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• 2degrees and Nokia sign six-year 5G cloud native deal in NZ
  in Business Telecommunications
  By Josh Martinez

  Kiwi telecoms provider 2degrees has inked a six-year Voice Core deal with Nokia, which will see the operator tap Nokia’s containerised Cloud Native Communication Suite (CNCS) to deploy new 5G services and optimise network resources.

  According to Nokia, CNCS makes it easier for operators like 2degrees to deploy multiple vendors’ applications on the same cloud infrastructure, streamline network activities, enhance automation, and minimise manual intervention.

  "2degrees will utilise CNCS to bring together multiple IMS voice 3GPP functionalities into a single cloud-native network function," says Nokia.

  "It will be deployed on the Nokia Cloud Platform, which integrates a full set of Red Hat cloud products, including Red Hat OpenShift."

  Stephen Kurzeja, CTIO at 2degrees said the CNCS provides the operator with a much-simplified core architecture that enables new monetisation and innovation pathways to enhance the subscriber experience and further optimise how 2degrees manages its network with new automation tools.

  “We are happy to expand our relationship with Nokia as we continue to modernise our network,” said Kurzeja.

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  Nokia says integrating with Red Hat OpenShift gives operators the option to scale their 5G network footprint and quickly introduce new services with enhanced capacity, performance, life cycle management, automation, and energy management.

  CNCS improves energy efficiency by about 10% to 20%, relative to a standard IMS Voice Core, according to Nokia data.

  “We are pleased to extend our collaboration with 2degrees with Nokia’s flexible and reliable cloud-native CNCS architecture,” said Wilson Maria, Head of Cloud and Network Services, Oceania at Nokia.

  "This will enable the roll-out of new innovative services more quickly, securely, and without limitations in multi-cloud environments to meet the evolving and more demanding connectivity needs of 2degrees’ customers."

  As part of the agreement, 2degrees will also integrate Nokia’s MantaRay Network Management solution for a consolidated network view.

  "2degrees already leverages a variety of other Nokia 5G Core networking functions like Shared Data Layer, where data is stored, through NCP, which reflects Nokia’s multi-cloud strategy of providing operators with the infrastructure of their choice," says Nokia.
• NTT, DOCOMO, NEC demo distributed MIMO for 6G in cars and trains
  in Business Telecommunications
  By Josh Martinez

  Japanese telecoms and tech giants NTT, DOCOMO, and NEC have demonstrated a distributed MIMO technology system that maintains communication quality in the mmWave 40 GHz band when a large number of antennas are distributed among multiple locations.

  Autonomous driving technologies will require increasingly faster and larger-capacity wireless communications. To this end, efforts are under way to make effective use of the millimetre wave band, and even higher frequency bands for mobile communications.

  In high-speed mobile environments, rapid changes in communication conditions occur due to both the movement of the vehicle itself and surrounding high-speed vehicles.

  To boost millimetre-wave transmissions, high-frequency distributed MIMO systems can be deployed in which a single base station uses a large number of antennas distributed among various locations for transmission to each mobile terminal.

  For high-frequency distributed MIMO transmission, it is necessary to detect the optimal combination of distributed antennas and beams in response to changes in the radio communication environment for each mobile terminal.

  NTT and DOCOMO have developed a beam-search technology that can rapidly detect the optimum combination of distributed antennas and beams using the same beam identification signal.

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  Billed as a successful demonstration of future high frequency 6G communications in cars and trains, the demonstration was conducted in a simulated high-speed mobile environment, driving a mobile-terminal vehicle at 100 km/h, with three distributed antennas at 150m intervals installed on one side of the road.

  The technology selects the most appropriate antennas and beams at high speed and uses frequency and timing-compensation technology to prevent significant changes in reception frequency and timing on the mobile-terminal side, even if the terminals are moving at high speed or are shielded by other vehicles moving at high speed.

  According to the three partner companies, the demonstration verified the potential of mmWave distributed MIMO to achieve stable, high-capacity wireless communications in high-speed moving environments, such as automobiles and trains, for purposes such as providing large-volume content to many passengers and collecting massive sensing data for automated driving.

  "Throughput drop during antenna switching was suppressed to maintain throughput at about 100Mbps," the partner companies said.

  "The result was stable high-capacity communication using millimetre waves even during high-speed travel."

  The three companies say they will proceed with verifications of actual services on roads and railways, aiming to eventually implement high-frequency distributed MIMO in high-speed mobile environments.
• XR, Digital Twins, AI focus of Airtel-Volvo research partnership
  in Business Telecommunications
  By Josh Martinez

  Indian telecoms monolith Bharti Airtel has partnered with transport and industrial manufacturer Volvo, and telecoms equipment vendor Ericsson to explore new high-end technologies for the manufacturing sector.

  The new research partnership intends to explore the potential of Extended Reality (XR), Digital Twin technologies and AI in the manufacturing sector by leveraging the power of 5G and 5G Advanced.

  The research, to be conducted at the Volvo factory and R&D centre in Bangalore, will explore industrial Metaverse applications including human and machine interaction and collaboration.

  The research project will take place on Airtel’s 5G advanced network for industrial XR applications.

  The partners intend to leverage the ultra-low latency and high-speed capabilities of 5G to enable differentiated connectivity for real-time simulations, design prototyping, and immersive training across multiple factory and industrial sites.

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  “Our industry is undergoing a once in a lifetime transformation driven by the emerging trends across automation, connectivity and alternative energy carriers – tools which will be key in our ambitions to be Net Zero and shape a sustainable future for all," said Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India.

  "This transformation also includes the way we work and collaborate across our industrial and R&D sites.

  "5G, coupled with Extended Reality applications, will help foster innovation as well as collaboration between our sites and engineers, in real-time, through the power of connectivity & digitalisation backed by advanced AI technologies.”

  Sharat Sinha, Director & CEO – Airtel Business said the telco's low latency 5G network will enable real-time XR applications for enhanced productivity and efficiencies, unlocking new revenue streams and accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 applications.

  “We are thrilled to leverage the capabilities of our advanced 5G network for innovative industrial applications in partnership with Ericsson and Volvo Group,” Sinha said

  Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India said 5G will be a game-changer towards enabling intelligent, connected, and immersive industrial experiences.

  "By combining our expertise in network technology with cutting-edge XR applications, we are creating an ecosystem that will help industries to transform manufacturing," Bansal said.

  "The research insights will be instrumental in shaping the future of industrial digitalisation, not just in India but globally."
• Canadian government to make mmWave 5G available for new services
  in Telecoms & NBN
  By Josh Martinez

  The government of Canada has announced new measures to make 5G millimetre wave spectrum available for a range of new services.

  Millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum is high-frequency spectrum, typically ranging between 24-47 Ghz for 5G applications, that can carry large quantities of data over short distances.

  Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada is publishing an addendum to the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework that will add millimetre wave spectrum in the 27.5–28.35 GHz band.

  ISED will be consulting from March 06 to June 04, 2025, on millimetre wave spectrum in the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands for an upcoming spectrum auction.

  While mmWave spectrum can be cranked up to support massive speeds and throughput, the signals have the disadvantage of only being able to travel short distances and being subject to obstruction by solid objects.

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  However, mmWave spectrum can support highly localised mobile services, new applications such as automation in manufacturing and transportation, and fixed wireless services for internet in homes typically located in rural or remote areas.

  The Canadian government says the mmWave spectrum that it is making available will support services such as smart agriculture, industrial automation and private networks.

  “The emergence of new wireless technologies is supporting the creation and expansion of new spectrum applications across different industries, including manufacturing, health care, public safety and more," said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

  "Making new millimetre wave spectrum available will encourage the development of new and disruptive business models, drive ongoing investment in networks, increase competition and improve affordable connectivity options for Canadians across the country.”

  Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, said making additional spectrum available will improve connectivity for Canadians in rural and remote areas.

  “Whether for accessing health care, enhancing safety in communities or growing a business, reliable connectivity is a necessity, no matter where you live in Canada," Hutchings said.
• NEC Australia appoints Mike Sellars as Vice President – Chief Technology Office (CTO) to ‘lead technology strategy’
  in People Moves
  By Gordon Peters

  NEC Australia has appointed Mike Sellars as its new Vice President – Chief Technology Office (CTO).

  NEC says the newly created role reinforces its commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for government and enterprise clients, “as the company continues to accelerate its focus on ushering in a new era of innovation and technology leadership”.

  Based in Perth – home to NEC’s Australian Centre of Excellence (CoE) in digital government – Sellars’ appointment “reflects NEC’s continued investment in the region, strengthening national capability while deepening engagement with customers and partners in Western Australia,” notes NEC.

  NEC says Sellars is a senior IT executive with over 25 years of experience leading in technology strategy, innovation and business transformation.

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  “He returns to NEC after previously holding senior roles within the company, including key contributions to NEC’s GovNext program. Most recently, Sellars served as Chief Technology Officer at Datacom, leading national strategic initiatives, digital solutions, and technology-led service
  evolution.

  “With deep expertise in technology strategy, commercial management, architecture, and IT service innovation, Sellars is well-positioned to lead NEC’s technology direction into the future.”

  Keith Morrison, Senior Vice President – Digital Government | Digital Finance at NEC Australia, said Sellars’ appointment is a key step in NEC’s broader strategy to strengthen its technology strategy and innovation capabilities.

  “The appointment of Mike Sellars as Vice President of our newly created Chief Technology Office underscores NEC’s commitment to our next era of technology leadership and innovation in Australia,” says Morrison.

  “With his extensive expertise, industry knowledge, and proven track record, Mike will be instrumental in shaping NEC’s technology direction and delivering high-value, future-ready solutions for our clients.

  “As Vice President – Chief Technology Office, Sellars will oversee solution development, advance NEC’s architecture practice and drive the evolution of NEC’s digital and managed services offerings.”

  Sellars said: “NEC has a strong legacy of delivering innovative, high-impact technology solutions, and I’m excited to build on that foundation.

  “With a focus on driving technology strategy and enhancing NEC’s digital and managed services, I look forward to working with the team on transformative solutions for our customers.”

  NEC said Sellars’ appointment is part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its senior leadership team, positioning the company for its next phase of growth and innovation.

  “In recent months, NEC has welcomed several senior leaders, including Godwin Chai as Head of Sales Australia and Lynne Barry as Vice President of Legal & Compliance, following the retirement of Paul Reed. These appointments underscore NEC’s commitment to building a world-class leadership team to meet the evolving needs of its clients,” NEC concluded..