Tag Archives: verizon

AT&T and Verizon Delay 5G Rollout Due to FAA’s Airline Safety Concerns

AT&T, , ,

AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., agreed to delay their planned December 5 rollout of a new 5G frequency band so they can work with the Federal Aviation Administration to address concerns about potential interference with key cockpit safety systems, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Verge reported that AT&T and Verizon planned to light up new 5G networks that use so-called “C-band” frequencies on December 5th. That rollout will now be delayed until at least January 5th, the companies said Thursday.

Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted a “Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin”. The subject was “Risk of Potential Adverse Effects on Radio Altimeters”. In short, the FAA wants radio altimeter manufactures to submit receiver RF selectivity, interference, and tolerance masks, and baseline operational specifications for each model number in production or still in use, and approximate numbers of each radio altimeter model currently in service in the United States.

The FAA also wants radio altimeter manufacturers to test each of their models to determine the susceptibility to interference from fundamental emissions in 3700-3800 MHz, which “is available for wireless broadband in December of 2021”, and the full 3700-3980 Mhz band which will become available later.

In addition, the FAA has a list of requests for aircraft manufacturers, operators, and pilots, regarding the 5G frequency band that AT&T and Verizon want to use.

According to The Verge, AT&T said it is working with the FAA and FCC to better understand that aviation industry’s concerns. In a statement provided to The Verge, “It is critical that these discussions be informed by the science and the data. That is the only path to enabling experts and engineers to assess whether any legitimate co-existence issues exist.”

Verizon provided a statement to The Wall Street Journal. “We appreciate the FCC’s work in its discussions with the FAA and others to ensure a data-driven analysis that will again demonstrate that 5G operations in this band pose no risk to flight safety.”

I get the feeling that AT&T and Verizon are frustrated that they cannot roll out their 5G frequency band just yet. According to the Wall Street Journal, telecom industry officials don’t feel the need for more safeguards, saying that available evidence doesn’t show that the proposed 5G signals will interfere with flight equipment. Cellphone carries outside of the United States are using the that 5G frequency.

Huawei Sues Verizon for Patent Infringement

verizon,

In a press release posted today, Huawei announced that it filed patent infringement lawsuits against Verizon in the District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Huawei is seeking compensation for Verizon’s use of patented technology that is protected by 12 of Huawei’s US patents.

“Verizon’s products and services have benefited from patented technology that Huawei developed over many years of research and development,” said Dr. Song Liuping, Huawei’s Chief Legal Officer.

According to the press release, before filing the lawsuit, Huawei negotiated with Verizon for a significant period of time, during which the company provided a detailed list of patents and factual evidence of Verizon’s use of Huawei patents. The two parties were unable to reach an agreement on license terms.

“We invest heavily in R&D because we want to provide our customers with the best possible telecommunications solutions,” continued Dr. Song. “We share these innovations with the broader industry through license agreements.”

“For years now, we have successfully negotiated patent license agreements with many companies. Unfortunately, when no agreement can be reached, we have no choice but to seek a legal remedy.”

“This is the common practice in the industry. Huawei is simply asking that Verizon respect Huawei’s investment in research and development by either paying for the use of our patents, or refraining from using them in its products and services.”

Verizon responded with a press release of its own. “Huawei’s lawsuit filed overnight, in the very early morning, is nothing more than a PR stunt. The lawsuit is a sneak attack on our company and the entire tech ecosystem. Huawei’s real target is not Verizon; it is any country or company that defies it. The action lacks merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending ourselves.”

Verizon is Buying Jaunt

verizon,

Verizon has acquired some assets of virtual reality video start-up Jaunt XR. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to CNBC, Verizon will own Jaunt’s software and technology, among other assets.

Jaunt also announced this news on its website.

Jaunt XR today announced the acquisition of its software, technology, and certain other assets by Verizon Communications for an undisclosed amount. Jaunt XR is a leader in the immersive industry with a focus on the scalable creation and distribution of volumetric video of humans.

Jaunt stated that it will be assisting Verizon with the transition of select portions of the software and technology for a brief period of time.

“We are thrilled with Verizon’s acquisition of Jaunt’s technology,” said Mitzi Reaugh, President & CEO of Jaunt XR. “The Jaunt team has built leading-edge software and we are excited for its next chapter with Verizon.”

The Verge reported that it is unclear exactly what parts of Jaunt XR’s technology Verizon is buying, or whether Jaunt XR will continue to exist after they finish assisting Verizon “for a brief period of time”.

The Verge also noted that Verizon has a history with VR and AR. Last year, Verizon launched RYOT Innovation Studio, which aims to build immersive entertainment that shows off Verizon’s faster 5G network speeds.

I haven’t been able to find anything that specifically states how the purchase of Jaunt XR will affect Verizon customers. For whatever reason, Verizon isn’t being incredibly clear about that. I’m assuming that whenever Verizon is ready, they will let everyone know about this new purchase and how they are planning to use it.

Verizon Announced Sale of Tumblr to Automattic

Social Media, ,

Verizon Media and Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Automattic plans to acquire Tumblr.

The press release says that the terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, Axios reported that “a source familiar with the deal” put the price-tag “well below” $20 million, while another source put it below $10 million. Axios reported that Yahoo had paid $1.1 billion for Tumblr. Axios also reported that Automattic Inc. will buy the network and take on its 200 employees.

Tumblr is a media network powered by a massive community of independent creators and home to 475 million blogs.

“Tumblr is one of the Web’s most iconic brands,” said Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg. “It is an essential venue to share new ideas, cultures, and experiences, helping millions create and build communities around their shared interests. We are excited to add it to our lineup, which already includes WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, Simplenote, Longreads, and more.”

I deleted my Tumblr account shortly after Verizon took over. My husband and I used to post photos of our cockatiels on a second Tumblr account, which we never got around to deleting. Personally, I feel that Automattic is going to do good things with Tumblr, and I definitely trust the company a whole lot more than I trust Verizon.

Will this change bring people back to Tumblr? It is too soon to know that for certain. Axios pointed out that The Wall Street Journal reported that Automattic’s CEO Matt Mullenweg intends to maintain the “porn ban” that Verizon implemented. The ban is one of the reasons why many people left Tumblr.

Verizon Launched its 5G Ultra Wideband Network

internet

Verizon announced that it officially turned on its 5G Ultra Wideband network in select areas of Minneapolis and Chicago a week ahead of schedule.

For the first time ever, customers can access a commercial 5G network with the world’s first commercially available 5G-enabled smartphone, the moto z3 combined with 5G moto mod. Customers using Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network in Chicago or Minneapolis could see speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

Starting today, consumer and businesses have a 5G network and 5G-enabled smartphone that makes real-time a reality. Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband technology uses the global standard and new device hardware to deliver advanced capabilities to customers in real-time. While select areas of Chicago and Minneapolis will be the first to experience Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband mobility service, Verizon announced plans in February to launch its 5G service in more than 30 U.S. cities in 2019.

In Chicago, 5G coverage is concentrated in areas of the West Loop and the South Loop, around landmarks like Union Station, Willis Tower, The Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and The Chicago Theater. Customers will also have 5G Ultra Wideband service in the Verizon store on The Magnificent Mile and throughout The Gold Coast, Old Town and River North.

In Minneapolis, service is concentrated in the Downtown area, including Downtown West and Downtown East, as well as inside and round U.S. Bank Stadium. Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service is also available around landmarks like the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Minneapolis Central Library, the Mill City Museum, Target Center and First Avenue venues, The Commons, areas of Eliot Park, and the Verizon store in The Mall of America.

I think it is a good idea for Verizon to launch its 5G Ultra Wideband network in areas that typically attract huge crowds of people. Maybe it will reduce the lag that can happen when too many people, in one space, try to connect to the same network.

Why did Verizon launch earlier than planned? VentureBeat reported that Verizon moved its launch up by a week in order to beat South Korea (which planned to launch their 5G network on April 5). Verizon secured itself the “bragging rights” of being the first to launch a 5G network.

Inseego and Verizon Demonstrate Virtual Reality Telemedicine Over 5G

verizon, ,

Inseego Corp., pioneering 5G and intelligent IoT device-to-cloud solutions, and Verizon, the first in the world to launch a commercial 5G network, will unveil MiFi 5G NR mobile broadband technology on Dec. 4 at the Qualcomm Snapdragon Technology Summit in Maui.

The two companies will conduct a live virtual reality telemedicine demonstration in partnership with Columbia University using an Inseego mobile hotspot device, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform and Snapdragon X50 5G modem and antenna modules with integrated RF transceiver, RF front-end and antenna elements, running on Verizon’s 5G NR mobile network deployed at the event venue.

The device also offers powerful next generation Wi-Fi performance using the Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6-ready mobile solution. The Inseego mobile hotspot launches on the Verizon network in 2019.

“Inseego is separating hype from reality by bringing advanced 5G NR mobile technology to life through a live VR-enabled healthcare application in Maui, powered by patented 5G MiFi technology,” said Inseego Chairman and CEO, Dan Mondor.

“Exceptional speed and low latency connectivity that mission-critical use cases require are being demonstrated in a real-world scenario, running on a live Verizon 5G network. This milestone reflects the impact that 5G NR will have on everyday life. We’re thrilled to show the way forward by making 5G real and more importantly, we want to demonstrate the power of 5G that will benefit society.”

Brian Higgins, vice president, device and consumer product marketing for Verizon, concurs. “An important part of making 5G a reality is collaborating with other technology leaders to advance the technology and to put it in the hands of consumers and businesses,” said Higgins.

“The new Inseego 5G hotspot device – a Verizon exclusive when it becomes available in 2019 – will give our customers another way to access the super high speeds and ultra-low latency of 5G on their mobile devices and change the ways they live, work and play.”

Verizon Will Slow Data Speed for Top 5% of Data Users

verizon

Verizon logoVerizon Wireless has announced that they will be slowing data speeds for certain customers. This slowing down will start in October of 2014. It won’t affect all users the same way. They are focusing on the customers who use the most data.

It ties into Verizon Wireless’ Network Optimization policy (which was created in 2011). The purpose of the Network Optimization policy is “to ensure that all data customers would have the best network experience”. Something new has been added to the Network Optimization policy that will go into affect in October of this year.

The new change will affect a specific group of Verizon Wireless customers. From their statement:

Starting in October 2014, Verizon Wireless will extend its network optimization policy to the data users who: fall within the top 5 percent of data users on our network, have fulfilled their minimum contractual commitment, and are on unlimited plans using a 4G LTE device. They may experience slower data speeds when using certain high bandwith applications, such as streaming high-definition video or during real-time online gaming, and only when connecting to a cell site when it is experiencing heavy demand.

The slowed speed will not be a permanent thing. The top 5 percent of data users will only experience it when they are using a cell site that is currently at peak usage. When the cell becomes less busy, the normal bandwith speed will return. Verizon doesn’t consider the slowed speed to be “throttling”.