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5G Focus: Launch in Saudi Arabia; Huawei, Maxis deal; SK Telecom, Rakuten tie-up

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5G Focus: Launch in Saudi Arabia; Huawei, Maxis deal; SK Telecom, Rakuten tie-up

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.

The rollout of Zain Saudi Arabia's 5G service, a network partnership between China's Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Malaysian telecom operator Maxis Bhd., and SK Telecom Co. Ltd.'s 5G deal with Rakuten Inc. topped our list of 5G stories last week.

Chart Watch

A recurring theme at this year's 5G Core Summit was that implementing 5G is not building a network for a single customer but for a whole society. To accomplish this, the 5G core needs an open and digital infrastructure defined by software that takes advantage of digital technologies such as cloud-based networks and software-defined network programmable connectivity.

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US AND CANADA

* United States Cellular Corp. will launch its 5G network in parts of Iowa and Wisconsin beginning in the first quarter of 2020. The company will roll out 5G coverage in Iowa for parts of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque and Waterloo. Its first 5G coverage for Wisconsin will include parts of Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh and Racine.

* Altran Technologies SA said Oct. 2 that it launched a center specializing in advanced networks in the U.S. to help customers in their transition to 5G. Located in Manhattan, N.Y., the center will provide consulting and integration services to telecom and network equipment providers as well as help clients develop new use cases and monetize new services.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* Huawei inked an agreement with Kuala Lumpur-based telecom operator Maxis for the provisioning of a 5G network in Malaysia. As part of the agreement, Huawei will supply the Malaysian telco with 4G/LTE and 5G radio equipment and services, enabling Maxis to upgrade its existing LTE network to be 5G-ready.

* SK Telecom signed a deal with Rakuten to provide the Japanese e-commerce giant with 5G technologies such as network designs, optimized communication quality solutions, 5G antenna and radio frequency transmission, Digital Daily reported Oct. 3, citing sources. Rakuten, which filed an application to become Japan's fourth telecom operator in 2018, plans to fully launch its mobile services in April 2020.

* South Korean operator KT Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Midland Power Co. Ltd. to set up 5G networks in its power plants and jointly develop smart plant technologies, Financial News reported Oct. 3. The two parties plan to apply augmented reality, artificial intelligence, smart surveillance camera and digital twin technologies based on 5G capabilities to plant operations.

* Thailand's True Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Chiang Mai University to collaborate on 5G research and development, Manager reported. The partnership will focus on 5G use cases in healthcare, smart cities and agriculture.

* Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Star Telecom Corp. Ltd., Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd., Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd. and Asia Pacific Telecom Co. Ltd. submitted applications to Taiwan's National Communications Commission to join the 5G spectrum auction in December, Central News Agency reported Oct. 2.

* Japanese telco KDDI Corp. tapped Ericsson as a primary 5G vendor, according to a Sept. 30 news release. Ericsson will supply radio access network equipment to KDDI, which plans to launch its first commercial 5G services in March 2020.

* KT signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize 5G technologies for construction automation, ET News reported Oct. 1.

* KDDI selected Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. as one of its 5G telecommunications equipment suppliers, Yonhap News Agency reported Sept. 30. The contract's amount is reportedly worth about 2.3 trillion South Korean won over a five-year period.

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

* Zain Saudi Arabia said Oct. 6 that it launched its 5G service, which will be initially offered through a network of 2,000 towers across more than 20 cities in Saudi Arabia. The mobile operator plans to expand its 5G network to 2,600 towers in 26 cities by end-2019.

* The European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of public service broadcasters, is pushing for the development of technical standards for free-to-air broadcasting over 5G. In an industry gathering, EBU Media Director Jean Philip De Tender said such a service would allow users of 5G-enabled devices to watch free-to-air services without the need for a dedicated SIM card.

* Altice France SA's SFR said Oct. 4 that it conducted the first 5G trial in Ville Rose, expanding the possibility of 5G access to Toulouse. The telecom operator is preparing to equip its first cities before the target commercial launch of 5G in 2020. Altice Europe owns Altice France.

* Telecom Malagasy SA chose Ericsson to upgrade its core and radio network as part of the Madagascar-based operator's move toward 5G, according to an Oct. 4 news release. The deal also includes about 2,000 new mobile sites on Telma's network.

* Vodafone Group PLC unit Vodafone Magyarország is preparing to roll out its commercial 5G service on Oct. 17 through the deployment of its first 5G stations across Hungary, Telecompaper reported Oct. 4, citing Hwsw.hu.

* The assignment of 5G frequencies to French operators will be pushed back to mid-October, Le Figaro reported. The recommendations of independent committee Commission des Participations et Transferts was initially expected to be made public on the week ended Oct. 4.

* The Dutch city of Apeldoorn will postpone a decision regarding deployment of the first 5G network in the Netherlands after residents voiced concerns in the city hall about harmful radiation, Emerce reported Oct. 3. The city and its partner network company RadioLED will now reportedly have to wait until residents' questions are answered.

* Finnish operator Elisa Oyj said Oct. 3 that it plans to further expand its 5G network in the city of Jyväskylä in the coming months.

* Cloud-native network software company Mavenir Inc. said Oct. 3 that it opened an innovation development center in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of its increased focus on 4G and 5G virtual radio access networks.

* The Jebel Ali Free Zone and telecom operator Etisalat UAE teamed up to perform a 5G demonstration before officials, business leaders and employees of port operator DP World PLC in the United Arab Emirates, according to an Oct. 3 statement. The demonstration involved an internet speed test display, a 5G-connected display, 3D hologram communication and remote vehicle control, among others.

* Swedish communications technology company Ericsson completed the acquisition of Kathrein Mobile Communication, the antenna and filter division of Germany-based Kathrein SE. The acquisition is expected to support Ericsson's push to develop 5G-capable technologies.

* Deutsche Telekom AG said Oct. 2 that it partnered with carmaker Audi AG to launch a 5G technology partnership with the city of Ingolstadt. The 5G technology will be used to enable safe, digital and sustainable urban mobility.

* Spanish mobile operator MásMóvil Ibercom SA struck a comprehensive fiber and mobile network deal with Orange Espagne SAU, according to an Oct. 1 statement. The agreement will, among other things, allow MásMóvil to gain access to the Orange SA unit's 5G network in up to 4,500 locations, including the 40 largest cities in Spain.

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Kagan is a group within S&P Global Market Intelligence's TMT offering, providing exclusive research and commentary.

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