iPass Inc., a provider of global mobile connectivity, announced a new partnership with Tata Communications that will see Tata utilize iPass’ global Wi-Fi access and related features and functions through the iPass SmartConnect Software Development Kit (SDK).

The iPass SmartConnect SDK is a key component of the iPass Developer Program and enables enterprises, operators and solution vendors to incorporate iPass global mobile connectivity into their mobile applications. The partnership with iPass will provide Tata Communications’ mobile network operator and app service provider customers with access to the iPass Wi-Fi network, which includes more than 53 million hotspots in more than 120 countries.

Tata Communications counts more than 900 MNOs and MVNOs among its customers.

BT announced that it is now the first network services provider to offer direct connectivity to the Oracle Cloud. Building on BT’s “Cloud of Clouds” strategy, this partnership will allow multinational customers to connect to the cloud through a centrally managed high-speed network with predictable performance, reliability and embedded security features.

With BT Cloud Connect for Oracle FastConnect, customers can use a private connection based on BT’s IP Connect VPN service, which is designed to exchange large volumes of data between the Oracle Cloud and their own on-premises environment. BT will connect directly to Oracle’s Cloud locations in Amsterdam and London, giving customers access from anywhere in the world to services provided in European data centers. Through pre-provisioning via BT Cloud Connect, BT said it can cut the typical dedicated connection deployment time from months to days.

AdaptiveMobile, a mobile network security company, announced advanced SS7 “Cat 3” detection capabilities including Network Memory, Location Plausibility, and Remote Intercept as part of its Signaling Protection line.

AdaptiveMobile’s Signaling Protection Product secures the SS7 and LTE/Diameter networks using a combination of a carrier-grade signaling firewall, advanced analytics and intelligence from working with nine of the top 10 operator groups. The solution builds on AdaptiveMobile’s position in the mobile security industry to block current attacks on the network and to react to emerging threats that seek to bypass standard SS7 and Diameter firewall functionality. 

u-blox announced forthcoming availability of its SARA-N2 Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) module, a cellular radio module compliant with the 3GPP Release 13, Narrowband IoT (LTE Cat. NB1) standard.

Designed for use in applications such as smart buildings and cities, utilities metering, white goods, asset tracking, and agricultural and environmental monitoring, the module will operate for between 10 and 20 years from a single-cell primary battery. Its 16 mm x 26 mm LGA form factor, using u-blox nested architecture, facilitates simple upgrades from u-blox GSM, HSPA or CDMA modules and ensures mechanical scalability across technologies.

The SARA-N2 module provides secure, private communications over licensed spectrum. It supports peak downlink rates of up to 227 kbps and uplink rates of up to 21 kbps. Simultaneous support for three RF bands means that the same module may be used in most geographic regions.

Qualcomm Incorporated, along with its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., announced Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G New Radio (NR) prototype system and trial platform. The 5G NR prototype system operates in the sub-6 GHz spectrum bands and is being utilized to showcase the Company’s innovative 5G designs to efficiently achieve multi-gigabit per second data rates and low latency.

The 5G NR prototype system consists of both a base station and user equipment (UE), serving as a testbed for verifying 5G NR capabilities. It supports wide RF bandwidths over 100 MHz, capable of delivering multi-gigabit per second data rates. It also supports a new integrated subframe design for significantly lower over-the-air latency than what is possible in today’s 4G LTE network. The prototype system continues Qualcomm Technologies’ development and testing of their innovative 5G designs, which they are actively contributing to 5G NR 3GPP standardization. The 3GPP 5G NR study item has begun as part of Release 14 and will feed into Release 15 work items.

Qualcomm Technologies will be showcasing the prototype system publicly for the first time at Mobile World Congress Shanghai from June 29 to July 1