5G Focus is a weekly global roundup of notable 5G trials, launches, use cases and major equipment supply contracts. It will also feature in-depth analysis of strategies, expansion plans, business models and other related initiatives.
Recent 5G highlights include Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.'s offer to exclusively license its 5G technologies to a U.S. company, Malaysia's plan for an upcoming nationwide demonstration of 5G projects, and T-Mobile Netherlands BV's upcoming 5G trials on its mobile network.
Chart Watch
Ultra HD 4K/8K, connected homes and gaming are some of the services expected to drive consumer 5G adoption, according to a recent survey by Kagan, a research group within S&P Global Market Intelligence's TMT offering.

Must Read
The Week Ahead Europe: EU maps 5G cybersecurity threats: The European Commission and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity is set to release its EU-wide 5G risk assessment, which looked into the origin of cyberattacks and 5G's main vulnerabilities.
Huawei's offer to license 5G technologies may fall flat: Analysts said Huawei's offer to license its 5G technologies exclusively to a U.S. company may do little to convince the U.S. government to reverse a ban on the tech giant's telecom network equipment.
Huawei CEO willing to license 5G tech to US company: Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei said the company plans to use revenues generated from licensing its 5G technology to update and invest in other internal technology projects.
FCC advances proposed procedures for 2020 auction of crucial 5G spectrum: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted to advance a public notice that proposes procedures for a spectrum auction in the 3.5 GHz band, which the wireless industry considers crucial for 5G deployment.
New Alibaba chairman's 1st investor day suggests more diversified future: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s map service Amap will play a "super important" role in the company's future as the tech industry moves to the 5G and internet-of-things era, said CEO and Executive Chairman Daniel Zhang.
US AND CANADA
* OPPO reached a partnership with U.S.-based Keysight Technologies Inc. to set up a communications laboratory to enhance their cooperation in the development of 5G devices, 36Kr reported Sept. 25. The companies will also explore opportunities in communications software and distinctive hardware designs.
ASIA-PACIFIC
* Japanese telecom operator KDDI Corp. tapped Nokia Corp. as a primary partner in the upgrade of the company's 4G network to 5G, according to a Sept. 30 statement. The 5G network, to be deployed across Japan, will rely on Nokia's AirScale radio access solution.
* The government of Shenzhen in China rolled out a subsidy policy to foster the development of 5G-related industries in the Futian area. The government will provide a maximum of 10 million yuan subsidy for 5G research, innovation platform setup and the opening of brick-and-mortar stores.
* Thai telco Advanced Info Service PCL signed a memorandum of understanding with Huawei to cooperate on developing new 5G services and technologies. The two companies will focus on areas such as enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communication and enhanced machine-type communication.
* South Korea's SK Telecom Co. Ltd. is collaborating with short video app TikTok to provide its 5G users with higher resolution video content on the platform, ZDNet Korea reported Sept. 26. Under the tie-up, TikTok will make 720p high definition resolution video, instead of the 480p standard resolution, available to the telco's 5G users.
* KT Corp.'s satellite unit KT SAT plans to develop marine and aviation solutions, as well as provide internet of things and 5G services to vessels, ET News reported Sept. 26.
* The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT laid out a plan to boost the businesses of mobile virtual network operators by reducing wholesale rates and expanding mobile virtual network operator coverage to 5G, Financial News reported Sept. 25. As part of the plan, the ministry will require SK Telecom to provide MVNOs with 5G networks at wholesale prices.
* KT signed an agreement with Samsung Medical Center to cooperate on applying 5G smart technologies to hospital services, ZDNet Korea reported Sept. 25.
* Xiaomi Corp. on Sept. 24 unveiled the Mi 9 Pro 5G, the company's second 5G mobile phone. The device provides full coverage on mainstream 5G bands in mainland China and relies on Qualcomm Inc.'s Snapdragon 855+ processor.
* Malaysia will start a nationwide demonstration of 5G projects in October as part of the country's preparations for its planned 2020 rollout of the technology, Reuters reported Sept. 24. Huawei has preliminary 5G agreements with Malaysian operators such as Celcom Axiata Bhd., Telekom Malaysia and Maxis Bhd.
* NTT Docomo Inc. launched a pre-5G service to coincide with the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Telecompaper reported Sept. 23. The service can reach up to 3.2 Gbps download and 202 Mbps upload speeds over mmWave bands and 2.4 Gbps/107 Mbps in sub-6 GHz frequencies.
* Huawei and China Mobile Ltd. finished a complete set of 5G function testing, including voice over new radio call function and seamless switching between 4G and 5G networks, Tencent News reported Sept. 23. The trial enabled users to continue with 5G network surfing while making phone calls.
* Thailand-based telecom operator True Corp. and Chulalongkorn University's faculty of engineering opened TrueLab@Chula Engineering, a center for 5G and innovative solutions, Prachachat reported Sept. 23. True reportedly invested 10 million Thai baht into the project.
* Thailand is waiting for its prime minister to approve the establishment of a 15-person 5G adoption commission, Krungthep Turakij reported Sept. 23. The country is looking to accelerate its adoption of 5G technology after learning that some neighboring countries plan to adopt the next-generation network by mid-2020.
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
* T-Mobile Netherlands will begin 5G tests on its mobile network through the 700 MHz band on Oct. 2. In addition to the national test license for one year, T-Mobile secured a regional license from the Telecom Agency to test 5G on the 700 MHz frequency band in The Hague and surrounding areas for two months.
* The Portuguese unit of mobile network services provider Dense Air Ltd. struck a deal with the municipal council of Cascais to launch a 5G smart city "proof of concept" network, according to a statement.
* Norway will not impede Huawei from building the country's 5G network, Reuters reported Sept. 26, citing Norwegian cabinet minister Nikolai Astrup. The final decision on working with Huawei will be left to telecom operators. State-owned Telenor ASA, for its part, will choose its 5G supplier this year prior to its planned 2020 commercial rollout, according to the report. Meanwhile, Telenor rolled out its 5G pilot in Elverum, with plans to expand the initiative to Oslo and eight other municipalities by year-end.
* Elisa Oyj partnered with LG U+ to jointly develop automation for 5G networks. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on the collaboration in February.
* Portuguese company OMIP and Austria's Martes Specure submitted bids to deploy an IT system for the 5G spectrum auction in Poland, Telecompaper reported Sept. 25, citing Telko.in. The auction will cover frequencies in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band.
* Deutsche Telekom AG said Sept. 24 that it expanded its 5G program for the industrial sector, following a partnership with Ericsson. EK Automation, Konica Minolta Inc. and Endress+Hauser SA agreed to integrate their technologies into Deutsche Telekom's 5G infrastructure.
* Nokia said Sept. 24 that it opened a 5G Future X Lab at its global headquarters in Espoo, Finland. The new lab will help the company's customers experience Nokia's full end-to-end portfolio of 5G equipment, software and services.
* Europe's major telcos and Huawei met in Spain to discuss 5G use cases and network development, as the industry awaits the European Union's risk assessment of the Chinese firm. Executives from Vodafone Group PLC, British Telecom, Telefónica SA and Huawei took to the stage at the 5G Core Summit in Madrid on Sept. 24-25.
* The Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications said bidders in the country's second auction for 5G licenses will have to commit to launching faster speeds in rural areas. The regulator wants to ensure that smaller communities are receiving the same speed upgrades as larger ones.
* Italian regional operator GO Internet SpA secured a €3 million loan to fund the upgrade of its network in the country's central Marche region, Telecompaper reported Sept. 23, citing a statement. The project entails preparing the network for migrating to 5G-ready technology.
Featured Research
French carriers commit to adding 20,000 new towers: As French telecom regulator ARCEP prepares a combined auction and selection process for distributing 5G frequencies throughout the country, latest figures show that Orange SA holds the most number of mobile spectrum.
Kagan is a group within S&P Global Market Intelligence's TMT offering, providing exclusive research and commentary.
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