Page 94 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Docomo, Partners Claim HAPS First in 38GHz Band

Japan’s NTT Docomo and its high-altitude platform stations backhaul lines consisting of aerial relays, a breakthrough the con-
(HAPS) partners advanced their goal of delivering 5G service from sortium claimed was a world first, adding the trial demonstrated
the stratosphere, trailing a non-terrestrial network using the New the practical application of 5G feeder links and backhaul lines for
Radio (NR) standard in the 38GHz band. The operator, joined by HAPS. A Cessna aircraft was equipped with newly developed com-
Sky Perfect JSAT, the National Institute of Information and Com- munication equipment which is expected to be deployed in HAPS.
munications Technology (NICT) and Panasonic, set up an aerial In addition, a lens-type antenna with an auto-tracking function was
relay backhaul between a small aircraft, flying at altitude of about used as the HAPS ground station. Last December, NICT selected
4km, and three ground stations, simulating the eventual use of four local companies, including Docomo and Sky Perfect JSAT, to
HAPS. In a statement, Docomo noted the demo achieved multiple develop direct-to-device mobile services using HAPS.

Dialog Axiata Launches 4G-Powered Vehicle Tracking Service

Sri Lankan telco Dialog Axiata says it has launched a smart
tracking solution for vehicle and fleet monitoring, which also uses
its 4G network to power various data-based monitoring features.
The “Smart Vehicle Tracker” solution includes a device developed
by Dialog and The Connection Workshop (a subsidiary of South
Asian Technologies) that uses the TeDi fleet management app.
The tracker device enables real-time GPS tracking, live updates,
and tracking history accessible via Android and iOS smartphones.
Dialog claims it’s the only such device on the market that is “self-
installable, uses 4G technology and is supported by Amazon
Alexa.” The device also supports alert options such as engine idle,
trip start, park alerts, speed alerts and location alerts, which can be
pushed within the TeDi app or via SMS. While the vehicle tracking
solution is aimed mainly at fleet managers, transport services and
corporate clients, Dialog is also offering it to individual vehicle
owners and “safety-conscious individuals”. One key feature for fleet
managers is assigned trips (including automated vehicle gate pass
generation), which enables fleet managers to better manage ETAs licensing reminders, automated trip costing, budgeting, and vehicle
and route planning. Dialog is also offering customized corporate booking features etc. Users who have a Dialog Fuel Card can also
solutions for the tracker service, including vehicle maintenance, integrate that into the solution to keep tabs on refueling data.

Pakistan Conducts First Symmetric 50G-PON Fiber-Optic Internet Trial

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL), in ITU-T recognizes 50 GPON as the next frontier in Passive Optical
collaboration with Huawei, conducted the country’s first trial of Network-based broadband technology, which is poised to
Symmetric 50G-PON technology that will help implement next- revolutionize Pakistan’s digital landscape. This advancement will
generation fiber-optic broadband services in Pakistan. Symmetric support reshaping future demands across industries, enterprises,
50G-PON can provide 50 Gbps connectivity in downstream and businesses, campuses, and residential settings with low-latency
upstream transmission simultaneously. It has an edge over the next-generation services. Key applications and services enabled by
Asymmetric 50 G-PON, which supports 50 Gbps in downstream this technology include innovations like Holographic Technologies,
transmission only. PTCL also inaugurated Asymmetric 50G-PON XR-based Metaverses integration in domestic and professional
for the very first time in Pakistan at the beginning of the year. domains, Smart Manufacturing leveraging 3D Machine Vision,

94 MAY-JUNE 2024