Ben Edmond

Of course FWA is future proof. FWA is the only edge technology that passes future homes and businesses before those structures are ever built, and without additional capital investment. 🙂 A wired last-mile, on the other hand, is never future-proof, regardless of the technology. Future homes and businesses located beyond the wired-edge are (sadly) the future unserved. 🙁 If the future belongs to the connected, as the FCC Chairwoman states, then we should be building more fixed wireless now to power the homes and businesses of tomorrow. 💡 #FWA #5G #WISP #broadband #internet #futureproof #digitaldivide #unserved #unconnected #digitalequity #digitalinclusion

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The FCC's upcoming net neutrality rules won't single out 5G network slicing, sticking to the broader guidelines set in 2015. Despite T-Mobile's push for specific provisions, the agency views current policies as robust enough to cover new technologies like network slicing. #5G #NetNeutrality #NetworkSlicing https://lnkd.in/eywFVqgT

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🚨 The FCC's push to ban bulk billing in multifamily communities might be well-intentioned, but it risks widening the digital divide. Bulk billing solutions offer affordable, reliable internet to many, especially in low-income and rural areas. Removing these options could increase costs and reduce access where it's needed most. Let's keep discussing how we can advocate for policies that support broadband providers in reaching underserved communities and ensuring digital inclusion for all. #DigitalInclusion #BroadbandForAll #FCC #AffordableInternet https://lnkd.in/gKSqk3fM

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The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) has unveiled the latest map showcasing #5G availability by market, shedding light on the distinct market formations across regions and the key innovators leading the way. This map not only offers a comprehensive view of global 5G coverage but also underscores the entrepreneurial vigor within the industry. The outlook for market formation and 5G technology maturity appears promising, reflecting the sector's unwavering innovation. 🌐📶 #technology #innovation #marketformation --

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1 Million New Yorkers at Risk of Losing Broadband Due to ACP Defunding Almost 1 million low-income residents in New York City could lose their internet access due to the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This critical program provided discounts of up to $30 per month for broadband service, making it essential for many households. The lack of ACP funding impacts neighborhoods like East Harlem, the South Bronx, and Long Island City, where a significant % of residents relied on the program. Without this support, many will struggle to afford internet access, creating a digital divide that hinders education, employment opportunities, and overall well-being. https://lnkd.in/ei_i6jny What can be done? Should the city or state step in to fill the gap left by the federal government? Let's discuss this crucial issue in the comments below. #DigitalEquity #BroadbandAccess #NYC Carl Franzen Thank you for sharing.

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Are you relying solely on fiber for your mission-critical applications? Think again. The risk of a single-point-of-failure is too great. That's where wireless redundancy comes in. MW and mmW solutions offer fiber-like capacity with lower latency. Our teams at Ceragon Networks and Siklu are here to support your network. Don't leave your mission-critical applications vulnerable. #wirelessredundancy #missioncritical #networksupport

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https://lnkd.in/eauDJviY After this acquisition and the possible bankruptcy of DISH, this might be the last larger telecom carrier consolidation we will see in the US. I don't see the feds allowing any additional contraction in the market. #Tmobile #USCellular T-Mobile would gain U.S. Cellular's infrastructure, potentially improving its network coverage and capacity, particularly in rural areas where U.S. Cellular has a stronger presence. This could enhance service quality for T-Mobile customers in those regions. On the negative side of the coin, the combination of T-Mobile's acquisition of U.S. Cellular and DISH Wireless's financial struggles could shift market dynamics significantly, leading to higher barriers to entry for new players and less innovation in service offerings, ultimately to the detriment of consumers.

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I enjoyed the discussion and insights from GSMA and others on Private 5G deployment use cases and what it takes to drive adoption.

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Since 2000, the number of fixed telephone line subscriptions has declined by 50%. As telecom technology continues to move to wireless and internet-based services, many legacy systems are left behind during annual service upgrades. Although the industry is moving away from them, it’s not uncommon to find customers who are STILL PAYING for those systems after a migration to new tech. This is just one of the errors my team often uncovers during a #telecomaudit. If your organization has followed this trend, but your bills are still rising, give me a call! S2K Consulting would be happy to review your telecom bills and see how we may reduce your organization’s monthly telecom spend. #TelecomSavings

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Download the report on CPaaS API vs Network APIs     This report, written by Dean Bubley at Disruptive Analysis, clears the industry's confusion about CPaaS APIs vs. #NetworkAPIs and explains their roles in unleashing programmable network capabilities.

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Interesting Read - The Western Governors Association is pressing Congress and Federal agencies to cut thier own red tape around Broadband Funding. Historically, most all of the Federal programs around Broadband funding are frout with Polices, Decres and procedures that impede the approval process, and limit the ablity of many Rural Providers to bid on and win funding. Tha WGA is also pushing to standardize the approved definition of broadband to "at least" 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) for downloads, 20 megabytes per second for uploads, and "scalable to" 100 Mbps for both, across all Federal Funding. #ruralbroadband #ruralinternet, #ruralconnectivity, #wisp, #wirelessbroadband

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Open RAN is gaining momentum! Verizon boasts 130,000 open RAN radios deployed, shaking up the market structure. AT&T’s surprise Ericsson contract also shifts dynamics, elevating Ericsson to open RAN champion status. Samsung Networks emerges as a key player with major deployments in North America and Europe, including Canada’s first open RAN network with Telus. Read on for more insights: https://bit.ly/3TBFaYC #OpenRAN #TelecomEvolution #EnergyEfficiency #RANEnergyEfficiency

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Did you know T-Mobile for Business has the only nationwide #5G standalone #network in the U.S.? 5G Standalone is a "100% 5G network," built entirely on the latest 5G technology—without depending on older 4G systems like non-standalone 5G does. Standalone 5G is faster and more efficient than our 4G systems. And you need 5G standalone for innovations like: ✅ Network slicing ✅ Ultra-low latency ✅ Private 5G networks Discover how 5G standalone can take your business further: https://t-mo.co/4bKYfiT

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Most small ISPs see Net Neutrality as a cover for the FCC wanting control of the Internet and Broadband. Nothing positive will come of this move by the FCC, especially for small ISPs, as it will simply layer on more Federal bureaucracy. In fact, it could ultimately lead to higher costs for consumers as these companies seek other means to cover yet another unfunded mandate by the FCC. https://lnkd.in/gahnanw4

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Well said Mike! I attended this event and what stood out for me was the quality of content, speakers and their crisp articulation of current challenges and future expectations. My key takeaways were: 1) Spectrum scarcity, as quoted by almost all the T1 telcos (stated to be in the range of 200-500Mhz over the coming years) and the need for immediate auctions required to meet 5G capacity uptake. 2) 5G FWA as a cable-cutter, esp in rural. FWA uptake also would necessitate spectrum requirements. I expect this to be a major use case for 5G. 3) Cautious roll out of O-RAN where initial deployments are expected to have a single vendor across RU-DU-CU to avoid operational challenges. Focus would be on building a thriving rApps development community. 4) And, of course, AI. It will emerge as a key tool (or only tool!) for automated operations of complex telco networks. There were good examples from Qualcomm on embedded AI capabilities that can be baked into Radio design. Good times ahead!

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I spent yesterday at the LS telcom Spectrum Summit, in Lichtenau near Baden Baden in southwestern Germany. LS does a range of products and services primarily for regulators and other government agencies interested in monitoring or managing #spectrum allocations, as well as telcos and enterprises running or deploying wireless #networks of all types. There were various panels and presentations on themes such as: - Outcomes from #WRC23 and insight into behind-the-scenes processes at ITU and national regulators in managing the agenda & onsite negotiations - Spectrum-sharing models, with a particular focus on sharing spectrum with the defence sector, satellite industry and (once more) 6GHz for #5G + #WiFi. There was also a good discussion by Martin Sims of PolicyTracker about whether advances in sharing fit well with current international regulatory mechanisms like WRCs. - Practicalities of #Private5G. There was a speaker and small demo booth from Siemens talking about the uses for Industrial 5G, as well as a network set up onsite in the German 3.7-3.8GHz band - What happens to the UHF band between 400-700MHz in future, especially around the longevity of broadcast TV vs. alternative use-cases - Ongoing work in the UAE to set up a comprehensive system of spectrum-monitoring and a big-data and analytics systems to optimise security & efficiency of usage - A demo of a drone-based monitoring tool and set of applications that can be used by regulators (or others) for deciding what spectrum bands are used in a given area, as well as hunting down any sources of interference. I was speaking on a panel about future models for converged networks, especially around 4G/5G/6G and satellite, Wi-Fi and other technologies. There were also presentations by GSOA about future #5G & #6G NTN integration, and a great talk by Meta about the real-world design & tech challenges in creating AR glasses, blending #WiFi, #Bluetooth and #5G. (Key takeout - use cellular via a tethered smartphone, not in the device itself, when Wi-Fi not available. Latency is less important than you think). As with last week's #EUspectrum event, there was a strong message that the 3GPP community is going to have to get used to more #spectrum sharing in future, especially for #6G, so it better get engaged and take it seriously ASAP. Also it needs to expect pushback on the idea of continual mobile data growth, and closer scrutiny of its demand forecasts. Lobbyists won't get as easy a ride in future. My own presentation is attached - basically I spoke about convergence vs. coexistence, and also the importance of divergence in some settings. I covered #indoorwireless, trains & enterprise wireless, but also noted that "spectrum efficiency" needs to take account of real-world constraints & user behaviour. Thanks to Saul Friedner for the invitatation. This was my 3rd time at the event & was very much worth the rather travel to somewhere quite remote!

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RTT continues to expand

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The US government continues to support the development of the Open RAN ecosystem as it seeks to widen vendor choice for operators networks. The $420 million in new funding announced by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is a significant boost for the development of open radio units. This initiative has two key aims: ▪ Commercialisation: Accelerating readiness for commercial trials to prove the technology's viability for wider deployment. This has been a long held reservation on the new technology. Many operators we speak with have concerns about wide level commercial deployments in existing infrastructure. ▪ Innovation: Supporting R&D efforts in Open RAN performance and capabilities to drive the technology forward. The investment is a clear signal that the US remains committed to fostering a competitive, diversified telecoms equipment market. It should open up opportunities for US-based Open RAN vendors and could create a more innovation-friendly environment following a difficult few months with some of the larger names in the sector #OpenRAN #telecomsequipment #NTIA #innovation #USinvestment

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