tablet devices is expected to scale new heights this year with 315 million tablet devices projected to be sold in 2014, rising to 455 million by 2017.
“Competition is expected to increase as traditional notebook PC brands, including Lenovo, HP, and Dell update their product portfolios to emphasize tablet PCs”, said Richard Shim, senior analyst at NPD DisplaySearch.
Standard notebook PC shipments are forecast to decline from 155 million in 2013 to 105 million in 2017. Ultra-slim PC shipments will rise from 26 million in 2013 to 57 million in 2017.
Emerging regions will account for an increasing share of worldwide mobile PC shipments, growing from 57%, or 274 million in 2014, to 62%, or 385 million, by 2017. Growth will be led by tablet PCs, which will account for 70% of mobile PC shipments to emerging regions in 2014.

Google Fiber Expands to More Cities

Google Fiber Expands to More Cities

Posted by Sam Churchill on
Google Fiber is ready to expand, reports ArsTechnica. Google has identified nine areas around the country as possible deployment sites. Currently, Kansas City (KS and MO), Provo UT and Austin TX are using Google’s gigabit fiber.
“We’ve invited 34 cities in nine metro areas across the US to work with us to explore what it would take to build a new fiber-optic network in their community,” Google said in an announcement today. There’s no guarantee for any of these cities.
Google is asking municipal officials to do the following:
  • Provide detailed, accurate maps of existing infrastructure like utility poles, conduits, and water, gas, and electricity lines.
  • Ensure the company can access and put its fiber on existing poles or conduits.
  • Review permitting processes to make sure cities can handle as much as 100x their usual number of permit requests—once it starts building.

British Taranis Stealth UCAV is Expanding Flight Envelope over Australia

Last week the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and BAE Systems confirmed that the Taranis stealthy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator surpassed all expectations during its first flight trials last year. Since the first flight, conducted August 10th, 2013 the UCAV has been expanding the flight envelope in preparation for the follow-on operational demonstration phase.

A side view of the Taranis UCAV in flight. Photo: BAE Systems/MOD
A side view of the Taranis UCAV in flight. Photo: BAE Systems/MOD
Taranis is designed to demonstrate the UK’s ability to create an unmanned air system which, under the control of a human operator, is capable of undertaking sustained surveillance, marking targets, gathering intelligence, deterring adversaries and carrying out strikes in hostile territory.
Taranis made its maiden flight at the Woomera test range in South Australia on Saturday 10th August 2013, under the command of BAE Systems’ test pilot Bob Fraser. The first flight lasted only 15 minutes, in which the demonstrator aircraft took off, rotation, ‘climb-out’ and returned for landing. In a number of follow-on flights that took place last year, Taranis extended flight duration to one hour, operating at a variety of altitudes and speeds, as part of the envelope testing.
The serrated contour of the weapon's bay is clearly seen in this photo, where the stealthy Taranis shows its belly and underwing area on a banking turn. Photo: BAE Systems, UK MOD.
The serrated contour of the weapon’s bay is clearly seen in this photo, where the stealthy Taranis shows its belly and underwing area on a banking turn. Photo: BAE Systems, UK MOD.
“The findings from the aircraft’s flight prove that the UK has developed a significant lead in understanding unmanned aircraft which could strike with precision over a long range whilst remaining undetected.” BAE Sources said, indicating the technological advances made through Taranis will also help the UK MOD and Royal Air Force make decisions on the future mix of manned and unmanned fast jet aircraft and how they will operate together in a safe and effective manner for the UK’s defences. The MOD is considering a yet undefined ‘Future Combat Air System ‘FCAS’ – possibly a UCAV to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in RAF service as the Typhoon reaches retirement by 2030. As Defense-Update reported two weeks ago, the UK and France announced an agreement to explore collaborate in the development of such platform, at an investment of £120 million. The two countries are expected to sign a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) to launch the two-year program in July 2014.
“The first flight of Taranis represents a major landmark for UK aviation. The demonstrator is the most advanced air system ever conceived, designed and built in the UK. Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems said, commenting on the Taranis flight announcement, ”It truly represents an evolution of everything that has come before it. This milestone confirms the UK’s leading position as a centre for engineering excellence and innovation.”
Taranis awaiting takeoff at Woomera Test Range, South Australia. Photo: BAE Systems/UK MOD
Taranis awaiting takeoff at Woomera Test Range, South Australia. Photo: BAE Systems/UK MOD
Costing £185 million ($300 million) and funded jointly by the UK MOD and UK industry, the Taranis demonstrator aircraft was formally unveiled in July 2010. The Taranis demonstrator is the result of 1,500,000 man hours of work by the UK’s leading scientists, aerodynamicists and systems engineers from 250 UK companies, but only few scientists and engineers have ever been given full access to the top secret aircraft.
About the size of a BAE Systems Hawk aircraft – Taranis has been designed and built by BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, the Systems division of GE Aviation (formerly Smiths Aerospace) and QinetiQ working alongside UK MOD military staff and scientists. In addition to prime contracting the project, BAE Systems led on many elements of the Taranis technology demonstrator, including the low observability, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy elements (in partnership with QinetiQ).
Ground testing commenced later in 2010 at BAE Systems’ military aircraft factory in Warton, Lancashire in the UK, followed by a comprehensive and highly detailed programme of pre-first flight milestones including unmanned pilot training, radar cross section measurements, ground station system integration. Taxi trials began in April 2013 taxi trials on the runway at Warton. Following those tests the aircraft and its ground station were shipped to Australia where it was re-assembled and prepared for further tests. The aircraft resumed high speed taxi tests in July 2013 before its maiden flight in August.
taranis_prepared_tug
Taranis is towed to the ground preparation position before flight. Photo: UK MOD/BAE Systems
Taranis awaiting takeoff at Woomera Test Range, South Australia. Photo: BAE Systems/UK MOD
Taranis on the runway. Photo: BAE Systems/UK MOD

General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada has won a major arms procurement contract from Saudi Arabia, for the procurement of armored vehicles worth over $10 billion.

General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada has won a major arms procurement contract from Saudi Arabia, for the procurement of armored vehicles worth over $10 billion. The vehicles will follow a new design to be built at GDLS Canada plant at London, Ontario.
GDLS Canada is currently producing at London, Ontario the Ocelot light armored vehicle and the Piranha based LAV 8x8 vehicle. Photo: DLS Canada.
GDLS Canada is currently producing at London, Ontario the Ocelot light armored vehicle and the Piranha based LAV 8×8 vehicle. Photo: DLS Canada.
Two vehicle families are currently built at the plant – the Piranha based Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and Ocelot originally designed by Force Protection Inc. The first vehicles will roll off the production line in 2016. The number of vehicles included in the deal has not been disclosed. The package includes training in Canada and Saudi Arabia, as well as logistical support.
The Saudi government has been shopping for light, fast and off-road maneuverable armored vehicles from different manufacturers since 2009.
Responding to criticism about selling arms to a country that have systematically violated human rights, the Canadian Government defended the deal saying that the Saudi deal will create and sustain more than 3,000 jobs a year for 14 years and will benefit 500 Canadian companies. “Canada won these jobs over rival bids from our western allies Germany and France. We supported this agreement to bring these jobs to Canada.” Trade Minister Ed Fast said, adding that the value of the deal could climb to nearly $14 billion if all options are exercised.
The contract with the Saudis follows an agreement last year that saw General Dynamics win a $65.3-million US contract with the Colombian government for the acquisition of 24 light armored vehicles. General Dynamics continues to bid for other international orders, including one from Morocco.
In contrast, last December the Canadian Ministry of Defense cancelled the procurement of 108 ‘Close Combat Vehicles’ (CCV) in a deal that would have worth $2 billions. GDLS Canada, the French Nexter and KMW of Germany were all competing for this program.
GDLS is currently producing the upgrade kits for the Canadian LAV III vehicles (LAV UP) for the Canadian Army. Photo: GDLS Canada
GDLS is currently producing the upgrade kits for the Canadian LAV III vehicles (LAV UP) for the Canadian Army. Photo: GDLS Canada

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