In Slovakia, ZTE Corporation and operator SWAN Mobile jointly conducted the country’s first 5G video call. The companies also demonstrated other 5G industry applications, all on a 5G network based on 3GPP R15 using ZTE’s end-to-end solution.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Nokia has won a 5G network deal with Vodafone New Zealand to deploy the country’s first commercial 5G network. The network will be launched in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown in late 2019.

Network Evolution News

The FCC is taking steps to improve broadband deployment and competition in the nation’s apartment buildings, condominium complexes, and office buildings, known as multiple tenant environments, or MTEs. With nearly 30 percent of the US population living in MTEs, the FCC must address these environments in its efforts to close the digital divide. The agency has also authorized over $524 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to more than 200,000 unserved rural homes and businesses in 23 states in the third wave of support from last year’s Connect America Fund Phase II auction. It has also proposed establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which would direct up to $20.4 billion to expand broadband in unserved rural areas by making regions with at least four million rural homes and small businesses eligible for support. This month, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai formally recommended approval of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger, noting “it will bring fast 5G wireless service to many more Americans and help close the digital divide in rural areas.”

In New England, Consolidated Communications has enhanced availability of its 1 Gig FTTH broadband Internet service to more than 86,000 business and residential customers in New Hampshire.

Anticipating the network demands and increasing pace of deployment, ProLabs has unveiled its Active Solutions portfolio, intended to advance fiber infrastructure ahead of 5G rollout. These solutions will enable operators to maximize their fiberoptic infrastructure to increase efficiency and enhance existing network capabilities.

IoT News

Calix has become a member of prpl Foundation, a collaborative organization of vendors and network operators dedicated to building a flexible, common software framework for embedded IoT devices.

In connected car news, Viacom International Media Networks and Access Co., Ltd. have launched a partnership to make Viacom’s most globally recognized TV brands available to vehicle passengers through the Access Twine4Car content service in Germany.

Cloud News

Naveego, an emerging leader in cloud-first distributed data accuracy solutions, released its new Accelerator Toolkit, a quick data health analysis tool that analyzes data accuracy and provides measurable results in minutes. The company also announced the expansion of its Partner Success Program with the addition of several new partners.

Security News

Of course, security industry news is always a key topic. HomeGrid Forum has introduced a roadmap for a secure wireless connected future with Light Communication and Visible Light Communication. The membership organization highlights the potential the technologies have for protecting environments where sensitive information could be the target of cyberattacks. HomeGrid forum is actively pursuing certifications with these technologies.

Satellite News

Gilat Satellite Networks' Wavestream subsidiary has been awarded a contract of over $7 million for the US Army’s WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network-Tactical) program. Gilat’s Wavestream will supply thousands of Satellite Transportable Terminals (STTs) in the field for anytime, anywhere connectivity.

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