Verizon announced this week it is combining its existing edge routers onto a single platform in hopes of bolstering its network efficiency and deploying new technology more quickly. The carrier, along with Cisco and Juniper Networks, said software-defined networking technology would enable the companies to join Verizon’s service edge routers for Ethernet and IP-based services.…
Report: Pentagon Bans Huawei, ZTE Phone Sales on Military Bases
The U.S. Defense Department recently joined the ranks of government agencies seeking to restrict Chinese-made mobile devices due to security fears. The Wall Street Journal reports that Pentagon officials plan to ban the sale of Huawei and ZTE phones at retail locations on or near U.S. military bases worldwide. A department spokesman told the paper…
Qualcomm CEO: Apple Court Battle Could End in Coming Months
Qualcomm’s chief executive expressed optimism that the chip maker’s ongoing legal spat with Apple would wrap up, either through a settlement or a court verdict, by the end of the year. Steve Mollenkopf told CNBC last week that as the case’s “legal milestones” approach starting this summer — including the deposition of Apple CEO Tim…
Study Points to Potential Problems with In-Building FirstNet Service
A newly released report urges equipment vendors, building owners and other stakeholders to ensure their systems will work properly within buildings as AT&T deploys the FirstNet public safety network. The study from ABI Research, titled “Public Safety DAS in the FirstNet Era,” examined AT&T’s FirstNet buildout as it relates to Distributed Antenna Systems and in-building…
Nokia Debuts Compact Edge Server
Nokia on Wednesday unveiled a compact server that aims to process data closer to end-users and accommodate next-generation technologies. The Finnish telecom equipment company said the AirFrame Open Edge Server represents the industry’s first edge cloud data center solution. The server, at roughly five inches high, 18 inches wide and 17 inches deep, is small…
AT&T Announces Tower Leasing Agreement with CitySwitch
AT&T on Tuesday announced an agreement with Atlanta wireless infrastructure company CitySwitch to construct new cellular towers. The companies said in a statement that the towers will be built-to-suit based on future wireless network demands. AT&T will lease the completed sites from CitySwitch, and the deal will also enable the carrier to relocate equipment from…
Verizon, AT&T Downplay Collusion Probe; GSMA Puts Standard on Hold
Verizon and AT&T said they are cooperating with a federal investigation into potential collusion over wireless device standards but downplayed the controversy and their involvement in it. The global industry group developing the standards, meanwhile, said the issue is on hold until the investigation is completed. A report last week indicated that the Justice Department…
AT&T Announces LTE Network Upgrades in 117 New Markets
AT&T said Friday that it dramatically expanded the number of markets served by its “5G Evolution” network technology. The carrier said it upgraded cell towers in parts of 117 more markets to bring the total served by those technologies to 141 across the country. AT&T Labs President and CTO Andre Fuetsch wrote in a blog…
FCC to Take Up 2.5 GHz Rule at May Meeting
The Federal Communications Commission next month is expected to float a proposal to overhaul license procedures in 2.5 GHz spectrum. The agency’s tentative agenda for its May meeting includes a measure to initiate the rule-making process for the Educational Broadband Service band, which officials said goes unused across roughly half the country — and primarily…
Report: DOJ Probes Verizon, AT&T, GSMA Collusion over eSIM Technology
Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating allegations of collusion by the U.S.’s two largest wireless carriers and a global industry group. The New York Times reported Friday that Justice Department antitrust investigators are looking into whether Verizon, AT&T and GSMA colluded to undermine eSIM, a technology introduced in 2016 that eliminates the need for SIM cards…
Report: Huawei Cuts US Staff, Spending as Regulatory Setbacks Pile Up
As recently as four months ago, Huawei officials expressed confidence about finally establishing a foothold in the lucrative U.S. wireless market. But in the wake of yet another regulatory setback, it appears the Chinese electronics and telecom equipment giant is ready to cut its losses. The New York Times reports that the company laid off…
FCC Starts Developing Procedures for 28 GHz, 24 GHz Auctions
The Federal Communications Commission this week voted to begin the process of conducting spectrum auctions later this year. The measure approved unanimously by the commission Tuesday calls for public comments on procedures for two separate auctions. The first, in the 28 GHz band, will begin on Nov. 14, with a second, in the 24 GHz…
Clyburn to Step Down from FCC
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn announced Tuesday that the commission’s April meeting would be her last at the agency. “I’ve done all I know to do,” Clyburn said at the meeting. “And it’s time for me to serve in another way.” One of two Democratic commissioners, Clyburn began serving at the FCC in 2009 and is…
Clyburn to Depart FCC
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn announced Tuesday that she would soon step down after more than eight years at the commission. “I’ve done all I know to do, and it’s time for me to serve in another way” Clyburn said as she announced this week’s FCC meeting would be her last. Clyburn, one of two Democratic…
FCC Initiates Process to Restrict USF Funding for National Security Risks
The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday voted to begin crafting regulations designed to keep telecom companies designated as national security risks from receiving federal dollars. The commission unanimously adopted a proposal to take public comment on banning allocations from the $8.5 billion Universal Service Fund from going to those companies. The measure was introduced amid…
Tuesdays with Roger: USF Funding Restrictions on Huawei, ZTE
In this week’s edition, Roger Entner on the FCC’s effort to restrict Universal Service Fund dollars from going to companies classified as national security risks, plus the commission’s move to share spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band. Follow Roger on Twitter at @RogerEntner for more insights throughout the week, and stay up to date on the latest…
US Bans ZTE from Importing American Tech over ‘Repeated False Statements’
Federal officials on Monday banned Chinese smartphone maker ZTE from using components imported from the U.S. for a period of seven years. The Commerce Department said a seven-year “denial of export privileges” could be activated if ZTE violated the terms of a March 2017 settlement over illegal shipments to Iran and North Korea. The agency…
xRAN Forum Announces First Specification
The xRAN Forum on Friday unveiled its inaugural industry specification and said it was likely to be the first of several introduced this year. Officials said xRAN Fronthaul Specification Version 1.0 will enable companies to develop remote radio and baseband units that could be widely deployed — with virtualized infrastructure and management systems using standardized data…
Ericsson, CommScope Say Tests Showcased Interoperability in CBRS Band
Ericsson and CommScope successfully demonstrated equipment interoperability in the 3.5 GHz band, the companies announced Thursday. Officials said the “rigorous testing across a range of scenarios” utilized Ericsson radio infrastructure and CommScope’s Spectrum Access System in the Citizen Broadband Radio Service band. They were also among the first to use the Wireless Innovation Forum’s release…
AT&T, Crown Castle Expand Leasing Pact to Include Small Cells, FirstNet
AT&T on Wednesday announced an expansion of the carrier’s long-term leasing agreement with tower giant Crown Castle. The carrier said the deal would streamline lease management and operations and give AT&T more flexibility to deploy new technologies and increase capacity. The company noted that the agreement would cover the small cell installations needed for 5G…
Sprint, Contractor to Pay $11.6M in Permitting Investigation
Sprint will pay $10 million to resolve an investigation into potential violations of federal wireless infrastructure permitting rules. The FCC this week announced settlements with the carrier and its contractor Mobilitie, which will pay $1.6 million. The agency last year began investigating whether the companies properly subjected tower and small cell projects to environmental and…
Tuesdays with Roger: Privacy Protection and the Future of Media Consumption
This week, Roger Entner of Recon Analytics discusses the need for greater privacy protection in light of Facebook’s scandals, along with what the future holds for mobile media. Follow Roger on Twitter at @RogerEntner for more insights throughout the week, and stay up to date on the latest industry news by following Wireless Week at @WirelessWeek. You can also keep…
China Mobile Selects Nokia Equipment for Regional Network
Nokia announced Monday that it will provide equipment for a major regional network in China after finishing atop a bidding process by the world’s largest wireless carrier. The Finnish telecom equipment giant said China Mobile’s optical transport network, which is already being deployed, would include 13 metropolitan and two provincial backbone networks. Company officials said…
Verizon Hosts 4G Tests on CBRS Band
Verizon announced last week that a collection of tech and telecom giants are partnering to help develop commercial use of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. The collaborative effort to advance the use of 4G LTE technology on the 3.5 GHz spectrum is housed at Verizon’s Irving, Texas, complex and also includes Ericsson, Nokia, Qualcomm, Google,…
FCC Rejects Request to Pause Transfer of Spectrum Licenses to Verizon
The Federal Communications Commission this week rejected a request from an industry group to halt Verizon’s acquisition of spectrum licenses held by Straight Path Communications. The Competitive Carriers Association, which represents many smaller wireless carriers, has called for the FCC to reject moves by Verizon and AT&T to acquire spectrum holding companies and instead auction…