5G Focus: Apple to unveil low-cost iPhone; Nokia invests in venture fund

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.

This edition features Apple Inc.'s first major product launch of 2022, Verizon Communications Inc.'s long-awaited rollout on C-band spectrum, and Nokia Corp.'s upcoming investment in a venture fund for 5G use cases.

Chart watch

Capital markets activity by publicly traded telecommunications companies in the U.S., Canada and Bermuda rebounded in December 2021 after a couple of low-scoring months, with the sector raising about $3.01 billion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data. The telecom sector's capital raises in 2021 peaked in March after the Federal Communications Commission's auction of C-band spectrum, which is considered important for 5G rollouts.

Must read

Washington Watch: Aviation, wireless industries tussle before Congress over 5G spectrum delays

During a recent House Subcommittee, the Federal Aviation Administration blamed wireless operators for the ongoing dispute over 5G rollouts near airports. Former AT&T executive Dennis Roberson, meanwhile, said airlines could solve any concerns on their own by modernizing airport equipment.

US AND CANADA

* Apple plans to launch a new low-cost iPhone with 5G capability and an updated iPad on or around March 8, Bloomberg News reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

* Verizon expects to switch on another 2,000 towers in February as part of the next phase of its C-band 5G spectrum deployment, Reuters reported, citing sources. The Federal Aviation Administration recently allowed Verizon and AT&T Inc. to activate towers that are near airports.

* AT&T's board reduced its expected annual per-share dividend payout to $1.11 from $2.08 to account for the upcoming distribution of the company's interest in Warner Media LLC to shareholders as well as to support 5G and fiber network investments.

* INCOMPAS, a tech and internet trade association advocating for competition policy across all networks, will hold its 2022 Policy Summit on Feb. 8. The summit will focus on communications and technology issues, including 5G.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* The National University of Singapore will embed telecom operator StarHub Ltd.'s latest 5G and internet-of-things services into its smart campus, which will now undergo two years of live trials.

* Bharti Airtel Lanka Pvt. Ltd. achieved speeds of more than 1.9 Gbps in its live trials of 5G over a commercial network, Developing Telecoms reported. The Sri Lankan unit of Indian telco Bharti Airtel Ltd. is using non-stand-alone 5G network technology over 3,500-MHz spectrum for the trials.

* Japanese telecom operator KDDI Corp. created a new subsidiary, KDDI SmartDrone Inc., which will provide drone services in various sectors. The drones will be controlled using 4G and 5G mobile technologies.

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

* Poland's competition watchdog launched an investigation into the advertising of 5G services by telecom operators Polkomtel Sp. z o.o., doing business as Plus, and P4 Sp. z o.o., trading as Play, after customers complained that they cannot access 5G networks, Telecompaper reported.

* The Norwegian Communications Authority is assessing whether more frequency bands should be made available for 5G services.

* Telenor ASA unit Telenor Sweden launched an upgraded version of its fixed-wireless access broadband service, which will run on 5G where available, Total Telecom reported.

* Nokia committed to NGP Capital's Fund V, a venture fund worth $400 million aimed at backing growth-stage companies developing 5G use cases for industries and businesses.

* The Netherlands' telecoms regulator issued an experimental permit for 5G in the 2.3 GHz band for an installation located in Honselersdijk in the Westland region, Telecompaper reported.

* Estonia is progressing with its tender of 5G spectrum in the 3.41 GHz to 3.8 GHz bands, with the auction expected to start at the end of April, Telecompaper reported. The regulator will issue three licenses, with a starting price of about €1.6 million per license.

* Ericsson and Saudi Telecom Co. struck an agreement to launch advanced 5G services for the 2022 edition of the LEAP entertainment festival in Saudi Arabia.

* In other Ericsson news, the Swedish tech equipment provider signed a deal with mobile operator Mobily to explore 5G use cases for various industries in Saudi Arabia.

Featured research

Multichannel Trends: US broadband gains show signs of cooling in initial Q4'21 results: Early fourth-quarter 2021 broadband results suggest fixed wireless uptake has contributed to a deceleration in subscriber growth for the wireline heavyweights.

Economics of Internet: Profile: Viu (Southeast Asia): Rising broadband penetration in Southeast Asia helps expand the total available market for streaming platforms like PCCW Ltd.'s Viu. Additionally, 5G expansion will enable better video streaming quality, which could also fuel greater OTT uptake.

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