Telecom Vendors

Huawei firmly believes in the power of 5G to transform society. In the future, all things will be connected: this includes 100 million new generation bicycles, 300 million LED street lamps, 1.8 billion water meters worldwide. 10Gbps connectivity is also essential to foster the growth of high quality AR and VR experiences. From self-driving cars to virtual reality, from Internet of Things to drones, 5G is the foundation necessary to support all these connections - nurturing the growth of 5G is therefore essential to the next stage of digitalization.

Swedish telecom equipment vendor Ericsson plans to reduce costs by at least SEK 10 billion (around $1.2 billion) by mid-2018 to compensate sluggish profits. Ericsson revealed at its annual general meeting (AGM) that for the full year 2017 net sales decreased by 10 percent to SEK 201 billion, and operating income was down 38.1 percent.

Mavenir, experts in the transformation of mobile networks from 3G to 4G to 5G, has introduced some innovative new solutions that are giving power back to the operators in their battle against OTTs. The acquisitions of Argyle Data and AQUTO have enabled the US technology firm to create solutions which provide operators with the opportunity to monetize data outside of pre-paid plans and peer-to-peer messaging.

At an exclusive launch event held on March 27 in Paris, Huawei Consumer Business Group unveiled the HUAWEI P20 and HUAWEI P20 Pro. The HUAWEI P20 Pro features the world's first Leica triple camera, and both devices include unprecedented AI advances, the company said in a statement. Huawei also unveiled the Porsche Design HUAWEI Mate RS (Race Sport).

iBwave has developed a stellar reputation in the telecommunications industry and is recognized for helping to connect millions of cellular and Wi-Fi users indoor, all over the world. From active/passive DAS, small cells, public safety to Wi-Fi, iBwave is dedicated to supporting its customers with their HetNet-ready solutions.

Ericsson has joined forces with Vertiv (formerly Emerson Network Power) and Swedish battery producer NorthStar to form the Ericsson Energy Alliance, a unique complementary site solution partnership to drive cost-effective and sustainable service provider network evolution towards 5G, within the Ericsson Radio Site System. More companies are also expected to join the alliance this year.

As operators prepare for the coming of 5G, they face complexity and challenges in the transition towards these networks. Because today's evolved 4G network will be the cornerstone for 5G, service providers will need to continue to bring wireless access closer to their customers. During 5G MENA in Dubai from 9-10 April, CommScope will demonstrate how operators can maximise their existing investments and build a bridge to next generation technologies.

United States President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Order on 12 March blocking semiconductor company Broadcom from acquiring chipset maker Qualcomm for $117 billion. Under the terms of the order released by the White House, all of Broadcom's director nominees are disqualified from standing for election as directors of Qualcomm.

Huawei released its audited financial results for 2017, reporting solid business growth. The company's total annual revenue was CNY603.6 billion (US$92.5 billion based on year-end exchange rates), an increase of 15.7 percent over 2016. Net profits were CNY47.5 billion (US$7.3 billion), an increase of 28.1 percent year-on-year.

Chinese ICT solutions provider Huawei announced the initiation of its "Slice Mall" innovation project, based on the concept of "slicing as a service and as a commodity." This global project aims at accelerating the commercialization of 5G slicing and helping carriers achieve business success in a range of vertical industries.