Marc Hornbeek

Really interesting announcements today from Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) about the ability for emergency calls and security / preparedness communications to connect via #WiFi networks and #OpenRoaming, for resiliency and extra in-building reach. There's a three reports and multiple angles here: - Automated connection of phones and other devices to Wi-Fi for 911 / 999 / 112 calls via OpenRoaming, even if there's normally some other authentication method needed. This is broadly similar to the cross-network roaming for emergency calls across cellular networks, and works irrespective of subscription status - Ability to use #WiFiCalling for #emergency #voice comms. (This is for public calls to emergency services, not for first responders' own critical radio comms) - Prioritisation of public safety and "emergency preparedness" traffic on Wi-Fi networks, despite any network congestion. During critical incidents, there can be a huge surge of traffic, especially if mobile infrastructure is damaged (eg in a hurricane). Being able to dedicate capacity or prioritise usage by key personnel or devices makes both the Wi-Fi network and overall communications more resilient and suitable for first responders. - Better location-awareness and use of the Wi-Fi infrastructure for positioning, especially indoors, and the ability to communicate that to the public-safety dispatchers and systems. Based on a quick scan of the documents, some of these features are dependent on newer #Wi-Fi7 systems, with others designed to function on older variants. In general, I think this is an excellent move - in many emergency situations, Wi-Fi and fixed/fibre networks may be more tolerant of outages than cellular, and there will also be some users with Wi-Fi only devices. It adds to the options for communications and network coverage, and also seems to have been designed in a way to minimise possible user intervention and confusion in stressful situations. However, there will be a need in some cases to have some sort of "emergency profile" included in devices. I'd say this is also a very good way to encourage broader adoption of PassPoint and OpenRoaming by enterprises, building owners, CSPs and device vendors - and could also prompt regulators / policymakers to consider it as mandatory. Lastly, I think this is a step in the right direction to a broader view of emergency communications. As well as different access networks - mobile, fixed, Wi-Fi and soon satellite - I think that there should be a much broader "emergency API" approach, so that calls can be initiated in messaging apps, or even from AI voice platforms, going beyond some limited use of things like smart speakers or in-car eCall today. I'll also be covering emergency aspects of Wi-Fi on my enterprise innovations panel at the WBA #WGCEMEA conference in Paris next week. #publicsafety #firstresponders #criticalcommunications #wifi #telecom #regulation https://lnkd.in/eGkDYVgQ

53

13 Comments

Sharing slides from a webinar on 'Wireless Spectrum - Approaches to Licensing', presented by FCC's Wireless Telecom Bureau Chief. The topics include: - General principles for accessing spectrum, - Licensed spectrum rules and configuration, - Secondary markets, - Spectrum transition mechanisms - Case studies. I personally believe that spectrum hoarding should not be permitted. In the context of Pakistan, it should be auctioned on 'Use it or share it' basis. Spectrum leasing / sharing should be permitted. New concepts of 'Supplemental Coverage from Space' (SCS) should be explored. And the tiered spectrum access system should be expanded to frequency bands other than CBRS as well.

16

At the #MiamiGP, T-Mobile is putting the power of true 5G innovation to work for McLaren Racing.   With T-Mobile For Business's 5G Advanced Network Solutions including network slicing, Sony PDT-FP1 transmitters, and real-time remote media upload, McLaren’s operations move faster and smarter.   This is how T-Mobile's ultra-low latency, high-reliability network changes the game not just for racing, but for any high-performance environment!

183

4 Comments

Live sports demand more than speed, they require intelligent, adaptable infrastructure.    At the #PGAChampionship, T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced network delivers:  • Edge compute + AI to generate shot insights in seconds  • Network slicing to keep ops traffic isolated and efficient  • Mobile private 5G for high-bandwidth, low-latency broadcast feeds    The future of connectivity isn’t just about devices. It’s about orchestration. And this week, T-Mobile is showing what that looks like in real life.  https://lnkd.in/gEbWfn-2

369

5 Comments

We just published a post on how we went from FreeSWITCH to SWML. This expands on an earlier post about the origin of SignalWire and the challenges we faced scaling real-world communications infrastructure. FreeSWITCH gave us deep control over media and signaling. The next frontier was a way to express workflows in a way that horizontally scaled across physical regions, teams, products, and use cases and exposed powerful IVR features like Conversational AI SWML is our answer. It’s a programmable, composable framework that combines real-time media control with declarative logic and AI. You can define entire voice, video, and messaging applications in a single document that can be static or generated on demand. It’s built for people who want more than basic IVRs or cookie-cutter CPaaS functions. This is the evolution of the FreeSWITCH technology into something a web programmer can really embrace. You can build the client into a single-page browser app with our customizable widget and define the server as you wish using basic tools to generate SWML on demand to create powerful IVRs, Conversational AI, and Contact Center functionality. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/ex-T_JAA #SignalWire #SWML #FreeSWITCH #ProgrammableVoice #AIinTelecom #VoiceAI #TelecomInfrastructure #CPaaS #PUC #DeveloperTools #ProgrammableUnifiedCommunications

37

1 Comment

🚀 Why is LTE throughput low? Understanding the key factors impacting network performance is crucial for telecom professionals aiming to optimize LTE networks. 🔍 Here are some common reasons behind low throughput: ✅ Weak Signal Strength – Distance from the tower, obstacles (buildings, terrain), and coverage gaps can degrade signal quality. ✅ Interference & Pilot Pollution – Overlapping coverage, external radio interference, or adjacent frequency issues can affect performance. ✅ Network Misconfigurations – Suboptimal settings in modulation, bandwidth, antenna configurations, and transmission modes can lead to inefficiencies. ✅ Hardware & Software Issues – Malfunctions in radios, BBUs, CPRI cables, outdated software, or SFP failures can impact performance. ✅ Network Congestion – High user demand during peak hours can overload network resources, reducing speeds. ✅ Air Interface Errors – Fading, channel impairments, and environmental factors may lead to retransmissions, impacting throughput. ✅ Backhaul Limitations – Bottlenecks in transport links or inadequate ISP provisioning can restrict data flow. ✅ Latency & Packet Loss – High latency and packet loss can hinder real-time applications like streaming and gaming. ✅ UE Capability – Older or lower-spec devices may not support advanced LTE features, affecting overall experience.

182

16 Comments

Unlike other industries #AI adoption is not going to be optional for #mobile... Credit: Sean Kinney RCR Wireless News Choi described multi-radio access spectrum sharing (MRSS) as the mechanism to govern shared spectrum across 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi, satellite-based, and other radio access mediums. “As we move toward 6G, we are entering an era where spectrum sharing, massive bandwidth, and ultra-dense deployments make…conventional, manual network management completely impossible.” AI models can predict spectrum occupancy and demand patterns based on historical and real-time data to enable proactive spectrum allocation before congestion or interference occurs. Reinforcement learning agents can continuously calibrate the optimal way to allocate spectrum across different access technologies. And AI agents, working across radio and edge sites, can autonomously balance traffic loads. “Without artificial intelligence technology, the complexity and speed required for the efficient MRSS operation in 6G would be practically unmanageable, making AI-native RAN architecture in 6G an essential foundation for the future,” Choi said. https://lnkd.in/gjzWCRBv

26

8 Comments

Wholesale isn’t the back office of telecom. It’s the engine of digital economies. Every fiber route we connect and every interconnection we enable strengthens not just networks but the economies and industries they power. From cross-border connectivity to cloud enablement, wholesale is where infrastructure turns into impact and where regional collaboration creates real value. As leaders, our role isn’t just to build. It’s to connect. To align. To make sure every step forward in telecom opens a door for the next generation of innovators, platforms, and economies. This is how we move from infrastructure to lasting outcomes ✌️ #TelecomLeadership #WholesaleStrategy #RegionalConnectivity #DigitalInfrastructure

161

10 Comments