MWC Shanghai 2023 returned for the first time since 2021, with over 37,000 people attending from 115 countries and I had the privilege of being one of them. Yes, there were several presentations from leaders in the telecommunications industry and several advanced technology demonstrations being showcased. Many of those demonstrations reflected contributions from the host mobile telcos—China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Broadnet.
Through vigorous standardization efforts, The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has laid the groundwork for satellite-based 5G connectivity using Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). Leveraging satellites enables Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide broadband coverage to those tough-to-reach areas, such as remote construction sites or crop fields for agriculture, as well as in underserved regions. As will be spelled out in this post, 5G from space can even help save lives by providing low-latency broadband to users in emergency scenarios when terrestrial networks are unavailable. To capitalize on this US$18 billion market opportunity that NTN mobile presents, everyone from smartphone manufacturers to Satellite Communication (SatCom) service providers, and from chipset vendors to network operators, have been busy integrating satellite communications into their 5G solutions and striking numerous partnerships to strengthen their offerings.
According to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), semiconductor manufacturing is expected to be a US$557 billion industry in 2023. In the wake of sweeping demand for semiconductors, manufacturers and their technology suppliers must accelerate their production processes, while balancing a tightrope between geopolitical trends and adhering to sustainability initiatives. The Asia-Pacific region remains a critical aspect of the semiconductor value chain; however, huge efforts in reshoring production plants (foundries) to North American and Western European soil are shaping a very different-looking industry.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI more broadly, has launched a new technology hype cycle that, on the surface, appears to have rather unceremoniously ended during the previous metaverse hype cycle. AI, however, is a critical enabling technology of a future metaverse, from networking to data/workflow management and content creation. AI should not be viewed as a “metaverse replacement,” but rather as a critical pillar of that future, regardless of what that future is called; metaverse is simply a convenient term to codify pre-existing trends with a vision of the future.
Apple is the topic du jour in the Virtual Reality (VR) market currently, and for good reason. VR has been somewhat stagnant with Meta dominating over the past few years through its Quest lineup. With Apple’s entrance, new hardware, alongside well-known software and content, will be available through Vision Pro. At the least, Vision Pro has injected some hype back into the Extended Reality (XR) space, with consumer and enterprise segments showing interest. Initial feedback has been very positive, outside of the US$3,500 price tag, but hands-on time has been very limited so far. Early 2024, after Vision Pro launches, will be a better indicator of the device’s—and more broadly, Apple’s—potential in the XR space.
Networked Lighting Control (NLC) "connected lighting" systems are at the forefront of smart technologies available to building owners and tenants, as well as energy companies and regulators, as they look to improve the efficiency and appeal of their commercial buildings. NLCs deliver automated and dynamic lighting networks that optimize energy consumption by connecting with sensors throughout a property. Connectivity is the next step in driving energy savings from upgraded lighting capabilities. The still ongoing switch to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires from traditional bulbs can bring a 50% energy use reduction. NLC leverages LED to enable dynamic light dimming and operation to ensure lights are only on as needed. Key to such control is lighting level and occupancy sensors, but the NLC system can be extended beyond just efficient lighting to provide a backbone for a host of other connected applications, such as indoor location services for asset tracking in a warehouse or product discovery in retail stores.
5G is synonymous with terms like network slicing, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), network automation, and network virtualization. All of these telecommunications industry concepts can pave the way for neutral host networks to be a popular deployment model for telcos, particularly Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Neutral host providers allow MNOs to leverage shared network infrastructure, which translates to reduced Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), minimal operational costs, and quicker time to deploy new services. The latest trends in the private cellular network space point toward a future where neutral host networks are more widespread.
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions are a must-have cybersecurity tool for organizations to safeguard against attacks from large-scale quantum computers.
Smartphone Biometric Technology Is on the Rise
The adoption of biometrics across various applications in an array industries is continually increasing. Concerning consumer technologies, fingerprint and facial biometrics are already prevalent in the devices we use daily. This is only expected to increase with time, with ABI Research observing the adjoining movement of growing penetration of biometric technology within devices, with the increasing integration of biometrics in smartphone operating systems, external apps, and web pages. Alongside facial and fingerprint technologies, numerous other biometric modalities, including voice, gesture, and vein recognition, are seeing strong uptake.
For the past 2 decades, the video surveillance market has seen a swift migration from analog and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to Internet Protocol (IP) cameras. Today’s IP cameras are cheaper, more powerful, and have greater intelligence than legacy cameras, providing significant value to security departments and business units. Now a staple in commercial surveillance, video analytics extends beyond its historical home in security departments. Thanks to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and edge computing, customers can leverage a new and improved form of this technology, often called intelligent video analytics. Intelligent video analytics software leverages AI and Computer Vision (CV) to detect objects, people, activities, etc. This is a game-changer for businesses, as it transforms their camera platforms into data-gathering Internet of Things (IoT) devices that send alerts and notifications, which can then be turned into actionable insight.