In 5G innovation news, DISH is using Confluent Cloud for cloud-native data streaming with Apache Kafka to deliver a smart network to enable real-time intelligence and agility.

Network news

In network news, Internet exchange provider DE-CIX measured a significant increase in traffic in 2021, as we notched another year of living, working, and connecting virtually. A total of more than 38 exabytes of data were exchanged at the global DE-CIX Internet Exchanges in 2021, a 20 percent increase over 2020. 

In network innovation news, Comcast announced the successful test of a prototype 10G modem using core technology that will deliver multigigabit speeds to tens of millions of homes. In the lab test, a Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 system-on-chip cable modem built by Broadcom delivered upload and download speeds faster than 4 gigabits per second powered by 10G network technology. Nokia and GlobalConnect successfully completed a network trial demonstrating 600G transmission over a live long-haul network link of GlobalConnect Group’s GO-COLOR network.

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order ending the ability of China Unicom to provide domestic interstate and international telecommunications services within the country. In other FCC news, the agency proposed new rules that would require broadband providers to display easy-to-understand labels to allow consumers to comparison shop for broadband services.

Innovation news

Juniper Research has published its smart city rankings as part of its ongoing analysis of smart city innovation. Shanghai nabbed the top slot, with Seoul, Barcelona, Beijing, and New York rounding out the top five. Rankings were based on an evaluation of many different aspects of smart cities, covering transportation and infrastructure, energy and lighting, city management and technology, and urban connectivity.

Speaking of smart things, Electric Sheep Robotics has launched Dexter, the robot that transforms commercial gas and electric lawnmowers into autonomous vehicles. Dexter is designed to address critical labor shortages in the landscaping, facilities, and property management industries—and handle management of what’s considered the United States’ biggest crop. Sewer inspection has also gone high tech as Deutsche Telekom and Kummert team up with state-of-the-art cameras and connectivity to provide data on invisible infrastructure for maintenance, water conservation, and environmental protection.

Progress toward an electric-car future continues. According to ABI Research, electric vehicle sales will move from seven percent of total new vehicle shipments in 2021 to 19 percent in 2027, thanks in part to improved battery range, support for DC fast charging, and higher charging power that make ownership more appealing.

Deloitte unveiled its new Unlimited Reality, a set of offerings to give business leaders the tools and technologies for virtual worlds and virtual economies. Unlimited Reality includes a studio and innovation space for simulation.

Is the age of the robotic chatbot coming to a close? Survey says: yes. Consumers aren’t sold on their efficacy, and many find chatbot experiences flat-out frustrating, according to new research by Verint.

Leaderboard partnership news included the announcement of Optiva’s new multi-year strategic partnership with Google Cloud to help telecom operators and service providers accelerate their digital transformations and journey to the cloud, private and public, and deployment on the edge. As a next step in their collaboration, FedEx and Microsoft will bring together FedEx network intelligence with capabilities from Microsoft Dynamics 365 to introduce a cross-platform 'logistics as a service' for retailers, merchants and brands.