Posts Tagged ‘networks’

Tech Focus: Non-Terrestrial Networks and the Era of Democratised Connectivity

Monday, September 18th, 2023

Dylan McGrath from Keysight Technologies shares how non-terrestrial networks (NTN) represent an exciting new frontier in communications because they extend the reach of 5G into regions lacking terrestrial infrastructure.

NTNs use both satellites and high-altitude platforms such as balloons, airships and pilotless aerial systems in the stratosphere to ensure coverage and reliability in virtually any scenario. Photo by NASA on Unsplash.

NTNs use both satellites and high-altitude platforms such as balloons, airships and pilotless aerial systems in the stratosphere to ensure coverage and reliability in virtually any scenario. Photo by NASA on Unsplash.

Decreased costs and new capabilities in terrestrial 5G are combining to make NTNs increasingly viable, ushering in a new era of true global connectivity and a space-based IoT that will permanently change our perception of communication.

3GPP’s 5G standards recognise NTNs as a part of the 5G connectivity infrastructure.

One of the network’s chief benefits is multi-connectivity, as users connect through both terrestrial and satellite links, with the former handling low-latency traffic and satellites reserved for high-latency traffic.

There are a multitude of fascinating use cases to explore here, including the following.

  1. Augmentation of terrestrial networks
  2. Whole-world connectivity
  3. Remote pipeline monitoring
  4. Image Intelligence

1. Augmentation of terrestrial networks

5G NTNs will fill gaps in cellular coverage, allowing operators to enhance the latter without driving up costs.

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Singtel Launches UNBOXED Lite 5G Experience Zones on Orchard Road

Monday, January 4th, 2021

The telco hopes to offer consumers a taste of its network’s ultra-fast mobile speeds with 5G-powered WiFi.

UNBOXED Lite features next-generation self-service kiosks powered by mmWave 5G and Singtel’s AI assistant Stella. Photo credit: Singtel.

UNBOXED Lite features next-generation self-service kiosks powered by mmWave 5G and Singtel’s AI assistant Stella. Photo credit: Singtel.

Singtel is giving its payphone booths at Tong Building on Orchard Road a new lease of life with 5G connectivity.

“UNBOXED Lite 5G experience zones will allow more consumers to try out Singtel 5G and understand how super-fast speeds and quick response times can elevate their mobile data experience. With 5G set to go mainstream with more devices and applications available in the coming months, we will launch UNBOXED Lite experience zones progressively across the island to bring richer experiences enabled by 5G, AR and VR closer to the consumers,” says Gan Siok Hoon, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing, Consumer Singapore, Singtel.

Named UNBOXED Lite, the payphone booths have been transformed into next-generation multimedia kiosks, providing round-the-clock access to a wide range of Singtel services and complimentary 5G-powered WiFi.

UNBOXED Lite will give all consumers a taste of Singtel’s ultra-fast 5G experience, providing WiFi connections powered by Singtel’s triple-band 5G which utilises 3.5Ghz, 28Ghz and 2100Mhz frequencies.

Consumers with any smartphone can connect to the 5G-powered WiFi for free to experience Singtel 5G’s fast speeds, as well as smooth streaming of exclusive 4K content from Love Nature.

To provide a safe and secure environment for everyone, all touch surfaces in UNBOXED Lite are disinfected frequently and coated with a long-lasting anti-microbial solution.

UNBOXED offers customers a 24/7 contactless experience for prepaid card purchases and top-ups, Singtel mobile, fibre broadband and TV subscription sign-ups, instant SIM card replacements and more.

More details below from the press release.

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New arrival: Google Wifi mesh Wi-Fi home router in Singapore

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

Google has launched its home Wi-Fi system in Singapore – the first in Southeast Asia and the 8th country in the world to begin shipping the mesh router. Prices below.

Customers will be able to get a three-pack Google Wifi at $0 upfront cost when they sign up or renew selected StarHub Broadband or Hubbing all-in-one plans.

Customers will be able to get a three-pack Google Wifi at $0 upfront cost when they sign up or renew selected StarHub Broadband or Hubbing all-in-one plans.

Google Wifi will be available in Singapore from 31 August, 2017 – exclusive to StarHub customers.

By setting up two or more Google Wifi routers around the home, a mesh Wi-Fi network is set up in the home that extends the range of a traditional router and provides coverage to dead Wi-Fi zones plaguing most home Wi-Fi networks.

Alex King, Google Wifi Product Manager explaining features of the app. Google Wifi was launched at the offices of Google Asia Pacific in Singapore.

Alex King, Google Wifi Product Manager explaining features of the app. Google Wifi was launched at the offices of Google Asia Pacific in Singapore.

This is especially useful for larger apartments or homes with physical layouts that are introduce Wi-Fi dead zones.

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M1 & Nokia ups cellular & Wi-Fi networks in SMRT stations

Friday, June 3rd, 2016

M1 boosts network capacity, indoor coverage with Nokia in Singapore’s busiest MRT stations.

The new Flexi Zone small cells network in Orchard MRT, Raffles Place MRT and Jurong East MRT has increased 4G LTE download speeds by up to 2 times, compared to the performance over the existing base station and antenna system.

The new Flexi Zone small cells network in Orchard MRT, Raffles Place MRT and Jurong East MRT has increased 4G LTE download speeds by up to 2 times, compared to the performance over the existing base station and antenna system.

M1 Limited (M1) and Nokia have completed the installation of indoor small cells and WiFi networks to meet the surging data demand of mobile device users at Orchard MRT station, Raffles MRT Station, as well as Jurong East MRT station.

With the high adoption of advanced smart devices in Singapore, the demand for sharing and viewing high-resolution photos and high-definition videos have been growing.

To further improve customer experience in accessing data, M1 is working to provide high quality mobile coverage in MRT stations to thousands of passengers, particularly at the crowded zones during peak hours.

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New arrivals: Linksys WRT004ANT & WRT002ANT router antennas

Friday, November 13th, 2015

Linksys ships its first dual-band omni-directional high-gain antennas for home Wi-Fi networks – the 4-pack WRT004ANT (S$149) and 2-pack WRT002ANT (S$85). Available exclusively at Challenger @ Funan DigitaLife Mall and Challenger.com.

The new Linksys 7dBi omni-directional antenna helps give up to 2x Wi-Fi signal boost.

The new Linksys 7dBi omni-directional antenna helps give up to 2x Wi-Fi signal boost.

The new antennas help improve a router’s overall signal strength and throughput specifically at the edge of a Wi-Fi network, resulting in enhanced Wi-Fi performance.

“Antennas amplify a Wi-Fi signal and improve performance within the coverage area – providing a stronger Wi-Fi signal and throughput.  New antennas like ours will help customers that are looking to improve Wi-Fi throughput at the boundaries of their existing wireless network. In testing conducted by Linksys, the antennas optimised performance best in a single story environment where the router is on the same floor as the primary Wi-Fi usage. If users require signal enhancement on multiple floors, a range extender is more ideal,” explained Mike Chen, vice president of product management and engineering, Linksys.

Compatible with any wireless router that features an RP-SMA connection, these new antennas deliver 4dBi in the 2.4GHz band and 7dBi in the 5 GHz band for up to 2x antenna gain over stock antennas.

A more focused beamwidth also equates to higher throughput and a faster, more seamless online experience for all users.

Easy to install, simply detach an existing router’s factory antennas and replace with the new high-gain antennas.

Upgrading a Wi-Fi router or other device to omni-directional antennas can help improve connectivity with mobile devices in the home and resolve basic signal issues.

However depending on the environment, a repeater or range extender may be needed in order to amplify and relay signals in multi-level homes.

Features of the Linksys WRT004ANT and WRT002ANT Omni-directional High Gain Antennas are summarised below.

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Dell adds Big Switch Networks to advance open networking initiative

Friday, April 25th, 2014

Dell expects to begin offering switches with Big Switch Networks Switch Light operating system and the Big Switch Networks Big Tap Monitoring Fabric controller in the second quarter of 2014.

Tom Burns, VP/GM Dell Networking (left) and Doug Murray, CEO, Big Switch Networks (right) extolling the benefits of the offerings. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtaJp-7m7AQ.

Tom Burns, VP/GM Dell Networking (left) and Doug Murray, CEO, Big Switch Networks (right) extolling the benefits of the offerings. Watch the video.

Dell’s open-networking initiative disrupts traditional networking switch model, enabling rapid innovation and customer choice through hardware and software disaggregation.

“Dell’s push into open networking, and this announcement with Big Switch and other vendors, are great examples of original thinking and innovation coming from the new Dell, “said Tom Burns, vice president and general manager, Dell Networking.

The strategic agreement that Dell signed with Big Switch Networks will expand its open ecosystem to provide customer choice for networking hardware and software.

It offers an alternative to “white-box” switching with Dell-branded, validated and integrated systems, global scale, logistics, and enterprise-class services.

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Infographic: Top social networks and web services during Sochi Olympics

Saturday, March 1st, 2014

The 2014 Winter Olympics took place from 7-23 February in Sochi, Russia. Avaya came up with these infographics on usage of devices, traffic and the top 10 web services during the closing ceremony.

The Top 10 most popular web services accessed during the Closing Ceremony of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

The Top 10 most popular web services accessed during the Closing Ceremony of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Avaya is the Official Supplier of Network Equipment for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Avaya estimated that at any given time, up to 120,000 devices might be connected to its network.

On top of this, some 1,500 televisions would be broadcasting 36 HD IPTV channels, with 6,500 IP phones bringing seamless connectivity to volunteers and officials.

Click o the chart to find out what were the Top 5 moments of the closing ceremony.

Click o the chart to find out what were the Top 5 moments of the closing ceremony.

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