Vodafone will be using a mobile networking software to improve the performance of 4G LTE networks enabling 4G smartphone devices to seamlessly connect to 5G networks via a Wi-Fi connection.
Vodafone engineers can make over-the-air software update allowing Vodafone’s smartphone users to access 5G speeds possible with a 4G smartphone, thanks to the deployment of the mobile networking software, M87’s Edge Network. M87 is a Seattle, WA-based software company for telecom operators.

Vodafone can utilize M87’s software to update 4G smartphones as well as 5G devices to ensure 4G smartphones can access 5G capabilities through 5G devices such as routers or other smartphones. Smartphone users can gain access to the latest network with speeds in excess of 500 Mbps while utilizing their existing devices and plan tariffs.

GSMA says 5G connections will reach 1.4 billion in 2025. On the other hand, 4G will be the dominant mobile technology, surpassing half of mobile connections in 2019 and reaching 60 percent in 2023.

The GSMA report indicates the growth in mobile operator revenue will not be significant till 2015 despite the massive investment in 5G networks. Telecom operator revenue will grow from $1033 billion in 2018 to $1138 billion in 2025.

“Until 5G becomes ubiquitous and device selection and costs become mainstream, there will be a period of time during which many of our customers will still be using 4G smartphones,” said Santiago Tenorio, head of Network Strategy & Architecture, Vodafone.

M87’s Edge Network solution delivers an ability to virtualize edge resources into a dynamic, distributed routing architecture, thus improving network performance and signal quality. The end result provides improved coverage and quality of service, while lowering network Capex requirements.

This new 5G extension demonstrates how 4G devices can take advantage more quickly of the coming 5G networks, said Cole Brodman, CEO of M87.

M87 is demonstrating the telecom software on 4G devices accessing Vodafone’s 5G network in Vodafone’s booth at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2019) in Barcelona.

Vodafone earlier announced an agreement with ARM that will reduce costs for organisations for implementing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Vodafone IoT, and Arm’s IoT software will allow customers to deploy massive numbers of IoT devices across global markets at a lower cost.

Baburajan K