Enterprise Private Wireless Networks: 4G or 5G?

By | February 18, 2022

In almost every enterprise private wireless network (PWN) engagement, I come across the question of what technology to select: 4G/LTE or 5G1? Deciding between LTE and 5G is often complex and needs careful analysis. Here, I outline the top 5 factors to help in the decision making process. 1. Performance & Features The PWN has… Read More »

5G vs. Radio Altimeters: A Storm in a Tea Cup?

By | January 5, 2022

The row between the wireless and aviation industries on potential interference between 5G and aircraft radio altimeters is sounding like a storm in a tea cup! The genesis of this dispute is a report in October 2020 by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) citing potential interference to altimeters operating in the 4.2 –… Read More »

Is Direct Satellite-to-Device the Largest Opportunity in Satcom’s History?

By | November 17, 2021

The direct satellite-to-device (DS2D) market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2030, and counting 400 million average monthly subscriptions driven by 5G technology (according to NSR). This is about $7/month. This highlights a very sensitive business case: constellations cost billions to deploy and operate; they need a refresh every 5-10 years. With much of… Read More »

Taking the Quantum Leap: How quantum technology is set to transform communication networks

By | October 21, 2021

Key Takeaways Quantum computing decimates RSA cryptography which underpins most of our digital platforms: you can’t have a happy quantum computing world without first protecting all of the critical infrastructures against quantum-enabled attacks. The quantum threat development is not gradual and can come suddenly to break everything. This can come fast to threaten our networks… Read More »

How Telcos Outsourced Their Brains!

By | October 17, 2021

The decision by AT&T to host its network cloud, including the core network, on Microsoft Azure Cloud is the single most important milestone in the telecom industry over the past few years. It’s an experiment and a leap of faith that is set to have major ripples on the market. The core network is the… Read More »

Overview of FCC Auction 110 in 3.45 GHz

By | October 4, 2021

FCC Auction 110 for 100 MHz in the 3.45 GHz band is set to start tomorrow (October 5): the third auction for 3 GHz band spectrum in less than two years for a combined 450 MHz. This is a huge amount of spectrum considering previous auctions and holdings. Here, I wanted to share an outline… Read More »

The SIM Factor in Private Wireless Networks

By | September 19, 2021

Last year, I outlined several challenges facing enterprise private wireless networks (here). In this post, I wanted to highlight the role of dual SIM phones and eSIM technology in enabling private wireless networks. The SIM impacts how subscribers access the private network and, consequently, the quality of experience which makes the SIM a critical part… Read More »

Why We Need 6G!

By | September 6, 2021

Two things led me to write this post. First, much of what’s written about 6G focuses on what 6G could be, but little arguing for why we need 6G! Second, 5G offers a very flexible architecture and a rich roadmap which will need many years to fully develop and use. These two reasons makes the… Read More »

Can 5G Bridge The Urban-Rural Digital Divide?

By | August 20, 2021

Since Covid further exposed the rural digital deficit, many have asked to deploy 5G to provide broadband services in rural areas. Many others are skeptical for various reasons. To sort through the issue, We were commissioned to investigate how 5G can bridge the urban-rural digital divide. In our paper (download here), we review some of… Read More »

A Gold Medal in Spectrum Auction Valuation: 3500 MHz Canadian Auction

By | July 30, 2021

The Canadian auction for an average of 111 MHz in the 3500 MHz band raised a record setting C$8.91 billion (US$7.16 B). That’s an average of C$2.28/MHz-PoP (US$1.83); or a global record high for this spectrum band. Or, to bring another meaning into this, operators paid C$270 for each mobile subscriber! For another perspective, the… Read More »

Latency in LEO Satellites vs. Terrestrial Fiber

By | July 7, 2021

Latency is a key differentiating parameter for new communication networks such as LEO satellite constellations and 5G. The interest in latency has increased as the value proposition for these networks hinges on enabling latency-dependent applications. This got some competing technology options nervous. For instance, LEO satellites provide as much as 20x round trip delay advantage… Read More »

Dynamics of the Canadian 5G Midband Spectrum Auction

By | June 11, 2021

The market landscape and auction structure make the Canadian 3500 MHz midband spectrum auction an interesting one to watch. The auction will kick off on June 15 to release an average of 111 MHz of which around 50 MHz will be set aside for regional wireless operators. This is relatively small in terms of what… Read More »