Wireless Watch 663: Verizon puts foot on LTE-U accelerator

Key Issues:

The new spectrum regime which 5G needs is as far away as ever 2

• Verizon puts foot on LTE-U accelerator as Globalstar admits defeat 3
• US pre-5G trials pile up in capacity bands from 2.5 GHz to mmWave 9

Comment:

• MNOs embrace AI to transform network planning and customer service 14
• Telefonica’s ‘No-Cell’ is an important step to user-centric 5G 19
• Altran wins Mexican wholesale deal, but highlights barriers to RAN sharing 23
• Qualcomm turns to Samsung to stay at the mobile cutting edge 26

M&A Watch:

Verizon expands in smart city, buying WiFi kiosk start-up LQD 28

Multiplay Watch:

Vodafone’s fixed line moves paying off – tops 14m broadband homes 29

WiFi Watch:

Would Arris buy Ruckus as its cable customers go wireless? 30