Interconnecting legacy technologies, LTE to revolutionise MCC

ITREALMS:

The technologies in Mission Critical Communications (MCC) are incorporating functionality with the Long Term Evolution (LTE), reports ITRealms.

Also, ITRealms gathered that during this transition period, the performance must not be affected, says Pierre Minot, President of ETELM, a leading manufacturer of advanced Mission Critical communications infrastructures.

Speaking during a session titled ‘PMR broadband communication – technical implementation’ at PMRExpo in Germany, Minot said “LTE offers new broadband and data-hungry possibilities; however, it brings its own challenges. At present, there is a major drive to introduce more MC standards by working with users and manufacturers to ensure services are adopted internationally. 

The process of standardisation, he said, is a long one – it takes time for standards to be tested and vendors to implement enhancements. While LTE is currently being utilised with consumers in mind, it is expected to take around five to seven years to reach full maturity for MC users, although certain features will be implemented sooner.”

ETELM has long championed LTE and TETRA working together, as opposed to replacing each other. This will enable legacy equipment and infrastructure to be revitalized, without the expense of upgrades each time a new technology becomes available. Minot explained the different use cases of migration from TETRA to LTE and the challenges that each of these use cases bring in terms of services, performances and devices.

Minot continued: “As smart cities develop around the world, it is important that MCC infrastructures are built during the initial planning, development, and design phase, rather than being an afterthought. This is the only way to ensure smart cities become safe cities. As blue light services continue to face increasingly challenging and complex situations, there is a need to bridge the channels between individual services, so they may come together and act as one, while utilising advanced applications.”

In response to the need for hybrid networks, ETELM’s 4GLinked solution is the first fully integrated platform connecting multiple MC technologies over a single LTE EPC core, allowing seamless communications and services across technologies – to the benefit of any use case.

“Performance is a key factor that only a fully standardized solution that doesn’t bring any third-party technology can ensure,” continued Minot. “With ETELM’s 4GLinked solution, it is one unified, standardized platform that is much easier to maintain and operate than having several infrastructures connected by gateways.”

4GLinked was successfully tested with many vendors at the ETSI MCPTT Plugtests in June 2017 and all interfaces are compliant with ETSI/3GPP LTE rel13. 4GLinked has also been successfully deployed and tested by customers.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Nokia’s LTE drone debuts to save lives

ITRealms:

Nokia has demonstrated the creation of an instant high-speed Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to establish connectivity between video camera-equipped drones and a control center at emergencies, reports ITRealms.

The demonstration of the innovative 'Nokia Saves Lives' initiative took place at the UAE Drones for Good (D4G) Award event, held in Dubai.

ITRealms reports that the network connectivity is often the first priority of any rescue operation since it is often compromised in disaster situations, but Nokia said Nokia said the use of drones will facilitate efficient rescue operations for first responders, using its Ultra Compact Network which is a highly portable base station.

Head, Middle East Market Unit, Nokia, Bernard Najm said, Nokia's Ultra Compact Network provides a standalone LTE network to quickly re-establish connectivity to various mission-critical applications including video-equipped drones.

“Drones can stream video and other sensor data in real time from the disaster site to a control center, providing inputs such as exact locations where people are stranded and nature of the difficulty of reaching the locations,” he said.

The Nokia Saving Lives initiative, he said, was established a control center in a disaster location which analyzes data using Nokia Video Analytics technology to derive useful insights that enable quick decision-making for prioritizing tasks for efficient and safe rescue operations.

“Nokia's Video and Data Analytics solution together with rescue applications and mission advisor tools provide the required intelligence for making appropriate decisions quickly,” he said.

ITRealms recollects that in October last year, Nokia became a member of the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter which aims to support improved access to communication and information for those affected by crisis in order to reduce the loss of life and positively contribute to humanitarian response. Nokia will continue such cooperation and will partner with operators and NGOs in its initiative to help rescue operations, providing a limited number of its Nokia Saving Lives initiative with a not-for-profit approach. The initiative is currently being tested with operators and NGOs and will be demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2017.

"Nokia always strives to expand the human possibilities of technologies for the benefit of mankind. We are committed to corporate social responsibility, and with 'Nokia Saves Lives' we want to use our technologies with drones to show efficient rescue operations in collaboration with NGOs and network operators. The selection of this initiative by the UAE Drones for Good Award for a public demonstration in Dubai clearly shows usefulness of this innovative initiative for smart disaster recovery," Najm said.

Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops

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Pix: Nokia unmanned drone

ntel kicks off commercial roll out in Lagos, Abuja

ITRealms:

… PH coming up in May

Latest entrant into the Nigeria’s telecommunication sector as the fifth Mobile Network Operator (MNO), the ntel, has kicked off commercial roll out of its activities on acclaimed most advanced Fourth Generation (4G) cum Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, reports ITRealms.

Confirming this, the chief executive officer (CEO) of ntel, Mr. Kamar Abass, informed ITRealms at a media launch in Lagos Friday that he was delighted.

“On behalf of the staff and directors of NatCom, this eighth day of April 2016, we start commercial activities on our newly commissioned 4G/LTE-Advanced network,” he declared.

This commencement of its phased and paced commercial operations, Abass said comes with bumper offers for early bird pioneers and data users.

“The first 100,000 to redeem and activate their ntel SIMs will get free on-net calls for life while data subscribers will get 3 months unlimited data usage on select bundles,” Abass disclosed.

Very earliest customers, he said, would be able to buy and use these services in clusters, across Lagos and Abuja from sales outlets and agents featuring the network bright new brand name: ntel.

ITRealms notes that ntel’s commencement of commercial operations is the culmination of their journey from acquiring the old NiTel/MTel assets to the delivery of successive milestones underlining their growing operating capability on their new fixed and mobile network infrastructure.

With the formal commencement, ITRealms gathered that commercial services will be available on ntel’s 4G/LTE-Advanced network across key site clusters in Lagos and Abuja. While coverage in Port Harcourt will follow during May, along with expanded coverage in Lagos and Abuja, and subsequently to other states, across multiple geo-political zones, during the second half of 2016.

The company, ITRealms further reports, said their 4G/LTE-Advanced technology built on the 900/1800MHz spectrum will deliver an unbeatable and game-changing customer experience of high-speed Internet access up to 230 Mega Bytes per second (Mbps), the fastest available in Nigeria today thus enabling a world of full mobile broadband experiences that will transform both lives and livelihoods.

Equally, Abass, a strong advocate of 4G/LTE, said his team is passionate at ntel about the power of broadband to boost productivity and, thereby, transform lives,

“We expect to see this happen as ntel helps to accelerate the ongoing migration, from existing 2G and 3G services, to genuinely high-speed Mobile Broadband on 4G/LTE-Advanced,” Abass submitted.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pix: CEO, Abass with his team.

Nigerians rush to reserve ntel numbers

ITRealms:

It has been a rush-hour for reservation of the ntel numbers as Nigerians besiege the advanced fourth-generation (4G) cum Long Term Evolution (LTE) network since Tuesday 8, 2016, reports ITRealms.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of ntel, Mr. Kamar Abass, ITRealms gathered had informed that under the terms of campaign, the first batch of subscribers (hundreds of thousands) to reserve their numbers on the network, and subsequently SIM-activate after launch, will be recognized as ‘Pioneers’ on Nigeria’s newest mobile network marking them out as among the first to reap the company’s promise of abundant broadband on it’s pure-play Advanced 4G/LTE network.

Abass noted that “ntel is a proudly Nigerian company that is fully committed to empowering Nigerians through a technologically advanced pure-play 4G/LTE network. We are offering Pioneer status to the first batch of subscribers on our network. Those who reserve their numbers, and subsequently SIM-activate with us, will be the vanguard of a select corps of privileged subscribers.”

ITRealms reports that the number reservation campaign runs until 08/04/16 has witnessed millions of visitors to ntel’s website with overwhelming traffic and has been trending lately on social media; offering prospective subscribers the opportunity to pick and reserve up to 5 numbers of their choice, provided they register in time, to become ntel pioneers.

Ntel, ITRealms recalls made its first Voice over LTE call in Lagos on Thursday, February 25, 2016, is positioned to lead the way as Nigeria’s most advanced 4G/LTE network at a critical moment of transition.

“We are entering a vibrant and exciting market with four established players but hopes to make a mark quickly with our full commercial launch of high-definition voice, video and high-speed Internet Access services over Advanced 4G/LTE. ntel’s network is built on the 900/1800 Mhz which is recognized as the most widely used frequencies for the deployment of 4G/LTE technology,” Abass declared.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 
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Nokia Networks, SmarTone partner for LTE in Macau

ITRealms:

 

Nokia Networks and SmarTone have entered into partnership agreement that will upgrade the existing 3G network to 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) in one of world's most densely populated regions, Macau, ITRealms reports.

In the scope of the 5-year contract, Nokia Networks is planning and deploying the operator's 4G LTE network in one of the world's densest traffic areas. Macau residents and tourists can benefit from superior mobile broadband connectivity with comprehensive coverage, capacity and quick Internet response times.

According to a press release emanating from the partnership,  Nokia Networks' multi-layer optimization services will ensure seamless interaction between different technologies (2G, 3G, LTE) and frequency layers for the best customer experience, while its systems integration expertise will allow for a smooth migration of data to the new Subscriber Data Management platform, facilitating the rapid launch of new services in the future.

The Chief Executive Officer, SmarTone, Macau,Patrick Chan, said: "As a customer-centric company, we have been delivering outstanding experiences to our customers in 3G and will do the same in 4G LTE. As we are evolving our network infrastructure to address future capacity requirements, our longstanding partner Nokia Networks helps us seamlessly migrate to a 4G LTE network to provide our customers in Macau with an enhanced mobile broadband experience,"  ITRealms gathered.

While the Head, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Sub-region, Nokia Networks, Michael Shieh, said, "We are proud to be working with SmarTone on its journey to ultra-fast LTE-based broadband connectivity, having already helped the operator build its 2G and 3G networks. Our services experts can meet the challenges of such a high-volume traffic area and are supporting this journey throughout, from the planning phase through system integration and implementation, and also with network maintenance and staff training."

Nokia Networks, ITRealms recalls, has more than 180 LTE customers, which serve subscribers across all continents, including many of the world's most vibrant metropolitan areas, with fastest mobile broadband. The company completes more than 300,000 site activities every year, with a new site coming on air every 100 seconds.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

 
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Samsung, Smile ‘collabo’ on LTE smartphone available in Nigeria

ITRealms:

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Samsung Electronics prides itself as a global technology giant while Smile Communications Nigeria is the first authentic Forth Generation (4G) LTE provider in Nigeria to go into this performance enhancing partnership with Samsung.reports ITRealms.

In a joint press statement available to ITRealms, signed by Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Nigeria, Alero Ladipo, and Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Emmanouil Revmatas,there is the need for both companies to enhance the customer experience through their product propositions.

They underscored the noble pedigree and innovative streak of both companies which they are determined to harness in serving the best interest of their customers. The offer will be available at all Smile Stores and some selected Samsung stores.

Speaking on the partnership, Mrs. Ladipo stated that Smile Communications is specifically focused on the importance of partnerships of this nature to deliver on the end-to-end needs of the customer.

“The customer experience at our shops should create a lasting impression with the customer. A customer must enjoy the simplicity of the service and leave ready-to-go. Our partnership with Samsung gives the customer the opportunity to own the latest Samsung LTE compliant smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S6 edge with a Samsung complimentary clear cover), a 5GB bundle SmileOn plan for a fixed price,” Ladipo said.

Revmatas explained that the Galaxy S6 edge has the world’s first-ever dual curved edge display, which distinguishes the device as the ultimate premium Smartphone. This partnership with Smile on S6 edge is the first of its kind in Nigeria, offering consumers the opportunity to drive productivity with a unique smartphone coupled with the 4G experience that Smile LTE network offers.

“Our collaboration with Smile on the Galaxy S6 Edge LTE launch is a staunch affirmation of Samsung’s drive for novelty in the smartphone market globally. Samsung is committed to continuously engaging in partnerships that highlight innovations that create an impact in the life of consumers’. This partnership with Smile on S6 Edge will give Nigerians the opportunity to drive productivity with a unique smartphone coupled with the 4G experience that Smile LTE network offers,” he said, hence, Samsung is pleased that Nigerian consumers will have the opportunity to reach new and progressive frontiers with their Galaxy S6 edge device.

ITRealms recalls that the 4G LTE mobile network facilitates faster Internet on the S6 Edge which includes video calls, faster music, video streaming and conferencing, faster downloads and more pictures.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE 

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Spectranet unveils new logo, offers 5GB free data

ITRealms 

Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet 4G LTE, David Venn, at a media launch in Lagos, announced a monthly rollover of any unused data and a minimum of 5GB free data for its subscribers as it unveils a new corporate identity targeted at providing fast and affordable internet connectivity to Nigerians, ITRealms reports.

ITRealms gathered that Venn, speaking at the event said consumers all over the world, including Nigerian consumers, are increasingly embracing the Internet as the next revolution in gaining access to information and entertainment, deepening social relationships, as an alternative to traditional means of communication and directly making their voice heard in public debates.

“Internet has become part of our lifestyle in Nigeria and we can see its impact felt in almost every facet of our lives. The individual is now a major player in the happenings around him, powered by Information Communication Technology.” He said.

The Internet Service Provider CEO, ITRealms learnt also described the new logo as the hallmark of a new spirit, noting that the firm understands the needs of its customers very well and has kept on improving services to offer the best internet solution in the country.

ITRealms gathered that Spectranet has gone beyond 3G and is the 1st 4G LTE Network in Nigeria which brings numerous benefits that provide a powerful internet broadband experience that is way beyond current 3G performance.

Daniel Nsolibe/Ed, Ops.

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Intel unveils innovative mobile system on chips, LTE Solution

ITRealms:

Intel Corporation has unveiled an innovative mobile system on chips, just as it listed partners on its Long Term Evolution (LTE) solution, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as Intel also announced collaborations with Ericsson, Samsung, others as part of broad effort spanning Silicon, devices, security and networking solutions.

Intel Corporation CEO, Brian Krzanich disclosed to a ITRealms that a series of mobile platforms including the company’s new low-cost system-on-chip (SoC) for phones, phablets and tablets, a global LTE solution, innovative personal computing experiences, and a range of customers for mobile device and network infrastructure offerings.

This, he said, include the Intel Atom x3 processor series, Intel’s first integrated communications SoC solution for the growing value and entry device markets, and the five-mode Intel XMM 7360 LTE Advanced solution, designed for performance and worldwide coverage.

Krzanich highlighted joint efforts with Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Huawei to address the demand for new telecommunications, cloud and data center services, improve network efficiencies, and accelerate the industry’s move toward a software-defined infrastructure.

Also he reiterated that Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge users will have the latest anti-malware solution from McAfee VirusScan Mobile technology built into and activated on their devices. “The evolution of the mobile landscape and growth of smart, connected devices has led to increased demand for more connectivity and real-time, protected data on those devices,” said Krzanich. “All of these factors are driving a transformation of the network to accelerate the delivery of new personal computing experiences, services and capabilities in a safe and secure manner. Intel is one of the only companies in the world that can provide solutions end-to-end for the full spectrum of mobility.”

 
Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE
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