Huber+Suhner, a Swiss fibre optic cable manufacturer, has joined the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance. It joins a long list of major firms, such as Apple, AT&T, BT, Huawei, Microsoft, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone, to join the alliance as a partner, with all member firms working to meet the future challenges that 5G brings.
The NGMN Alliance first launched a white paper in 2006, focusing on mobile broadband connections and recommendations for operators. It has since concentrated its focus on the upcoming launch of 5G services across the globe, with member firms all assisting each other on how to best implement the technology.
Like many firms in the networking business, Huber+Suhner are allocating significant resources to 5G development. Its own work in the space can only go so far, however, with the firm now deciding the time is right for it to learn from other players in the market.
Gianna Terenghi, head of Market Unit Communication at Huber+Suhner, said, “We are widely involved in 5G developments, from connectivity solutions, to wavelength-division multiplexing and optical switching. It makes perfect sense to join NGMN at this time, to not only learn from and work with other organisations in the 5G ecosystem collaboratively, but to also share our participation in the development and delivery of 5G and associated technology in the future. The contributions delivered by our experts to the NGMN work programme support standards development with a future-thinking outlook, while guiding the industry towards the successful deployment of 5G, benefiting end users in a range of locations, including high density urban and underserved rural areas.”
The announcement of Huber+Suhner’s addition to the alliance came as the NGMN Industry Conference & Exhibition opened in Vancouver, Canada. As well as the announcement of a new board and chairman for the alliance, the exhibition and conference hosted the world’s top operator CTOs, who came together to discuss the future of mobile broadband.
CEO of NGMN, Dr Peter Meissner, concluded, “We are delighted to welcome Huber+Suhner as our new industry partner. The work they carry out is incredibly valuable and covers important parts of the 5G ecosystem. Huber+Suhner produces innovations that are advancing the capabilities of their customers worldwide. We are excited to jointly embark on projects which will contribute to or even extend our existing work programme and by doing so demonstrate our ongoing commitment of contributing to the industry.”