Latest news with #JohnSmee
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Qualcomm eyes AI drone flight
NEW DELHI: Qualcomm , an American wireless technology provider is looking at the drone industry as a next big focus area, following making a dent in the automotive sector with Snapdragon powered artificial intelligence (AI)-driven connected and smart cars. 'It (drone) is one of the very big areas like we have industrial IoT business units. There are examples which I am even seeing here in India. Drone has been of interest in a lot of our meetings, and has become a common theme,' John Smee, senior vice president (engineering) & global head of wireless research at Qualcomm, told ETTelecom. Smee said that the country's drone landscape is promising, offering multiple use cases. 'This is interesting. The fact that you have this wide geographic area and a large population. Drones could be part of inspecting critical infrastructure for damage. It can be used in agriculture,' the top executive said, adding that the multinational is doing technology collaboration through Qualcomm-developed platform. In 2021, the San Diego-based company debuted the industry's first 5G and AI drone platform, and reference design with heterogeneous computing and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Last year, Qualcomm together with Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson and autonomous drone solution provider Dronus demonstrated a 5G use case with mmWave spectrum-backed drone at a 5G smart factory, showcasing integration of 5G wireless technology with industrial processes. The proof-of-concept uses a Qualcomm QRB5165 processor-powered drone. The US chipset maker is also working closely with the Indian academic institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and other universities, as a part of its broad initiatives such as the 5G University Program and the Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship (QIF). "There is a future of physical AI, and that involves a lot of drones, sensors, and the cellular network. So, those are examples even when we are talking with universities here in India. These include digital twin and RF sensing." The executive further said that Qualcomm has a very large engineering presence in India, and is collaborating with the workforce worldwide. 'So, India for us is obviously an incredibly important location in terms of creativity of the engineering teams here. So we have a large footprint of different types of engineers on topics like 5G, some of the 6G aspects delivering the wireless part, and even on the compute part - the CPU, GPU and neural processing.' Cristiano Amon-headed wireless technology giant has a significant research and development (R&D) presence in India's Chennai that includes a newly-unveiled design center focussing on wireless connectivity solutions and Wi-Fi technologies, augmenting the company's global R&D efforts. The executive also said that the US multinational is excited to work with the Indian government and domestic companies in their aspiration for widespread digital connectivity. In a bid to make India a global drone hub by 2030, the Indian government aims to boost ease of doing business by abolishing multiple approvals through a policy roadmap, that also includes the creation of drone corridors, permission-free drone operation in green zones, and the development of digital sky platform as a user-friendly online single-window system. Separately in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi government also notified a production linked incentive (PLI) scheme to boost domestic manufacturing of drones and associated components. The program mandates a minimum value addition of 40% of net sales for drones and drone components. India's ban on imported drones coupled with the PLI scheme-backed domestic manufacturing, has catalysed rapid innovation in autonomous drones with AI-driven capabilities.
Broadcast Pro
08-03-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Ericsson, Qualcomm and Thales advance global 5G connectivity
The integration of traditional mobile networks with satellite-based connectivity has taken a step forward, bringing the possibility of seamless global mobile coverage across land and sea closer to reality. Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies and Thales Alenia Space have demonstrated a 5G standards-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) call using a simulated low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite channel in a French test laboratory. This proves that an NR-NTN capable device can maintain uninterrupted mobile connectivity in areas covered by either terrestrial or satellite networks. It means that even in remote locations such as oceans or dense forestswhere terrestrial networks cannot reachdevices will still be able to connect without requiring additional satellite equipment like dishes. This achievement paves the way for new applications, including high-definition voice calls and real-time video streaming via satellite connectivity. The trial marks a major milestone toward commercialising non-terrestrial networks. The collaboration, which began in 2022, was the worlds first publicly announced 5G NTN project based on 3GPP standards. The partners focused on testing key technical aspects, including managing delays, Doppler effects, and ensuring seamless satellite handoverscritical for maintaining uninterrupted communication in satellite environments. Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, at Ericsson, said: 'This successful 5G non-terrestrial network call represents not just a technological breakthrough but also showcases the practical viability of integrating satellite technology within existing terrestrial frameworks. Ericsson is committed to advancing ubiquitous connectivity, and our collaborative effort with Thales Alenia Space and Qualcomm Technologies will help ensure that future communication systems are more inclusive, resilient, and globally accessible. By leveraging NTN technology, we aim to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable communication to every corner of the world.' John Smee, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., added: 'Our collaboration with Ericsson and Thales Alenia Space is crucial in leveraging 3GPP standards for satellite communications, helping to ensure that 5G connectivity is universally accessible to 5G smartphone users. Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to enhancing chipset capabilities that support the seamless integration of 5G non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks.' Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, stated: 'For years, Thales Alenia Space has been at the heart of all initiatives aimed at seamlessly integrating satellite communications in the 5G network infrastructure – including standardization with 3GPP – and takes 5G NTN standardized solutions into account in the design of its satellite payloads supporting either Broadband or Direct-To-Device (D2D) services. By combining Thales Alenia Space's expertise in space technologies with Ericsson's leadership in 5G networks and Qualcomm Technologies advanced chipsets, we are making significant headway towards the seamless integration of terrestrial and NTN networks, to provide access to 5G services, anywhere and at any time.' Looking ahead, Ericsson, Qualcomm and Thales Alenia Space remain committed to further refining 5G/6G NTN technologies. Their goal is to scale 5G NTN deployment, enabling a full range of servicesincluding messaging, voice and dataacross multi-orbit satellite networks. This innovation will help bridge the digital divide, ensuring reliable mobile connectivity for users everywhere, regardless of location.
Tahawul Tech
07-03-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales Alenia Space reach milestone in space-based connectivity
The integration of traditional mobile networks with satellite mobile networks – and the related possibility of truly global connectivity across oceans and continents – has moved a step closer following a significant technology achievement by Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Thales Alenia Space. The three partners combined expertise in a French test laboratory to successfully connect a 5G standards-based non terrestrial network call with a simulated low earth orbit (LEO) satellite channel. In effect, the trial proved that an NR-NTN capable device would never be without mobile coverage where areas are served by either terrestrial or non-terrestrial networks. In other words, if NTN covers an area in the middle of an ocean or deep forest – currently impossible to cover with terrestrial networks – then a device would be able to connect, via mobile connectivity alone, with any other device or service on the mobile network without the need for additional satellite signal receiving equipment, such as a dish. Support applications could include high-definition voice calls and real-time video streaming services. The achievement is a significant milestone on the way to non-terrestrial networks becoming a commercial reality. The collaboration launched in 2022 was, at the time, the world's first publicly announced collaboration for 5G NTN based on 3GPP standards. Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, at Ericsson, says: 'This successful 5G non-terrestrial network call represents not just a technological breakthrough but also showcases the practical viability of integrating satellite technology within existing terrestrial frameworks. Ericsson is committed to advancing ubiquitous connectivity, and our collaborative effort with Thales Alenia Space and Qualcomm Technologies will help ensure that future communication systems are more inclusive, resilient, and globally accessible. By leveraging NTN technology, we aim to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable communication to every corner of the world.' John Smee, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., says: 'Our collaboration with Ericsson and Thales Alenia Space is crucial in leveraging 3GPP standards for satellite communications, helping to ensure that 5G connectivity is universally accessible to 5G smartphone users. Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to enhancing chipset capabilities that support the seamless integration of 5G non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks.' Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, says: 'For years, Thales Alenia Space has been at the heart of all initiatives aimed at seamlessly integrating satellite communications in the 5G network infrastructure – including standardization with 3GPP – and takes 5G NTN standardized solutions into account in the design of its satellite payloads supporting either Broadband or Direct-To-Device (D2D) services. By combining Thales Alenia Space's expertise in space technologies with Ericsson's leadership in 5G networks and Qualcomm Technologies' advanced chipsets, we are making significant headway towards the seamless integration of terrestrial and NTN networks, to provide access to 5G services, anywhere and at any time.' Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and Thales Alenia Space are committed to further refinement and development of 5G/6G NTN technologies, aiming to introduce and scale 5G NTN on the market and allow for a full set of services – from multi-orbit satellites including messaging, voice and data, to make seamless communication a reality for everyone, everywhere, and at any time. MORE ON THE TECH The partners established a 3GPP-based end-to-end New Radio (NR) 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN) call using a lab-emulated low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. The test explored critical components such as handling delays, Doppler effects, and ensuring seamless satellite handovers, which are crucial for maintaining communication integrity in satellite environments.
TECHx
07-03-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales Achieve 5G Satellite Connectivity Breakthrough News Desk - 07/03/2025 ShareThe vision of seamless global mobile connectivity has taken a significant step forward as Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Thales Alenia Space successfully completed a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) call using a simulated low earth orbit (LEO) satellite channel. This milestone brings the integration of traditional mobile networks with satellite networks closer to reality, paving the way for uninterrupted 5G connectivity across oceans, remote regions, and underserved areas.The successful test was conducted in a French laboratory, where the three partners combined their expertise to establish a 5G standards-based NTN call. The trial demonstrated that an NR-NTN capable device can stay connected through mobile networks, whether served by terrestrial infrastructure or satellites. This innovation removes the need for additional satellite equipment, such as dishes, allowing smartphones to maintain mobile coverage even in areas currently unreachable by traditional networks, including deep forests and open seas.This achievement is expected to enable a wide range of applications, including high-definition voice calls, real-time video streaming, and reliable data services, regardless of location. The breakthrough marks a major step towards making non-terrestrial networks a commercial reality, following the launch of the collaboration between Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and Thales Alenia Space in 2022. This was the first publicly announced partnership dedicated to developing 5G NTN based on 3GPP standards.Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, 'This successful 5G non-terrestrial network call represents not just a technological breakthrough but also showcases the practical viability of integrating satellite technology within existing terrestrial frameworks. Ericsson is committed to advancing ubiquitous connectivity, and our collaborative effort with Thales Alenia Space and Qualcomm Technologies will help ensure that future communication systems are more inclusive, resilient, and globally accessible. By leveraging NTN technology, we aim to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable communication to every corner of the world.'John Smee, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., added, 'Our collaboration with Ericsson and Thales Alenia Space is crucial in leveraging 3GPP standards for satellite communications, helping to ensure that 5G connectivity is universally accessible to 5G smartphone users. Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to enhancing chipset capabilities that support the seamless integration of 5G non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks.'Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, said, 'For years, Thales Alenia Space has been at the heart of all initiatives aimed at seamlessly integrating satellite communications in the 5G network infrastructure—including standardization with 3GPP—and takes 5G NTN standardized solutions into account in the design of its satellite payloads supporting either Broadband or Direct-To-Device (D2D) services. By combining Thales Alenia Space's expertise in space technologies with Ericsson's leadership in 5G networks and Qualcomm Technologies' advanced chipsets, we are making significant headway towards the seamless integration of terrestrial and NTN networks, to provide access to 5G services, anywhere and at any time.'Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and Thales Alenia Space are continuing to refine and develop advanced 5G and 6G NTN technologies with the goal of scaling commercial 5G NTN services worldwide. Their shared ambition is to unlock a full suite of communication services, including messaging, voice, and data, through multi-orbit satellites, making reliable and seamless mobile connectivity available to everyone, everywhere.The trial involved a complete 3GPP-based end-to-end New Radio (NR) 5G non-terrestrial network call using an emulated LEO satellite link. Key aspects tested included managing signal delays, mitigating Doppler effects, and ensuring smooth satellite handovers, all of which are essential to maintain high-quality, uninterrupted communication in satellite environments.This achievement reinforces the future of global connectivity, where 5G non-terrestrial networks will play a critical role in delivering universal mobile coverage and bridging the digital divide worldwide.
Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales Achieve 5G Satellite Connectivity Breakthrough The vision of seamless global mobile connectivity has taken a significant step forward as Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Thales Alenia Space successfully completed a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) call using a simulated low earth orbit (LEO) satellite channel. This milestone brings the integration of traditional mobile networks with satellite networks closer to reality, paving the way for uninterrupted 5G connectivity across oceans, remote regions, and underserved areas. The successful test was conducted in a French laboratory, where the three partners combined their expertise to establish a 5G standards-based NTN call. The trial demonstrated that an NR-NTN capable device can stay connected through mobile networks, whether served by terrestrial infrastructure or satellites. This innovation removes the need for additional satellite equipment, such as dishes, allowing smartphones to maintain mobile coverage even in areas currently unreachable by traditional networks, including deep forests and open seas. This achievement is expected to enable a wide range of applications, including high-definition voice calls, real-time video streaming, and reliable data services, regardless of location. The breakthrough marks a major step towards making non-terrestrial networks a commercial reality, following the launch of the collaboration between Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and Thales Alenia Space in 2022. This was the first publicly announced partnership dedicated to developing 5G NTN based on 3GPP standards. Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, 'This successful 5G non-terrestrial network call represents not just a technological breakthrough but also showcases the practical viability of integrating satellite technology within existing terrestrial frameworks. Ericsson is committed to advancing ubiquitous connectivity, and our collaborative effort with Thales Alenia Space and Qualcomm Technologies will help ensure that future communication systems are more inclusive, resilient, and globally accessible. By leveraging NTN technology, we aim to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable communication to every corner of the world.' John Smee, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., added, 'Our collaboration with Ericsson and Thales Alenia Space is crucial in leveraging 3GPP standards for satellite communications, helping to ensure that 5G connectivity is universally accessible to 5G smartphone users. Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to enhancing chipset capabilities that support the seamless integration of 5G non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks.' Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, said, 'For years, Thales Alenia Space has been at the heart of all initiatives aimed at seamlessly integrating satellite communications in the 5G network infrastructure—including standardization with 3GPP—and takes 5G NTN standardized solutions into account in the design of its satellite payloads supporting either Broadband or Direct-To-Device (D2D) services. By combining Thales Alenia Space's expertise in space technologies with Ericsson's leadership in 5G networks and Qualcomm Technologies' advanced chipsets, we are making significant headway towards the seamless integration of terrestrial and NTN networks, to provide access to 5G services, anywhere and at any time.' Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, and Thales Alenia Space are continuing to refine and develop advanced 5G and 6G NTN technologies with the goal of scaling commercial 5G NTN services worldwide. Their shared ambition is to unlock a full suite of communication services, including messaging, voice, and data, through multi-orbit satellites, making reliable and seamless mobile connectivity available to everyone, everywhere. The trial involved a complete 3GPP-based end-to-end New Radio (NR) 5G non-terrestrial network call using an emulated LEO satellite link. Key aspects tested included managing signal delays, mitigating Doppler effects, and ensuring smooth satellite handovers, all of which are essential to maintain high-quality, uninterrupted communication in satellite environments. This achievement reinforces the future of global connectivity, where 5G non-terrestrial networks will play a critical role in delivering universal mobile coverage and bridging the digital divide worldwide.
Trade Arabia
06-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Ericsson, Qualcomm and Thales create history with 5G NTN call
Global mobile technology major Ericsson has announced that along with Qualcomm and Thales Alenia Space it has achieved a key industry milestone with the trio successfully demonstrating a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) call, bringing the world one step closer to seamless global connectivity. The three partners combined expertise in a French test laboratory to successfully connect a 5G standards-based non terrestrial network call with a simulated low earth orbit (LEO) satellite channel. In effect, the trial proved that an NR-NTN capable device would never be without mobile coverage where areas are served by either terrestrial or non-terrestrial networks. In other words, if NTN covers an area in the middle of an ocean or deep forest - currently impossible to cover with terrestrial networks - then a device would be able to connect, via mobile connectivity alone, with any other device or service on the mobile network without the need for additional satellite signal receiving equipment, such as a dish. Support applications could include high-definition voice calls and real-time video streaming services. Ericsson pointed out that the collaboration launched in 2022 was, at the time, the world's first publicly announced collaboration for 5G NTN based on 3GPP standards. The achievement is a significant milestone on the way to non-terrestrial networks becoming a commercial reality, it stated. Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, at Ericsson, said: "This successful 5G non-terrestrial network call represents not just a technological breakthrough but also showcases the practical viability of integrating satellite technology within existing terrestrial frameworks." The integration of traditional mobile networks with satellite mobile networks - and the related possibility of truly global connectivity across oceans and continents - has moved a step closer following this significant technology achievement. "Ericsson is committed to advancing ubiquitous connectivity, and our collaborative effort with Thales Alenia Space and Qualcomm Technologies will help ensure that future communication systems are more inclusive, resilient, and globally accessible. By leveraging NTN technology, we aim to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable communication to every corner of the world," he added. John Smee, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, said: "Our collaboration with Ericsson and Thales Alenia Space is crucial in leveraging 3GPP standards for satellite communications, helping to ensure that 5G connectivity is universally accessible to 5G smartphone users." "Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to enhancing chipset capabilities that support the seamless integration of 5G non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks," he stated. Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, said: "For years, Thales Alenia Space has been at the heart of all initiatives aimed at seamlessly integrating satellite communications in the 5G network infrastructure - including standardization with 3GPP - and takes 5G NTN standardized solutions into account in the design of its satellite payloads supporting either Broadband or Direct-To-Device (D2D) services." "By combining Thales Alenia Space's expertise in space technologies with Ericsson's leadership in 5G networks and Qualcomm Technologies' advanced chipsets, we are making significant headway towards the seamless integration of terrestrial and NTN networks, to provide access to 5G services, anywhere and at any time," he noted. Ericsson said the group, along with Qualcomm Technologies and Thales Alenia Space, was committed to further refinement and development of 5G/6G NTN technologies, aiming to introduce and scale 5G NTN on the market and allow for a full set of services - from multi-orbit satellites including messaging, voice and data, to make seamless communication a reality for everyone, everywhere, and at any time. The partners established a 3GPP-based end-to-end New Radio (NR) 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN) call using a lab-emulated low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, it stated.
