Connectivity Technology Blog

At MWC 2025, NTT Docomo highlighted its latest initiatives under the NTT Group's "NTT C89" space-business strategy, such as mobile-connectivity services using unmanned vehicles, or high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), that fly in the stratosphere for days or months, using relays to provide mobile connectivity in mountainous and remote areas, including at sea and in the sky. A presentation on NTT C89 Aerospace Business Strategy is available here while a presentation on NTT DOCOMO's Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) for Extreme Coverage Extension is available here . Stratospheric connectivity, enabled by High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), is emerging as a key solution for extending mobile coverage to remote and underserved areas. However, ensuring that these airborne platforms can provide stable, high-quality connectivity requires extensive testing and refinement. At MWC 2025, NTT Docomo showcased its progress in this domain, highlighting multiple real-world trials...

Apple AirTags have steadily gained popularity in the smart tag market. A recent report highlighted that 69% of smart tag buyers in late 2024 chose an Apple AirTag. This marks a significant rise from 45% in early 2022. In contrast, Tile, the category pioneer now owned by Life360, has seen its market share fall to 11% from 17% during the same period. Samsung's Galaxy SmartTags now hold second place. Interestingly, the technology behind AirTags resembles concepts like Opportunity Driven Multiple Access (ODMA) or Multihop Cellular Networks (MCNs), which I have previously explored . A similar approach has also been discussed regarding Bluetooth-based Ad-Hoc networks . How Do They Work? AirTags primarily use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate with nearby Apple devices that are part of the Find My network. This vast network consists of millions of Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which can detect AirTags and securely relay their location back to the owner. Addit...

The development of autonomous and connected mobility solutions requires robust and uninterrupted connectivity, especially across borders. The "5G Autobahn to Autoroute" ( 5G A2A ) project aims to establish one of Europe’s first cross-border 5G highway corridors, linking Metz in France to Saarbrücken in Germany. This 60-kilometre route will support advanced vehicular applications and ensure seamless connectivity across national boundaries. Infrastructure Deployment and Coverage The project, scheduled to commence construction in early 2025 and reach completion by the end of 2027, will see the deployment of state-of-the-art 5G infrastructure along the corridor. The coverage will include: France : A 55 km section along the A4 and A320 motorways, where TOTEM and Orange will install nine new masts and upgrade up to eight existing sites to provide dedicated 5G coverage on the 3.5 GHz frequency. Germany : A 5 km section along the A6 motorway, where Vantage Towers and O2 Telefónica w...

On April 1, 2024, two of Japan's leading connectivity organizations—the 5G Mobile Promotion Forum (5GMF) and the Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium (B5GPC)—joined forces to create the XG Mobile Promotion Forum ( XGMF ). This merger symbolizes a pivotal step in accelerating the adoption of next-generation wireless technologies. In May 2024, XGMF's Millimeter Wave Promotion Ad Hoc (Millimeter Wave AH) hosted the International Workshop on Millimeter Wave Dissemination for 5G. This event aimed to foster the adoption of millimeter wave (mmWave) technology in Japan and beyond, drawing an audience of approximately 200 attendees and broadcasting in both English and Japanese. The workshop featured opening remarks by Mr. Naohiko Ogiwara, Director of the Radio Department, Telecommunications Infrastructure Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). Key speakers included: Mr. Takanori Mashiko (MIC, slides ) Mr. Sam Gielges (Qualcomm, online - no slides) Mr. Christopher Pric...

As another year draws to a close, it's time to reflect on 2024 and celebrate the content that resonated most with our readers. Whether you're a long-time follower or a recent subscriber, your engagement drives our passion for exploring connectivity technologies. As per tradition, here are the highlights from this year. Top 5 Most Viewed Posts of the Year (Regardless of Publication Date) These timeless pieces continue to captivate readers year after year. To give you some context, I've included the month and year they were first published. Dive into these enduring favourites: Laser Inter-Satellite Links (LISLs) in a Starlink Constellation , Feb 2022 IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability (UHR), a.k.a. Wi-Fi 8 , Mar 2023 NTT Docomo's Disaster Countermeasures to Keep People Connected , Jan 2023 GSMA's DIG discusses how 5G Networks will handle UAV Layer , June 2022 CSI-RS vs SRS Beamforming , Mar 2021 Top 3 Most Viewed Posts Published in 2024 While none of our newest cont...

The 2024 Global Forum on Connecting the World from the Skies , held on November 25-26, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and technical experts to discuss the evolving landscape of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). Hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), the event highlighted NTNs' critical role in shaping the future of global connectivity. The conference featured a rich lineup of keynote speeches, panel discussions, tutorial sessions, and an award ceremony. One standout session on Day 1 was the tutorial "Satellite Communications: Current Trends and Key Challenges," delivered by Professor Riccardo De Gaudenzi of the University of Parma. This session explored the vital role satellite networks play in global communication, from video broadcasting to bridging connectivity gaps in underserved regions. Traditionally focused on broadcasting and professional applications, s...

Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) was successfully launched on Sunday August 11 (10:02 p.m. EDT). The satellites carrying several payloads will provide continuous broadband coverage to aircraft, ships, research vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, expeditions and troops operating in the Arctic by using a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO). The satellites will run in a TAP (Three Apogee Period) orbit with the highest orbital altitude (apogee) of 43500 km and the lowest orbital altitude of 8100 km (perigee). The satellites will run in the same orbital plane with a 63-degree inclination and 8 hours separation. Each orbit takes 16 hours, and by employing two satellites, we provide full coverage throughout the Arctic north of 65 ° N (see animation). In addition, the satellites are active for about 10 hours in each orbit. This gives the satellites up to 2 hours of overlap where both satellites are operational while covering the entire area north of 65 degrees. The Arct...

The ATIS Workshop on Synchronization and Timing Systems (WSTS) was held in May 2024.Valued for its insight into synchronization and timing fundamentals, the WSTS Tutorial has been a highly anticipated part of the conference since its inception. The videos and presentations from the tutorial sessions are all available here . For anyone unaware, timing & synchronization are critical in communication systems because they ensure data is sent and received correctly between devices. In networks like the internet, computers need to be in sync to avoid data getting scrambled or lost. For example, in wireless communications like Wi-Fi or mobile networks, both the sender and receiver must be perfectly timed to work on the same frequency, ensuring messages don’t overlap or cause interference. Without this coordination, you would have slower or interrupted connections. Timing is also important for managing how devices share network resources. In systems like time-division multiplexing (TDM), e...

The advent of 5G technology is revolutionizing the connected intelligent edge, driving digital transformation across various industries. As the number of connected smart devices continues to grow, so does the need for a robust and agile platform that ensures security and privacy at scale. In a blog post last year, Qualcomm talked about how 5G, with its advanced security features, is meeting these demands by providing end-to-end system security. This includes identity privacy protection, enhanced authentication mechanisms, and service-based interface security, all designed to protect diverse deployments beyond mobile broadband, such as IoT and private networks. A key aspect of 5G's security framework is the adoption of a zero-trust security model, which operates on the principle that no user or network function can be trusted without verification. This model shifts the focus from network perimeter security to protecting resources like data and applications through strong authentica...