Wireless Networks

China has built the world's largest 5G high-speed mobile network with 260 million 5G mobile connections now, reported Chinese official media quoting Liu Liehong, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Finland-based smartphone manufacturer Nokia has announced that it has been selected by Taiwanese carrier Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) to expand the operator’s 5G network in Taiwan.

Fast-growing pan-African operator Africell has signed a multi-million-dollar agreement with wireless transport solutions company Aviat, which will provide Africell with a 5G-ready end-to-end disaggregated transmission network across multiple African countries.

Indosat Ooredoo, the wireless telecommunications provider in Indonesia, has conducted OpenRAN (Radio Access Network) field trials on its video grade 4G network, including proof of concept and functional testing.

MTS, Russia’s largest mobile operator, and the Chinese tech giant Huawei have activated 5G networks at 14 iconic locations in Moscow.

As promised at the launch in February, South African ISP Supersonic is now extending the coverage of its Unlimited Air Fibre wireless broadband product.

French regulator Arcep has approved Digicel and Free Caraibe’s network-sharing arrangement for the Antilles-Guyane region (covering French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique).

After signing a partnership agreement with Ericsson in late 2020, Telia Lietuva has begun deploying the Swedish vendor’s next generation mobile base stations across Lithuania.

Tele2 Russia has launched new base stations via the 2300MHz band to bolster its commercial 4G/LTE services in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Airtel’s Kenyan and Sri Lankan units are bolstering their coverage via 5G upgrades and new site deployments respectively.

Etisalat has collaborated with Parallel Wireless, Intel and Supermicro to deliver Central Asia’s first cloud-native O-RAN compliant 5G 4G 3G 2G Open RAN solutions in Afghanistan.

ZTE Corporation has implemented Africa’s first live 3G/4G/5G Tri-RAT dynamic spectrum sharing solution, ZTE’s SuperDSS, in South Africa.

According to a blog on the IBM website, the technology giant has launched a proof of concept (PoC) with Movistar, a Telefonica brand, to deploy one of the first fully functional Open RAN networks, covering 81,000 inhabitants in the city of Puerto Madryn in Argentina.

Not to be outdone by its longtime rival Globe Telecom, which this week announced a major upgrade to its 4G services while pledging new 5G coverage, Smart Communications confirmed that it has activated over 2000 5G sites in the Philippines.

Nokia and Safaricom have confirmed yesterday’s news that East Africa’s first commercial 5G services have been launched in parts of Kenya, and have added more detail about the technology involved.

Kenya’s leading operator Safaricom has announced plans to launch a 5G network this Friday in Nairobi and western Kenya.

Ooredoo Kuwait has tapped Infovista’s radio planning portfolio to upgrade over 2500 sites nationwide in a bid to accelerate its 5G network deployment.

Another 5G spectrum auction is on the way in Israel – and it could be held before the end of this year.

Globe Telecom has completed a 4G/LTE upgrade to its network in Boracay and is set to accelerate a modernisation push in other areas of the Philippines.

The government of China is reportedly turning its attention to the development of 6G technology across the next five years.

Nepal is set to begin 5G testing in the cities of Biratnagar, Birgunj, Kathmandu and Pokhara, according to the country’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MOCIT).

Senegalese operator Expresso has launched its 4G network after extensive delays.

Algeria’s telecoms minister Brahim Boumzar has confirmed that the government’s current focus is on improving 4G services rather than introducing 5G.

UAE-based operator du has signed a four-year 5G expansion deal with Nokia.

Orange Cameroon has extended its Network as a Service (NAAS) contract with NuRAN Wireless to add a further 120 sites to its footprint in the market.

Gautam Buddha International Airport has become the second airport in Nepal to deploy a TETRA (two-way radio) communication solution, following TETRA adoption by Tribhuvan International Airport. The solution will be led by SC20 hand-held radios from Sepura, a leading supplier of public safety communications, which deploys radios in both of Nepal's airports.

Cape Verde is on track to clear its “digital dividend” spectrum by the end of June.

Jordan’s Umniah has confirmed imminent plans to shutter its 2G network to allow further investment and more extensive upgrades to its 3G and 4G networks.

Hot on the heels of its rival Claro, Entel Peru has announced the launch of a 5G New Radio (NR) fixed-wireless broadband offering using 3.5GHz spectrum.

Claro Peru is now offering commercial fixed-wireless 5G broadband via its 3.5GHz spectrum holding.

Zain’s local unit in South Sudan has launched a commercial 4G offering in the capital city Juba.