Connectivity Technology Blog

Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) was successfully launched on Sunday August 11 (10:02 p.m. EDT). The satellites carrying several payloads will provide continuous broadband coverage to aircraft, ships, research vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, expeditions and troops operating in the Arctic by using a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO). The satellites will run in a TAP (Three Apogee Period) orbit with the highest orbital altitude (apogee) of 43500 km and the lowest orbital altitude of 8100 km (perigee). The satellites will run in the same orbital plane with a 63-degree inclination and 8 hours separation. Each orbit takes 16 hours, and by employing two satellites, we provide full coverage throughout the Arctic north of 65 ° N (see animation). In addition, the satellites are active for about 10 hours in each orbit. This gives the satellites up to 2 hours of overlap where both satellites are operational while covering the entire area north of 65 degrees. The Arct...

The ATIS Workshop on Synchronization and Timing Systems (WSTS) was held in May 2024.Valued for its insight into synchronization and timing fundamentals, the WSTS Tutorial has been a highly anticipated part of the conference since its inception. The videos and presentations from the tutorial sessions are all available here . For anyone unaware, timing & synchronization are critical in communication systems because they ensure data is sent and received correctly between devices. In networks like the internet, computers need to be in sync to avoid data getting scrambled or lost. For example, in wireless communications like Wi-Fi or mobile networks, both the sender and receiver must be perfectly timed to work on the same frequency, ensuring messages don’t overlap or cause interference. Without this coordination, you would have slower or interrupted connections. Timing is also important for managing how devices share network resources. In systems like time-division multiplexing (TDM), e...

The advent of 5G technology is revolutionizing the connected intelligent edge, driving digital transformation across various industries. As the number of connected smart devices continues to grow, so does the need for a robust and agile platform that ensures security and privacy at scale. In a blog post last year, Qualcomm talked about how 5G, with its advanced security features, is meeting these demands by providing end-to-end system security. This includes identity privacy protection, enhanced authentication mechanisms, and service-based interface security, all designed to protect diverse deployments beyond mobile broadband, such as IoT and private networks. A key aspect of 5G's security framework is the adoption of a zero-trust security model, which operates on the principle that no user or network function can be trusted without verification. This model shifts the focus from network perimeter security to protecting resources like data and applications through strong authentica...

We have quite a few NTN presentations and webinars embedded in our blogs (see related posts 👇). Here is another one from Telit Cinterion. Quoting from the webinar preview : We will show how existing use cases benefit from NTN because of an additional communication path that increases reliability and application robustness. This next-generation satellite technology can enhance cellular network performance in challenging environments. These include scenarios with high mobility or limited terrestrial coverage.  NTN’s phased rollout will be key to our discussion. We will navigate the standardization stages that paved the way for its implementation.   The journey began with an initial study and progressed into 3GPP Release (Rel) 17 standardization activities. During this phase, existing standards were enhanced to enable the first stage of NTN operation in which the satellite acts as a relay. It allows the utilization of adapted cellular device hardware optimized for this tech...

Kai Müller is an Expedition Leader and Medic, and former paramedic with extensive experience in polar operations. Kai worked as a paramedic in Germany, going from the ambulance to helicopters, to medical repatriations across Europe. He then joined the army, where he worked as a Medevac Sergeant, completing tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Kai left war zones behind and became a polar guide and expedition medic. He identified a need to improve telemedicine, so did so within his work in telecoms as a polar guide. Some months back, Tim Belfall shared on his LinkedIn post about how Kai Müller presented on how using portable Starlink and Telemedicine enhances the capabilities of paramedics working in extreme climates and locations. The video of the presentation is embedded below: Related Posts : Connectivity Technology Blog: Why Starlink is Already a Gamechanger Connectivity Technology Blog: KDDI Prepares for Disasters with Vehicle-Mounted Base Stations Backhauled via Starlink Connectivi...

Wi-Fi has consistently been a popular topic on this blog so it prompted me to write about Wi-Fi support in Apple iPhone and other devices. The following 802.11 technologies are supported by different Apple devices. Not all devices support all technologies and the same device may support different technologies in different regions. The following is 802.11 compatibility and frequency band:  802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E),  802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5),  802.11n (Wi-Fi 4),  802.11a,  802.11b/g  2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Apple platforms supporting Wi-Fi 6E can join Wi-Fi 6E networks that are discoverable on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz channels, and on 6 GHz Preferred Scanning Channels, where 6 GHz is allowed by regulatory domain. Wi‑Fi 6E isn’t available in mainland China. In addition, various roaming optimisation support technologies are implemented to improve roaming performance and device battery life with features such as: Radio Measurement (802.11k): To deliver the list of neighbo...

Back in May, I attended the inaugural UK Telecoms Innovation (UKTIN) Ecosystem Conference. One of the talks from Microsoft caught my attention as the speaker was discussing the advantages of Hollow-Core Fibre. While the video or slides from that presentation aren't available, here is another talk from Infinera, who are experts in optical technology. In this talk, Geoff Bennett performs a reality check on HCF which is already being deployed in financial trading applications in the UK. Quoting from the talk description : Conventional optical fiber, as “an asset that keeps on giving”, has served our industry incredibly well over the past 30 years but we know that there are fundamental limits on fiber capacity. In addition the popularity of low latency applications like financial services and gaming are demanding lower latency, which can become a problem for silica-based fiber because light travels at about two thirds of the speed through glass as it does through air. Hollow Core Fiber...

At the Telecoms Europe Summit 2024, Sandeep Raithatha, Head of Strategy, Innovation & 5G IoT at Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) Business spoke about the evolution of the private networks technology and real-life deployments, unlocking future possibilities and the critical role of partnerships in creating end-to-end solutions. He also shared a recent example of working with Accenture. His talk is embedded below: Related Posts : Private Networks Technology Blog: Industry 4.0 – Digital Transformation Enabled by Private Networks Private Networks Technology Blog  

Mobile connectivity is becoming a necessity and this is compelling mobile operators to provide coverage in very hard to reach areas within cities. One such example is in subways and metros where connectivity enhances the overall quality of life for commuters, improves safety and efficiency, and supports the growth of smart, connected urban environments. There are several other advantages like emergency communications, being able to communicate with friends/family/colleagues as and when required, and much more that I an not going to expand here. Some years back we made an explainer on how connectivity is provided in case of metro/subway here . While there were limited examples available then, we have seen a boom in underground connectivity since then.  Recently O2 Telefónica in Germany announced (in German, translated via Google translate): It was now possible for all passengers of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) to access high speed connectivity. The Berlin subway, the ba...