5G - Latest News

 

1. Ericsson acquires 5G enterprise solution vendor Cradlepoint for $1.1 billion.

Just as the 5G era was kicking off in the United States, Cradlepoint established itself as a leading enterprise solution provider for the latest cellular technology, partnering with Verizon on enterprise 5G broadband services and AT&T on 5G-upgradeable mobile units for first responders and businesses. Today, Ericsson announced that it’s acquiring Cradlepoint for $1.1 billion, giving the European network gear maker another asset as it widens its U.S. footprint.

In May, Cradlepoint announced a 5G-ready edge router that enables business branch offices to abandon their wired broadband in favor of fully wireless connectivity, using Wi-Fi 6 to share a high-speed cellular signal with multiple workplace devices. Unlike companies that have fully backed 5G, Cradlepoint’s solutions have notably included upgradeable modem modules that let businesses initially access gigabit 4G/LTE, with the option to switch modems when 5G services become locally available — a move aligned with the odd 5G deployment strategies of U.S. carriers Verizon and AT&T.

 

 

Ericsson expects Cradle point to keep offering wireless wide area network (WWAN) solutions to businesses and first responders, a market that is projected to grow 25% to 30% over the coming years as 5G continues to gain importance. Ericsson has continued to work with partners to break 5G transmission speed and distance records over the past two years, demonstrating the future potential of millimeter wave transmissions in multiple environments while simultaneously developing sub-6GHz solutions to appeal to current customers around the world.

 

 

Now within Ericsson’s Business Area Technologies and New Businesses unit, Cradle point will apparently continue to operate with its existing name and 650 employees from its Boise, Idaho headquarters. The company will receive the full $1.1 billion in cash when the deal closes.

 

2. T-Mobile offers first responders up to 25% off Samsung 5G phones.

First responder agencies can get discounts on Samsung phones through T-Mobile.

State and local agencies that offer first responders free unlimited talk, text and data through T-Mobile's Connecting Heroes program can get up to 25% off Samsung 5G phones for a limited time, the carrier said Friday. That includes phones like the recently released Galaxy Note 20 5G, as well as the Galaxy S20 5G, Galaxy A71 5G and Galaxy A51 5G. The $250 Galaxy A21 with 4G LTE is also an option.

"While pushing the bounds of 5G mobile technology, Samsung and T-Mobile both recognize the importance of first responders staying connected at the most critical times," Taher Behbehani, head of Samsung Electronics America's mobile B2B division, said in a statement.

 

State and local fire, police and emergency medical service agencies get free unlimited smartphone service through T-Mobile's Connecting Heroes program, which kicked off earlier this year. Companies are launching more 5G phones as the next-generation wireless network continues to roll out.

 

 

Apple is expected to unveil a 5G phone later this year, which could be a big win for helping bring the new cellular tech to the mainstream. In addition to higher speeds, 5G is hyped to revolutionize niches such as self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality and tele-medicine services such as remote surgery.

T-Mobile's new offer, an update to its Connecting Heroes program that was rolled out in May, is the latest perk in a year that has seen all three major US wireless carriers offer discounts to those who help their communities. In April, during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon expanded its first responder discounts on Fios and wireless service to include nurses and teachers. AT&T launched its first responder discount in March and later expanded it to include nurses, teachers, and physicians.

T-Mobile didn't specify how long the Samsung phone offer will last and declined to comment on an end date.