Verizon is emphasizing development of new technologies for first responders with the launch of a new 5G lab in Washington, D.C., focused on testing 5G solutions that will be used for public safety.
The new 5G First Responder Lab will be located at Verizon’s 5G DC Lab at Alley, a co-working space for entrepreneurs. Verizon said that it will run three cohorts of five technology developers each, for a total of 15 collaborations over the course of a year. The tech developers will have access to the lab and its 5G network and be able to work with Verizon and Responder Corp. on aspects ranging from 5G use case testing to go-to-market strategies, the carrier said.
Verizon is accepting applications for its first cohort through December 31.
“As Verizon deploys 5G, it is critical that we look beyond the launch for consumers and consider how users in public safety can leverage this revolutionary technology,” said Nick Nilan, director of public sector product strategy for Verizon, in a statement. “5G will enable technology for first responders that hasn’t been imagined yet, and this 5G First Responder Lab will help lead the creation of life-saving innovations.”
In other test news:
–PCTel reported a year-over-year drop in revenues. Third quarter revenues coming in at $18.4 million, which was 22% lower than during the previous year’s third quarter. Year-to-date revenues were down 9% to $61.7 million. The company noted that revenues were lower in both its antenna business and in its test and measurement products. Profits for the quarter were lower as well, with PCTel reporting a loss of $1.67 million, compared to a profit of $955,000 in the prior third quarter.
“Our small cell revenue has stabilized with wins in China, North American and Europe, and we are encouraged with the early 5G deployment activity,” said David Neumann, PCTel’s CEO, in a statement. “However, carrier spending was down on legacy networks and several antenna projects were completed in Q2, which negatively affected the quarter and 2018 year to date results. We believe that improving market conditions and our recent reorganization to improve business development will position PCTEL to take advantage of the long-term growth opportunities in 5G, antennas, and industrial IoT.”
PCTel reorganized its operations earlier this year, bringing its antenna and test segments into a single business unit.
–Keysight Technologies worked with the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology and Tsinghua University on validating an over-the-air testing approach for radio frequency performance of 5G base stations. The testing utilized Keysight’s 5G signal generation and analysis solutions and a compact antenna test range (CATR) chamber, in order to create an OTA testing environment to evaluate the performance of 5G base stations.
Keysight also this week extended a partnership with semiconductor testing company Cohu, integrating solutions from both companies to develop new high-volume solutions for 5G semiconductor manufacturing test.
-In case you missed them, check out this week’s stories on the use of data analytics for network visibility, record financial results for Rohde & Schwarz and National Instruments’ report on trends driving automated testing.
-Media and entertainment infrastructure company Evertz has acquired RF signal management company Quintech, including its Nexus line of test and measurement equipment. Quintech, based in Indiana, is privately held. No financial details of the transaction were released.
–Tektronix launched a new Keithley multimeter for high-volume manufacturing test of sensors and components, Keithley DMM7512.
