And in satellite news, Gilat Satellite Networks has been tapped to provide managed services for high-speed 4G (5G Ready) cellular backhaul over satellite for Southern Linc’s fixed and mobile network assets. And, ORBCOMM announced the launch of a new device to enable satellite connectivity for IoT devices when cellular coverage is limited. 

News also rolled in from industry groups this month. The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Board has launched a project focused on the Vision and Drivers for 6G. The Open RF Association announced its formation as an industry consortium dedicated to expanding the functional interoperability of hardware and software across multi-mode RF front end and chipset platforms into the 5G era, responding to customer demand for open architectures. Its founding members include Broadcom, Intel, MediaTek, Murata Manufacturing, Qorvo, and Samsung.

Innovation News

Nokia Bell Labs’ innovations, in partnership with NASA, announced it will build and deploy the first ultra-compact, low-power, space-hardened, end-to-end LTE solution on the lunar surface in late 2022. Nokia also announced that it has joined forces with Tampere University to establish a ‘Center of Excellence’ to enhance the development of System-on-Chip (SoC) custom processors for its ReefShark chipset portfolio. And the company announced a five-year strategic collaboration with Google Cloud that will involving migrating Nokia’s on-premise infrastructure, data centers and servers around the world, as well as various software applications, onto Google Cloud infrastructure.

In other innovation news, Bentley Systems expanded its alliance with Microsoft to accelerate infrastructure digital twin innovations to contribute to the future of smart cities and networks. Harmonic announced new upstream technology that enables cable operators to provide new two-way gigabit services. Comcast is trialing the new technology.

The demand for digital subscription also made headlines. According to a new report from Juniper Research, the market for consumer subscriptions for physical goods will grow from an expected $64 billion in 2020 to more than $263 billion in 2025. These offerings providing physical products on a recurring basis will overtake the market for consumer digital service subscriptions in 2022, despite the significant lead the digital sector has had in this area, as many different consumer businesses seek to boost recurring revenue.

Security News

Cyberattacks on internet-connected devices continue to rise at an alarming rate due to poor security protections and cybercriminals use of automated tools to exploit these vulnerabilities, according to the latest Nokia Threat Intelligence Report. 

In addition, The IoT Security Foundation launched VulnerableThings.com with the goal of simplifying the reporting and management of vulnerabilities while helping IoT vendors comply with new consumer IoT security standards and regulations. Also this month, Stellar Cyber announced that Deeptree selected the company to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity services for its next-generation intelligent SOC.

Network News

ADVA announced the general availability of its Ensemble Activator, the market’s first carrier-grade network operating system (NOS) designed for disaggregated cell site gateways (DCSGs). And, Uniti Group announced it will begin offering nationwide dark fiber services on 31,000 fiber route miles, spanning 35 states across Tier I, II and III markets.