Episode 197: The G2 on 5G - Key Highlights

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 197 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

Nokia's Acquisition of Infinera

- Will discusses Nokia's recent announcement to acquire Infinera for over $2 billion.

- The acquisition aims to strengthen Nokia's optical networking and component business.

- Potential benefits include increased access to the North American market and entry into data centers.

- Anshel questions whether the sale of Nokia's submarine cable business to the French government was required for the acquisition.

Generative AI and Data Centers

- Will highlights the relevance of the acquisition to generative AI and data centers.

- Anshel notes the stability and long-term benefits of Nokia's wireline businesses.

3GPP Release 18 and 5G Advanced

- Anshel discusses the finalization of 3GPP Release 18 standards, marking the 5G Advanced era.

- Release 18 includes enhancements for IoT, XR, AI, and ML applications.

- The importance of standalone deployment for utilizing Release 18 features.

AT&T's 5G RedCap Launch

- Will talks about AT&T's soft launch of 5G RedCap in the Dallas metropolitan area.

- The significance of RedCap for IoT applications and AT&T's vertical market focus.

- Anshel discusses the potential consumer and enterprise applications of RedCap.

India's 5G Spectrum Auction

- Will covers the recent 5G spectrum auction in India, which netted only $1.3 billion compared to $18 billion in 2022.

- Speculation on the reasons behind the lackluster auction, including slow monetization and deployment of previously acquired spectrum.

- Discussion on the potential benefits of democratizing access to licensed spectrum for private networking.

FCC's Proposed Rule on Unlocking Phones

- Anshel explains the FCC's proposed rule to require mobile providers to unlock phones within 60 days of activation.

- Concerns about the financial risk to carriers and the practicality of unlocking postpaid devices.

- Suggestion to mandate unlocking for prepaid phones and maintaining current rules for postpaid devices.

Verizon's Concerns Over 4.9 GHz Spectrum for FirstNet

- Anshel discusses Verizon's opposition to the FCC potentially giving 4.9 GHz spectrum to AT&T for FirstNet.

- Analysis of the spectrum's value and its suitability for small cell deployments.

- The potential impact on Verizon's competitiveness and the overall 5G landscape.

Closing Remarks

- Will and Anshel share their upcoming travel plans and wish listeners a happy 4th of July.

- Encouragement for listeners to rate, subscribe, and provide feedback on future 5G topics.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WillTownTech

- Anshel Sag: @AnshelSag

Next Episode

- The podcast will take a break for the 4th of July and return the following week.

Show Notes for Episode 196 of The G2 on 5G

Welcome and Introduction

- Hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag kick off the episode.

- Anshel shares his recent experience at a Padres game and the Augmented World Expo conference.

Microsoft's Shift in Telecom Strategy

- Will discusses Microsoft's decision to exit the 5G application space on Azure for operators.

- The focus shifts to infrastructure, similar to AWS's approach.

- Analysis of the impact on AT&T and the broader telecom ecosystem.

Orange's 5G Network for the Olympics

- Anshel highlights Orange's deployment of a private 5G network for the upcoming Olympics in France.

- Samsung's involvement with 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones for unique athlete perspectives.

- The network will cover 120 venues, including athlete training grounds.

Global Telco AI Alliance Formation

- Will introduces the new alliance between Singtel, Deutsche Telekom, SK Telecom, and SoftBank.

- The alliance aims to develop generative AI applications tailored for mobile operators.

- Focus on multilingual large language models and potential security challenges.

T-Mobile's Enterprise Expansion

- Anshel discusses T-Mobile's recent wins, including the Spiral Four contract for the Department of Defense.

- T-Mobile's involvement in Sail GP in New York and the Women's PGA Championship.

- The company's growing presence in enterprise and sports venue support.

Telia's 5G-Enabled Remote Forestry Control

- Will shares an innovative use case from Telia in Sweden.

- Drones and portable mobile base stations enable remote control of forestry machinery.

- Highlights the importance of 5G's ultra-low latency for safe and efficient operations.

Samsung and MediaTek's RedCap Testing

- Anshel covers the collaboration between Samsung and MediaTek on RedCap testing over Vran.

- Focus on power-saving features and the path to commercial viability by the second half of 2024.

- Potential applications in IoT and beyond.

Augmented World Expo Insights

- Anshel provides a brief overview of his experience at the Augmented World Expo.

- Highlights include Haptex's robotic gloves and Siteful's 5G-connected AR PC.

Closing Remarks

- Will and Anshel wrap up the episode, encouraging listeners to provide feedback and subscribe.

- Both hosts express excitement for future 5G developments and applications.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WilltonTech

- Anshel Sag: @anshelsag

Call to Action

- Don't forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast for more insights on the latest in 5G technology.

In episode 195 of The G2 on 5G, hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag delve into six key topics shaping the 5G landscape:

1. AST SpaceMobile and Verizon Collaboration: Highlighting the extensive coverage and potential future partnerships, validating AST SpaceMobile's efforts.

2. Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference: Discussing updates on RCS, satellite messaging, iPhone mirroring, and Apple's new AI branding, Apple Intelligence.

3. T-Mobile's Acquisition of US Cellular's Assets: Debating the potential regulatory scrutiny and the implications for rural connectivity.

4. Nvidia's Involvement in 5G: Examining Nvidia's testing of Open RAN in private 5G networks, showcasing their ambition to influence the telecom sector.

5. China's 5G Deployment Claims: Questioning the reported $800 billion economic impact and the feasibility of their adoption rates.

6. Link5G's Tower Infrastructure in New York City: Addressing the controversy surrounding the aesthetic concerns and the necessity of such infrastructure for improved connectivity.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on these pivotal 5G topics, offering expert perspectives and in-depth analysis.