With this expansion of its secure edge-to-cloud portfolio, HPE Aruba Networking becomes the only global enterprise infrastructure vendor to provide comprehensive Wi-Fi and private 5G solutions, helping customers in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, public venues, and education solve complex connectivity challenges across large and remote sites. HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G also helps customers make productivity and innovation gains as a complement to the cost-effective, high-capacity connectivity provided by Wi-Fi, in addition to expanding AI data capture and delivery capabilities for building AI data lakes and activating inference solutions.

“Enterprise and industrial customers are increasingly seeking to deliver wireless coverage in demanding environments, including large outdoor areas, serving fast-moving clients, and providing deterministic access in dedicated spectrum,” said Stuart Strickland, wireless chief technology officer, HPE Aruba Networking. “The complexity of conventional approaches to private cellular networks has held them back. Building on HPE Aruba Networking’s history of wireless innovation and leadership, we have uniquely positioned ourselves to enable new applications for private cellular by integrating Athonet core cellular solutions with our traditional strengths in enterprise networking.”

HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G also enables communications service providers (CSPs) to quickly deploy private 5G networks for their customers. This integrated private 5G solution complements existing Wi-Fi-based managed services and will help telco customers service the growing private cellular market and generate new revenue from their existing enterprise customers.

With the debut of HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G, enterprises can increase reliable, secure, high-performance connectivity with a fully integrated private 5G network that features:

• An end-to-end offering that includes a 4G/5G core, HPE ProLiant Gen11 servers, SIM/eSIM cards, 4G/5G small cells, and dashboard.
• New 4G/5G small cell radios from HPE that provide indoor/outdoor coverage, eliminating the need to integrate and use a separate management tool from a third-party vendor.
• Simplified cloud-native management and automation for subscriber management, deployment management, core monitoring and radio monitoring, with future plans for integration with HPE Aruba Networking Central.
• Expanded AI data capture and delivery for building AI data lakes and activating inference solutions.
• Interoperability with shared spectrum for private enterprise use: Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum in the US, and globally, where regulatory frameworks allow, beginning in 2025.
• Simplified configuration with pre-integrated, tested solution including everything needed to deploy an enterprise private 4G/5G network.
• Ability to deploy solutions in under 30 minutes with zero touch provisioning and configuration wizards that mask the 3GPP cellular complexity.

 

This integration follows the 2023 acquisition of private cellular technology provider Athonet, which brings 15 years of leadership in private cellular networks, completing 500 enterprise deployments of private cellular solutions. Athonet is an award-winning technology pioneer with successful customer deployments in various industries, including leading mobile operators, hospitals, airports, transportation ports, utilities, government and public safety organizations.

“HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G is a significant step forward to solve for the complexity, cost, control, and management challenges associated with many private network deployments today,” said Patrick Filkins, Senior Research Manager, IoT and Telecommunications, IDC. “HPE Aruba Networking takes a grounded approach focusing on how to most efficiently integrate a private cellular network within an enterprise’s existing IT framework, streamlining network and device management through the use of familiar tools, as well as dynamically assigning and preserving device policy across 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, and wired LAN networks.”

“‘Many private network solutions are too complex, even for large enterprises with internal network expertise,” said Tom Rebbeck, Partner, Analysys Mason. “We expect customers to embrace solutions that can make private networks easier to deploy and manage.”

“For IronYun’s Vaidio Platform to be able to provide AI inferencing at the edge and drive accurate AI video search results, we needed an infrastructure that provided fast, available and reliable bandwidth without any complexity,” said Paul Sun, IronYun CEO. “We found it with HPE Aruba Networking, which provides us with all the components needed to deliver an end-to-end private 5G network for AI. HPE Aruba Networking’s private 5G network is the technical foundation for all Vaidio functions for real-time video analysis and AI inferencing that deliver AI insights to help improve security outcomes.”

“Private cellular, with its wide area, deterministic coverage, is the ideal fit for Disc Golf Network’s global live competition coverage of the Disc Golf Pro Tour,” said Baker Helton, DGPT Vice President of Business Administration. “The new HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G offering will make it that much easier for companies to do what we’ve done and meet their requirements for pervasive coverage with an integrated offering using CBRS.”

HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G will be on display at HPE Discover, the company’s flagship event, taking place June 17-19 in Las Vegas, which will be co-located with HPE Aruba Networking’s Atmosphere user event.

To learn more, read “5 Reasons to adopt HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G” blog here.

Upon closing, T-Mobile’s leading 5G network will expand to provide millions of UScellular’s wireless customers, particularly those in underserved rural areas, a superior connectivity experience, moving from a roaming experience outside of the UScellular coverage area to full nationwide access on the country’s largest and fastest 5G network. Additionally, UScellular customers will have the ability to fully participate in the Un-carrier’s industry-leading value-packed plans filled with benefits and perks, and best-in-class customer support with the opportunity to save UScellular customers hundreds of millions of dollars. T-Mobile customers will also get access to UScellular’s network in areas that previously had limited coverage and the benefit of enhanced performance throughout UScellular’s footprint from the addition of the acquired UScellular spectrum to T-Mobile’s network. And wireless consumers across the country will benefit from the enhanced choice and competition that this proposed transaction will create.

“With this deal T-Mobile can extend the superior Un-carrier value and experiences that we’re famous for to millions of UScellular customers and deliver them lower-priced, value-packed plans and better connectivity on our best-in-class nationwide 5G network,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “As customers from both companies will get more coverage and more capacity from our combined footprint, our competitors will be forced to keep up – and even more consumers will benefit. The Un-carrier is all about shaking up wireless for the good of consumers and this deal is another way for us to continue doing even more of that.”

“T-Mobile’s purchase and integration of UScellular’s wireless operations will provide best-in-class connectivity to rural Americans through enhanced nationwide coverage and service offerings at more compelling price points,” said Laurent Therivel, CEO of UScellular. “The transaction provides our customers access to better coverage and speeds, as well as unlimited texting in more than 215 countries, content offers, device upgrades and other T-Mobile benefits.”

Best-in-Class Network Experience

The combination of both companies’ spectrum and assets will provide UScellular customers a superior connected experience on T-Mobile’s industry-leading nationwide 5G network that offers best-in-class performance, coverage, and speed. Customers of both companies, particularly those in underserved rural areas, will receive access to faster and more reliable 5G service they would not otherwise have.

Value-Packed Plans

UScellular customers will have the option to stay on their current plans or move to an unlimited T-Mobile plan of their choosing with no switching costs, which include beloved Un-carrier benefits such as streaming and free international data roaming. If UScellular customers choose to switch to T-Mobile, they could save hundreds of millions of dollars combined annually. Some will also have access to plans with increased savings previously not available to them, including T-Mobile’s 5G Unlimited 55+ plans. All customers will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile’s award-winning customer service team, and have better, more accessible in-person and digital retail support.

More Choice and Increased Competition

This transaction will create a much-needed choice for wireless in areas with expensive and limited plans from AT&T and Verizon, and for those that have been limited to one or no options for home broadband connectivity. By tapping into the additional capacity and coverage created through the combined spectrum and wireless assets, T-Mobile will spur competition and expand its fast-growing home broadband offering and fixed wireless products to communities without competitive broadband options, further bridging the digital divide for hundreds of thousands of customers in UScellular’s footprint.

Proven Un-carrier Playbook

T-Mobile has a proven industry-leading track record of bringing companies together in the name of enhanced connectivity, choice, and value for consumers. The integrations of MetroPCS in 2013 and Sprint in 2020 have been noted as two of the most successful merger combinations in wireless history that resulted in competition-enhancing shifts benefiting millions of consumers. Leveraging its tried-and-true playbook for successful integrations, T-Mobile will continue to deliver exceptional value and experiences to more people across the country, while forcing others to follow suit, for the good of customers.

Transaction Details and Financial Profile

T-Mobile will pay approximately $4.4 billion for the assets being acquired from UScellular in the transaction in a combination of cash and up to $2.0 billion of debt to be assumed by T-Mobile through an exchange offer to be made to certain UScellular debtholders prior to closing. To the extent any debtholders do not participate in the exchange, their bonds will continue as obligations of UScellular and the cash portion of the purchase price will be correspondingly increased. Following the closing of the transaction, UScellular will retain ownership of its other spectrum as well as its towers, with T-Mobile entering into a long-term arrangement to lease space on at least 2,100 additional towers being retained. T-Mobile does not expect the transaction to impact the company’s 2024 guidance or 2024 authorized shareholder return program. T-Mobile expects this transaction will yield approximately $1.0 billion in effective total opex and capex annual run rate cost synergies upon integration, with total cost to achieve the integration currently estimated at between $2.2 billion to $2.6 billion. The company plans to reinvest a portion of synergies toward enhancing consumer choice, quality and competition in the wireless industry.

The transaction, which is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of certain regulatory approvals, is expected to close in mid-2025.

To learn more about T-Mobile’s integration of UScellular’s wireless operations, visit the website here.

Related News:

Devices Supported by Compucom and T-Mobile for Connected Workforce

T-Mobile SASE Solution with Industry-First Capabilities Unveiled

Sarah Kendrick, Clinical Director at Mental Health Innovations, the charity running the UK’s Shout 24/7 text support service said, “One in eight people globally grapple with a mental health condition, with Gen Z experiencing the greatest impact, where that figure rises to one in five. The type of AI innovation in Lenovo’s ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ social experiment shows promise as a way in which generations with different understandings of online personas can meet and understand each other.”

In this first-of-its-kind social experiment, Lenovo pioneered the use of AI made possible by its broad portfolio of technology, from mobile phones and PCs to infrastructure, software, services, solutions, and cloud. The combined technology brought to life the entire online personas of two Gen Z project participants as lifelike avatars capable of having unscripted, natural conversation.

The experiment facilitated impactful, heartfelt conversations between the participants, their family members, and the avatars – conversations that might not have happened otherwise, in real life. The family members either didn’t know about their Gen Z participant’s online world or didn’t understand and accept it: be it their career choices or gender identity. By asking the digital avatars questions and having real-time conversations, each family member gained invaluable insights into their Gen Z loved one’s true self as expressed in the online world and were able to better understand and reconnect in real life. The project is a pioneering proof of concept demonstrating the positive impact technology can have in advancing positive change in the youth mental health epidemic, which has been worsened by their struggle to balance two distinct online and offline identities.

The 3D avatars not only resembled each participant but were built to be able to respond to real-time conversation – adjusting their tones, movements, and facial expressions based on the discussion. To do that the avatars were trained on data that came directly from each participant’s online persona.

According to new research from Lenovo, almost half (48%) of Gen Zs say talking to a trained professional would give them the confidence to talk more openly with the people they love in the real world.

In an effort to expand mental health support and resources for people in need, Lenovo has partnered with several organizations, such as Shout, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service based in the UK; Crisis Text Line, a non-profit organization that provides free, 24/7 confidential text-based mental health support in both English and Spanish for anyone in the US and Puerto Rico; and Anata no Ibasho in Japan. These organizations train real people who are then supervised by mental health professional staff, offering support to millions in need.

The digital versions of the two Gen Z participants were created by weaving together data from across their social media, blog, and forum handles securely with their consent. The data was trained and tested, and the project designed and brought to life with Lenovo devices, services, software, servers, and cloud solutions. This is the first time ever that Lenovo solutions have come together to develop an avatar of this kind. Devices and solutions include Lenovo ThinkStation workstations; ThinkCentre desktop computers; Lenovo Legion, ThinkBook and Yoga laptops; Lenovo tablets; ThinkVision monitors and accessories; motorola razr smartphones; ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server; AI Professional Services and Lenovo | Dropbox Cloud Storage.

“Technology can become the bridge that shortens distances, making powerful human-to-human connection faster and more accessible to people in moments of need,” said Dr. Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer at Crisis Text Line. “Whether someone is in a classroom, at a family event, or lying awake at night, the power of a text conversation with another human offers solace in anonymity and compassion without judgement. It is truly brave to reach out for support.”

Crisis Text Line reports that more than 70% of its texters are under the age of 25. Its text-based service helps people of all ages but was specifically created for young people allowing for on-demand support through text message.

Anyone who sees themselves in these films, struggling to reconcile their online and offline identities and more deeply connect with their friends and family, or who simply needs advice on how to reach out to someone close to them, can reach out for support by messaging Shout (UK), Crisis Text Line (US), or Anata no Ibasho (Japan).

“We recognize the importance of achieving a healthy digital balance for our overall mental wellbeing,” commented Emily Ketchen, global vice president and CMO of Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets at Lenovo.“With huge advancements in AI and smarter technologies, now is the time to explore and pilot creative new ways to use technology like AI thoughtfully and responsibly, for the greater good. Lenovo is uniquely positioned to lead here thanks to having one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of smarter technology—from AI devices to IT solutions—that can work seamlessly together to benefit our society and the next generation. Ultimately, we hope that through our ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ social experiment we can spark meaningful conversations that contribute to the mental wellbeing of individuals and communities worldwide.”

Chinatsu Hoashi, Gen Z participant from Japan comments: “Taking part in the ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ social experiment has definitely helped strengthen relationships with my family. By using technology and AI, I was able to open up more and convey what I always wanted them know. This has had a positive impact on my mental health, as I can finally express feelings I have been avoiding telling people because I was too embarrassed.”

Oscar Jackson-Walsh, Gen Z participant from UK comments: “Taking part in this social experiment has helped me to become more confident and bridge the gap between myself and my online persona. It has also enabled me to have more open conversations with my family around my identity, which has not only made me feel more loved and accepted than ever before, but also less alone and anxious in a family space.”

About Work For Humankind

‘Meet Your Digital Self’ is the latest evolution of Lenovo’s Work For Humankind platform showcasing how technology brings people together for the greater good. What began in 2020 as a way to step into the daily lives of 10 young women driving change in their communities has evolved into a groundbreaking, multi-year movement that showcases technology as a catalyst for impact, from Robinson Crusoe Island to cities and countries around the globe. Work For Humankind delivers on Lenovo’s vision of creating Smarter Technology for All through world-changing innovations.

With ‘Meet Your Digital Self,’ Lenovo creates the next chapter in this exciting campaign and aims to create a meaningful conversation around the positive impact that technology can have on society’s wellbeing, including supporting mental health professionals.

Watch the ‘Meet Your Digital Self’ videos here at the website.

Related News:

Improving Pediatric Mental Health Care in the Digital Age

Integrated IGEL OS License Compatible Lenovo Devices Now Available

The patent introduces a technology that uses advanced neural networks to protect personal data on devices by verifying if a voice matches the authorized user’s detailed voice characteristics. It also detects if the voice is real or fake, ensuring only genuine users can access their information. Beyond its role in device security, the patented technology opens avenues for secure voice-based interactions across a diverse pool of applications. Users can unlock and manage IoT devices within their homes, enhance vehicle security through hands-free operation, and activate personalized settings in smart environments like connected offices or homes.

“As a founder and biometrics veteran, I recognize that innovative technology is crucial for streamlining user experience and providing robust protection against fraud and unauthorized access, particularly in the voice domain,” said Alexey Khitrov, President of ID R&D. “By harnessing the inherent simplicity of voice control, we ensure secure access across a multitude of devices, including smartphones, PCs, and smart home systems. This positions ID R&D as a leader in the innovation of voice security.”

To learn more about ID R&D’s secure voice-based patent, visit the website here.

• Tool democratization, like reverse-engineering tools in the hands of hackers
• Increased “jailbreaking” has taken root within the community of hackers
• The surging use of AI/ML increases the productivity of malware developers

 

“We’re seeing that the appetite for cybercriminals continues to be insatiable,” said Wing To, General Manager of Intelligent DevOps and Security, Digital.ai. “Threat actors are exploiting AI and low-code technologies to attack a growing number of apps—and benefiting from increased precision. Customer-centric enterprises are prioritizing protective measures for the applications their customers rely on daily.”

2024 also saw a significantly sharper uptick in specialized attacks—attacks that violate an application’s integrity through, for example, a malicious change in application code. The likelihood of an app being run with modified code:

• iOS based apps grew from 6% to 20% YoY;
• Android based apps grew from 28% to 63% YoY

 

Specific to mobile applications, both Android and iPhone attacks are surging; Android apps are more likely to be targeted with environmental attacks (94%) than iPhone apps (70%) due to their Open-Source operating system.

The study found no link between the popularity of an app and frequency of attack.

Survey Methodology

Digital.ai has hundreds of application security customers worldwide who protect over 1 billion instances of applications. The data in this report is anonymized and aggregated global customer data collected over a four-week period from February 1 to February 28, 2024. “Risk,” in this case, is measured from the enterprise creating the application’s perspective. In other words, if 100 enterprises create 100 apps and 58 of those apps experience an attack on one or more instances of that app, the report will state that 58% of apps were under attack.

To read the full Application Security Threat 2024 report, visit the website here.

Related News:

The 2024 Global State of IT Automation Report Unveiled by Stonebranch

Digital.ai Boosts AI Across the Software Delivery Lifecycle

Mobile network operators (MNOs) and full-service mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) improve 3% to 76 each, while value MVNOs increase their lead over the other wireless categories after rising 4% to an ACSI score of 80. Customer satisfaction with cell phones jumps 3% to 81.

“As 5G networks expand nationwide and new affordable 5G devices become available, consumers are finding even more reasons to reevaluate their mobile options,” says Forrest Morgeson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University and Director of Research Emeritus at the ACSI. “Customers want providers that can deliver on the promise of next-generation connectivity through competitive plans and excellent service — not just empty hype about speculative 5G speeds. Traditional carriers must reassess how they can better meet these needs or risk losing consumers to competitors that can give them more bang for their buck.”

Samsung catches Apple in cell phone manufacturer lead, takes top spot among 5G phones

• The arms race continues between Apple (up 1%) and Samsung (up 3%) as both up their game to tie for highest overall satisfaction at 82.
• Motorola moves up 3% to meet Google at 77 after the latter dips 1% year over year. The smaller cell phone manufacturers finish last despite improving 1% to an ACSI score of 72.
• Industrywide ACSI improvement reflects the increasing popularity of 5G phones, which outpace legacy technology for customer satisfaction by nearly 10 points (82 to 73). Among 5G customers, Samsung pulls ahead of Apple by a score of 83 to 82. Google and Motorola are each at 78.

 

AT&T maintains stranglehold over MNOs

• AT&T stays in first place in the MNO category after surging 4% to an ACSI score of 78. T-Mobile is a close second, up 4% to 77.
• Despite making the category’s biggest leap at 6%, U.S. Cellular and Verizon (up 1%) share the bottom at 74. The latter’s position in last place should not be surprising as it has lost subscribers in four of the last five quarters. Verizon hopes to rectify this by adding more customization to its wireless plans.
• While MNOs see year-over-year improvements in each customer experience benchmark, ACSI data show they fall behind when it comes to customer perceptions of value and have the lowest level of price tolerance in the industry.

 

AT&T earns top marks for call quality and network capability

• In addition to measuring customer satisfaction for MNOs, the ACSI also measures call quality and network capability.
• AT&T leads the way in both, scoring 82 for call quality and 83 for network capability. T-Mobile scores 80 in each category, while Verizon notches 80 for call quality and 79 for network capability. U.S. Cellular finishes last in both categories, scoring 77 for call quality and 76 for network capability.

 

Consumer Cellular, once again, outperforms value MVNOs and all other carriers

• Across the three wireless categories, value MVNO Consumer Cellular is the customer satisfaction leader after gaining 4% to match its previous record-high score of 85. The carrier continues to serve customers well by consistently adding affordable offerings to its burgeoning product lineup.
• Mint Mobile (recently acquired by T-Mobile) is next, up 5% to 83, followed by Tracfone (up 5% to 80) and Straight Talk (up 3% to 79). Google Fi sits in last place despite increasing 1% to an ACSI score of 77.
• For value MVNOs, all aspects of the customer experience improve, including notable gains in call quality, call reliability, network coverage, and data speed. The enhanced network capabilities now available to value MVNO customers, combined with aggressive pricing, is proving to be a winning combination, particularly against the backdrop of recent inflationary pressures.

 

Spectrum Mobile leads full-service MVNOs

• Spectrum Mobile moves to the top of the full-service MVNO category after soaring 5% to an ACSI score of 79. Xfinity Mobile, which also improves 5%, is next at 78. After sharing the lead in 2023, Cricket Wireless finishes third (up 1% to 77).
• Last year’s co-leader Metro by T-Mobile (unchanged) and Boost Mobile (up 4%) are at 76 and 74, respectively.
• Customers feel that full-service MVNOs have boosted their overall quality and value. However, unlike for MNOs and value MVNOs, certain aspects of the full-service MVNO customer experience decline, including courtesy and helpfulness of store/service center staff, speed of store/service center transaction, and call center satisfaction.

 

The Wireless Phone Service and Cell Phone Study 2023-2024 is based on interviews with 12,414 customers, chosen at random and contacted via email between April 2023 and March 2024. Download the ACSI study here.

Related News:

Support for Passkeys on Mobile Devices Announced by Keeper Security

Mobile Phone Numbers Become the Primary Source of Identity