H35-660_V2.0-ENU thinking - HCIA-5G V2.0 Updated: 2024

After banding together to boot Chinese telecoms out of critical networks, the United States and Europe are struggling to agree on what 5G should look like without China's input.

American concerns about China's telecoms equipment have shifted to worries that the industry is overly reliant on Huawei's two main competitors, Sweden's Ericsson and Finland's Nokia, and that the U.S. itself lacks homegrown vendors to pick from.

Meanwhile, in Europe, attempts by the telecoms industry to design a new, "open" 5G architecture known as Open RAN have raised fresh security concerns.

Government officials across the Atlantic in the past two years rallied around a policy to limit the role of Chinese 5G equipment-makers Huawei and ZTE. The U.S., Europe and like-minded partners now widely share the view that Chinese providers should be blocked from building critical networks that'll power everything from connected cars to factories and communications networks.

A harder question to answer is: How to replace Huawei?

Clashing visions on what 5G should look like without Chinese kit are coming to a head at a conference of security officials in Prague on Tuesday and Wednesday which will be attended by high-level officials from a wide group of countries including the U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia, India, Israel and EU members.

"A successful transition to 5G and beyond requires a diverse and competitive marketplace which prevents dependence on a small number of suppliers, particularly those considered to be high risk, or a single country," according to draft conclusions seen by POLITICO.

Czech officials organizing the gathering are looking to get buy-in from attending governments to support their "Prague Proposals," which stress ways to "help realize the potential of open and interoperable networks" and promote "open, global, industry-led ... development of technical standards" like Open RAN.

But support — including from the European Union — is all but guaranteed.

'Open' networks, new threats

One issue dividing the West is Open RAN — a concept that got full-throated support in Washington and London in the past year as a way to decrease the reliance on Huawei and its European competitors Ericsson and Nokia by introducing smaller U.S., Japanese and other suppliers into 5G networks.

Senior advisers to both U.S. President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump have publicly supported the idea of Open RAN at home and abroad. The U.S. lacks a major 5G equipment-maker, and the idea of Open RAN could help its smaller U.S. companies like Mavenir compete for bigger contracts.

But European security officials argue that allowing a list of new, smaller providers a role in 5G networks would mean hackers, spies and saboteurs have more ways to compromise a network.

The idea of “security by design has not yet been sufficiently specified in the existing open RAN, and in some cases it exhibits security risks,” Arne Schönbohm, president of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) said last week, presenting a security assessment of German cyber officials on Open RAN.

European Union cybersecurity authorities are also finalizing a joint analysis on the security risks of Open RAN, which could come within weeks.

Those standing to lose most from competitive Open RAN systems have voiced similar concerns in the past. Ericsson and Nokia are involved in industry groups that define the new architecture, but both have warned the concept isn't mature yet. Ericsson specifically has singled out security concerns as part of its calls for caution around Open RAN.

Adding to Open RAN's woes were revelations, reported by POLITICO this summer, that the main group setting its technical specifications includes several Chinese tech companies that face U.S. export restrictions because they're deemed to be too close to Beijing's political and military authorities. That led to Nokia briefly suspending its participation in the group, called the O-RAN Alliance.

And in a new ruling released just days ago, the U.S. put yet another member of the O-RAN Alliance, semiconductor company New H3C, on its export controls list because of close ties to the Chinese military.

"We are aware of different views and approaches of countries to Open RAN," said Petr Novotny, director of policy at the Czech Republic's National Cyber and Information Security Centre (NÚKIB), which organizes the Prague conference, in an email. "It is a positive development that security is discussed in connection with Open RAN, we see it as a good start," he added.

Beneath the disagreements over the architecture of 5G networks, deeper divides are simmering about who controls the telecoms supply chain.

The push against Huawei has made many governments realize they have lost control of 5G-making companies, as the market has consolidated to only four or five relevant players, two of which are Chinese. The lack of homegrown 5G-makers has frustrated U.S. lawmakers in particular — leading to strong support for the Open RAN idea.

In Europe, it's a different story. Europe's telecoms vendors Nokia and Ericsson have thrived from the backlash against its Chinese competitors in any major region except China itself. That's led to lukewarm support of European officials for calls to "open up" the vendor market.

Other countries, like Japan and South Korea, are looking to boost their local vendors. Japan's NEC launched work with the U.K. government to help it develop a telecoms "supply chain diversification" strategy announced last year, and South Korea's Samsung is working to increase its 5G market share in the U.S. and other regions.

At the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), Huawei and e& announced the inauguration of the region’s ground-breaking net-zero 5G massive MIMO site, setting new benchmarks in sustainability and technological innovation.

This site is powered entirely by renewable energy and represents the convergence of sustainability and cutting-edge wireless technology. Massive MIMO technology, the cornerstone of 5G, improves capacity, coverage and user experience. The collaboration not only ushers a new era of green network infrastructure, highlighting the future low carbon potential of the telecom industry, it is also the region’s most energy-efficient fully off-grid 5G site to date, powered by an innovative AI-based energy management system. The expectant result is a reduction in CO2 emissions by about 26 tonnes per year.

Increasing costs and demand for 5G among barriers to reduce emissions

Since 2020, the cost of energy has risen significantly, increasing telcos’ operating costs, either directly, where they are using generators, or indirectly, where they are using the power grid. At the same time, base stations—accounting for most of the energy consumption for a typical mobile network—are increasingly equipped with 5G radios. While this enhances the user experience, it often consumes more power.

Against this backdrop, telecoms operators are constantly seeking ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs. To do that without impacting their customer experience, they need to maximise the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

Driving change through energy efficient and zero-carbon sites

As part of their efforts to pilot solutions, e& and Huawei have transformed one of the base stations into a zero-carbon site as a proof of concept at the EXPO City in Dubai, using solar panels and smart lithium ion batteries. During the daytime, the solar panels charge the batteries and supply power to the base station. In turn, the batteries supply power to the base station during the night.

The site is a model of green innovation, using solar power and smart energy storage solutions at every turn. It utilises advanced MetaAAU (64T64R with 384 antenna array), multi-band RRU—which reduces the radio weight by up to 66%—and green antennas to Excellerate energy efficiency by up to 25%. Managed by NetEco, an artificial intelligence system, the site’s energy consumption is meticulously optimised with a focus on real-time energy management.

Huawei and e& described the base station as the first 100% off-grid 5G massive MIMO site, the first AI-based energy management site, and the first autonomous energy efficiency site in the Middle East.

To help achieve e&’s 2030 net zero goal, Huawei has also signed an MoU with e& to help with decarbonisation across all its ICT infrastructure, including RAN sites, fixed access, transport network, core, storage, and data centres. The effort to decarbonise e&’s network will employ a mix of Huawei’s energy-efficient technology innovations and solutions.

Digital Revolutions powered by Renewable Energy

On the side lines of COP28, AE4RIA and Huawei also hosted a session with the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub to “Accelerate Green Innovation” and released an important white paper titled Twin Skills for the Twin Transition: Defining Green Digital Skills and Jobs. 

Opening the event, Vicky Zhang, Vice President of Corporate Affairs from Huawei, said, “I am proud to launch the new report today with our partners. The report focuses on developing a new classification for Green Digital Skills that will define the course of action to reskill and upskill people to build and spread the net-zero technologies needed to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives.”

In an era of multiple crises, addressing economic growth without paying equal attention to sustainability is no longer possible and does not ultimately produce the expected financial results. The presence of digital technologies in almost all aspects of our lives has exponentially increased the speed of changes and impact on people and businesses—and this digital transition will only be successful if it is a clean-tech revolution. Producing the green energy required for this transition will require new skills that create new jobs, and Huawei underscored its commitment to sustainability with this paper, which serves as a blueprint for the journey.

The report is now available at: https://www.europeandigitalskills.eu/white-paper/

Richard Yu Chengdong, Huawei's CEO, recently revealed an exciting glimpse into the company's future at the annual fan club event. 

Huawei's plans for 2024 are just as exciting as the Mate 60 5G smartphone series' resounding success.

(Photo : (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images))

Huawei CEO Teases 'Disruptive' Products for 2024

South China Morning Post reports that Yu enticed tech enthusiasts with promises of "disruptive" products that would change the course of industry history. He teased products that would be "leading, innovative, and disruptive," emphasizing their commitment to innovation and catching the interest of industry observers.

The Mate 60 series, an example of Huawei's persistence despite US sanctions, marked the company's successful return to the 5G smartphone market. Despite facing significant trade restrictions, Huawei's in-house developed Kirin 9000S processor powers these devices, sparking both admiration and scrutiny.

The spotlight now falls on Huawei's in-house Kirin 9000S processor. Crafted against all odds amid stringent trade barriers, this processor has become a focal point of admiration and concern. TechInsights' teardown of the Mate 60 Pro confirmed the existence of this groundbreaking 7nm chip, defying expectations imposed by the sanctions.

While the US government's restrictions on semiconductor exports pose a challenge, Huawei's acquisition of critical components remains a mystery. 

Read Also: Apple's iPhone SE 4 Set to Debut in 2024 - Sneak Peek Reveals Stunning Features Inspired by iPhone 14

More from Huawei

Yu also stated at the event that Huawei will launch native apps and products centered on its self-developed mobile platform HarmonyOS next year, making the company one of China's top operating system operators.

The expansion of HarmonyOS with native apps and partnerships with industry giants like Alibaba and McDonald's signals Huawei's ambitions to carve its path in the operating system realm.

SCMP reports that Alibaba's fintech affiliate, Ant Group, is crafting a HarmonyOS version of its mobile payment app, Alipay. Additionally, multinational companies like McDonald's are joining Huawei's platform, indicating a growing ecosystem around HarmonyOS.

The roadmap for 2024 does not stop there. Huawei's vision includes a developer preview version of HarmonyOS Next, slated for release in the first quarter of 2024. This strategic move aims to position Huawei as a key player in China's operating system market.

The anticipation surrounding Huawei's upcoming innovations, coupled with the scrutiny from global authorities, underscores the company's pivotal role in the tech.

In Other News

To counter North Korea's growing cyber threats and spy satellite space launches, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have formed a united front, intensifying their coordinated efforts against Pyongyang's activities. 

Following pledges made earlier this year at a summit hosted by President Biden, the three countries have pledged coordinated actions to combat the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) economic coercion and nefarious cyber activities.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Huawei's New Smart Car Venture Eyes $34.67 Billion Valuation in Stake Sale to Changan Auto

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MTN’s 5G mining deployment is making waves in South Africa as the coal industry moves towards ground-breaking digitisation.

The telco giant has rolled out 5G operations across more than seven mines in the country, including Phalanndwa colliery, which became the country’s first 5G-powered mine this year.

The ongoing project, in partnership with the 5G leader Huawei, aims to Excellerate the safety and efficiency of coal mines in the region, which currently face huge challenges.

The mining sector is a vital part of South Africa’s economy, contributing 8 per cent of the country’s total GDP, totalling €29.3 billion ($32 billion) and employing half a million people.

According to provisional statistics, 49 workers died in last year, compared to 74 in 2021. The industry also reported 1,946 serious injuries in 2022 and 2,123 in 2021.

As Huawei’s revolutionary 5G technology gathers momentum, unnecessary deaths in the mining industry could soon become a thing of the past, with cutting-edge safety measures becoming part of everyday operations.

Improving safety underground: Phalanndwa leads the way

Phalanndwa colliery, which is operated by Canyon Coal, now has two major solutions to safeguard mine employees: 5G video system and a 5G + IoT proximity detection system.

Video system can be recorded and viewed in high definition using the high bandwidth of 5G. Captured footage can then be compared with images stored in the database using reverse image search capabilities to track movements and reduce security risks.

Number plates can also be identified and automatically compared to the registered whitelist to ensure vehicles are authorised to enter secured areas.

The solution also includes image management, image analysis and data analytics to constantly Excellerate accuracy and efficiency.

The 5G + IoT proximity detection system prevents collisions and sounds an alarm for avoiding a potential hazard.

Additionally, a 5G smart conference network was deployed in the colliery to provide an effective working environment. Plans for a 5G and artificial intelligence system to Excellerate the efficiency of ore sorting are also underway.

Improving operational efficiency

Based on research, 5G can enable up to 25 per cent more ore production, over 40 per cent more drill rig operations and 20 per cent more energy savings by supporting automation and remote operations with its features.

As well as increasing safety, number plate recognition can control movement without human intervention, while the smart conference system optimises the working environment with remote meeting facilities, whiteboarding and conferencing tools.

The 5G + IoT Proximity Detection System can prevent collisions of vehicles, which can result in economic savings.

Finally, the deployment of 5G + AI algorithms can achieve online intelligent detection of conveyor belts and intelligent sorting of underground ore.

In the event that a conveyor belt breaks, the system will alert relevant parties to shorten the repair time. The intelligent sorting system will also use X-ray capabilities to screen ore, efficiently identifying ore grades and reducing waste.

World-class security

As with any digital system, security is key and Huawei has taken stringent measures to protect its 5G system from cyber-attacks.

The deployed solution and services are fully independent and self-contained on the private network with zero interfacing with the consumer core network. Any operations or faults on the consumer core network will not affect the private 5G network and its local services.

Additionally, the private 5G core is a Huawei Kite L-type solution, which protects critical assets with network isolation, data protection and user authentication.

Network security is also steadfast with a private mining network to reduce intermediate network links and Excellerate end-to-end latency and bandwidth stability. The private network supports independent operation and provides efficient disaster recovery.

Trustworthy connectivity is guaranteed by built-in data protection security, which prevents cyber-attacks using anti-virus intrusion detection and heightened authentication measures.

The future of 5G mining

In order to expand their operations, Huawei and MTN have paired up with other development partners including video surveillance vendors and drone, AR and AI safety surveillance companies.

To facilitate the wide commercial use for MTN, Huawei has also developed a 5GtoB online store, where application developers and system integrators can access operators' 5G network capabilities.

Now, the focus is fixed on duplication in other mines in South Africa, multiplying operational productivity and saving lives on a national scale.

Partners with Huawei to roll out the green technology across the Expo City Dubai Green Zone

ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- etisalat by e& has announced today a strategic alliance with Huawei to unveil the first net zero 5G Massive MIMO site deployment in the MENA region.

This ground-breaking deployment will be showcased at Dubai Expo City, the landmark venue of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28), underlining etisalat be e&'s commitment to environmental responsibility and technological excellence.

Powered entirely by renewable energy, this 5G site represents the convergence of sustainability and cutting-edge wireless technology. Massive MIMO technology, the cornerstone of 5G, improves capacity, coverage and user experience. The collaboration ushers in a new era of green network infrastructure, with the region's most energy-efficient 100 percent off-grid 5G site to date, powered by an innovative AI-based energy management system, expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 26 tonnes per year.

Khalid Murshed, Chief Technology and Information Officer at etisalat by e&, said: "Our partnership with Huawei to launch the region's first 5G Massive MIMO net-zero site is a testament to our commitment to sustainable innovation. Launched for the first time at COP28, this initiative demonstrates our ability to marry technology and sustainability, engaging world leaders in a dialogue on climate action.

"Our vision is to be at the forefront of sustainable technologies that support the UAE's Net-Zero 2050 strategy. Together with Huawei, we aim to expand our portfolio of zero-carbon sites and set the standard for sustainable telecommunications infrastructure."

The site is a model of green innovation, using solar power and smart energy storage solutions. It uses advanced MetaAAU (64T64R with 384 antenna array), Multi-band RRU and green antennas, improving energy efficiency up to 25 percent, and multi-band RRU reduce the radio weight up to 66 per cent. Managed by NetEco, an artificial intelligence system, the site's energy consumption is meticulously optimised, with a focus on real-time energy management.

The enduring partnership between etisalat by e& and Huawei reflects a shared vision for a sustainable future. By working together, both parties are committed to providing solutions that enhance connectivity while promoting sustainable practices, thus contributing to the global dialogue on environmental protection and technological progress.

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