Page 39 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

AT&T Pushes RedCap Nationwide to 200M PoPs

AT&T achieved nationwide coverage of its 5G reduced capability providers such as Semtech, Telit Cinterion and Rhino Mobility to
(RedCap) network, now serving over 200 million Points of Presence expand the device ecosystem. Sikes also announced certification
(PoPs) across the country. Jason Sikes, VP of device technology of the Franklin Wireless RG350, the first commercially approved
at AT&T, stated in a blog RedCap supports a new generation of 5G RedCap mobile hotspot on its network. The mobile hotspot,
devices including wearables, XR glasses and IoT products by powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X35 5G Modem-RF System,
offering lower battery consumption, reduced costs and streamlined enables connectivity for remote work and travel. “As we continue
5G capabilities. He noted RedCap powers a broad range of IoT expanding the 5G RedCap network and ecosystem, customers
products for use in healthcare, asset tracking, industrial sensors, can anticipate a growing portfolio of devices,” Sikes stated. “This
fleet management and “other mid-speed computing devices”. momentum will drive IoT innovation, transforming how businesses
“They offer reduced manufacturing costs and more compact form and consumers connect, operate and innovate with 5G technology.”
factors by featuring fewer antennas, lower processing power, less Sikes cited the operator’s first RedCap data call on a live SA 5G
battery consumption and simplified radio frequency components network two years ago as a key milestone ahead of the nationwide
compared to full 5G devices,” Sikes explained. A representative for deployment. Standards body 3GPP introduced RedCap, or NR-
AT&T told Mobile World Live RedCap is running on the operator’s Light, in its Release-17 standard to enable a wider range of low
standalone (SA) 5G network. The operator is working with module power devices including IoT sensors on 5G networks.

AT&T to Accelerate Fiber Network Expansion

AT&T plans to more quickly build fiber infrastructure thanks to high-speed infrastructure builds and restoring America’s global
pro-investment policies in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed lead in wireless technology through smart policy. We appreciate
by Congress. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will spur investment, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Commerce Committee
maintain U.S. leadership in innovation, and create economic Chair Ted Cruz, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Energy
opportunity nationwide. Thanks to the policies in this legislation, and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie for their efforts to
AT&T expects to invest more rapidly in next-generation networks establish a spectrum pipeline and renew FCC auction authority. And
after the bill is signed into law, increasing our investment by an we thank President Trump for his leadership in making priorities
additional 1 million fiber customer locations annually starting of spectrum availability and tax incentives for capital investment
in 2026. This bill also creates a pipeline of midband spectrum in the reconciliation process. AT&T plans to provide an update on
that will help meet soaring consumer demand and keep the U.S. the expected impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on its 2025
technologically competitive with other countries. Paired with the and long-term financial outlook and capital allocation plans when
tax provisions in the bill, this legislation paves the way for the it releases its second quarter results, scheduled for release on July
stated goals laid out by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr: unleashing 23, 2025.

AT&T Deploys First Third-Party rApp

AT&T and Ericsson reveal that, for the first time, a third-party RAN
automation application, an rApp, has successfully performed
optimization activity on a Communication Service Provider’s
(CSP) live production network. Powered by the Ericsson
Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP), the rApp was deployed to
optimize AT&T’s live network in July after extensive testing. This
accomplishment marks a decisive moment in the industry’s move
from closed, single-vendor Self-Organizing Networks (SON) toward
an open, future-proof architecture based on the standards and
frameworks set out by the Open RAN Alliance. Rob Soni, VP of RAN
Technology at AT&T says: “This milestone represents a significant
leap forward in our commitment to openness and collaboration.
By embracing third-party innovation on our network and platform,
we’re signaling that diverse solutions play a key role in the future of
commercial networks. We look forward to seeing the new levels of
innovation, agility, and efficiency that programmability will unlock.”

39 JUNE-JULY 2025