2G wireless is alive and well in developing countries

12 July 2006 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

2G and 2,5G wireless infrastructure is alive and well and living in the developing world. With most mobile telephone infrastructure markets in industrialised nations near or at saturation levels, wireless basestation vendors are looking farther afield, all the way to China, India, and other fast-growing markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The problem with addressing such markets is their low wage/low price economies. Unable to leapfrog directly to 3G because of its high upfront cost and small cell size, operators in developing markets need efficient and easily upgradeable 2G/2,5G networks.

According to Lance Wilson, ABI Research director of wireless infrastructure research, "The major infrastructure manufacturers have to be very clever in producing cost-effective 2G and 2,5G systems for developing markets, because there is not a lot of money to spend."

An example cited in the latest market update of the research group's Wireless Infrastructure Research Service, demonstrates that some vendors are rising to meet the challenge. Ericsson's 'Expander' program requires 30-40% fewer cell sites than traditional GSM networks, promises reductions in both CAPEX and OPEX, has a clear upgrade path to 3G, and is designed to be profitable at monthly subscriber fees as low as $5.

This kind of wireless infrastructure appropriate for the developing world is more than just smart strategy; it may help mitigate the effects of the overall wireless infrastructure market trend which, according to the updated forecasts contained in the study, continues to stagnate from an overall standpoint. Only the WCDMA and CDMA2000 1x EV-DO sectors defy the market's general flatness. The market update also discusses how wireless infrastructure vendors are moving down the path of fixed-mobile convergence.

Further reading:

Module combines 5G and NTN support
Quectel Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions announced the launch of its BG770A-SN ultra-compact 5G-ready satellite communication module, compliant with 3GPP releases 13, 14 and 17.

Read more...

---

Scalable and secure IoT device onboarding and management
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
EasyPass is an enhancement within Cambium’s cnMaestro platform, aimed at providing local businesses with secure, efficient, and scalable device management, making it ideal for high-demand environments such as educational institutions, retail spaces, and corporate campuses.

Read more...

---

SIMCom’s A7673X series
Otto Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
SIMCom’s A7673X series is a Cat 1 bis module that supports LTE-FDD, with a maximum downlink rate of 10 Mbps and an uplink rate of 5 Mbps.

Read more...

---

Non-terrestrial network module
Altron Arrow Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Fibocom unveiled its MA510-GL (NTN), a non-terrestrial networks module which is compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standard.

Read more...

---

Cellular IoT connectivity via satellite
Altron Arrow Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Telit Cinterion cellular LPWA module will enable satellite data communication using the NB-IoT protocol, without any special hardware changes required for the integration of the cellular module in the customer application.

Read more...

---

Wireless module supports up to 600 Mbps
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel’s FCU865R is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 LCC package module which can be used for WLAN and Bluetooth connections.

Read more...

---

Unlocking the future of connectivity
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The battle for the 6 GHz spectrum band is heating up in South Africa, mirroring global debates on the allocation of spectrum between Wi-Fi and cellular operators.

Read more...

---

Quectel wireless module wins accolade
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The winners of the 2024 IoT Evolution 5G Leadership Award were recently announced, with Quectel walking away with an award for its modules which make 5G features more easily accessible for IoT applications, notably the company’s RG255C-GL.

Read more...

---

Innovative upgrade process for 2G/3G
Otto Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
What is likely to happen during the sunset period for 2G and 3G signals, especially on the back of already near-obsolescence of 2G network equipment, is for the availability of the connectivity mediums to begin to reduce between now and the shutdown date.

Read more...

---

RFID in aviation: the ultimate solution to baggage mishandling
Osiris Technical Systems Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Creating a solution that enables real-time tracking of airline baggage on a global scale seems like an impossible task when considering the number of airlines, airports, and passengers that flow through and between them.

Read more...

---