5G

Feb 15, 2023

2G and 3G Shutdowns Continue

Mobile network operators around the world continue to close legacy 2G and 3G networks in order to migrate valuable spectrum resources to more widely used 4G and 5G technologies.

Following up on our August 2021 piece covering 3G sunsets in Europe, today we have a look at how the situation has developed since then and which markets will be next to wave goodbye to 2G and 3G.

Jun 28, 2022

Z-axis Technology Takes Location Data to New Heights

It’s our first telecom reading list of the summer, and the headlines are coming in hot.

First up—Z-axis support for 911 calls.

Scroll on down to read about this critical development for public safety, the ghost of Sprint’s 5G network, new Ukrainian voice intel, and more.

May 26, 2022

Another Reason To Love Submarine Cables

If you've seen our famous Submarine Cable Map, you can probably guess that the TeleGeography team geeks out on submarine cable knowledge.

And although there's a lot to know, we still get excited when cables come up in the news. 

So it’s no surprise that our latest list of telecom reading recs starts off with a story about submarine cables—and their potential to detect earthquakes. 

Apr 25, 2022

One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mapkind

No, that wasn’t a typo. NASA is teaming up with lidar company Aeva to 3D map the moon—a tricky feat without GPS.

If you’re a map lover like us, this ought to grab your attention.

The prototype is small enough for an astronaut to wear as a backpack and able to map its surroundings in real time. 

Mar 31, 2022

Can a Park Bench Boost 5G?

As India’s long-awaited 5G deployment draws nearer, a new pilot program may prompt you to look at ordinary objects—like lampposts, mailboxes, and park benches—much differently.

This program will equip street furniture with small cell networks across four different locations: Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation, Kandla Port in Gujarat, and Bhopal city.

Feb 14, 2022

Love Is Brewing—and So Is Another Geomagnetic Storm

Happy Valentine's Day to you, beloved reader. Or Discount Candy Day Eve, as some of us like to say.

Love hurts, after all. But for a recently-launched fleet of Starlink satellites, a geomagnetic storm hurts even more.

Dec 28, 2021

Open Connect, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

It's that time of year again. The time to string up twinkle lights, pour eggnog in your coffee, and cozy up on the couch with your favorite holiday film.

Back in the day, you'd be dusting off the box in your attic marked "Christmas movies." Today—thanks to streaming services—all you need is your trusty remote.

But how does this actually work? Keep scrolling for insight on how Netflix delivers its content globally.

Nov 18, 2021

The Ocean’s Hottest Buoy Band

We at TeleGeography are a curious bunch.

So when we hear about an “ocean intelligence platform” employing a fleet of thousands of satellite-connected buoys, you have our attention.

Alas, the internet is teeming with other important news, so we’ll round out our November list of reading recs with cattle-monitoring smart sensors, a pricey USB-C enabled iPhone, the status of the $1.2 trillion U.S. infrastructure bill, multi-orbit satellite service testing results, and the relationship between 5G and climate change.

Sep 28, 2021

Uganda Loses Number-Three Cellco

Uganda’s wireless market has been rocked by the announcement of the imminent closure of number-three player Africell.

Apr 26, 2021

Tracking TracFone: Meet the Prepaid Provider Now Worth $6.25 Billion

In September 2020, U.S. telecom giant Verizon announced the surprise takeover of prepaid MVNO TracFone Wireless. The deal is worth a whopping $6.25 billion. 

Verizon hopes that the transaction will help it compete in the prepaid space, where T-Mobile U.S. and AT&T rule the roost with their Metro by T-Mobile and Cricket Wireless brands.