The European Commission has launched a consultation on opportunities for a coordinated introduction of 5G networks in the European Union by 2020
The European Commission has launched a consultation aimed at identifying opportunities for a coordinated introduction of “5G” networks and assessing elements of a 5G action plan in order to deploy 5G networks in the European Union by 2020. The consultation is open until July 11.
Anyone can contribute to the consultation, but the EC is particularly interested in contributions from telecommunications and information and communications technology sector representatives as well as stakeholders from any sector in which process, products or services could benefit from 5G connectivity. “From an economic and societal perspective, 5G is a major opportunity to improve the competitiveness of European industry. It has the potential to create new digital ecosystems where networks act as platforms for new, specialised services,” the EC stated.
The EC has identified automotive, health, smart factories and logistics, energy, media, and entertainment as the sectors that will benefit the most from 5G networks. “5G should improve the value chain processes across those industries, making the economy more competitive, resilient and productive, bringing more value to society.”
How urgent is it to deploy 5G in Europe?
In its 5G consultation, the EC asks stakeholders to share their views on the urgency of 5G introduction in Europe, and in particular whether Europe should showcase a commercial 5G networks pilot before standardization is in place. In that respect, the EC asks whether there is a need for a coordinated approach on 5G networks across all member states.
The EC also asks whether the introduction of 5G networks should target specific services to start with, in particular enhanced mobile broadband services, use cases requiring very ultra reliable low latency for time-critical applications as well as industrial “internet of things” services and massive machine type communication.
Aspects relating to spectrum, standards and regulation are also central to the consultation. In particular, the EC asks whether there is a need for Europe to announce what spectrum will be considered for 5G before 2019. On standards, the EC inquires about the need for priority standards to include vertical sector requirements from the onset.
Should the EC have a role in 5G networks deployment?
”The use of radically new spectrum (millimeter wave) with very different operation characteristics calls for a new regulatory approach for what concerns sharing, co-primary usages and licensing,” the EC states in the consultation. It asks whether the EC has a role to play in 5G networks rollouts, presenting past regulation scenarios as reference points. Certain stakeholders attribute the success of the Global System for Mobile Communications introduction in Europe to proactive measures taken at the European level to specify deployment conditions while telecommunications actors were given more freedom for 3G and 4G. “Today, certain stakeholders support the view that Europe should use the GSM approach to introduce 5G. Which of the following three models [GSM, 3G, 4G] is relevant for 5G deployment in Europe (if any)?” the EC asks.
A short summary of the consultation results will be published one month after the consultation closes, followed by an analysis report at a later, unspecified, date.
IIoT News Recap: GE opens Paris Digital Foundry office to boost industrial IoT; Sigfox and VT Networks complete IoT network deployment in Ireland; Unidata to deploy LoRa network in Rome; UAE telecom watchdog ponders new bandwidth frequencies for 5G; Cyan to acquire Connode to expand global reach and portfolio; Today’s forecast: IoT investments in ASEAN region
IIoT: GE opens Paris Digital Foundry to boost industrial IoT
GE is expanding its presence in Europe with the opening of a Digital Foundry office in Paris, adding 250 jobs. “Europe has the talent and infrastructure to lead a productivity revolution and the digitization of industry must be at the core of this mission. GE is committed to helping Europe develop the building blocks for their industrial internet that will help the continent’s companies turn information into insights and insights into outcomes,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. The new center is the first of four new digital centers GE plans to open this year in order to incubate startups, improve collaboration and drive ecosystem growth. GE’s operating system for the industrial internet, Predix, will be underpinning the expanding ecosystem. “Since the creation of our GE Digital business and the launch of the Predix operating system, we have nearly 11,000 developers signed up, more than 100 apps and are seeing strong customer adoption,” said Immelt. “For GE internally, we know we will drive $500 million in productivity. Now is the time for industrials to make the switch and to drive long-term value for their business.”
LPWAN: Sigfox and VT Networks complete IoT network deployment in Ireland
It took only eight months for telecom provider VT Networks to roll out a Sigfox IoT network in Ireland, the companies announced. Ireland is the sixth European country, following France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, to offer full Sigfox network coverage. “Irish businesses and farmers have been quick to understand the benefits that the Sigfox dedicated IoT network provides. We are excited to see this growing level of interest, and look forward to launching programs that further integrate the network throughout the country,” said Mark Bannon, CEO of VT Networks. Sigfox and VT Networks expect to connect over 1 million devices by 2017. France-based Sigfox has added 15 countries to its global coverage map in the past 12 months. The operator plans to cover over 30 countries by the end of 2016.
LPWAN: Unidata to deploy LoRa network in Rome
Telecom company Unidata is to deploy an IoT network in Rome using Semtech’s LoRaWan technology. The plan is to cover the entire city by 2017. “The new smart cities and territories are in need of technological infrastructures for the IoT that will become the new digital highways of the future [information technology] services. According to our needs at Unidata, LoRaWAN is the most appropriate technology in terms of sustainability and effectiveness to respond to this ambitious goal,” said Renato Brunetti, president of Unidata.
5G: UAE telecom watchdog ponders new bandwidth frequencies for 5G
UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is planning to allocate new bandwidth frequencies for 5G, Trade Arabia reports.
M&A: Cyan to acquire Connode to expand portfolio and reach
Integrated system and software design company Cyan announced it plans to acquire Sweden-based Connode, a supplier of wireless communication products for the IoT. Connode has already deployed over 650,000 legacy units with utilities. Cyan expects the proposed acquisition to accelerate its product roadmap with the addition of IPv6 6LoWPAN and expand its geographical footprint. “As our clients in developing markets realize the benefits from our proprietary end-to-end solutions, we believe that they will want to converge their networks and this will require standards-based technologies,” said John Cronin, executive chairman of Cyan. “Convergent networks require a standards-based core language to enable the rapid development integration and consolidation of applications. The acquisition of Connode will be transformational for Cyan, and will give us the capability to build these functions into our core products, enabling us to future proof our customer solutions and provide standards-based interfaces for additional connectivity as required for the internet of things and smart cities.” The acquisition is subject to shareholder approval.
Today’s forecast: IoT investments in ASEAN region to reach $15B by 2019
IDC expects manufacturing companies in the ASEAN region to increase their IoT technology investments to over $15 billion by 2019. “The upcoming wave of IoT and robotics application in manufacturing is for real. And it is expected to be broad based, cross industry and cross operations, which will bring about significant changes in manufacturing,” said Dr. Jing Bing Zhang, research director, worldwide robotics and manufacturing insights Asia Pacific at IDC Asia/Pacific. The entire robotics market in Asia Pacific is forecast to reach $93 billion by 2019, accounting for 69% of the global market, according to IDC.
