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AWS Private 5G

aws.amazon.com

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Re: AWS Private 5G

#71
Is this a competitor to Twilio's managed SIM card service? That's been my go-to in recent years whenever we need to provide cell data connectivity to a small number of devices.

Re: AWS Private 5G

#73
post #70

Probably worth noting that the regular cell providers can also provide SIMS that dump the end device into your existing, normal private network rather than the internet. I don't know how this service differs in pricing, so it's hard to quantify when this AWS service would be a better idea outside of coverage issues.

I would assume that'd be so nickle and dimed by CISPs (probably trying to milk the enterprise cow) that nobody either knows or cares about that.

Re: AWS Private 5G

#75
post #67
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does a smart TV have to do with a private 5G network? People just upvote any meaningless comment on this site as long as it sounds mildly controversial.

Smart TVs scan what's on the screen to get data on what people are watching and sell that data to anyone who wants it The idea is to make sure they can keep that data flowing even if someone intentionally disconnects the TV from the internet

So they can (and sometimes already do) insert a SIM card in the TV and use any of the consumer 4G/LTE/5G networks out there which your phone connects to. Why are people hypothesizing that Vizio will ship a $250K 5G base station to your house?

Re: AWS Private 5G

#76
post #46

I wonder what the range is for their small cell towers. Would be interesting for off-grid/remote communities (pair with Starlink?). edit: Reading more, it might not be the right use case - doesn't sound like something you use for your phone.

It's usable for phone but the biggest use case is data - Do you have any communities in mind

You can put the SIM in your phone but then you'll only be part of the private network. I didn't see anything about phone calls/SMS.

Re: AWS Private 5G

#77
post #54
post #48

How does this compare to Helium 5G? https://www.helium.com/5G

> Blockchain Hard pass

It's actually not that bad. It's basically just a payment for providing verifiable wireless coverage to an area. If you want access to the network you buy it with VerizonBucks and people who provide coverage get them.

In this case the only reason for the blockchain is really because global payments are hard.

Re: AWS Private 5G

#78
post #48

How does this compare to Helium 5G? https://www.helium.com/5G

Helium is (initially) focused on shipping a LoRaWAN[0] network with a crowd sourced model for Lora RF hotspots that uses blockchain for to pay incentives to those supporting the network (via hardware, power, bandwidth). LoRaWAN focuses on low power, very low bandwidth, long range devices like sensor networks and simple controls.

Nearest competitor to Helium's LoRaWAN deployment that I'm aware of is The Things Network[1] which has no incentive model and instead people often host an access point for their personal use and sometimes for the use of those nearby.

Helium is expanding to CBRS[2] 5G service which will offer traditional higher bandwidth services, but this deployment is very early and the first units are shipping next month from FreedomFi[3].

Coolest thing about the Helium LoRaWAN offering is that you can buy a $20 ESP32 microcontroller with Lora radio on Amazon, write some software, buy Helium data credits and use it anywhere helium has coverage. No contracts, no special hardware. And if it sucks you could switch your application to use another LoRaWAN offering (The Things Network). That said, I think the coverage of Helium vastly outpaces anything else because of the crypto incentives fueling the madness and growth. [4]

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoRa

[1] https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_Broadband_Radio_Servi...

[3] https://freedomfi.com/

[4] https://explorer.helium.com/coverage

Re: AWS Private 5G

#79
post #16

I'd love to set this up for my rural community. I've got a good connection but many people have no cell service, no dsl lines, no cable...literally nothing. Until something like starlink is ubiquitous i feel like this could go a long way to solving their problems.

I don't think this solves the last-mile problem. You still have to provide (get) internet connectivity; Amazon just relays that landline to 5G. And in rural areas, 5G probably doesn't give you enough range anyhow. Have you considered mesh revenue-share networks like Althea ( https://www.althea.net/ )? There's a nonprofit one too operating in several cities, but I can't remember what it's called.

5G can operate at lower frequencies, from my notes I do not remember where I copied it from.

"In quick summary, the bands work as follows in the real world. One low band (600-700MHz) tower can cover hundreds of square miles with 5G service that ranges in speed from 30 to 250 megabits per second (Mbps). A mid band (2.5/3.5GHz) tower covers a several-mile radius with 5G that currently ranges from 100 to 900Mbps. Lastly, a high band (millimeter wave/24-39GHz) tower covers a one-mile or lower radius while delivering roughly 1-3Gbps speeds. Each of these tiers will improve in performance over time."

Re: AWS Private 5G

#80
post #16

I'd love to set this up for my rural community. I've got a good connection but many people have no cell service, no dsl lines, no cable...literally nothing. Until something like starlink is ubiquitous i feel like this could go a long way to solving their problems.

Doesn't look like this will give you phone/SMS service.

You have to put in their SIM, so unless you have a dual SIM phone that can intelligently roam, doesn't seem like the right solution.

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