5G WIRE: Toyota 5G robot, network slicing, Smart video call

5G DoCoMo Toyota robot
A Toyota T-HR3 humanoid robot (right). Image credit: Toyota

5G action this day: DoCoMo controls a Toyota robot 10 km away using 5G; Cellcos must transform to capitalize on $66b network slicing opportunity; Smart Communications makes a 5G video call; Fujitsu makes single-panel antenna that supports multiple 5G links; Melita will make Malta 100% 5G-ready by end of 2018

DoCoMo controls a Toyota robot 10 km away using 5G

NTT DoCoMo and Toyota have successfully controlled a T-HR3 humanoid robot in trials using 5G from a remote location 10 kilometers away in a test environment.

Toyota developed the T-HR3 with the aim of creating a partner robot that can support human activities in a variety of circumstances, such as homes and healthcare institutions. The robot is designed so that the operator can feel external forces exerted on the T-HR3 and prompt it to move in the same manner as them.

Like so.

That requires extremely low latency, which is where 5G comes into play. Read more …

Cellcos must transform to capitalize on $66b network slicing opportunity

End-to-end 5G network slicing is promised to be a growing part of digital transformation for verticals, but mobile operators must first change all aspects of their business before they can deliver on that promise, says ABI Research.

A new ABI report forecasts that network slicing stands to create approximately $66 billion in value for enterprise verticals including manufacturing, logistics, and transportation by 2026. But that only represents a mere 6% of total mobile consumer revenues during the same year, which is why verticals are crucial to the network slicing value proposition. Read more …

Smart makes a 5G video call

PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications says it has made the Philippines’ first successful video call on a 5G connection.

The 5G video call was placed from PLDT headquarters in the Makati City central business district to the recently launched Clark Smart 5G City in the Clark Freeport Zone. The call involved 5G equipment from Huawei in Makati and Ericsson in Clark, showcasing 5G interoperability in a multi-vendor environment. Read more …

Fujitsu makes single-panel antenna that supports multiple 5G links

Fujitsu Laboratories announced the development of equipment technology to enable simultaneous communications to four users with a single antenna panel in the 28-GHz band in a compact structure suitable for small cells, with data speeds in excess of 10 Gbps.

Conventional 5G system structures require use of an antenna panel for each terminal when simultaneously transmitting to multiple terminals. Now, by controlling with high accuracy the phase (angle) of signals separately emitted from 128 antenna elements, Fujitsu Laboratories has suppressed the interference between signals. This enables simultaneous communications in four directions using only one antenna panel.

5G antenna panel Fujitsu
5G antenna panel. Image credit: Fujitsu

Moreover, the company can vary signals in both horizontal and vertical directions, successfully expanding the communications area. Read more …

Melita will make Malta 100% 5G-ready by end of 2018

Malta operator Melita announced that its 5G-ready mobile network – which it is currently rolling out with Ericsson – now covers 85% of the Maltese Islands.

Melita says it will achieve full coverage by the end of this year, and will be able to launch 5G services as soon as handsets are available and spectrum is allocated.

Melita says it will be the first European operator to deploy a nationwide 5G-ready network. Malta has a land mass area of 316 square kilometers. Read more …

(Compiled and edited by John C Tanner)

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