The end of 2024 is a perfect time to look back at the most important events in the telecommunications industry.

Over the past few months, we’ve seen a clear acceleration in 6G research, the increasing adoption of private 5G networks in industry, and growing interest in “green telecommunications” and network security. Let’s take a brief look at the key areas, based on official sources and real-world implementations.

Development of 5G and the Beginnings of 6G Deployment

5G networks have already shown their potential, enabling high-speed data transmission and low latency, as confirmed by GSMA reports and equipment manufacturers such as Nokia and Ericsson. Meanwhile, the race for 6G is already underway. In Finland, as part of the 6G Flagship project (carried out in collaboration with Nokia, among others), researchers are intensively exploring the possibilities of sixth-generation networks, with updates provided on Nokia’s official website and the 6G Flagship pages. Will 2025 be a year of dual challenges for operators’ infrastructure? Time will tell.

Private 5G and Industry 4.0

The industrial sector is increasingly opting for private 5G networks (Private 5G). A notable example from this year is the BMW factory, where high speeds and stable connectivity allow assembly robots to operate in perfect sync—information on this can be found on the automaker’s official site. For operators, this means an opportunity to develop by selling slices of spectrum and offering dedicated services exclusively for factories or corporate campuses. According to market analyses published in fall 2024, more and more companies are keen to partner with operators in such ventures, as it provides them with full control over their network ecosystem and a high level of data security.

Satellite Infrastructure and Internet Access

In 2024, it became evident that satellite networks perform exceptionally well in regions with weak terrestrial coverage. A prime example is Starlink by SpaceX, whose low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites deliver high-speed Internet to many corners of the globe. The official Starlink website offers up-to-date details on the constellation’s expansion and service coverage. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the operator Spark has already tested integrating satellite services with its own infrastructure to ensure a backup connection in case its own systems fail.

Credits: U.S. Space Force photo by Joshua Conti, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Implementing Cloud Solutions in Telecommunications

An increasing number of operators are moving their services to the cloud, especially those related to network traffic management or VoIP. A strong example is the collaboration between Telefónica and Google Cloud, aimed at providing advanced cloud tools to businesses in Latin America. A successful outcome here could certainly spark further partnerships, enabling operators to scale solutions more quickly and implement new customer features with ease. It’s definitely worth watching how this field evolves.

Security Issues

DDoS attacks and other cyber threats remain a serious challenge for operators. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the UK regularly warns about the increasing scale and complexity of these attacks, and GSMA, in its reports, highlights the importance of network slicing and artificial intelligence for faster anomaly detection. For telecom companies, it all boils down to further investments in new security systems to protect both themselves and their customers.

Where the Real and Virtual Worlds Meet

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are beginning to make their way into operators’ offerings. NTT Docomo in Japan is involved in XR (extended reality) projects, which enable remote VR sports broadcasts and professional distance training, among other possibilities. Its English-language site provides insights into various initiatives that could soon gain traction in other countries. Next year will show whether we’re seeing the start of a major trend or just a minor addition to operators’ portfolios.

Sustainable Development

“Green telecommunications” is no longer just a marketing catchphrase—it’s a real response to the growing demand for clean energy. Operators are looking for alternative power sources for base stations. In northern Sweden, Ericsson successfully tested powering a base station with hydrogen fuel cells. News of the project spread in the summer of 2024, and implementing such a solution could serve as an excellent example of eco-friendly infrastructure for mobile networks in remote locations or extreme weather conditions.

Emergency Communications and Network Resilience

Reliable telecommunications infrastructure is not just about convenience; it’s a matter of safety. In crisis situations, this becomes paramount. Finding solutions to ensure secure and stable communication during emergencies is becoming a strategically important issue in more and more countries. In Canada, as reported by CBC, operators work closely with authorities by investing in warning systems and providing connectivity even in challenging weather conditions. These efforts are also reflected in information published by the Government of Canada, underscoring the importance of telecommunications in emergency situations. We’re likely to see even more international involvement in this area next year.

Over the course of 2024, the telecommunications industry has proven that it can respond dynamically to new challenges and carry out innovative projects. Operators are increasingly willing to collaborate with various partners—ranging from cloud providers to equipment manufacturers—in order to meet customer needs while keeping up with technological advancements.
On behalf of the entire RFBENCHMARK Editorial Team, we wish everyone that the upcoming year 2025 will bring even more groundbreaking ideas and further improvements in connectivity quality, so that each of us can enjoy true freedom of communication regardless of location or time.


RFBENCHMARK Editorial Team

Mona Keijzer, Dutch Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, announced that the multi-band auction will be carried out by the end of June and will include frequencies in the 700 MHz, 1,400 MHz, and 2,100 MHz bands.

The auction process will consist of several rounds, with the three major Dutch mobile operators — KPN, Vodafone Ziggo and T-Mobile Netherlands — all expected to participate.

Keijzer also emphasized that only reliable suppliers are allowed to provide key components of the 5G network. Having said that, certain equipment providers might be prohibited from the future distribution of 5G networks if any security issues are raised.

At the moment, a few European governments are debating whether Huawei should be allowed to take part in 5G contracts. The Chinese tech giant has recently been accused by the United States of spying for the Chinese government. However, the company keeps denying these allegations.

Although Huawei was not explicitly named by the Dutch government, they stated that any supplier accused of posing an espionage risk will be excluded from future network deployments in order to protect networks against untrustworthy vendors.

The Dutch government is also planning to organize an auction for frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band in 2022. At the moment, it is being used by Dutch intelligence services for satellite communications.

KPN has recently conducted tests of 5G technology between different locations across the country. The newest 5G smartphones were used to complete phone calls, video calls and data sessions between the 5G indoor network in the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, the 5G Field Lab in the Port of Rotterdam and the KPN Technology Lab located in The Hague. 3.5 GHz frequencies were used for the purpose of these tests.

The mobile operator also announced 5G trials using frequencies in the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands.

Vodafone Ziggo has also been conducting tests in Maastricht in cooperation with Ericsson in Maastricht.

Last October, T-Mobile Netherlands made an announcement that it was going to begin 5G tests with the use of the 700 MHz frequency, after it was granted two test licenses by the government.

Source: rcrwireless.com

Ekholm also emphasised the significance of effective communication during crisis situations and ensured that Ericsson is working to provide the best connectivity solutions based on regular customer feedback. The company predicts that in Q1 of 2020, the pandemic will have either limited impact on its customer base or will remain unaffected. According to Ericsson’s forecast, in the next quarter, the company should be able to meet demand by implementing specific measures to counteract the effects of the pandemic.

Ericsson further stated that all of its production plants were operating as normal. The company’s facility in China had been shut down until 9 February as a result of local government restrictions, but it was reopened the next day. The company’s leading production plants are located around the globe – in the US, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, Estonia, and Poland. Ericsson has already implemented the infrastructure to support remote working, which multiple employees are currently taking advantage of.

source: telecompaper