Networks TechTalk with Samsung

5G utilizes variety of frequency bands one of which is millimeter-wave or “mmWave.” mmWave generally refers to 24-100 GHz; a frequency range that can carry an incredible amount of data and, when coupled with advancements in coding techniques, can carry thousands of times more data than a low band signal. That is one of the reasons mmWave is seen as a key technology and vital component to 5G network performance. 
 
Because of its ability to handle large swaths of data, mobile network operators can benefit from leveraging mmWave wherever a very high throughput is needed, whether indoors or outdoors. Indoor sites would get the benefits of multi-gigabit speeds and very low latencies, especially useful in larger spaces like airports, train stations and event venues. Outdoor sites benefit from quick deployment and the capacity increase provided to existing networks, especially in urban areas. 
Globally, we’re seeing mmWave leveraged in Italy, the UK, Finland, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Japan and the US. In the US, one of the major carriers has placed a heavy emphasis on 5G mmWave and has average download speeds of nearly 700 Mbps, 2-3x as fast as their competitors. In Korea, Samsung used 5G mmWave as backhaul to help get download speeds of 1.8 Gbps on a fast-moving subway train. Samsung also offers various mmWave 5G end-to-end solutions, including the Compact Macro, which combines the baseband, radio, and antenna into a single unit, as well as 5G mmWave small cells for indoor and outdoor environments. 
 
The ways we’re seeing mmWave utilized to advance technology today is just the start. Learn more about how mmWave will continue to allow mobile operators to provide speeds faster than 4G and support new 5G services.

As 5G networks arrive in more and more markets, new advancements arise across industries enabling things like enhanced remote healthcare, immersive gaming, automated cars, and more. 5G also brings to life the Internet of Things, allowing for millions of non-computing devices to be online so businesses can be more productive and agile. 
 
Behind the scenes, the various components that make up a 5G network are working hard to enable these new use cases; things like CORE and radio access networks, antennas and the radios found at each cell site. Of these key elements also lives a small but mighty piece of technology: the System-on-a-Chip. 
 
A system-on-a-chip, or SoC, integrates all the components of a computer onto a single chip including CPU, memory, input and output ports and secondary storage. A system-on-a-chip typically integrates specialized logic to optimize handling of a particular type of traffic. An optimized SoC ensures the best possible performance while minimizing power consumption and system size. 5G technology does not come without some challenges, and innovations like SoCs help mitigate these.

SoCs are a solution to deliver new 5G capabilities with the best connectivity while minimizing the size and cost of the equipment on a tower. Marvell and Samsung, for example, have developed a new SoC that addresses the complexities of higher spectrum frequencies, massive MIMO antenna arrays and super low latencies with a unique combination of programmability and performance.

Learn more about what a system-on-a-chip is, its benefits and how Samsung and Marvell are collaborating on this exciting technology as we move further into the world of 5G.

In the case of an emergency, quick response of a well-trained and experienced first responder is important, but equally as important is that those first responders have real-time access to the critical information they need. Interruptions in communication between first responders can create life or death situations, result in property damage or cause injuries. This is where Mission Critical communications, or MCX, comes in. 
 
In the world of MCX, Mission Critical Push to Anything (MCPTX) technologies play a key role in emergency communications. MCPTX is the upgrade to Mission Critical Push to Talk (MCPTT), which is the legacy walkie-talkie network that enables voice communication. Push to Anything expands on MCPTT, enabling the sharing of text, images, location mapping and video and all in real-time for a more wholistic, advanced critical communications system. 
 
With its updates, MCPTX can enable dispatchers and first responders, for example, to push video that holds important information to inform the team before heading into an emergency. The value of something like showing the blueprints of a burning building to a firefighter before they enter could be life-changing in a critical situation. MCPTX also supports interoperability with existing systems, so if an organization is working with legacy technology, MCPTX will connect seamlessly. 
Outside of public safety organizations like police, firefighters, emergency medical services and the military; MCX also interconnects and supports existing maritime, aviation, and railway networks and there is significant interest in deploying MCX-based services for other vertical industries that require critical communications.

Though some industries are just now looking at beginning to deploy these services, companies like Samsung have been supporting these commercial rollouts for years. For example, last year, Samsung helped install a nationwide public safety network in South Korea and in the US, Samsung has partnered with AT&T to develop the FirstNet, a dedicated and highly secure non-public platform for public safety operating in the 700 MHz band.

While a lot of work has already been done, MCPTX services are based on 4G and as we continue to see the advanced capabilities 5G can bring, Samsung and the standards bodies are working to support 5G commercial use in MCX over the next few years. 5G can bring crucial benefits for mission critical services such as enhanced mobile broadband and ultra-low latency to MCX solutions. 
While many advancements have already been made and deployed, the future of mission critical technologies is bright. Listen now to learn more about the power of end-to-end public safety solutions and the positive change coming to emergency communications that will keep our communities safer and more connected.

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.

5G has three main goals: speed, ultra-reliable low-latency and internet of things (IoT) enablement. While the benefits and widely known use cases of 5G technology may feel new from a services perspective, 5G has been under development for over 10 years. Many technology advancements have already been made including the development of beamforming and massive MIMO, more advanced radio technology, carrier aggregation and perhaps most importantly: the use of new spectrum bands. As 5G technology becomes more advanced, the allocation of greater amounts of spectrum bands and effective government policies will be necessary to drive further 5G adoption and advancement. 
 
To break it down, lower spectrum bands carry less data but carry signals farther. High spectrum bands carry huge swaths of data, but the signal doesn’t go as far. Mid-band, on the other hand, is in the sweet spot carrying a fair amount of data a reasonable distance. Service providers use a mix of low, mid, and high spectrum bands and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working on bringing more of each spectrum bands to the marketplace.

Besides the allocation of new spectrum bands, there are several other steps that can be taken to increase the adoption of 5G. The time the FCC takes to clear the frequencies of C-Band has delayed 5G service implementations, along with the time it takes to gain permission to put up a new cell site. Reducing these would be helpful, along with lowering the cost of broadband deployment and the cost of service. The United States struggles with high broadband deployment costs, but programs like the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, Rural Digital Opportunity and 5G Funds are working to close this gap. 

Companies like Samsung are also uniquely positioned to bring 5G to everyone. For example, Samsung is focused on pushing end-to-end technology deploying all the parts integral to 5G: chips, network equipment, and devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, appliances, and automotive solutions–all with industry-leading security standards. 

Moreover, Samsung is leveraging experience in the implementation of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies to take the lead in 5G as well. And all of this can't be done alone, that's why Samsung works with strategic partners across the industry to offer products and solutions that bring 5G networks online – a piece of the greater machine that will bring 5G to life hand-in-hand with the government and other companies and organizations.

Widespread adoption of 5G is no small feat, but the payoffs are well worth it. According to a recent report from PWC, 5G is estimated to have a global economic impact of $13.2 trillion and create over 22 million jobs by 2035. Listen now to hear what steps the industry and government are taking to make it happen.

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.

The Internet has long been used for entertainment and shopping, but the pandemic has heightened its importance in our lives making broadband internet access an essential utility like water, gas, and electricity. While the world has made a massive shift toward virtual moving work, school and even grocery shopping home there are still many people who can’t easily get online regularly. This is commonly referred to this as the “digital divide.” 
 
Even as fiber continues to be installed and speeds continue to increase from megabits per second to gigabit rates for many – there are still people who must go to a certain place or wait for a certain time to be online, or who will never have the opportunity to do so. 
 
According to research from a Pew Research Center study1, there are an estimated 9.7 million students who don’t have reliable high-speed internet and many people who do have access to broadband are choosing not to subscribe. This could be for a myriad of reasons including high costs, lack of urgency and fear of getting online. 
 
The U.S. government has been actively looking for solutions to the digital divide. Last year the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) who are poised to spend to spend $20 billion over the next ten years working to close the rural digital divide. Similarly, the 5G Fund for Rural America may spend another $9 billion working on solving the issue as well. As solutions roll out one thing continues to be abundantly clear, 5G can and will play a large part in bridging this gap. 
 
Clearly there are a ton of moving parts to the digital divide including the role that Congress and the FCC play, its effect on both rural and urban areas, the prominence of this divide before and after the pandemic and how 5G will play a big role and closing the digital divide. 
 
Listen now to understand why the digital divide exists, who is affected by it, and the role 5G and rural broadband play in solving this long-standing national crisis.

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.

Next-generation wireless technologies are setting up a promising future that are enabling operators to deliver advanced 5G consumer experiences. The wireless industry is working hard to build technology solutions that help providers deploy 5G powered networks and experiences, but there is one critical component that no vendor or operator can make more of: spectrum. On this episode of Samsung Recalibrate, Kat Robinson, Networks Strategy Manager at Samsung, discusses the value of spectrum to 5G and why there is so much going on in spectrum auctions in the US. 
 
Like other natural resources, spectrum availability has a finite supply and is vital to making successful wireless connections between users and the network. Having the right mix of spectrum is critical in developing cellular systems with a balance in coverage and speed, and C-Band is a valuable part of the equation. With the completion of the US C-Band spectrum auction, a wide variety of companies ranging from wireless and cable providers to vertical-focused industry corporations have now committed to investing more than $81 billion to power next-generation wireless networks. 
 
Although having a variety of spectrum provides flexibility, the need for spectrum within each band also depends on how the operator is planning on using these channels and the cost basis for spectrum access. Samsung offers a portfolio of network solutions that support a broad range of spectrum bands and use cases to maximize spectrum utilization and help operators limit financial risk. New technologies like carrier aggregation and multi-user MIMO with beamforming capabilities are improving speeds and extending coverage for more users and are just a few of Samsung’s innovative solutions that are helping operators deploy future-proof networks. 
 
Listen now to learn more about how Samsung is improving its product portfolio and helping customers create advanced networks that are enabling new and exciting connected experiences. 

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.

We all know 5G is arguably the hottest topic in wireless connectivity, and today we’re going to zoom in a bit and tackle the importance of bringing this powerful technology indoors. On this episode of Samsung Recalibrate, Colin Bowdery, Director of Small Cells and New Business for the Networks division at Samsung, discusses why bringing 5G indoors is such a big deal for this generation of wireless innovation. 
 
Moving 5G’s reach indoors will help better meet consumer expectations for performance and connectivity. 5G is a really promising level of wireless performance and brings impressive speeds and capabilities, but users are going to expect those capabilities to be present wherever they go, not just outdoors or in particular places. 5G is forcing mobile operators to rethink their network deployment strategies since a robust indoor network will be critical for enabling the new use cases and delivering the user experience that 5G promises. 
 
Samsung is leading the way with its Samsung Link portfolio. Samsung’s indoor portfolio covers a diverse mix of spectrums and environments, covering mmWave and mid- and low-band spectrums, and delivering results in places from factory and enterprise settings to campuses and more. Bowdery details the portfolio solutions that are enabling the advancement of 5G mmWave indoor solutions and paving the way towards the commercialization of private 5G networks.

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks. 

Virtualized RAN, or vRAN, is a highly complex topic, and there’s a lot of confusion about what it means in the context of 5G.

On this episode of Recalibrate, we break it all down, highlighting vRAN’s use cases, benefits, and role in our collective 5G future.

vRAN is a virtualized radio access network and is seen as the next step in the evolution of cellular networks and specifically advancing 5G. Essentially, it’s taking previously hardware-driven functions and making them virtualized or software-based.

Think about the transition that took place in IT networks. Like those shifts, many operators are looking to move toward a more software-based network to become more flexible in management, services and feature introduction.

vRAN moves the controller functions of today’s hardware base stations to centralized servers or closer to the edge of a network, allowing Mobile Network Operators, or MNOs, to pool and adjust radio resources to better accommodate for user traffic.

vRAN can effectively support low-latency and new, highly available services, works on options other than expanding fiber connections where necessary, and brings along fewer operational and maintenance headaches than you might realize.

Today’s future-proof, 4G vRAN solutions are ready to deliver in the 5G world and provide the connectivity and performance users will come to expect from ever-evolving networks, and host Tyler Kern and guest Derek Johnston took this opportunity to dive into exactly how that rollout will occur.

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.

Rather than a CB radio service or some sort of community service broadcasting weather forecasts, CBRS is a shared spectrum approach allowing Mobile Network Operators to reach areas where it’s not possible to utilize fiber or other forms of connectivity.

It also solves limitations like limited 4G LTE in remote areas and a lack of predictable latency, an inability to prioritize traffic and security limitations with Wi-Fi.

Ashish Bhatia, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at Samsung Electronics America, said new FCC rules allows for shared use of the 150 MHz spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band from 3.55 to 3.70 GHz on a licensed basis, a complicated sounding way of saying there now can be shared tiers.

“It breaks down like this – using a three-tier sharing model, users are broken down into tiers based on priority that go from tier one, incumbent users, to tier two, commercial users with priority access licenses, and tier three, where general, authorized users live,” Bhatia said. “This categorization and shared access helps enable efficient use of finite spectrum resources.”

With better indoor coverage and a high quality, reliable service, it should be something customers in those areas, whether commercial or residential, are pleased to utilize, as well.

“The CBRS spectrum can be used for home broadband in rural or underserved areas where fiber or other forms of connectivity aren’t possible,” Bhatia said. “For enterprises, with the use of small-cell infrastructure supporting the CBRS bands, they can have direct control over their network coverage with high quality of service and little to no licensing fees, because the spectrum is shared.”

It all works together to provide an exciting opportunity for MNOs and their customers.

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.

The rollout of 5G is progressing at a deliberate pace, and while gamers and streaming video consumers are no doubt excited for the incredible speeds and low-latency connections that 5G provides, farmers are already using the technology to improve their operations. On this episode of Samsung's Recalibrate podcast, Ashish Jain, CEO and co-founder at KAIROS, and Kat Robinson of Samsung Networks shared their thoughts on the impact of 5G on smart agriculture.

Robinson kicked off discussion with a stat from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization: “By 2050 the world population will increase to 9.6 billion so to feed all those people we have to increase food production by 70% using the same amount of land we have today,” she said. In order to meet the increasing demand for food, farmers are relying on smart systems, connected devices, and 5G projects like Me+Moo.

Mee+Moo is a 5G initiative launched by RuralFirst in Scotland, which leverages 5G technology in cattle raising. Some 2,000 cows don connected collars and biometric ear tags that allow for better tracking and health monitoring over vast, remote areas. Farmers can proactively target sick cows and remove them from the herd to reduce the spread of infections. In addition, the cows are milked by an almost fully autonomous milking station, enabling farmers to optimize their time.

Jain explained that current projects in smart agriculture are revealing the promise of autonomous farming systems. In his words, the end goal is “completely automating crop yield, soup to nuts, without a human involved.”

He pointed to a project now in its third year called the ​Hands Free Hectare which involves crop production using autonomous tractors, drones, IoT sensors, and no human hands.

“When you’re talking large scale vast areas of land, and the connectivity that you need and the latency and bandwidth requirements for things like drones and autonomous vehicles, that’s where 5G will really shine," Robinson said.

Still, there are questions on whether using short-wavelength 5G signals are practical for large farms as longer-wavelength LTE signals are better at spanning great distances. Jain dismissed the concern.

“5G is a combination of technology and will leverage the best technology suitable to the job," he said.

Smart agriculture isn’t just about optimizing farm operations and reducing costs, it also can help produce higher-quality crops. The speakers reference a Californian vineyard experimenting with intelligent irrigation systems that know precisely when the soil needs to be watered in order to produce the best tasting grapes for superior wine. Let’s cheers to that!

Networks TechTalk podcast was previously named Recalibrate with Samsung Networks.