➀ Total Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) revenues grew 7% in 2024, driven by residential subscriber growth in North America and India. ➁ FWA has become a major tool for connecting homes and businesses with broadband, expanding from the US to other regions. ➂ Long-term subscriber growth is expected in emerging markets due to network upgrades and economic connectivity needs.
Recent #5G news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Sivers Semiconductors of Sweden has received awards for electronic warfare and 5G/6G chip development from the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub through the U.S. Chips and Science Act. The awards are under the Microelectronics Commons program, executed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). ➁ The awards are to validate Sivers’ wireless technology as a key enabler for mmWave technology adoption. ➂ Sivers will collaborate with BAE Systems, Raytheon, and Ericsson for commercializing RF and beamforming technology for defense and dual-use applications.
➀ The ESA and Telesat have established a world-first 5G connection to a non-geostationary spacecraft. This is a significant step towards making space-based connections as simple as using a mobile phone. ➁ The connection was made using 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology in the Ka-band frequency range. ➂ The initiative showcases the collaboration between ESA, Telesat, and Amarisoft, aiming to support services requiring real-time, interactive connections, such as rural healthcare and remote industrial operations.
➀ Airbus has been selected by Eutelsat to extend its OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation; ➁ The contract involves building 100 satellites, with delivery expected by the end of 2026; ➂ The new satellites will have technology upgrades for 5G integration and will be compatible with Europe's planned IRIS2 multi-orbit constellation.
➀ Google may be moving away from Exynos 5G modems for the Pixel 10; ➁ MediaTek's T900 modem is chosen for its stability and support for 3GPP Release 17 5G specification; ➂ The move to MediaTek is expected to resolve previous modem-related issues and keep costs down.
➀ Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong University in China have developed a 3D-printed device capable of generating OAM beams to enhance data capacity and reliability for next-gen wireless networks; ➁ The device combines advanced antenna capabilities with integrated signal filtering; ➂ The research aims to integrate the device into real-world applications like satellite and 5G systems.
➀ Apple is transitioning to in-house modems, starting with the iPhone SE 4, aiming for thinner devices and independence from Qualcomm; ➁ The move is less concerning for Qualcomm, which has been diversifying its revenue streams; ➂ Apple's new 5G modem could extend to Macs and Vision Pro, with potential for smart glasses that rely on mobile connectivity.
➀ Netgear has launched the Nighthawk M3 mobile hotspot router, offering 5G connectivity with speeds up to 2.5Gbps and a total aggregated WiFi speed of 3.6Gbps. The router is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon SDX62 Mobile Platform and supports dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz AX3600 WiFi 6. It has a 5185mAh battery for up to 13 hours of use. ➁ The M3 features an in-home performance mode that boosts WiFi coverage up to 1000 Sq. ft. ➂ It supports VPN pass-through and password protection for secure network access.
➀ Nokia has been awarded over 3,000 sites by Deutsche Telekom to support its multi-vendor O-RAN network in Germany. The deal includes Fujitsu and covers a mass rollout of O-RAN-compliant technology. Nokia will supply equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio and its ReefShark SoC technology. ➁ The deal will see Nokia replace the incumbent vendor in the covered area. ➂ Nokia will also deploy its AI-powered MantaRay NM solution for improved network monitoring and management.
➀ The 3Q 2024 Mobile Core Network (MCN) market saw a 12% year-over-year (y-o-y) increase after a 15% y-o-y decline in the previous quarter. ➁ The 5G MCN market rebounded with a 20% y-o-y growth. ➂ Dell'Oro estimates the 2024 MCN market revenues will end below 2023, and 2025 will be slightly higher than 2024.
➀ SIMCom has announced a 'RedCap' 5G wireless comms module at Electronica in Munich; ➁ The module, SIM8230, supports Release 17 SA and has interfaces including PCIe, USB2.0 and GPIO; ➂ It delivers up to 220Mbit/s(DL)/100Mbit/s(UL) for sub-6G stand-alone or 200Mbit/s(DL)/75Mbit/s(UL) for LTE.
➀ Nvidia and Softbank are collaborating to integrate AI-servers into telecoms cell towers. ➁ SoftBank has demonstrated its Nvidia-accelerated AI-RAN technology achieving carrier-grade 5G performance. ➂ The aim is to reduce latency by placing AI processing closer to where it is used, enabling applications like autonomous cars and robot control.
The RAN market, excluding services, declined for the sixth consecutive quarter in 3Q24, with worldwide revenues down 10 to 20 percent year-over-year. Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, ZTE, and Samsung are the top five suppliers. The worldwide RAN market is expected to grow at a low single-digit rate in 2025, mainly driven by growth in North America and APAC, excluding China.
➀ An interdisciplinary team in France and Germany has developed hybrid operating rooms using 5G and AI to improve patient outcomes; ➁ The project, 5G-OR, aims to reduce complications and streamline workflows; ➂ The team has implemented AI-assisted monitoring, AI-supported analysis of surgical data, robot-assisted telesurgery, and mobile robotic support in the OR; ➃ The focus is now on transferring these applications into clinical practice and expanding the network for broader user feedback and international collaboration.
➀ Wi-Fi 6 and 7 are advancing wireless technology with improved speed, efficiency, and low latency, addressing modern connectivity needs. ➁ The article highlights the features of Wi-Fi 6 and 7, such as OFDMA, MU-MIMO, TWT, and MLO, and their impact on IoT and smart homes. ➂ It discusses the challenges and future adoption of Wi-Fi 7, emphasizing the importance of RF design, power efficiency, and thermal management.
➀ SRS has integrated and tested nine O-RAN Radio Units (O-RUs) from leading vendors with its srsRAN Enterprise 5G software solution; ➁ The solution aims to simplify the deployment of 5G private networks with high-performance, low-latency connectivity; ➂ SRS's unique Open Fronthaul (OFH) library and API accelerate the integration of new O-RU models.
➀ Wind River is collaborating with Rakuten Symphony to accelerate the adoption of O-RAN. The collaboration includes expanding Rakuten Symphony's partner ecosystem for O-RAN 4G and 5G solutions. ➁ A proof of concept has been completed, including Rakuten Symphony's O-RAN 4G and 5G SA vDU and vCU running on Studio Operator. ➂ Future collaborations include integrating Wind River's eLxr Pro into Rakuten Symphony's cloud portfolio and integrating Rakuten Symphony's Cloud Native Storage into Studio Operator.
➀ Constellation.global, a French startup, secures €9.3 million in funding for its 5G space connectivity project; ➁ The investment will enable the company to conduct ground and orbit connectivity tests and complete engineering studies for the first two satellites; ➂ The company aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to telecom operators using 5G spectrum.
➀ The RAN market is facing a second consecutive year of steep declines after a 40 to 50 percent revenue growth between 2017 and 2021; ➁ The downward pressure is expected to persist until 6G becomes a reality; ➂ Operators will need to optimize their spectrum roadmaps to address various data traffic scenarios, and the RAN market may see further downward pressure due to the slowing growth of mobile data traffic.