Networking

Funding to develop next-gen wireless communications systems

Researchers from the UK and Ireland are collaborating on a new project to develop a key technology which will reportedly enable the next generation of wireless communications. Engineers from the University of Glasgow are teaming up with colleagues from the Tyndall National Institute’s Wireless Communications Laboratory (WCL) for the project, called Active intelligent Reconfigurable surfaces for 6G wireless COMmunications (or AR-COM). Together with key industry partners, they will work to improve the design of smart materials called intelligent reconfigurable surfaces (IRS), which are expected to play a key role in the ultrafast 6G wireless networks of the future. Tyndall’s WCL, based at University College Cork, was founded in 2020 by three former scientists from Nokia Bell Labs - Holger Claussen, Lester Ho and Senad Bulja - to boost Tyndall’s research activities in the communications space. AR-COM is supported by £1m in funding from UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in addition to €500,000 (£415,000) from Research Ireland. Over the next three years, the AR-COM partners will develop new materials and methods to help IRS technologies achieve their full potential in the millimetre-wave and terahertz ranges of the communications spectrum. Intelligent reflecting surfaces are capable of intercepting weak wireless signals both indoors and outdoors to actively guide them to devices, boosting the strength of the signal in the process to maximise performance. In the future, as demand for improved indoor wireless signals increases, IRS devices could provide better mobile coverage in buildings with poor reception, enable more reliable high-speed internet connections and support new 6G applications which will require extremely reliable wireless connections. AR-COM will move through four key stages of research and development. In the first stage, the researchers will focus on creating advanced switches engineered from materials called transition metal oxides (TMOs) to enable precise and rapid control over wireless signal strength. The second stage will develop technology to control the direction of wireless signals. The researchers will study how signals move through carefully designed layers of metal and TMO materials, and find new ways for signals to be steered around obstacles in complex indoor environments. In the third stage, the team will develop miniature signal amplifiers built using devices called resonant tunnelling diodes (RTDs), which can boost weakened signals while requiring very low amounts of power to operate. Finally, the team will integrate all their newly-developed elements into a fully-functional IRS system which can effectively manipulate wireless signals with no signal loss and low latency, and maximise signal quality even in the most challenging environments. The project is the latest development in cutting-edge 6G research from the University of Glasgow’s Communications, Sensing and Imaging (CSI) hub. Professor Qammer H. Abbasi, Director of CSI Hub at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, is the AR-COMS’s principal investigator. He comments, "Current materials used in wireless communications face significant limitations, especially at the higher frequencies that 6G networks will require. With AR-COM, we’re building on the expertise of the University of Glasgow and the Tyndall Institute with the support of key industry partners to develop truly next-generation technologies.” Dr Senad Bulja will lead Tyndall National Institute’s contribution to AR-COM. He adds, “Resonant tunnelling diodes, which can amplify signals while using very little power, and transition metal oxides which can act as ultra-fast switches, have a great deal of potential to help overcome the bottlenecks of current generations of IRS technologies. Together, these technologies will help us create surfaces that not only redirect signals but also boost them with minimal energy consumption, which will help them find use in a wide range of devices in the years to come.” Professor Muhammad Imran, Project Co-Investigator and the head of the James Watt School of Engineering, concludes, “Intelligent reconfigurable surfaces will be key to solving the challenges of delivering robust 6G networks and enabling the next generation of wireless applications. Ultrafast, ultra-low latency wireless networks will underpin new forms of communication and sensing that will transform how we interact with each other in the years to come.”

WBA issues Wi-Fi predictions for 2025

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), the global industry body dedicated to driving the seamless and interoperable service experience of Wi-Fi across the global wireless ecosystem, has shared 10 predictions for Wi-Fi in 2025 - laid out by its President and CEO, Tiago Rodrigues. Detailed in full in the WBA Annual Industry Report 2025, these trends reflect how Wi-Fi is evolving to meet the demands of increased connectivity, higher speeds, better security, the growing number of devices connected to the internet, and a greater focus on energy efficiency. Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, says, “The Wi-Fi industry has reached a pivotal moment. As demand for improved Wi-Fi user experience with seamless, secure, and high-performance connectivity continues to surge across homes, enterprises and cities, collaboration within our ecosystem is more critical than ever. At the WBA, we are committed to driving innovation, interoperability, and standards that empower the Wi-Fi and broadband connectivity industry to meet the needs of today while laying the foundation for tomorrow’s connected world.” Wi-Fi Predictions for 2025 and Beyond: 1. Wi-Fi 7 adoption   Early adopters of Wi-Fi 7 will include technology-driven industries, smart home enthusiasts, and enterprises needing high-density, high-speed connectivity. Large tech companies and advanced enterprises will be among the first to implement Wi-Fi 7 in their office infrastructures to support increased demands from remote collaboration tools, IoT sensors, and high-definition video conferencing. Smart cities will also lead the charge, adopting Wi-Fi 7 to enable real-time data collection from IoT devices for traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring. Public venues like stadiums, airports, and convention centres will adopt Wi-Fi 7 early to manage the connectivity needs of thousands of simultaneous users, providing seamless streaming and data access for fans, travellers, and attendees. Within the consumer sector, tech-savvy users and smart home aficionados will upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 routers to maximise the performance of their growing array of connected devices, such as smart appliances, security systems, and entertainment systems for 8K streaming and gaming.   2. 6 GHz expansion and AFC AFC (Automated Frequency Coordination) systems will see phased rollouts across multiple regions, particularly in the US, Canada, the EU, and parts of Asia, as regulators increasingly approve 6 GHz use for unlicensed Wi-Fi under AFC management. In the US, the FCC will lead AFC implementation for standard-power Wi-Fi operations in the 6 GHz band, with licensed database administrators managing these AFC systems. Following the US model, other countries are anticipated to adopt similar AFC frameworks, accelerating deployment in enterprise and public spaces by ensuring devices can operate at standard power levels in outdoor or high-traffic areas without compromising incumbent communications. In Canada, AFC approval by regulatory bodies will drive adoption in urban areas and suburban networks, supporting widespread use in places like shopping centres, airports, and sports venues. In Europe, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) will likely coordinate region-specific AFC guidelines, balancing connectivity needs with incumbent protections.   3. AI-driven network optimisation AI-powered routers and cloud platforms will analyse traffic patterns, adjust bandwidth allocation, and manage devices for optimal performance, particularly in smart homes and IoT-heavy environments. As hardware becomes increasingly commoditised, infrastructure vendors create their respective secret sauces to innovate and differentiate. 4. Wi-Fi and 5G convergence The convergence of 5G/6G and Wi-Fi will ensure seamless, high-quality connectivity by dynamically switching between the best available networks. In a smart city, for example, a person moving from a Wi-Fi-rich office to a 5G-powered urban area will experience uninterrupted service, thanks to technologies like OpenRoaming and Passpoint, which enable secure, automatic connections to trusted Wi-Fi networks. 5G’s network slicing further enhances this by dedicating specific network resources to applications like AR/VR and real-time gaming, which can integrate smoothly with Wi-Fi. As enterprises and industries drive this convergence, 6G will add features like terahertz frequencies for nearly instant communication over wide and local areas. Edge computing, which processes data closer to its source to reduce latency, will leverage both Wi-Fi and 5G/6G to offload tasks to the best network, optimising real-time performance. Wi-Fi will dominate high-density areas like offices, while 5G/6G will enable broad IoT deployments, paving the way for innovations like smart cities and autonomous vehicles reliant on robust, ubiquitous connectivity.   5. OpenRoaming 2025 will continue to see an acceleration for OpenRoaming as global adoption continues to grow. It will see us move forward on the vision to transform the public and guest Wi-Fi user experience, and change the way we connect to Wi-Fi, from remote communities, to universities, stadiums, retail chains, large city deployments and more. OpenRoaming capabilities are extending into the IoT space, with zero touch provisioning of IoT devices, emergency calling and response and private cellular networks. At the same time, OpenRoaming expands the opportunity for MNOs and MVNOs to incorporate Wi-Fi as part of their wireless solutions to expand capacity and/or coverage, in particular for indoor scenarios.   6. TIP OpenWiFi TIP OpenWiFi adoption is projected to continue expanding, though the pace will likely be uneven across sectors and geographies. The introduction of OpenLAN switching is expected to stimulate growth, particularly in cost-sensitive markets such as India and among managed service providers (MSPs) in the US and Europe looking for alternative, flexible networking solutions. However, TIP OpenWiFi’s success will hinge on its ability to navigate challenges in scaling deployments and building credibility against established WLAN providers, who have aggressively invested in AI-driven performance enhancements and customisable features that make their offerings more compelling for enterprise-level CIOs and CTOs. 7. Increased IoT device connectivity IoT Evolution with Wi-Fi Generations and Wi-Fi Halow: as the number of IoT devices continues to grow, Wi-Fi networks will be optimised to handle large-scale device connections. Wi-Fi 6’s and Wi-Fi 7’s ability to manage more simultaneous devices will become crucial in supporting smart homes, IoT, and smart cities. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi HaLow standard will develop as a disruptive connectivity technology for IoT, with the potential to transform the IoT landscape. With its extensive range, superior penetration, and enhanced battery life, Wi-Fi HaLow is poised to revolutionise industries, including agriculture, smart cities, and manufacturing, improving efficiency and data collection. Wi-Fi HaLow is ready for primetime in the IoT ecosystem and is a natural fit, especially for long-range, intelligent applications.   8. API First The API-first strategy has transitioned from a progressive concept to a fundamental practice. Wi-Fi vendors are now building applications with APIs as the primary focus, ensuring that integration, scalability, and future growth are baked into the DNA of their digital solutions. This approach highlights the critical role of APIs in creating flexible, adaptable, and robust digital architectures. While using APIs provides a log of great flexibility and potential, every API integration project is inherently unique. Usually, a single integration build will take engineers at least several weeks. Once it’s built, engineers will likely need to allocate several hours per month to maintain the integration. 9. Municipalities and governments will continue to expand public Wi-Fi networks Public Wi-Fi networks will be driven by smart city initiatives, offering free or low-cost connectivity in urban areas. These networks will support everything from smart transportation systems to energy management and public safety. OpenRoaming is set to play a pivotal role in the expansion of public and Smart City Wi-Fi networks. For Smart Cities like Tokyo, Barcelona and others, this seamless transition between networks enables reliable, continuous connectivity for citizens and devices alike, supporting applications like real-time traffic monitoring, public safety systems, and IoT-based services. Municipalities and public Wi-Fi providers will likely prioritise OpenRoaming to enhance user experience, simplify network management, and foster more data-rich urban environments.   10. Greater focus on energy efficiency Wi-Fi networks will prioritise energy efficiency, particularly for IoT devices requiring long battery life. Technologies such as Target Wake Time (TWT) will become more prevalent, reducing power consumption in connected devices by allowing them to schedule check-ins with the network. For more from Wireless Broadband Alliance, click here.

Alibaba named 'leader' in Public Cloud Platforms report

Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has been named a 'Leader' in The Forrester Wave: Public Cloud Platforms Q4 2024 report. Alibaba Cloud believes this designation recognises its depth of its cloud and AI offerings and strategy, its significant global presence, as well as the ability to provide its global customers with a wide range of products and services. This is the first time Alibaba Cloud has been recognised as a Leader among other significant public cloud platform providers in this report. Alibaba Cloud is named one of four leaders among nine global vendors evaluated in Forrester’s report, with the second highest scores in the current offering and strategy categories. The report states that Alibaba Cloud showed its capacity for AI innovation with homegrown AI models, breadth of foundation model choices and model-as-a-service (MaaS) innovation. The report also states that the core infrastructure and model-as-a-service capabilities enable Alibaba Cloud to provide a major model repository for AI across China. “Alibaba has upped the ante on serverless beyond AI, packaging its powerful cloud-native infrastructure into more accessible offerings for both developers and operators, with data and analytics as a stand out,” Forrester notes in the report. “Alibaba is a good fit for Chinese-based enterprises or international corporations requiring cloud scale across APAC and parts of Africa, Europe, and Latin America.” The Forrester report is a 30-criterion evaluation of the nine most significant public cloud platform providers. Each provider is evaluated on the strengths of their current offerings, strategy and market presence. Alibaba Cloud has achieved the highest possible assessment score (5.0 out of 5.0) in 17 criteria, including database, data integration and governance services, container and Kubernetes services, serverless/FaaS services, compute, IoT, storage services, as well as AI development services. Jingren Zhou, Chief Technology Officer of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, comments, “Expanding our cloud-native infrastructure and AI capabilities in the public cloud space to better support our clients is a top priority. We are honoured to be recognised by Forrester for our efforts in this critical area. To address the increasing demands of AI, we are dedicated to continuously enhancing our ability to provide accessible, scalable, and reliable cloud products and AI applications to our customers.” At Apsara Conference 2024, Alibaba Cloud’s annual flagship event hosted in September, Alibaba Cloud unveiled a revamped full-stack infrastructure designed to meet the growing demands for robust AI computing. It also released over 100 of its newly-launched large language models, Qwen 2.5, to the global open-source community. Qwen, Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary large language model, has seen significant adoption since its introduction in April 2023. The Qwen models have been downloaded over 40 million times on open-source platforms such as Hugging Face and ModelScope, and have inspired the creation of more than 78,000 derivative models. As a creator of the MaaS concept and an advocate of open source, Alibaba Cloud also built ModelScope, China’s biggest AI model community. It hosts over 10,000 models and serves more than 8 million developers. Alibaba Cloud continues to expand its global reach, currently operating 85 data centres in 28 regions globally. In May 2024, Alibaba Cloud announced plans to launch its first cloud region in Mexico, and to establish additional data centres in its key markets including Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea in the next three years. For more from Alibaba Cloud, click here.

NGMN to accelerate adoption of disaggregated networks

The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) has released four concise publications detailing essential operating models for disaggregated networks. These models aim to provide clear guidance to industry stakeholders and foster the adoption of disaggregated network architectures, which will provide mobile network operators (MNOs) with greater flexibility when managing and deploying network infrastructure. The outlined operating models include: • Single Vendor Led• Systems Integrator (SI) Led• Operator Platform• Operator Platform commercially offered to others “Disaggregation - the process of modularising, softwarising and running network functions on cloud native infrastructure - is revolutionising the telecommunications industry,” says Arash Ashouriha, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and SVP Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom. “This transition fundamentally changes how operators work internally and collaborate with the broader supplier ecosystem. With these publications, NGMN is taking the lead by offering practical, actionable guidance on the key operating models available today and helping operators navigate this shift effectively.” “Software-based, cloud native network architectures are set to dominate the industry, empowering operators with greater flexibility and agility to manage networks, innovate new services, and address evolving customer needs,” adds Bernard Bureau, Member of the NGMN Alliance Board and VP of Network and Architecture Strategy, at Chief Technology Office at TELUS. “At TELUS, we are proud to have worked with NGMN to provide deeper insights into the available options and the organisational transformations needed to fully realise the potential of disaggregated networking.” The publications build on NGMN’s Cloud Native Manifesto (September 2023), which outlined seven key principles for accelerating the transition to cloud native networking. While the Alliance is prohibited under competition law from endorsing or recommending any specific operating model, these publications offer decision-makers a comprehensive understanding of the organisational changes required to implement each scenario. They also provide a balanced assessment of the advantages and challenges associated with each approach. The goal is to highlight the wide range of options available to the industry and the long-term considerations for adopting each model effectively. The publications were developed with input from across the industry, with NGMN's membership comprising operators, vendors, and research institutions. This collaboration enables NGMN to offer strong guidance on key industry issues, driving progress on today’s most important topics, including NGMN's Strategic Focus Topics: Mastering the Route to Disaggregation, Green Future Networks, and 6G. NGMN encourages all stakeholders across the value chain to join the Alliance in this endeavour. Further information and all NGMN publications can be found on the website at ngmn.org.

LINX celebrates 30 years of the Internet

The London Internet Exchange (LINX), a global Internet Exchange Point (IXP), is marking 30 years of advancing the internet, with a continued focus on enhancing connectivity worldwide. Since its launch, LINX has grown into a critical hub for global internet traffic, increasing its connected network capacity by 17% in one year, from 60.10 Tbps in 2023, to 72.91 Tbps in 2024. On top of this, the network traffic being passed across LINX’s global platforms continues to increase year on year. In 2024, LINX achieved its highest-ever network traffic, with a maximum peak of over 10.841 terabits per second (Tbps), up from 9.229 Tbps in 2023 and 7.424 Tbps in 2022. In 1994, there were approximately 3 million internet users, a number that has skyrocketed to around 5.35 billion in 2024. This significant growth highlights how far the internet has come, shaping how we connect, communicate, and conduct business. LINX has been part of this journey, playing a crucial role in the development of internet infrastructure and facilitating connectivity for millions around the world. Over the past three decades, LINX has expanded its portfolio of interconnection products and services to meet the evolving needs of its members. These offerings include Cloud Connect, Closed User Groups, and the Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS). Together, they ensure reliable access to business-critical applications, give users greater control over their network traffic, help mitigate cyber attack risks, and provide direct connections to Microsoft’s public cloud services. LINX has members located in more than 85 countries. Over the last 12 months, LINX celebrated 10 years of operations in the US through its LINX NoVA Internet Exchange in Northern Virginia. Additionally, the company took it’s first step into Africa with the launch of the LINX Nairobi Internet Exchange in Kenya in late 2023, and further announcements have come in 2024 with plans for LINX Mombasa and LINX Accra in 2025. Additionally, LINX has welcomed a host of new partners as part of its UK growth strategy, including Lunar Digital Data Centre and AtlasEdge Data Centre in Manchester. LINX also welcomed new CEO, Jennifer Holmes in November, who has been with LINX since 2007. Jennifer replaced Kurtis Lindqvist, who is moved to a new role as CEO and Vice President of ICANN. Previously before Lindqvist, the CEO of LINX was John Souter until 2019. Jennifer Holmes, CEO Of LINX, comments, “Over the past three decades, the internet has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and conduct business. As the digital landscape has evolved, so too has the infrastructure that supports it. LINX has played a vital role in this journey, adapting to the increasing demand for reliable connectivity and seamless online experiences.” “Our recent 17% increase in network capacity shows our commitment to a robust and efficient internet ecosystem. This growth not only highlights our role in supporting businesses, ISPs, and content providers, but also reflects the achievements of an interconnected global network.” "LINX continues to sustain, grow, and optimise its services by introducing new products and pricing, ensuring it provides ongoing value for its 850+ members through flexible peering speeds and services." LINX aims to stay relevant in its core UK and London markets, while continuing to add value to local networking communities in other regions and its existing members. A key focus is on engaging with the membership, creating strong relationships, and actively responding to feedback to ensure continued growth and community alignment. In celebration of 30 years of LINX, the organisation hosted a special event, LINX123, in November 2024. The gathering brought together its membership community to reflect on LINX’s key role in driving the development of the internet, particularly in the UK. For more from LINX, click here.

Spirent partners with Siemens to deliver pre-silicon verification

Spirent Communications, a provider of test and assurance solutions for next-generation devices and networks, today announced a collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software to deliver a sophisticated pre-silicon test solution for Ethernet chipset design verification. The joint networking system-on-chip (SoC) verification solution aims to reduce complexity and accelerate the silicon development lifecycle, paving the way for faster Ethernet chip development tailored for uses such as data centre AI networking, and service provider core and edge. In response to the growing demands for high-speed Ethernet solutions, Siemens and Spirent have integrated Spirent TestCenter Virtual into Siemens’ Virtual Ethernet test software for Veloce software. The solution brings comprehensive real-world Ethernet traffic generation and result analysis capabilities, traditionally only available in post-silicon validation, to the pre-silicon verification process. Benefits include reduced testing complexity and accelerated Ethernet chipset design and development. “We’re excited to work with Siemens to bridge the gap between pre- and post-silicon validation, providing customers with an integrated, end-to-end solution,” says Aniket Khosla, Spirent’s Vice President of Wireline Product Management. “Siemens is an innovator in hardware-assisted verification, and this latest collaboration offers cutting-edge IC design verification tools that empower customers to address critical issues early in the design process, accelerating time to market. This joint solution simplifies Ethernet chipset design and testing, reduces development time, and ensures new products meet expected performance standards.” “The ever-demanding networking market has driven significant innovation in the virtualisation of hardware emulation,” adds Jean-Marie Brunet, Vice President and General Manager, Hardware-Assisted Verification, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “The certification of Veloce software for Spirent TestCenter Virtual is based on a long-term collaboration delivering high performance system-level test solutions for bleeding edge networking customers.” The new integration leverages the Veloce emulator’s high-performance co-model channel bandwidth and scalability to enable deterministic full-system verification with Spirent TestCenter Virtual. The integration accelerates lab-based validation infrastructure for mutual Ethernet networking customers, transitioning it to a high-performance pre-silicon testing environment on Siemens’ Veloce platform. Highlights of the joint solution include: • Accelerated time-to-market: By identifying issues early in the design cycle, the solution accelerates the entire silicon development process, helping to reduce risks and expediting product launches. • Scalability and flexibility: Capable of emulating speeds from 1G to 800G, port counts up to 1024, the virtual solution supports dynamic traffic patterns and advanced result analysis. And with this virtual solution, new features can be added quickly to enable new use cases as needed. • Cost-effective testing: Early-stage testing reduces the need for costly hardware upgrades and complex deployments, delivering a cost-effective alternative for chipset development. For more from Spirent, click here.

Spirent selected for Ethernet infrastructure testing

Spirent Communications, a provider of test and assurance solutions for next-generation devices and networks, today announced that a leading AI-focused hyperscaler has selected Spirent to perform critical 800G Ethernet fabric testing and assurance, to ensure optimal performance for AI workloads. Spirent’s solution will enable the hyperscaler to balance efficiency and sustainability, while monetising its AI Ethernet infrastructure investments. “Artificial intelligence is transforming the industry and this hyperscaler is leader in building the next generation public cloud for enabling large scale AI workloads,” says Aniket Khosla, Spirent’s Vice President of Wireline Product Management. “At Spirent we understand the challenges that come with building sustainable AI data centre networks and supporting high-performance compute use cases, and we’re excited to support leading industry players as they address the performance demands of advanced AI applications.” Hyperscalers globally are continuing to scale rapidly to meet the dramatic demand for accelerated compute solutions critical for training and serving the most sophisticated AI models. Leveraging Spirent’s B3 800G Appliance and proven test methodologies, Spirent is enabling hyperscalers to optimise the performance of high-speed Ethernet infrastructure required to support AI-driven applications. The B3 800G Appliance is a high-density native 800G OSFP and QSFP-DD test platform, and the first in its class to support IEEE 802.3df specifications. It provides rigorous, high-scale testing to evaluate bandwidth and resource utilisation, helping to accelerate 800G deployments and enable the networking industry to power new applications running AI/ML. With the B3 800G Appliance, hyperscalers can test and validate their infrastructure’s readiness for bandwidth-intensive AI workloads, while maintaining optimal network efficiency. For more from Spirent, click here.

R&M to support digitalisation of railway traffic

R&M, a Swiss developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks, is supporting the digitalisation of the railways. R&M is committed to sustainable infrastructure development through advanced cabling solutions for rail transport. With the modernisation of communications networks on the railway lines and in trains, railway companies are starting a new era, and passengers will be able to take advantage of seamless high-speed mobile connections in the future. Fibre optic cables will be laid along the railway lines and new antenna sites installed for future railway radio systems for the real-time transmission of large volumes of data. These radio systems connect trains with the traffic control systems in the railway’s own data centres via state-of-the-art railway control systems and new digital signal boxes. The aim of digitalisation is to make rail traffic even safer and more efficient in the future, and to further automate it. R&M has developed the RailCon programme for this application area, giving railway operators complete end-to-end solutions for their cabling infrastructures from a single source. The product portfolio covers the technical levels from plug connectors and wiring to network distributors and cabinet solutions in both indoor and outdoor versions. R&M designs infrastructure solutions based on decades of experience with outdoor solutions for communication technology and in the construction of fibre optic networks. Among other things, the RailCon programme supports the European Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), an important foundation for the further digitalisation of rail transport in the coming decades. The product portfolio includes the connectors of the HEC family developed by R&M. The outdoor connectors withstand harsh conditions such as changes of temperature, vibrations, dust, moisture, sunshine and electromagnetic fields. For example, the HEC connectors connect the active equipment of communication network installations in underground cable ducts, in outdoor installations or FRMCS radio systems with the fibre optic network. R&M also offers various splice/patch closures, IP68 housings and railway-specific, shielded multi-fibre cables manufactured in-house for cabling in buildings and tunnels, as well as aerial and underground cabling. Other modules are the modular optical distribution frames ODF PRIME and FOXS, the Polaris and LUNAR box families, and the CONEXIO portfolio for the wiring of FRMCS mobile radio sites. In addition to the product portfolio, the RailCon programme also includes a whole range of services. Cable assemblies, splice closures, distributors and boxes, racks and cabinets can be planned and pre-terminated on a customer or site-specific basis in order to reduce the installation effort on site. R&M implements customer-specific adaptations and special solutions quickly and reliably in order to inspire customers with convincing results. Support is provided for logistics, installation work, support for initial installation on construction sites as well as specific laboratory tests and approvals. For more from R&M, click here.

Telkomsel expands 5G network across Greater Jakarta area

Telkomsel, a provider of digital telecommunications services, has expanded its 5G network (Hyper 5G) in the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek). With the support of Huawei, this initiative is undertaken to welcome the Christmas and New Year festivities, ensuring the community enjoys the best digital experience during the season. Telkomsel’s Hyper 5G coverage now includes several key routes in and around Jakarta, from Soekarno-Hatta to Halim Perdanakusuma airports, the master-planned areas of Pantai Indah Kapuk 1 and 2, to business and government hubs spanning from Pondok Indah to the National Monument (Monas). In the near future, Telkomsel plans to expand its 5G network incrementally, strategically, and systematically to other prime locations across Indonesia. Telkomsel's 5G technology delivers internet speeds up to four times faster than 4G, providing greater reliability, the ability to connect more devices, and low latency to support emerging technologies and innovations. Since its commercial launch in 2021, Telkomsel's Hyper 5G has become the most extensive and advanced network in Indonesia, with over 1,400 5G base transceiver stations (BTS) spread across 56 cities and regencies, driving progress and supporting the country’s digital transformation. Telkomsel’s Chief Technology Officer, Indra Mardiatna, states, “As the epicentre of economic activity, governance, and a national progress barometer, this region has significant 5G smartphone penetration, a high number of international roamers, growing 4G/LTE users, and increasing demand for high-speed data. With the Hyper 5G network, we not only deliver ultra-fast connectivity and low latency, but also serve as a catalyst for digital transformation, opening opportunities for progress in every aspect of life as we strive toward the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045.” Telkomsel is also integrating an end-to-end Hyper AI approach powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to improve service efficiency and quality. This technology ensures faster responses to network disruptions and enables automated network management through an Autonomous Network framework. “Through Hyper AI, Telkomsel provides optimal service quality in various situations, ensuring the best customer experience anytime, anywhere, including at crowded points during Christmas and New Year and strategic Hyper 5G locations,” adds Indra. The low latency of Hyper 5G further supports the Hyper AI approach, such as in the implementation of Telkomsel’s AI-Based Customer Care Virtual Assistance services. The Veronika Virtual Assistant (B2C) Internal and Ted Virtual Account Manager (B2B), integrated with the AI Service Operations Center, enable quick and effective responses to customer needs, delivering innovative and superior service experiences in the 5G era. During the festive period, Telkomsel anticipates a 14.8% increase in data traffic, with total payloads expected to reach 1,981 petabytes. Comprehensive infrastructure optimisation for both 4G/LTE and 5G networks, supported by thorough network testing across key routes and strategic locations, has been implemented to ensure customer convenience in accessing digital services. Indra concludes, “As a leading digital telecommunications service provider, Telkomsel is committed to spreading optimism and positive energy to the community. By optimising the readiness of connectivity, services, and innovative solutions, Telkomsel strives to ensure every customer enjoys Christmas and New Year moments with ease, comfort, and joy.”

Hybrid cabling for next-generation Wi-Fi

R&M has announced that it is paving the way for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G in buildings, and the globally active Swiss developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks has developed a hybrid cabling concept specifically for this purpose. The solution combines fibre optic and power cabling for access points, and is based on the principle of structured LAN cabling. This makes it possible to quickly establish additional infrastructures for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G coverage in buildings in a tried-and-tested way. Wi-Fi 7 and 5G are increasing the transmission rate in local wireless networks. However, they are exceeding the transmission capacities of existing copper-based LAN cabling. An R&M spokesperson states, "Anyone wanting to use Wi-Fi 7 and 5G in buildings in the near future needs a practical and future-proof cabling solution." Hybrid cabling made of optical fibre and copper for data and power transmission, such as the one R&M has now developed, could well prove ideal. The next-generation access points are networked using optical fibres. At the same time, the antennas gain their power via the LAN cabling, which saves an additional separate power supply. As referenced, the hybrid solution from R&M is based on the principles of structured LAN cabling, and is integrated in the modified building, floor and ceiling cabling (digital ceiling). The antennas can be patched in next to no time to expand or customise Wi-Fi coverage. In addition to conventional fibre optic and copper installation cables, the R&M portfolio also includes hybrid installation cables, fibre optic and RJ45 patch cords, 19" patch panels and hybrid-compatible service outlets, as well as RJ45 and LC connectivity. One R&M solution variant even goes beyond the typical radius of LAN cabling. It supports distances of up to 200 metres between distributors and service outlets. This connects the patch cabling with parallel fibre optic and RJ45 patch cords. It connects the antennas with the data network and the power supply. R&M provides all the necessary cabling products, and the company also supports specialist planners and installers with adaptable installation concepts. The company therefore believes that next-generation Wi-Fi with a large number of transmission channels and transmission rates in excess of 30 Gbit/s is now feasible. For more from R&M, click here.