Author: Maureen

Cradlepoint, a leader in wireless networking for LTE, is preparing for 5G and making sure customers have access to equipment that can be used for LTE now and for 5G in the future.

There are currently no 5G modems or routers available besides what is offered by the carriers directly, but manufacturers like Cradlepoint and others are developing 5G gear with a 2021 release timeline. In the meantime, customers who need hardware now but don’t want to have to purchase all new equipment when 5G is available can purchase routers that offer the option to add a 5G modem in the future. Routers like the AER2200, IBR1700, E300, E3000 and CR4250 are all capable of supporting a 5G modem (which will be sold separately when available), making them great choices for users who want to plan for the long term but can’t wait until 2021 to make their networking purchase.

Nextivity is offering owners of its Cel-Fi Compass site survey tool a free hardware upgrade if requested by December 28, 2020. The hardware upgrade will add support for FirstNet (Band 14) scanning and will also significantly reduce the time taken for signal measurements. If requested after December 28, 2020, the cost of the upgrade will be $130.

Compass upgrade details:

• Hardware Upgrade: Will update the COMPASS to include Band 14 for FirstNet at the expense of Band 41.
• Firmware Upgrade: Will enhance the speed of the application and make existing Cel-Fi COMPASS models compatible with the Cel-Fi COMPASS RED Module.
• WAVE PRO: Always be sure to download the latest WAVE PRO application from the Play Store or App Store to get the most from your Cel-Fi COMPASS

Compass owners can contact Cel-Fi to request an upgrade for their device.

T-Mobile has greatly expanded their 5G coverage, and announced today that their network will reach 100 million people by the end of 2020. “T-Mobile has more midband spectrum than anyone else … We’re the only ones building a transformational 5G network built on dedicated — not shared — airwaves,” T-Mobile’s president of technology, Neville Ray, said in a statement.

T-Mobile’s midband 5G now reaches around 410 cities and towns across the country, and customers with 5G-capable devices are automatically able to use 5G as soon as a tower in their area is upgraded. The midband 2.5GHz network provides average downloads speeds of around 300 megabits per second, significantly faster than 4G LTE.

Sign up to be notified when the MG90 5G is available

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW), the leading IoT solutions provider that combines devices, network services and software to unlock value in the connected economy, today announced availability of the AirLink® MG90 5G platform, the industry’s first multi-network 5G vehicle networking solution that provides secure, always-on mobile connectivity for mission-critical first responder, field service and transit applications. Purpose-built for demanding high-speed multi-network vehicle needs, the AirLink MG90 5G delivers the best-in-class user experience, performance and reliability that the top public safety agencies rely on to ensure safety and save lives.

The MG90 5G allows users to leverage the existing 4G infrastructure and automatically connect to 5G networks as they become available regionally. Sierra Wireless is partnering with carriers to ensure the success of the 5G ecosystem and working with them on certifications as they roll out 5G networks. 

Tom Mueller, Vice President, Product, Enterprise Networking, Sierra Wireless, said: “Our customers are excited about the new capabilities that 5G will enable, and Sierra Wireless will support this market with a full portfolio of products. With the AirLink MG90 5G, Sierra Wireless has delivered the first 5G router solution that’s purpose-built to meet the challenges of moving vehicles, with patented technology to deliver the maximum performance and coverage anytime, anywhere. The MG90 5G tackles the toughest challenges where 5G matters most, enabling high-definition applications like remote triage for paramedics, live video streaming for law enforcement and improved Wi-Fi services for transit riders—all while switching seamlessly from network to network as the vehicles moves.” 

Read more

Following T-Mobile’s lead, Verizon will soon be rolling out “Nationwide 5G” on its lower-band 5G frequency. The lower frequencies don’t provide the dramatic speeds available from mmWave 5G, but the coverage is vastly superior, making a nationwide launch much easier to achieve. An update will soon be available for select 5G phones allowing them to work on the low band network.

Verizon PR Manager George Koroneos confirmed the news on Twitter, and the necessary update is already available for some Samsung 5G devices. It’s presumed that all of the recent “5G UW” branded phones will also receive the update.

Apple has set the date for its iPhone’s launch, releasing an invitation today that hints at the big feature expected to be seen on the new line of phones. “Hi, Speed,” the announcement reads – likely referring to the fast speeds of 5G, which the new phones will support. Apple will unveil the new iPhone series on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PT in a live event to be streamed on Apple’s website.

Prices have not yet been announced, but regardless of the cost the new 5G iPhones are sure to be a hit. A survey by electronics reseller Decluttr showed that a “staggering” 53% of respondents plan to buy the new model.

Google launched their latest phones from their Pixel lineup this week: the $699 Pixel 5 and the $499 Pixel 4A, both of which have 5G capabilities. Samsung, LG, and Motorola have already launched 5G phones over the last two years, but these are the first released by Google. Apple is expected to join the 5G market soon with the iPhone 12.

The higher-end Pixel 5 features a 6-inch display, an 8-megapixel camera on the front, as well as a new ultrawide angle camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, a standard camera with a 12.2-megapixel sensor and a fingerprint sensor. The device is waterproof, has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and 128GB of storage, and will work on 5G as well as 4G LTE.

Experts agree that mid-band frequencies are critical for 5G usability, since they can provide both improved speeds vs 4G LTE while also providing better coverage than the superfast but extremely limited millimeter wave bands used by Verizon and AT&T. The C-Band, which will be auctioned in December 2021, is a mid-band spectrum between 3.7 and 4GHz, is likely to be highly sought after by US carriers to vastly improve their 5G networks.

Unfortunately, President of Technology Neville Ray confirmed that once the C-Band is in use by any US carriers, any current 5G-capable phones/devices would not be upgrade-able to work on those networks – and the carriers would have to deploy new infrastructure as well.

Cradlepoint, a Boise-based leader in wireless networking for LTE, will be acquired by Swedish telecom manufacturer Ericsson, the companies announced today. The deal should be mutually beneficial and both companies plan to accelerate 5G development. Ericsson is a worldwide leader in 4G cellular infrastructure and has become a leader in 5G as well, while Cradlepoint is a global leader in LTE solutions for branch, mobile, and IoT and has been focusing on advancing to 5G solutions over the past couple of years.

“We think this will give our customers a chance to generate new income sources within the enterprise segment,” Ericsson finance chief Carl Mellander told Reuters.

George Mulhern, CEO and Chairman of Cradlepoint said: “We have led the way in bringing the power of cellular networks and technologies to enterprise and public sector customers – helping them connect beyond the limits of traditional wired WANs. Ericsson with its global 5G leadership is a great match for us and I am very excited to continue to scale and expand our business together.”

Apple insiders have begun to leak specs and pricing details for the upcoming iPhone launch. The latest iPhone series, which will offer 5G, is expected to be called the iPhone 12, and the announcement will likely come in October. Some models may be available later that month, but others won’t be available to buy until November.

All models are expected to include 5G access, and other features include 5.4″ – 6.7″ OLED displays, the Apple A14 Bionic processor, and advanced AR features for the Pro versions of the phones.

According to sources, the base model iPhone 12 will cost just $649, with the premium model, the Pro Max, going for $1099.