‘The Network Is Dead’ and Future Looks SASE, Palo Alto Networks SVP Says

The network is dead, long live the secure network, says Anand Oswal SVP and GM at Palo Alto Networks. He, of course, is referring to secure access service edge (SASE), which not only combines SD-WAN with cloud-based security services, but also provides an alternative to breaking out traffic to the open internet.

What Happens to Operators Post-Cloudification?

Mobile network operators and cloud providers are in a long-term, complicated relationship. Mistrust still runs deep in some areas while difficult conversations and hard work over many years has resulted in a general acceptance that carriers and clouds are mutually beneficial by necessity, not choice.

Next G Alliances gets moving on 6G roadmap, forms work groups

ATIS’ Next G Alliance took next steps toward a North American 6G vision, naming leadership for four working groups alongside the launch of its technical work program this week.  

American Tower: Macro call right one for C-band

Given its deals with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, it’s no wonder the engineers at American Tower have spent a lot of time thinking about the propagation characteristics of C-band spectrum.

TDS Telecom aims to claim its fair share in fiber land grab

TDS Telecom’s SVP of Corporate Affairs Andrew Petersen shed some light on the company’s strategy as it races to lock in its fair share of growth from fiber deployments.  

Shentel expands fixed wireless service for rural communities

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) expanded fixed wireless access (FWA) service using 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum to three new towns in northwestern Virginia.

Cloud 101: Q&A with Marisa Viveros of IBM

Fierce's Cloud 101 Q&A series goes back to basics, aiming to help readers build in-depth knowledge about key cloud concepts and the overall market through progressive interviews with industry experts. 

Korea aims to chip away at Taiwan’s semiconductor dominance

South Korean electronics giant Samsung ha pledged to invest $150 billion in its chip business by 2030 and its government says it will get involved too.

Rakuten Mobile eyes ‘tremendous profitability’ ahead

The cost of building out a new mobile operation from scratch was all too evident in Rakuten Mobile’s first quarter results, but the company is unconcerned.

Google Cloud takes SpaceX to the edge

US LEO satellite outfit SpaceX will use Google data centres for its cloud applications and services at the network edge.

Telefónica generates cash in Q1, but spends it on spectrum

Telefónica’s first quarter results were all about flat earnings, cash generation and debt-reduction, which is as good a performance as the Spanish telco could have hoped for.

Daily Roundup: VWware Taps Technologist Leader

In case you’ve been stuck in video conference meetings all day, here are today’s top stories from SDxCentral. Also, make sure to subscribe to our daily newsletters to get these stories in your inbox.

Why VMware Tapped a Technologist as Its Next CEO

VMware’s board of directors had a distinct choice between promoting a charismatic leader or a tenured technologist to succeed former CEO Pat Gelsinger. The VMware CEO short list likely came down to two men who both held chief operating officer roles: COO of Products and Cloud Services Rangarajan (Raghu) Raghuram, and COO for Customer Operations Sanjay Poonen.

T-Mobile Expects 5G Era Kick Off in 2023

T-Mobile US executives consistently and enthusiastically herald the operator’s 5G prowess, but don’t expect 5G to become a bonafide era until 2023. 

Cisco Scoops Up Kenna Security

Cisco today said it will acquire Kenna Security and combine the security software vendor’s risk-based vulnerability management technology with its SecureX platform.

Europe searches for ways to counter the rise of Musk's Starlink

For years much of the satellite industry has taken a wary view of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ventures, which have been viewed as promising far more than they could actually deliver. Iridium and Globalstar both went bankrupt before surviving as relatively modest ventures. The Teledesic project of Bill Gates and mobile entrepreneur Craig McCaw folded in 2002 before it started service.

Altice USA targets 10-gig rollout in 2022

Altice USA set lofty targets for its broadband business, with CEO Dexter Goei stating it was pushing to launch a 10 Gbps service within the next 18 months while also ramping expansion and upgrade activity across its Suddenlink and Optimum footprints.

T-Mobile plays 5G card in cable competition

If T-Mobile is concerned about cable companies encroaching on its space in wireless, it’s not letting on – not by a mile.

Millicom to deploy O-RAN with Parallel Wireless in Latin America

Mobile operator Millicom has tapped Parallel Wireless to help deploy 4G services in more rural parts of Colombia using O-RAN-compliant architecture.

Telecom Infra Project unveils OpenWiFi Release 1.0

Having progressed on efforts to disaggregate infrastructure components in other telecom segments, the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) is setting its sights on disaggregating Wi-Fi. 

Google Cloud, SpaceX team to extend connectivity, compute

Google Cloud inked a deal to pair its compute infrastructure with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service, a move one Google exec told Fierce will help extend the reach of the edge cloud.

Partner ecosystems are key to untangling CSPs’ IoT trilemma

CSPs’ IoT leaders lack the knowledge, resources, and avenues to engage with the IoT opportunity. Ultimately, it’s a challenge of three parts, an IoT trilemma.

Amdocs scoops up Sourced for $75M to boost cloud migrations

Amdocs acquired Canadian technology consultancy and cloud transformation specialist Sourced Group for $75 million, aiming to position itself as the top system integrator for cloud migrations across the communications, media and financial services sectors.

Tucson CIO specifies biggest ‘pain point’ of private wireless

FierceWireless just wrapped another of our great virtual events, this one on private wireless. You can check out all the sessions on demand.

Rakuten Mobile losses rise to $887 million in Q1

Rakuten Mobile saw operating costs rise higher in the first quarter as the carrier aims to cover 96% of Japan’s population with service by this summer.

UK broadband speeds increased by 25% last year – Ofcom

In 2020 the average download speed of UK residential broadband services increased by 25% from 64 Mbps to 80.2 Mbps, according to new Ofcom research.

Bidders line up for Optus’ A$2 billion towers sale

Australia’s telcos have not moved as quickly as their European counterparts, but 2021 is shaping up to be the year of towers sales down under.

Mediacom takes Iowa Google Fiber complaint to FCC

Mediacom escalated a battle with the city of West Des Moines, Iowa, asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review what it claimed was an illegal deal between the municipality and Google Fiber.

BT numbers disappoint but the future looks promising

UK operator group BT saw its revenues decline by 7% in full year 2020, but there are signs that it’s headed in the right direction.

Germany, UK, Italy still clinging onto copper

Europe is making solid progress in both the rollout and take-up of full fibre connections, according to new market data published this week, but there is still plenty of work to, particularly by three of the continent’s major economies.

Cybersecurity Execs Weigh In On Biden Executive Order

U.S. President Biden late Wednesday signed a long-awaited executive order intended to improve the country’s cybersecurity and protect federal networks.

Daily Roundup: TIP's OpenWiFi Targets WiFi Disaggregation

In case you’ve been stuck in video conference meetings all day, here are today’s top stories from SDxCentral. Also, make sure to subscribe to our daily newsletters to get these stories in your inbox.

Verizon DBIR Finds Ransomware on the Rise

Ransomware is still on the rise, according to Verizon’s latest Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR). The annual report found that ransomware appeared in 10% of breaches, more than double the frequency from last year, and ransomware now ranks third among actions that cause data breaches.

Nokia, Dish Express High Caliber Security in 5G Open RAN

Networks running on completely cloud native and open radio access network (RAN) architecture have much to prove, and that includes the caliber of security.

Why VMware’s Tom Gillis Calls APIs ‘the Future of Networking’

The API “is the future of networking,” according to VMware’s Tom Gillis, SVP and GM of the company’s Network and Security Business Unit.

Cisco Green Lights Sedona Systems Buy

Cisco continued its optical networking conquest this week with the acquisition of Sedona Systems to support its routed optical networking platform.

Verizon wants 1,000 new retail workers, faces vote on exec pay

Verizon said it’s adding more than 1,000 positions at its nationwide retail stores. It’s specifically looking for new retail employees who are early adopters of technology — such as gamers.

AWS goes local to bring compute services closer to users

Amazon Web Services is extending its cloud compute, storage and database services closer to large populations with the debut AWS Local Zones. The company said that five of these Local Zones are now available in four cities —Boston, Houston, Miami and Los Angeles (Los Angeles has two zones that launched last year) — with 12 more AWS Local Zones planned for this year.

FCC asks how chip shortage is impacting communications industry

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asked for input as to how the global semiconductor shortage might impact the U.S. communications industry and the agency’s initiatives.

Charter CEO flags RDOF build challenges, teases next mobile move

Charter Communications CEO Tom Rutledge warned the operator expects to face a range of challenges as it presses ahead with subsidized broadband buildouts in rural areas and hinted at forthcoming mobile moves related to spectrum and pricing.

So long, Zigbee Alliance…Hello CSA

The IoT technology known as Zigbee isn’t going away, but the Zigbee Alliance is rebranding to a new name and focus: the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA).

Comcast exec talks fiber expansion strategy, wireless testing

Comcast Cable CEO David Watson highlighted the company’s efforts to accelerate expansion of its fiber network by focusing on three primary opportunities for new builds. And he noted Comcast plans to ramp testing of offload capabilities for its wireless service later this year.

VMware chooses Raghu Raghuram as new CEO

VMware's board of directors named Raghu Raghuram as its new CEO effective June 1, 2021. It also appointed Sumit Dhawan as president, and it said that Zane Rowe will continue as chief financial officer.

US does the right thing over Xiaomi blacklisting

A couple of months after a US judge overturned Trump’s decision to blacklist Chinese gadget giant Xiaomi, the US government has moved to make it official.

Orange mulls buying back infrastructure assets to boost TOTEM

Orange is reportedly considering buying back an infrastructure asset it sold almost two decades ago to boost its recently-created TOTEM towers business.

5G delivery not meeting consumer expectations – Ericsson

The latest ConsumerLab study by Swedish kit vendor Ericsson has found many 5G phone owners either don’t have a 5G subscription or expect more innovative services and apps.

Deutsche Telekom ups guidance and it’s not all about the US

Deutsche Telekom has upgraded its full-year guidance for earnings and free cash flaw, in no small part due to a strong performance at its newly-enlarged US operation…but not entirely.

Daily Roundup: VMware Taps Raghuram for CEO

In case you’ve been stuck in video conference meetings all day, here are today’s top stories from SDxCentral. Also, make sure to subscribe to our daily newsletters to get these stories in your inbox.

TIP's OpenWiFi Targets WiFi Disaggregation

The Facebook-led Telecom Infra Project (TIP) set its sights on WiFi disaggregation this week with the release of OpenWiFi.

Veeam Hits 13th Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Growth

Veeam’s financial fortunes continue to climb as the backup and recovery software vendor posted its 13th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, with an annual recurring revenue increase of 25% year over year for the first quarter of 2021.

VMware Names Raghuram as CEO While Poonen Exits

VMware named Rangarajan (Raghu) Raghuram as its new CEO. Raghuram, the company’s current EVP and COO of products and cloud services, will move into his new chief executive role on June 1.

Salt Security Shifts API Security Posture Left

Salt Security added API security posture insights and automated OpenAPI Specification (OAS) analysis and reporting capabilities to its API Protection Platform.

Microsoft VP Charts 3 Steps to Zero-Trust Security

Microsoft updated several security products that it says helps businesses deploy a zero-trust approach as they prepare for the new hybrid-work normal.

Will XDR, SASE, ZT, or AppSec Win Buzzword Bingo at the RSA Conference?

The RSA Conference, arguably the cybersecurity industry’s biggest annual gathering that kicks off on Monday, May 17, will for the first time be a virtual event.

T-Mobile presses for 12 GHz auction

T-Mobile is all for the FCC taking a “fresh look” at the 12 GHz band, as long as it doesn’t allow for the likes of Dish Network to get an “undeserved windfall.”

Ericsson targets U.S. indoor 5G coverage with new radios

Ericsson hopes to help deliver 5G coverage indoors, announcing millimeter wave and mid-band 5G indoor radios for the U.S. market. 

Telefonica taps Microsoft as private 5G teammate

Telefonica tapped longtime strategic partner Microsoft to strengthen its private 5G network product with integrated edge compute capabilities, in a move meant to boost industrial deployments.

Cisco to acquire Sedona Systems in latest optical move

Cisco Systems intends to acquire Israel-based Sedona Systems in a bid to add more network visibility and automated operation capabilities to its Routed Optical Networking family.

Lumen snags SD-WAN contract with U.S. Navy JAG

A Lumen Technologies executive highlighted uptake of SD-WAN among government customers, as the company secured a 12-year contract to deliver a range of connectivity products to the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.

Apple 5G modems on the 2-year horizon – report

Reports this week had one analyst pegging Apple’s 5G iPhone modem launch in 2023 at the earliest, with implications for its current 5G smartphone chip supplier Qualcomm.

Is FWA from big carriers different than FWA from WISPS?

A reader last week complained that wireless carriers are misleading people by talking about 5G fixed wireless access (FWA). He said that fixed wireless is not at all the same as 5G technology based on mobile standards.

Telcos’ fiber focus isn’t likely to disrupt cable

U.S. broadband companies added about 5.5 million new customers in 2020 and will continue to see growth in 2021, according to Kagan, a research unit of S&P Global Market Intelligence. But there will be increased competition for broadband customers as Kagan estimates that the penetration rates for broadband in the U.S. are nearing 90%.

Helios moves east with $575 million Omantel site acquisition

Africa-focused telecoms infrastructure specialist Helios Towers has expanded to the Middle East with the acquisition of 2,890 sites from Omantel.

OneWeb continues Alaska, Arctic push with TrustComm buy

OneWeb has brokered a deal to acquire TrustComm, the US-based satellite services firm it partnered with a couple of months ago to further its push into the US government, looking particularly at northern latitudes.

China appears to make further Ericsson work conditional on Swedish 5G policy shift

Chinese government-controlled newspaper Global Times has published an ‘exclusive’ in which an anonymous source links Ericsson’s future work in the country with Sweden’s Huawei ban.

AT&T scores $175M network modernization deal with U.S. DOT

AT&T snagged a massive 12-year, $175 million contract to help the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) upgrade its IP and voice infrastructure, a deal one executive called “critically important” to helping the agency prepare for the future.

APAC Security Spending to Surge Over $23B in 2021

It’s going to be a good year for information security markets in Asia Pacific, according to a recent IDC report that expects spending on security hardware, services, and software to reach $23.1 billion in 2021.

Daily Roundup: AT&T Inks $175M DOT Contract

In case you’ve been stuck in video conference meetings all day, here are today’s top stories from SDxCentral. Also, make sure to subscribe to our daily newsletters to get these stories in your inbox.

IBM CEO: We’re All-In On Hybrid Cloud, AI

IBM today continued to remake itself as a cloud-centric company with a series of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) designed to widen the scope of services it sells to enterprises.

ONAP Honolulu Swells to the Mainland

LF Networking (LFN) is going deeper and wider with the Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP), lining up its eighth release today with what it calls a “5G Super Blueprint.”

COVID-19 Jumpstarted SASE. What Comes Next?

The past 18 months have seen the SD-WAN and security markets rapidly converge around a relatively new but now well-known product category called secure access service edge (SASE).

AT&T Snags $175M DOT Network Deal

AT&T today inked a $175 million, 12-year contract to upgrade the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) data and voice networks, according to the operator.

Windstream racks up 13k broadband adds in Q1

Windstream lit up 129,000 new locations with its Kinetic fiber service in Q1 2021, as it pushed toward a goal of extending gigabit capabilities to a total of 1 million homes and businesses by the end of the year.

O2 to launch standalone 5G in Germany this summer

Telefónica’s German operation has taken its first steps in carrier aggregation for 5G and expects hat to lead to the launch of standalone 5G this summer.

Verizon chases $7-8B private wireless market

Offering layers of services on top of a private network foundation helps create an exciting revenue case for Verizon Business, according to revenue chief Sampath Sowmyanarayan.

Telefonica sheds four more data centers

Telefonica inked a deal to sell four of its data centers to investment firm Asterion Industrial Partners in exchange for a 20% stake in the business that will run them, aiming to monetize its infrastructure assets while preserving access to a key growth opportunity.

Verizon Business and RingCentral co-brand voice, video service

Verizon Business announced a new partnership with RingCentral to provide enterprise customers with cloud-based phone, messaging and video meetings. The service will be co-branded as RingCentral with Verizon.

UScellular touts tower deal with Dish

UScelllar signed a Master Lease Agreement (MLA) with Dish Network in April, according  to UScellular President and CEO Laurent Therivel, who revealed little else about the deal during the company’s earnings call on Friday.

Ofcom tells UK telcos to pull their socks up on customer service

UK telecoms operators need to buck up their ideas when it comes to customer service, Ofcom reckons.

NYSE set to finally go through with Chinese telco ban

After repeatedly changing its mind at the start of the year, the New York Stock Exchange appears ready to delist all three major Chinese MNOs.

Telefónica hedges its bets on data centres

Telefónica has brokered a deal that will see it offload four more data centres but pick up a stake in the company acquiring them.

Nokia picked to upgrade Swisscom’s optical transport network

Finnish kit vendor Nokia has been chosen by Swiss operator group Swisscom to bring the latest whizzy tech to its optical infrastructure.

Is it time to overhaul how we order backhaul?

Is it time to overhaul how you order backhaul? 

Manufacturers build their own 5G networks without telco vendors

In the manufacturing sector, the value of private cellular networks is becoming so clear that two of the world's largest manufacturers have taken steps to build their own wireless network equipment. Foxconn and Siemens are both in the process of developing proprietary 5G network solutions.

Analysys Mason: China 4 Years From Silicon Independence

China is speeding toward its target of 70% semiconductor self-sufficiency at a breakneck pace, setting the country on a trajectory to be a technical leader market-wide within one to four years, according to a recent Analysys Mason report.

Daily Roundup: Google Cloud, CrowdStrike Boost Security

In case you’ve been stuck in video conference meetings all day, here are today’s top stories from SDxCentral. Also, make sure to subscribe to our daily newsletters to get these stories in your inbox.

Is Google Cloud’s CrowdStrike Security Deal XDR?

Google Cloud and CrowdStrike today said they extended their partnership beyond its primarily endpoint focus to now span customers’ hybrid cloud environments. Through a series of product integrations, the companies say that customers can now share telemetry and data between Google Cloud’s security products and CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform. This, they add, provides better visibility, workload protection, and defense-in-depth security across customers’ entire environments.