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🌎 What’s Happening on Earth

🪐 What’s Happening in Space

🤖 Enabling AI

🍳 This and That!

💡 Lean About..

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What’s Happening On Earth?

Rogers Enhances 5G Network for Taylor Swift Concerts - Rogers has just completed an $8 million upgrade to its 5G network at Rogers Centre in Toronto to bring the best fan experience for Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. Teams have spent 6,000 hours planning the project and 10,000 hours installing new equipment and infrastructure.

During one show at Wembley Stadium in London, Swifties consumed a record 5.58 terabytes (TB) of mobile data at the stadium. That’s enough to stream her entire music catalog 4,500 times, which would take a decade.

Then there was Taylor’s concert in Melbourne, Australia at the MCG Stadium, where fans used an average of 15 TB of data per night.

At the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, AT&T’s network handled a staggering 28.9 TB of data during the busiest day of Swift’s three-day tour stop there. To put that into perspective, if fans shared 200,000 photos or 400 hours of video, that would only chew up 1 TB of data.

My Take: Clearly, Taylor Swift is the Killer App. I wrote about this almost a year ago following her appearance at the AT&T Stadium. I foreshadowed her concert series in Toronto - “From what I can see, T-Swizzle has sold out six shows at the Rogers Centre in Toronto during November 2024. That's 40,000 people per show over six days. It will be very interesting to see the data they capture on usage and how the network responds.”

Clearly, Rogers wireless engineers are readers of my newsletter 😁 

Forget telco. Nokia’s CEO says data centers are top growth target - The shift away from telco is a shock but not a surprise given the vendor's challenges winning major telco deals over the last year. However, the company's September deal with AI hyperscaler CoreWeave is giving Nokia a new lease on life. CoreWeave selected Nokia to deploy its IP routing and optical transport equipment globally as part of its extensive backbone build-out, with immediate roll-out across its data centers in the U.S. and Europe.

My Take: Forget you, Telco. Do the hokey pokey. They actually have what I understand to be a very good solution for Data Centres, and a very strong guy driving the strategy (ex Juniper guy. Really smart guy).

We're building more middle mile but it's not affordable enough - The federal government has set aside $42 billion to connect last-mile communities and just under $1 billion for the middle mile networks that will provide the backbone to reach those unserved homes. But that's not enough money to cover the cost of building middle mile infrastructure, panelists noted last week at Broadband Nation Expo.

My Take: Not a US problem only. Many community projects are on hold due to middle-mile/ transport facilities that are either not available or too expensive. There’s an opportunity here for LEO-based solutions to fill the initial gap and then remain in place with capacity to provide redundancy and resiliency when needed.

Wireless Internet Providers Reap High Satisfaction Ratings in Yet Another Study - The 2024 “U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study” found that wireless internet customers have an overall satisfaction rating of 630 (on a 1,000-point scale), compared with a 538 rating among wired internet subscribers

My Take: Well, lets look behind the numbers a bit. From the report, “The study measures overall satisfaction with internet service providers based on seven dimensions: consistently delivering high-quality service; value for price paid; ease of doing business; level of trust with provider; people; digital tools; and resolving problems or complaints”

FWA subscribers are price-first customers willing to overlook other issues - “Additionally, study data shows that wireless internet customers are willing to overlook the possible drawbacks of slower speeds and increased disruptions in exchange for a lower monthly cost”

So the Satisfaction index is heavily skewed by price. It’s not an apples-apples comparison to wireline services (i.e. FTTH) that may be more expensive while - perhaps - delivering an overall better quality of service.

CIO lessons from Brownsville’s private 5G journey - Brownsville, Texas, is in the midst of an extensive private 5G network deployment that will power the city’s smart infrastructure, a deployment that provides clear instructions for how other municipalities might want to approach such an endeavor.

My Take: Always good to have OKRs in place.

Why Canada Doesn’t Need Another Broadband Provider - Canadian telecommunications policy under successive governments has taken for granted that the domestic industry suffers an inadequate supply of market participants. The operating assumption behind the so-called “fourth-player policy” has been that if government policy can catalyse more players into the broadband market (particularly mobile virtual network operators), it will lead to better outcomes for Canadian consumers — but this assumption is unmoored from reality on various fronts.

My Take: “Giving into populist calls for a “fourth option” would be fundamentally misunderstanding the problem and ignoring real solutions. Innovative technologies and localized digital inclusion efforts are the best way to push Canadian connectivity forward.”

Here’s a link to a podcast where you can listen to a discussion about this as well.

Chinese Researchers Tap Quantum to Break Encryption - Researchers at China's Shanghai University have demonstrated how quantum mechanics could pose a realistic threat to current encryption schemes even before full-fledged quantum computers become available.

My Take: That’s right. Ruin the dream before it’s even real.

What’s Happening In Space?

What’s in Space This Week?

SpaceX Tips Gigabit Speeds for Starlink After Successful Starship Test - It appears SpaceX plans to deliver gigabit speeds by tapping more radio spectrum and orbiting the satellites closer to Earth, according to a new FCC filing.

The request includes lowering the Starlink satellites from "525 km, 530 km, and 535 km to 480 km, 485 km, and 475 km" in altitude. In addition, SpaceX wants the Starlink satellites to harness the E-band radio frequencies in the "71-74 GHz (downlink) and 81-84 GHz (uplink) bands" to help the company better deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband to users, including through fixed satellite dishes and mobile equipment. 

My Take: Maybe they should read the latest OpenVault Broadband Insight report. More bandwidth doesn’t seem to make a difference. Consumption is down. Reliability is the new speed! (It’s still cool, though, so they can do whatever they want)

Amazon faces $1.5 billion Project Kuiper headwind in 2025 after satellite launch delay: Morgan Stanley - Adjusting for a recently delayed launch and headcount spend, we now expect Kuiper to be a ~$1.5bn ’25 EBIT headwind,” wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak in a note released Friday — adding that this is around $900 million more than previously modeled. However, the $1.5 billion headwind is still manageable versus the $75 billion to $80 billion that Amazon “could print” in 2025, according to Nowak.

My Take: pfffft.. $1.5bn is a rounding error.

Space Tech Funding Surges 64% YoY in Q3 2024 Amid Rising Defense Investments - Robust funding (+64% YoY), primarily geared towards downstream and dual-use segments, with Anduril driving the majority of funding this quarter. Remarkable commercial success from Starlink (>4 million subscribers). Both large and small NewSpace companies struggling with cash burn, where traditional VCs may not be the right fit. There will be more M&A to come

My Take: I’m sticking to some of the “mainstream” D2C guys and the folks building the satellites, for now.

ESA picks Kepler-led group to develop LEO optical data relay network - The European Space Agency has awarded a group led by Kepler Communications, a Canadian small satellite operator, a 36 million euro ($39 million) contract to develop a low Earth orbit (LEO) optical relay network.

The three-year contract covers early design work for the LEO phase of ESA’s High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON) program, a multi-orbit, terabit-per-second transport system that would extend the reach of terrestrial fiber networks.

My Take: This is a bit of a big deal, for more reasons that that Kepler is a fine Canadian success story. It’s ultimately about things supporting advancements in Optical and Quantum communications in space and between Earth and space. “Fiber in the Sky”. It’s very cool and will foster complementary TN-NTN integrations over time.

See “Learn About” below for more information on HydRON.

Considering The Collaborative Edge For Large Amounts Of Data - The article highlights the use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in edge computing. LEO satellites enable faster data transfer and connectivity across remote or underserved regions, enhancing the collaborative edge. By processing data closer to its source, businesses can reduce latency, improve real-time analytics, and facilitate seamless operations, especially in industries reliant on quick, data-driven decisions. The integration of LEO networks with edge systems marks a step forward in global digital infrastructure

My Take: Couple LEO-edge with Data Centres in space. It certainly helps with sovereign and secure data requirements. Are space-based data centres sovereign, and would they fall under international space law and jurisdiction?

Verizon Exec Explains the Skylo Deal and the Telco’s D2D Strategy - In late August, Verizon was the latest big name telco to team up with a satellite player for direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. Verizon announced a deal with Skylo to launch a commercial direct-to-device messaging service for its customers so they can stay connected wherever they are.

My Take: I think this part of the interview says it best - “What we like about Skylo, it is based on satellite bands, and it is based on the NTN standards, and because it is on satellite spectrum, we do not need to free up any terrestrial spectrum to utilize this. The other thing we like about Skylo, we as Verizon don’t have to worry about the actual satellite behind Skylo. They work with other players to enable connectivity. We kind of like that.” Their relationship with AST Mobile will take advantage of existing handsets where they are sharing spectrum. Skylo seems a much more open solution.

Mobile Satellite Services Association Partners With GSMA on ​​Direct-to-Device - The two organizations have agreed to explore integrating D2D and IoT services via mobile satellite services (MSS) satellites, in line with 3GPP standards. They are interested in scaling this type of communications and starting cooperative agreements with cellular operators. 

My Take: Open, standards-based solutions will win out in the end.

Taiwan to have satellite internet service as protection in case of Chinese attack - Taiwan is expected to have access to low earth orbit satellite internet service by the end of the month, a step the government says is crucial in case a Chinese attack cripples the island’s communications.

My Take: The inevitable war in space is more of a concern..

China’s secretive new 'Thousands Sails' satellites are an astronomer's nightmare, 1st observations reveal - The first observations of China's Qianfan satellites, which were launched in August, suggest that they far exceed the brightness limits suggested by astronomical authorities. Researchers warn that the growing "megaconstellation" could become a major problem unless swift action is taken.

My Take: Sounds like a job for Team America. Who are these “astronomical authorities?”

Wall Street Debates Costs Of Amazon's Starlink Competitor. What Is Project Kuiper? - While Amazon doesn't expect to launch its first satellites until early next year, debate is heating up among analysts about what the Project Kuiper endeavor will mean for the company's efforts to boost profitability. Project Kuiper recently factored into an analyst's decision to downgrade Amazon stock to a neutral call. But some analysts are more bullish.

My Take: Amazon’s ability to combine Kuiper access with AWS infrastructure will be a key differentiator. Of course, price and terminal options will be the key driver initially, a potentially sovereign path go data terrestrially and non-terrestrially will be appealing to many.

Enabling AI

Scientists design new 'AGI benchmark' that indicates whether any future AI model could cause 'catastrophic harm' - OpenAI scientists have designed MLE-bench — a compilation of 75 extremely difficult tests that can assess whether a future advanced AI agent is capable of modifying its own code and improving itself.

My Take: This is what everyone is afraid of. Computers modify their own code for whatever reason and with whatever the outcome may be. What if the AI agent modifies its own code to change the tests? Then what? 😃 

Verizon Business survey: Nearly 40% of SMBs using AI - “Small business owners are getting the hang of AI, discovering how it can automate time-consuming tasks and enabling them to focus more on their core business operations,” said Aparna Khurjekar, chief revenue officer for Business Markets and SaaS at Verizon Business. “Despite economic and financial concerns, they’re still investing in faster internet, AI tools and social commerce because they understand how these technologies are crucial for their success.”

My Take: And, of course, subscribing to more bandwidth, better WiFi, etc, to support their increasingly digital operations.

How Artificial Intelligence, AI, Can Help Achieve Precision Nutrition - So if you really want to figure out how to do precision nutrition, you’ve somehow got to combine data from many different studies and fill in the gaps. You also want to find ways to extend the results of a given study to people who didn’t participate in that study and circumstances that were not covered. All of this can be way too complex for any given human or even a team of humans unaided to do.

My Take: As long as there’s a provision for Froot Loops, I’m OK with it. If it works, this would have mass appeal.

New York Times to Bezos-Backed AI Startup: Stop Using Our Stuff - Publisher demands that Perplexity stop accessing its content; startup isn’t interested ‘in being anyone’s antagonist,’ CEO says.

My Take: I love Perplexity. If you’re not using it, you’re missing out on an exceptional tool.

Learn About

High Throughput Optical Network Demonstration System (HydRON-DS)

HydRON is groundbreaking project, spearheaded by the European Space Agency (ESA), promises to revolutionize the way we transmit data across the cosmos.

HydRON, short for High thRoughput Optical Network, is not just another satellite communication system. It represents a quantum leap in space-based data relay, utilizing cutting-edge laser technology to achieve unprecedented speeds and efficiency. At its core, HydRON aims to create a network of satellites capable of transmitting terabits of data per second, a feat that would leave current radio frequency systems in the dust.

The significance of HydRON cannot be overstated. As our reliance on space-based technologies grows, so does the demand for faster, more reliable communication channels. Traditional radio frequency systems are increasingly hampered by spectrum congestion and regulatory hurdles. HydRON's laser-based approach neatly sidesteps these issues, offering a clear path forward for the future of space communications.

But HydRON's impact extends far beyond alleviating bandwidth concerns. This ambitious project has the potential to transform Earth observation missions, enabling continuous data relay to our planet. It promises to bolster advanced technologies like 5G networks, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. Perhaps most excitingly, HydRON could play a crucial role in future space exploration, supporting missions to the Moon and beyond.

The recent announcement of Kepler Communications' involvement has injected fresh momentum into the HydRON project. ESA has selected the Canadian satellite telecommunications company as the prime contractor for the first phase of HydRON's development. This initial stage, valued at 36 million euros, will focus on establishing the low Earth orbit (LEO) segment of the network, comprising ten satellites.

Kepler's selection marks a significant milestone in the project's evolution. The company will lead a collaborative effort, working alongside industry giants TESAT Spacecom and Airbus Space and Defence to bring ESA's vision of "fibre in the sky" to life. This international partnership underscores the global nature of space exploration and the importance of cross-border cooperation in pushing the boundaries of technological innovation.

The HydRON-DS Element #1 project, as it's officially known, will leverage Kepler's network to demonstrate high-capacity, low-latency data transport and advanced space-based Internet traffic management. This proof-of-concept phase is crucial in validating the technology and paving the way for full-scale implementation.

HydRON also includes a ground-to-space communication component. It will utilize optical ground stations to receive data transmitted from satellites using laser technology. These stations will serve as the terrestrial endpoints for the high-speed optical links from space, enabling its ability to seamlessly connect with existing fibre optic networks on Earth. This integration allows for the creation of a fast and reliable global network that bridges space and ground infrastructure

As we stand on the brink of this new era in space communications, the potential applications of HydRON are both exciting and far-reaching. From enhancing our understanding of Earth's climate to facilitating deep space exploration, this technology could be the key that unlocks the next chapter in humanity's cosmic journey.

The road ahead for HydRON is undoubtedly challenging, but the rewards promise to be immense. As this ambitious project moves from concept to reality, it serves as a powerful reminder of our capacity for innovation and our enduring quest to push the boundaries of what's possible in space.

This and That!

At-home experiments shed light on cats’ liquid behavior - Cats may seem solid, but they’re actually somewhat liquid — at least according to one 2017 theoretical physics paper inspired by videos of cats squeezing under doors, into tight vases and down narrow crevices. Now, one researcher has taken this idea a step further, physically testing dozens of cats to see when they act more like liquids or solids.

My Take: This is very important research. Maybe someone could research why they turn into assholes every day at 3AM.

Artorias provides real-time monitoring and analysis of global data sources - our mission is to address the complexities and challenges of an increasingly interconnected world by providing cutting-edge intelligence solutions. In a landscape where threats evolve rapidly and information spreads at unprecedented speeds, traditional intelligence methods often fall short. We leverage advanced AI and expert OSINT analysis to process and analyze vast amounts of data in real time, allowing us to identify critical patterns and emerging risks before they escalate.

My Take: There are a number of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) feeds on “X” managed by humans. The intelligence and real-time information about “geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, terrorism, natural disasters, market fluctuations, and social unrest” is quite amazing. This initiative looks to integrate AI with human expertise.

Female gibbons 'vogue' and dance like robots — and make sure they have an audience - A new study surveyed the behavior of crested gibbons engaging in dance-like movements both in the wild and in captivity, finding only the females dance, and in a few different contexts.

My Take: What’s a Gibbon? Strike a pose.

Digital Transformation Markets in Canada, 2024-2029: Cumulative Revenues to Surpass $183 Billion by 2029, Driven by the Cybersecurity Sector - New Investments, Regulations, and a National SOC - Canada's digital transformation is driven by adopting emerging technologies, developing innovative business models, and focusing on collaboration and innovation. The Canadian government has set ambitious targets, such as creating a "digital nation" and adopting a digital charter. These initiatives are expected to spur further investment in digital infrastructure and the adoption of new technologies.

My Take: IT, Cyber Security, and even 5G are expected to drive significant growth, as well as data centres, of course.

Infographic Of The Week

My Take: Switzerland is #1. Canada is #14. See the full methodology and info here

Podcast Recommendation

The current state of AI adoption in the telecom market

In this episode, Analysys Mason's Paul Jevons, Director and expert in tech-enabled transformation, and Adaora Okeleke, Principal Analyst and expert in AI and data management, discuss the current state of AI adoption in the telecoms industry. 

Topics include: 

• a high-level view of operators' adoption of AI 

• insights into current barriers to adoption 

• the implications of adoption barriers on the technology vendor ecosystem. 

Listen Here!

My Take: I found it a little dry to listen to, but with some interesting points.

Movie/Streaming Recommendation

19-2 (Netflix)

IMDb: 8.1/10

JMDb: 9/10 (I like it, even though it’s a Canadian production..)

I watched the English version of 19-2 when it was aired on CTV many years ago. Very good series, and a far cry from Jared Keeso’s character on “Shoresy” (which is a good series, by the way).

Read the review below, or just watch the series on Netflix.

Until Next Time

Comments here are my own and do not represent the opinions, views or thoughts of any person, company or organization that I may be associated with.

Feedback, comments and ideas are welcomed. Message me on LinkedIn or contact me at [email protected]