Mobile Services
Lenovo, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi sign MoU with Qualcomm
NEW DELHI: At Qualcomm’s China Technology Day, Qualcomm Technologies said that it has signed four memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lenovo Mobile Communication Technology., Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications, Vivo Communication Technology and Xiaomi Communications to buy its RF Front End (RFFE) components with a value of no less than $2 billion, in the aggregate, over three years.
Any obligation to purchase and supply these components is subject to the execution of subsequent definitive agreements.
Qualcomm Technologies’ RFFE components constitute a rich portfolio of comprehensive, system-level modem-to-antenna RF front-end platform solutions, which are designed to enable OEMs to rapidly build mobile devices at scale for easy global expansion. The scope of Qualcomm Technologies’ broad RF front-end platform include GaAs Power Amplifiers (PA), Envelope Trackers, Multi-Mode PA and modules, RF switches, discrete filters and filter-rich modules, and antenna tuners across cellular and connectivity technologies.
In addition to today’s MoUs, Qualcomm Technologies shared information surrounding its upcoming 5G Tunable RF front-end as part of its 5G roadmap. The break-through 5G Tunable RF front-end is designed to enable OEMs to differentiate their 5G products with thinner design, higher performing system-level expertise and 5G product readiness.
“Qualcomm Technologies has long supported the Chinese mobile ecosystem and today’s MoU signings with Lenovo, OPPO, vivo and Xiaomi further demonstrates our commitment to that ecosystem, as well as our strategy to continue to grow our RF front-end business,” said Cristiano Amon, president, Qualcomm Incorporated.
“Our robust RF front-end solutions help these OEMs to not only build power-efficient devices at scale in a cost-effective way, but also to deliver advanced mobile devices to consumers not just in China, but around the world,” added Amon.
RF front-end technology is critical to the experiences users expect on their mobile phones. Qualcomm Technologies’ comprehensive RF front-end portfolio delivers industry-leading mobile solutions that support the current mobile ecosystem, as well as address the rapidly expanding complexity and challenges of 4G LTE Advanced and 5G networks. Specifically,
Qualcomm Technologies’ comprehensive modem-to-antenna RF front-end portfolio is designed to help Chinese OEMs to move away from RF front-end technology based on a component approach to one focused on a system-level modem-to-antenna approach which is required for 5G RFFE solutions. Now, with Qualcomm Technologies’ comprehensive system-level modem to antenna solutions, Chinese OEMs can design mobile devices with wider frequency range, greater capacity, enhanced coverage and cutting-edge power efficiency to address 4G LTE Advanced technology demands, as well as upcoming 5G networks.
Christian Eigen, Leader World Wide Strategic Alliances, Lenovo, added, “Over the years, Lenovo has worked with Qualcomm Technologies across a wide range of technologies for our laptop and smartphone portfolio. With Qualcomm Technologies’ system-level approach to RFFE design we can continue to offer our customers products that combine a best in class design and innovation with optimal signal strength.”
“Qualcomm Technologies has a comprehensive RF front-end portfolio including competitive products with obvious advantages,” said Andy Wu, vice president, OPPO.
“OPPO has been conducting in-depth collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, and we look forward to bringing more Qualcomm Technologies’ RF front-end components into OPPO’s products through the joint efforts from both sides,” added Wu.
“Our global consumers demand high-level performance, longer battery life and advanced connectivity from their devices,” said Jesse Shi, senior vice president, Vivo.
“End-to-end system-level design and support from Qualcomm Technologies allows us to reduce our design-in effort and integration time, while still providing consumers with performance rich, premium-tier devices,” Shi.
“At Xiaomi, we pride ourselves on bringing the most innovative products we can to our growing customer base,” said KS Yan, MiPhone vice president, vice chairman of MiPhone quality committee, Xiaomi.”
“By utilizing Qualcomm Technologies’ modem to antenna platform solutions to RF front-end design, we can take full advantage of performance enhancement features enabled by tight modem-RFFE interaction, bringing more advanced devices to market faster in order to better address global consumer demand for innovative, beautiful and affordable smartphones,” Yan.
This announcement was issued as part of Qualcomm’s China Technology Day, in which Qualcomm discussed the global future of mobile technology and how the expanded adoption of RFFE technologies will play an integral role in the rapid evolution to 5G.
NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel, India’s telecommunications services provider, today announced the launch of its ultra-fast 5G services in 125 cities. Airtel 5G Plus service is now available to customers in over 265 cities in the country.
Airtel 5G Plus has three compelling advantages for customers. First, it runs on a technology that has the widest acceptance in the world with the most developed ecosystem. This ensures that all 5G smartphones in India seamlessly work on the Airtel network. Second, the company promises to deliver the best experience – between 20 to 30 times higher speeds than today coupled with brilliant voice experience and super-fast call connect. Finally, Airtel 5G Plus network will also be kinder to the environment with its special power reduction solution. Powered by the reliable Airtel network infrastructure, Airtel 5G Plus will provide superfast access to High-Definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos et all.
Commenting on the launch, Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel said, “5G has revolutionized the world of internet, ushering new era of connectivity and communications that will prove to be a game-changer for the country. At Airtel, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality of network and service to our customers as we roll-out 125 more cities today. Airtel was the first in the country to offer 5G services in October 2022, and today’s mega launch is our promise to connect every Airtel customer in the country with ultra-fast Airtel 5G Plus. Our 5G rollout is on track to cover all towns and key rural areas by March 2024.”
Airtel 5G Plus service availability will continue to rapidly expand – including service in all towns and villages in the country soon – as the company is working towards offering nationwide coverage. Airtel is now offering its 5G services in every major city from the upper northern city of Jammu to the southern tip of Kanyakumari.
In the last one year, Airtel has demonstrated the power of 5G with a host of powerful use cases that will change the way customers lead their lives and do business. From India’s first live 5G network in Hyderabad to India’s first private 5G network at the BOSCH facility in Bengaluru to partnering with Mahindra & Mahindra to make its Chakan manufacturing facility, India’s first 5G enabled auto manufacturing unit, Airtel has been at the forefront of 5G innovation.
NEW DELHI: Apple Inc has rolled out a beta programme to enable 5G on Apple devices as the upgrade lets users try out pre-release software.
This software upgrade enables 5G access on Apple devices, as and when service providers Jio, Airtel and Vodafone enable 5G network access, sources said.
Apple Users have to enrol for the Beta Programme on the website, install a profile and download the software.
Jio users using iPhone 12 and above, in cities where JioTrue5G has been rolled out, will be invited to the Jio Welcome Offer. Jio Welcome Offer provides unlimited 5G data at up to 1 Gbps speed to users at no additional cost. However, there is a condition that prepaid users must be on active Rs 239 and above plan. All Postpaid users are eligible for this trial.
Airtel is not providing any special 5G offer like Jio to their users. In the cities/areas in which the Airtel 5G network has been launched, users can trial 5G services as a part of their existing plan, once they have updated the latest Apple Beta software.
While an email sent to Apple did not solicit an immediate response, the firm had last month stated: “We are working with our carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance is completed. 5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December”.
Airtel and Jio customers on iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 and iPhone SE (3rd generation) models can experience 5G as part of Apple’s iOS 16 Beta Software Program. The Apple Beta Software Program is open to anyone with a valid Apple ID who accepts the Apple Beta Software Program Agreement during the sign-up process.
If a user has an iCloud account, that is an Apple ID, it is recommended they use that. If they do not have an iCloud account or any other Apple ID, they can create one.
Customers who want to try the beta software should back up their iPhones before installing the beta software. It is recommended to install the beta software only on non-production devices that are not business-critical. Users can also provide feedback to Apple on quality and usability, which helps Apple identify issues, fix them, and make Apple software even better.
The iOS beta comes with the built-in Feedback Assistant app, which can be opened from the Home screen on the iPhone or iPad or from the Dock on the Mac.
Source: Press Trust of India
5g
Nokia wins multi-year deal with Reliance Jio India to build one of the largest 5G networks in the world
NEW DELHI: Nokia has announced that it has been selected as a major supplier by Reliance Jio to supply 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment from its comprehensive AirScale portfolio countrywide in a multi-year deal. Reliance Jio is India’s number one mobile operator and has one of the largest RAN footprints in the world.
Under the contract, Nokia will supply equipment from its AirScale portfolio, including base stations, high-capacity 5G Massive MIMO antennas, and Remote Radio Heads (RRH) to support different spectrum bands, and self-organizing network software. Reliance Jio plans to deploy a 5G standalone network which will interwork with its 4G network. The network will enable Reliance Jio to deliver advanced 5G services such as massive machine-to-machine communications, network slicing, and ultra-low-latency.
Akash Ambani, Chairman Reliance Jio, commented: “We are pleased to be working with Nokia for our 5G SA deployment in India. Jio is committed to continuously investing in the latest network technologies to enhance the experience of all of its customers. We are confident that our partnership with Nokia will deliver one of the most advanced 5G networks globally.”
Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO at Nokia stated: “This is a significant win for Nokia in an important market and a new customer with one of the largest RAN footprints in the world. This ambitious project will introduce millions of people across India to premium 5G services, enabled by our industry-leading AirScale portfolio. We are proud that Reliance Jio has placed its trust in our technology and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with them.”
Nokia has a long-standing presence in India. This new deal will mean that Nokia is now supplying India’s three largest mobile operators.
