Accedian is now part of Cisco  |

Avatar photo
By Mae Kowalke

Operators focus on 5G as 2016 draws to a close |Trending network news | December 10, 2016

5G, Edge,

As 2016 draws to a close, operators around the world are making known their efforts to get one step closer to the next generation of mobile networks and services. Initiatives include an Internet of Things (IoT) partnership between SK Telekom and Honeywell Korea, efforts by several carriers in India to expand 4G, 5G research by BT and Huawei, and plans on the part of AT&T and Verizon to begin trialling early forms of 5G services. Plus: Sprint’s comeback during 2016. 

SK Telecom targets IoT market with Honeywell Korea partnership
Telecom operator SK Telecom and automation/control solutions provider Honeywell Korea have teamed up on a low power, wide area-based IoT initiative expected to launch during first quarter 2017. | Article by RCRWireless. 
4G Deals Dominate Indian Market in 2016

In the wake of Reliance Jio’s launch, incumbent operators–including Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, and Vodafone India–are making deals with equipment vendors left and right, in order to launch and expand their own 4G services. | Article by Light Reading. 

BT Teams With Huawei on 5G Research

BT is teaming up with Huawei to conduct 5G research at its labs in the U.K., focused specifically on network slicing, security, and a new air interface for connecting devices to base stations. | Article by SDxCentral. 

AT&T means business with a 5G trial at Intel

AT&T is set to starts its first business 5G trial, which will last about a month at Intel’s Austin, Texas facility, covering one cell site with a radius of about 300 meters. | Article by InfoWorld. 

Verizon CEO Says 5G Pre-Commercial Trials Likely in 1Q
Verizon plans to start early 5G trials during first quarter 2017. The operator will test out the service in smaller towns, using its pre-5G specification equipment. | Article by SDxCentral. 

Kagan: Sprint 2016 comeback story
During 2016, Sprint staged something of a comeback story, and the carrier looks poised to build on that momentum during 2017. | Article by RCRWireless.