You Don't Really Need 5G, Your Self-Driving Car Does

Self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles (AVs) are the killer app for 5G wireless internet. Right now, AVs are Clint Eastwood style lone gunslingers, roving the highways in search of a free lane. They see the world through camera lenses and LIDAR (similar to radar, but using lasers instead of radio waves). When they encounter other AVs, they pass right on by, without so much as a tip of the hat. When 5G started rolling out across America last year, many people were disappointed. Most carriers are running 5G on extremely-high frequency millimeter wave (mmWave) bands, which means that signals can be blocked by walls and windows -- or even an innocent bystander. And unless your 8-year-old is demanding to watch Avengers: Endgame in full 3D this very minute, you can probably live with 4G download speeds. So what's the big deal?

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Anuta Networks, Inc.

Anuta Networks is a leading provider of multi-vendor network orchestration for branch, campus, data center and service provider-managed enterprise networks.

OTHER ARTICLES
Enterprise Mobility, Mobile Infrastructure

Four reasons why NB-IoT is the enabler of mass IoT apps and tracking

Article | June 16, 2023

Everyone understands the need to track and trace and tracking was one of the first apps that kick-started the M2M industry at scale about two decades ago. It now encompasses everything from routine shipments to monitoring of high value equipment and has even further proved its worth in the pandemic, enabling tracking of essential shipments and cold chain logistics for vaccines. With narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) now rolling out across the world, the technology is powering tracking applications for the mass-market, bringing new capabilities and functions to tracking and opening up new markets and use cases. Four essential attributes of NB-IoT, in addition to the fundamental ability of throughput, were discussed in a recent Quectel webinar

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5G

5G Small Cells: The Future of Wireless Networks

Article | May 18, 2023

5G small cells form the backbone of the modern wireless networks. Learn more about this technology is revolutionizing 5G deployment and enabling various use cases across industries in this article. Contents 1 Introduction to 5G Small Cells for Modern Businesses 2 5G Small Cells: Overview 2.1 Characteristics of 5G Small Cells 2.2 How Small Cells Fit into 5G Architecture 3 Benefits of 5G Small Cells for Businesses 3.1 Improved Coverage and Capacity 3.2 Enhanced Network Performance 3.3 Lower Latency 3.4 Cost-effectiveness 4 Use Cases for 5G Small Cells 4.1 Urban Areas 4.2 Rural Areas 4.3 Indoor Environments 5 Conclusion 1 Introduction to 5G Small Cells for Modern Businesses Small cells are low-power radio access nodes that operate in licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands and are typically deployed in areas with high demand for wireless connectivity. They are a vital component of the 5G wireless network architecture and are designed to complement traditional cell towers, providing improved coverage, network capacity, and faster data speeds. Small cells come in several types, including femtocells, picocells, and microcells, and can be deployed according to the use case. 2 5G Small Cells: Overview 2.1 Characteristics of 5G Small Cells 5G small cells are characterized by small form factors and are designed to be compact and discreet for deployment in various settings, such as urban areas, rural areas, indoor environments, and public spaces. In addition, they consume less power than traditional cell towers, making them more energy-efficient. They also operate on high-frequency bands, which enables them to provide faster data speeds and lower latency than traditional cell towers, which makes small cells essential for 5G. The 5G small cell architecture can be deployed in dense networks, providing better coverage and capacity in areas where traditional cell towers may not be able to reach. Also, a 5G small cell antenna can be configured to provide seamless handoffs between cells, ensuring users have a consistent and uninterrupted wireless experience. These characteristics make them ideal for specific 5G use cases, which will be explored further in the article. 2.2 How Small Cells Fit into 5G Architecture Small cells and 5G evolution are closely linked, and this technology is an ideal solution for future wireless networks. They offer greater capacity, coverage, and flexibility than traditional cell towers, allowing them to meet the demands of an increasingly connected world. By operating on high-frequency bands and being deployed in dense networks, small cells in 5G can provide faster data speeds, lower latency, and better coverage than previous generations of wireless networks. Additionally, their small form factor and flexible deployment options allow for use cases like private 5G networks that revolutionize industries. 3 Benefits of 5G Small Cells for Businesses 5G networks will support a massive increase in connected devices, including smartphones, IoT sensors, and other devices. Small cells are critical for achieving the full potential of 5G networks and the exciting new applications and services they will enable. 3.1 Improved Coverage and Capacity 5G small cells offer improved coverage over traditional cell towers in certain situations, particularly in urban areas. Buildings and other obstacles interfere with wireless signals, so the connection quality decreases in areas with such infrastructure. By deploying small cells closer to users, the network can provide better coverage and capacity in these areas. Small cells can also be deployed indoors, providing better coverage and capacity in buildings and other enclosed spaces. This is important due to poor wireless range, signal interference from walls, and other obstacles. By deploying small cells indoors, the network can provide better coverage and capacity in these areas, improving the overall wireless experience for users. 3.2 Enhanced Network Performance The deployment of small cells enables network densification, which allows several devices to connect to the network simultaneously. This can help reduce network congestion and improve overall network performance, particularly in urban areas. They can also be configured to provide seamless handoffs between cells, ensuring that users have a consistent and uninterrupted wireless experience. This is important because users often move between different areas with different coverage levels and capacities, providing a streamlined experience. 3.3 Lower Latency Small cells are designed to operate on high-frequency bands, which enables them to provide faster data speeds and lower latency than prior generations of wireless networks. This is especially important for applications that require real-time communication, such as virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and remote surgery. By providing faster data speeds and lower latency, small cells can help enhance these applications' performance, providing a better overall user experience. 3.4 Cost-effectiveness Small cells offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional cell towers, particularly in urban areas with high land and real estate costs. By mounting 5G small cell antennas on existing infrastructure, such as lampposts and buildings, deployment costs can be lowered. Additionally, small cells can be deployed in a modular fashion, allowing for targeted and cost-effective expansion based on the required coverage and capacity. This approach avoids large-scale and expensive deployments of new infrastructure. Moreover, small cells can be powered by low-cost, low-power sources like solar panels or batteries, reducing ongoing operational costs. Furthermore, small cells consume less power than traditional cell towers, resulting in lower energy costs. 4 Use Cases for 5G Small Cells 4.1 Urban Areas As discussed previously, small cell radio antennas in 5G can improve networks in dense urban environments, alleviating network congestion and improving data speeds. In addition, by deploying small cells in areas with high user demand, network operators can provide targeted coverage and capacity improvements to specific areas, ensuring that users have fast and reliable connectivity. 4.2 Rural Areas Small cells can be used to extend coverage to underserved or unserved areas by traditional cell towers. They can fill in coverage gaps, providing reliable connectivity to users in rural areas that may not have access to high-quality wireless services. This will enable use cases such as remote workforces in rural areas, smart agriculture, and distance education and training. 4.3 Indoor Environments Traditional cell towers may not be able to provide reliable connectivity indoors due to physical barriers such as thick walls and ceilings. Small cells can provide targeted coverage and capacity to specific areas, such as conference rooms or shopping malls, where users require high-quality wireless connectivity. In addition to improving range, small cells can help alleviate network congestion and improve data speeds in high-traffic indoor environments. 5 Final Thoughts Small cells are a crucial element in developing and implementing 5G technology. By leveraging a small form factor and high-frequency band usage, small cells facilitate the deployment of 5G networks in a more cost-effective and targeted manner than traditional cell towers. They support a wide range of use cases by providing reliable and high-quality wireless connectivity to a growing number of devices. They will continue to be a critical technology for businesses and organizations seeking to leverage the benefits of 5G technology.

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Network Management, Network Security

Key Network Performance Metrics to Improve Efficiency

Article | July 17, 2023

Discover key network performance metrics to enhance user experience. Explore in-depth latency, throughput, jitter, packet loss, VOIP quality, and MOS score to optimize network performance analysis. Contents 1. Importance of Network Performance Metrics for Performance Analysis 2. Critical Key Network Performance Metrics to Monitor 2.1 Latency 2.2 Throughput 2.3 Jitter 2.4 Packet Loss 2.5 VOIP Qualiy 2.6 MOS Score 3. Steps to Monitor and Measure Network Performance 4. Significance of Monitoring Metrics in Network Troubleshooting 4.1 Provides Network Visibility 4.2 Prevents Network Downtime 4.3 Observe Bandwidth Usage 5. Overcome Monitoring Challenges in Network Performance Metrics 6. Key Takeaway 1. Importance of Network Performance Metrics for Performance Analysis Network performance involves analyzing and evaluating network statistics to determine the quality of services provided by the underlying computer network. Considering various key network metrics, it is primarily measured from the end-users’ perspective. Measuring these metrics, analyzing performance data over time, and understanding the impact on the end-user experience is essential to assess network performance. Measuring network performance requires considering factors such as the location and timing of measurements. For instance, network performance may differ when comparing paths between cities or during periods of varying user demands throughout the day. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to monitoring network performance involves identifying these variables and identifying areas for improvement. Network performance metrics offer valuable insights into any network infrastructure and services. These metrics provide real-time information on potential issues, outages, and errors, allowing one to allocate IT resources efficiently. Understanding end-user demands can create an adaptive network to meet future business needs. However, comprehensive monitoring requires an advanced network monitoring tool to gather, analyze, and interpret data effectively, optimizing network performance. Leveraging relevant metrics can improve network performance, help make informed decisions, enhance network reliability, and deliver a superior user experience. 2. Critical Key Network Performance Metrics to Monitor 2.1 Latency Latency, or network delay, is a crucial performance metric in network monitoring and management. It quantifies the time required to transmit data between destinations. Factors like packet queuing and fiber optic cabling affect network latency. Consistent delays or sudden spikes in latency indicate significant network performance issues. Monitoring and minimizing latency are essential for ensuring optimal network performance. By actively tracking latency, organizations identify and address issues that may cause delays in data transmission, thereby improving overall network responsiveness and minimizing disruptions for end-users. 2.2 Throughput Throughput metrics for network monitoring enable measurement of the data transmission rate across various network segments. Unlike bandwidth, which represents the theoretical data transfer limit, throughput reflects the successful delivery of data packets to their destination. Variations in throughput can occur across different network areas. A low throughput indicates the presence of dropped packets requiring retransmission, and highlights potential performance issues that need attention. Monitoring throughput is crucial for effective network management. By monitoring this performance metric, organizations can gain insights into the actual data transmission rate, ensuring that it aligns with expected levels. 2.3 Jitter Jitter, a key performance metric in network monitoring, refers to the variation in delay between packets, measured as the difference between expected and actual arrival times. It results due to network congestion, routing issues, or other factors, leading to packet loss and degraded application performance. Jitter disrupts the standard sequencing of data packets and can arise due to network congestion or route changes. Monitoring jitter is crucial for identifying and addressing network stability issues and ensuring reliable data transmission. By actively monitoring this performance metric, organizations can address variations in packet delay, mitigating issues that leads to packet loss and enabling proactive troubleshooting. 2.4 Packet Loss Packet loss, a performance management network monitoring metric, represents the number of data packets lost during transmission. It directly affects end-user services, leading to unfulfilled data requests and potential disruptions. Packet loss can arise from various factors, including software problems, network congestion, or router performance issues. Monitoring the entire process precisely to detect and address packet loss, ensures reliable data transmission and optimal network performance. Monitoring packet loss with the right network monitoring software enables timely troubleshooting and optimization of network infrastructure, ultimately enhancing overall network reliability and performance. 2.5 VOIP Quality VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) quality is a crucial network performance metric. It refers to the overall performance of a VoIP system in delivering clear and reliable voice communications over the Internet, replacing traditional phone lines. Factors influencing VoIP quality include network bandwidth, latency, packet loss, jitter, and the quality of end-user devices. Monitoring VoIP quality ensures optimal system functionality and high-quality voice communications. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as mean opinion score (MOS), jitter, latency, packet loss, and call completion rates are utilized to assess and optimize VoIP quality. 2.6 MOS Score Mean opinion score (MOS) is a vital performance metric in network monitoring, rating the perceived quality of a voice call on a scale of 1 to 5. It is a standardized measurement developed by the ITU, an international agency focused on enhancing communication networks. Initially designed for traditional voice calls, the MOS has been adapted to evaluate Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. The MOS score considers various factors, including the specific codec employed for the VoIP call, providing a comprehensive assessment of voice calls quality in network monitoring. 3. Steps to Monitor and Measure Network Performance Step 1: Deploy a Software for Network Monitoring To effectively measure network performance, deploying dedicated network monitoring software is crucial. While temporary tools like traceroutes and pings can provide insights into ongoing problems, they are insufficient for troubleshooting intermittent network issues. Relying on periodic tools for intermittent issues is reliant on chance, as it may only detect problems when they occur during tool usage. By implementing comprehensive network monitoring software, one can proactively monitor and analyze network metrics, historical data, and performance, allowing for timely detection and resolution of both ongoing and intermittent network issues. Step 2: Distribute Monitoring Agents For comprehensive network performance measurement, businesses must distribute monitoring agents strategically across key network locations. These specialized software agents continuously monitor network performance using synthetic traffic, simulating and assessing the end-user perspective. By distributing Monitoring Agents, organizations can: • Measure key network metrics, including jitter, packet loss, and throughput. • Identify and troubleshoot intermittent network issues that are challenging to pinpoint. • Receive alerts regarding any performance degradation, ensuring a timely response. • Collect valuable data for in-depth troubleshooting and analysis, facilitating proactive network management and optimization. Step 3: Measure Network Metrics After deploying the monitoring agents, they continuously exchange synthetic User Datagram Protocol (UDP) traffic, forming a network monitoring session. During this session, the agents measure network performance by evaluating key metrics and conducting network traffic analysis. The metrics used in the analysis include specific parameters, and the results of these measurements are presented in a network response time graph, providing a visual representation of the network's performance characteristics. Monitoring and analyzing these metrics enable organizations to gain valuable insights into network performance, facilitating informed decision-making and convenient network performance troubleshooting. 4. Significance of Monitoring Metrics in Network Troubleshooting 4.1 Provide Network Visibility Monitoring metrics plays a vital role in network troubleshooting by offering network visibility. They enable the identification of performance bottlenecks, configuration problems, and security vulnerabilities that detrimentally affects network performance. These issues can be addressed through targeted troubleshooting efforts, resulting in improved network performance and enhanced end-user experience. Organizations identify and resolve network issues by monitoring metrics, ensuring optimal network functionality and overall business productivity. 4.2 Prevent Network Downtime Effective monitoring metrics are instrumental in preventing network downtime, a costly concern for businesses. Swift identification and resolution of network issues through proactive network performance troubleshooting help minimize downtime, ensuring uninterrupted business operations. By promptly addressing potential problems, network troubleshooting safeguards against lost productivity, revenue, and customer dissatisfaction. Maintaining a proactive approach to monitoring and resolving network issues to enhance network reliability and business continuity. 4.3 Observe Bandwidth Usage Monitoring metrics are essential in network troubleshooting as they enable the observation of bandwidth usage. This allows organizations to detect abnormal or excessive utilization, pinpoint key performance issues and ensure optimal resource allocation. It allows for identifying critical bandwidth-hogging applications or network intrusions, helping experts take immediate action to mitigate risks, safeguard data, and protect the overall network integrity. Additionally, experts can optimize network performance and ensure a seamless user experience for organizations relying on efficient network infrastructure. 5. Overcome Monitoring Challenges in Network Performance Metrics Enterprises seeking to ensure optimal network performance and improve overall business operations must overcome network monitoring obstacles. Effectively monitoring, tracking, and improving network performance requires a strategic combination of skilled personnel, advanced technologies, and well-defined strategies. Failing to address these requirements results in various challenges that hinder the ability to enhance network performance effectively. The challenges that businesses often encounter include managing scalability, handling massive data volumes, achieving real-time monitoring, dealing with multi-vendor environments, addressing network security and privacy concerns, and adapting to evolving network demands. Each obstacle presents unique complexities that require tailored approaches and expert insights. To overcome these challenges, enterprises must invest in comprehensive monitoring tools capable of handling the scalability demands of growing networks. These tools should provide real-time network visibility, robust analytics capabilities, and intelligent data filtering mechanisms to extract meaningful insights from vast network data. Establishing clear monitoring objectives aligned with business goals and defining key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential in effectively addressing network performance challenges. 6. Key Takeaway Monitoring network performance metrics is crucial for assessing the quality of services a computer network provides from an end-user perspective. It involves continuously tracking and analyzing key metrics such as latency, throughput, jitter, packet loss, VOIP quality, and MOS score. Organizations can actively monitor and assess performance, proactively identify intermittent issues, and collect valuable data for in-depth analysis by implementing dedicated network monitoring software and strategically deploying monitoring agents across the network. In addition, it is imperative to emphasize the significance of monitoring metrics in mitigating the potential financial impact of network downtime, enhancing the utilization of available bandwidth resources, and efficiently tackling the complexities inherent in scaling operations, real-time monitoring, diverse vendor ecosystems, security concerns, and the ever-evolving requirements of modern networks.

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5G

5G VS Wi-Fi 6: Companions or Competitors?

Article | May 25, 2022

Advancements inconnectivity have fueled the rapid progress in digitalization. From 1G in the 1980s to 4G in the last decade, wireless connectivity has constantly contributed to the transformation of businesses and the global economy. Today's 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technologies provide exciting features that are critical to increasing corporate productivity and improving people's digital experiences. When we refer to the 5G and Wi-Fi 6 revolutions, we're not talking about undisturbed movie streaming or faster downloads; we're talking about making sci-fi movie fiction a reality. Things you used to only see in movies, like robots doing chores, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, virtual reality gaming experiences, remote surgeries, telemedicine, automated assembly line production, augmented reality marketing strategies, and the way you shop, travel, work, and get medical consultations, will undergo a transformation beyond imagination, and 5G will make it happen. 5G VS Wi-Fi 6 5G and Wi-Fi 6 Carving the Future of Businesses Together When it comes to addressing particular needs, both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 are competitive depending on the industry vertical business environment, operation, devices, and applications. While Wi-Fi will be the dominant technology for indoor operations, as well as non-critical applications and the usage of unlicensed spectrum, 5G cellular networks will be used for outdoor coverage, mission-critical applications, highly guarded settings, and the anticipation of various QoS features. According to a survey conducted by Deloitte, the priorities of companies were 5G and Wi-Fi 6, the importance of which isonly anticipated to grow in the future years. Adoption of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G is regarded as a strategic requirement, leading businesses into a new era of wireless connectivity. With the convergence of Wi-Fi and 5G, organizations can do business everywhere while being highly productive and providing the greatest user experience. Businesses will attain the following primary goals by transitioning to this enhanced wireless 5G technology: increased effectiveness enhanced security Taking advantage of the benefits of these two forces, such as big data analytics, AI, and edge computing. The overall objective of leveraging this deadly mix is to unlock the possibilities of other emerging technologies such as IoT, cloud, Edge computing, big data analytics, VR, AR, robots, and others. Together, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 operate as a revolutionary multiplier. Closing Note 5G and Wi-Fi 6 are two separate technologies that can work in tandem. They share the following characteristics: low latency, faster data rates, increased capacity, and excellent performance. Even though 5G and Wi-Fi 6 complement each other's capabilities, the environment, sensitivity of the application, and business use cases will determine which is the best match. A holistic approach of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G is the optimum method for developing a smart city that is entirely networked or offering powerful Internet connectivity for families and businesses. Both technologies are critical in today's world, and every breakthrough in connection, whether it's 5G or Wi-Fi 6, contributes to our society's overall growth and innovation.

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Spotlight

Anuta Networks, Inc.

Anuta Networks is a leading provider of multi-vendor network orchestration for branch, campus, data center and service provider-managed enterprise networks.

Related News

COAI holds high level meeting with partners, will get 5g very soon

News Track | January 26, 2020

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has held a high-level meeting with 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) partners and the Global Certification Forum on the development of 5G networks. There was talk about certification. If you talk about this, in addition to the government of India, academia and stake holders, 5GIF (5G in India for Rum) also took part. For your information, let us know that the Third Generation Partnership Project consists of seven Telecom Organizations and Associated Organizations around the world which work for Tequology, Radio Network. The ecosystem for the 5G network is being developed under this project. Several issues including the 5G standard were discussed in this two-day meeting in Hyderabad. Representatives of more than 40 companies from around the world took part in this meeting.

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Microsoft is working with AT&T to speed up its 5G network

MSPoweruser | January 26, 2020

One of the key selling points of 5G networks is reduced latency, but what is less known that in many cases this is achieved by moving computing resources closer to the user via so-called Edge computing. Now Microsoft has revealed that new Network Edge Compute (NEC) technology is being developed in partnership between Microsoft and AT&T. Using AT&T’s 5G network of edge locations, Microsoft’s Azure Cloud and Edge computing technology services can be delivered closer to customers. The NEC technology will be rolled out for a select group of customers in Dallas first. The target is to make the technology more broadly available to select customers in Los Angeles and Atlanta sometime in 2020. AT&T became the first to activate a 400-gigabit connection between Dallas and Atlanta. The company currently services 21 cities across the US with their 5G network and plans to expand this nationwide this year.

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5G Strategies of T-Mobile US, Sprint Hinge on Merger

SDxCentral | January 26, 2020

T-Mobile US and Sprint have spent the better part of the last two years hoping and planning to merge into a combined entity, but now that the outcome of that effort rests with a federal judge, the future of both companies is unclear. If the merger is blocked and the operators remain separate companies, their respective 5G plans are going to evolve considerably and quickly. “T-Mobile is in a more favorable position than Sprint” because it enjoys a stronger balance sheet and the wherewithal to push forward with 5G, said Lynnette Luna, principal analyst at GlobalData Technology. “However, T-Mobile will then be relegated to deploying 5G in low-band and [millimeter-wave] spectrum, and would need to acquire mid-band spectrum that is now seen as the Holy Grail of 5G deployments given its propagation capabilities and faster data speeds.”

Read More

COAI holds high level meeting with partners, will get 5g very soon

News Track | January 26, 2020

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has held a high-level meeting with 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) partners and the Global Certification Forum on the development of 5G networks. There was talk about certification. If you talk about this, in addition to the government of India, academia and stake holders, 5GIF (5G in India for Rum) also took part. For your information, let us know that the Third Generation Partnership Project consists of seven Telecom Organizations and Associated Organizations around the world which work for Tequology, Radio Network. The ecosystem for the 5G network is being developed under this project. Several issues including the 5G standard were discussed in this two-day meeting in Hyderabad. Representatives of more than 40 companies from around the world took part in this meeting.

Read More

Microsoft is working with AT&T to speed up its 5G network

MSPoweruser | January 26, 2020

One of the key selling points of 5G networks is reduced latency, but what is less known that in many cases this is achieved by moving computing resources closer to the user via so-called Edge computing. Now Microsoft has revealed that new Network Edge Compute (NEC) technology is being developed in partnership between Microsoft and AT&T. Using AT&T’s 5G network of edge locations, Microsoft’s Azure Cloud and Edge computing technology services can be delivered closer to customers. The NEC technology will be rolled out for a select group of customers in Dallas first. The target is to make the technology more broadly available to select customers in Los Angeles and Atlanta sometime in 2020. AT&T became the first to activate a 400-gigabit connection between Dallas and Atlanta. The company currently services 21 cities across the US with their 5G network and plans to expand this nationwide this year.

Read More

5G Strategies of T-Mobile US, Sprint Hinge on Merger

SDxCentral | January 26, 2020

T-Mobile US and Sprint have spent the better part of the last two years hoping and planning to merge into a combined entity, but now that the outcome of that effort rests with a federal judge, the future of both companies is unclear. If the merger is blocked and the operators remain separate companies, their respective 5G plans are going to evolve considerably and quickly. “T-Mobile is in a more favorable position than Sprint” because it enjoys a stronger balance sheet and the wherewithal to push forward with 5G, said Lynnette Luna, principal analyst at GlobalData Technology. “However, T-Mobile will then be relegated to deploying 5G in low-band and [millimeter-wave] spectrum, and would need to acquire mid-band spectrum that is now seen as the Holy Grail of 5G deployments given its propagation capabilities and faster data speeds.”

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