5G Focus: China expansion; FCC actions; Ericsson partnership

5G Focus is a weekly global feature including notable 5G trials, launches, use cases and major equipment supply contracts. It also features in-depth analysis of strategies, expansion plans, business models and other related initiatives.

As 2020 drew to a close, China unveiled plans to expand its network of 5G base stations. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission is looking at opening up more satellite frequencies for 5G services, while in Europe Ericsson threatened to halt its Swedish operations if a 5G ban on Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. in the country continues.

US AND CANADA

* U.S. officials are investigating the possibility that conspiracy theories around 5G may have contributed to the motives behind the Dec. 25, 2020, bombing in Nashville, Tenn.

* The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to open up the 12 GHz band for 5G use.

* Electric utilities asked a court to vacate an FCC order that opened the 6 GHz band for 5G deployment.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* CAT Telecom PCL and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom are forming a new 5G-focused mobile service provider in Thailand, The Bangkok Insight reported.

* Telstra Corp. Ltd. plans to use the mobile spectrum it will acquire in upcoming auctions for 5G fixed wireless products, The Australian Financial Review reported.

* Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will launch a Long-Term Evolution model of its Galaxy S21 smartphone in select countries where 5G is not yet commercialized, ET News reported.

* China aims to build more than 600,000 5G base stations in 2021, Xinhua News Agency reported.

* Thailand's True Corp. secured a 700 MHz license to help improve its 5G service in select areas, Post Today reported. The telco also earmarked up to 60 billion baht for 5G upgrades, Manager Online reported.

* Thailand's Total Access Communication PCL, or Dtac, partnered with Nokia Corp. to install and maintain a 5G radio access network.

* Taiwan's Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd. will demonstrate a 5G-backed production line in February 2021, UDN reported.

* Chinese smartphone maker OPPO launched a new 5G laboratory in India, 36kr reported.

* India's Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. plans to use stand-alone network architecture for its 5G services, Business Standard reported.

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

* Qatar-based Ooredoo Group and Ericsson inked a five-year strategic 5G agreement.

* Ericsson threatened to halt operations in Sweden if the government refuses to lift its 5G ban on Huawei, Dagens Nyheter reported.

* The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa said six telcos applied to participate in an upcoming 5G spectrum auction, Telecompaper reported.

* Serbia postponed its 5G spectrum auction until year-end, Telecompaper reported.

* Italian telco Telecom Italia SpA plans to keep Nokia as a supplier for its 5G buildout while reducing Huawei's share of the contract, Reuters reported.

* Slovenia's communications regulator announced a 5G spectrum tender, Broadband TV News reported.

* U.K. telecom and media regulator Ofcom named four qualified operators for an upcoming 5G auction.

* Spain is expected not to exclude Huawei from the country's 5G networks, Telecompaper reported.

* Wind Hellas Telecommunications SA launched 5G services in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece, Telecompaper reported.

Featured research

Wireless Investor: 2020 LatAm groups report: Mobile revenues down 3% in 2019; MNOs bolster MBB: In the Latin American region, the low-band and the mid-band are becoming the main candidates to launch 5G.

Wireless Investor: Hong Kong mobile projections, 2020-2030: Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Ltd., Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Ltd., SmarTone Mobile Communications Ltd. and China Mobile Hong Kong Co. Ltd. launched their respective commercial 5G services.

Technology: Q3'20 smartphone shipments jump on worldwide demand: Apple Inc. has set up a big holiday quarter for its latest 5G iPhones.

Global Multichannel: Government factor key to success of FTTH deployments in Western Europe: Governments such as France and Spain set up detailed agendas for fiber and 5G deployments.

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