European Union Partners with Japan to Push on 5G Technology

With the release of 3G technology a few years ago, the European Union (EU) used to be the leader in the wireless technology. However, its competitors such as US, Japan and South Korea went ahead for the 4G technology and leaving the Union behind in the wireless technology. However, for the 5G research and development, the Union decided to work together with Japan as 5G is seen as the backbone of the future digital economy.

The main objective in partnering with Japan is to develop standards which are needed to develop mobile internet which is working on any device such as from smartphones, connected cars as well as government services. Apart from partnering with Japan, as the effort for developing 5G technology, the Union has done partnership with South Korea previously, having talks with other countries as well as various companies which seem interested in developing the technology.

Researchers at Ericsson have managed to achieve data rates of 10Gbps which can be seen as proof-of-concept of 5G testing. However, it seems like there are a lot more things to do before 5G can be launched commercially, such as building the infrastructure as well as the devices which are able to support the 5G technology itself.  However, before all of that, the first thing that the Union is expected to do is to set a standard of 5G technology as well as push for global agreement on 5G spectrum allocation.

Based on the above factors, it seems like 5G technology will be available for public by the year 2020, but the things look promising.

European Union Partners with Japan to Push on 5G Technology

Safe Harbour Framework Cannot Ensure Privacy of EU Citizen’s Data When Surfing Facebook

In a case about privacy issue brought by privacy campaigner, Maximilian Schrems, EC advocate Bernhard Schima, warned EU citizens that they might want to consider closing their Facebook accounts since the Safe Harbour framework cannot protect them on privacy as the data is sent to United States and the framework no longer applies in USA.

EC stands for European Committee and Safe Harbour framework is meant to protect EU citizens’ privacy. The framework took effect in October 1998 and it would prohibit the transfer of personal data to non-European Union countries that do not meet European Union (EU) adequacy standard for privacy protection.

The case of “the Facebook data privacy case” is about the concern of transmitting EU citizens’ personal data to US. The case lodged complaints against Apple, Facebook,Microsoft, Skype as well as Yahoo.  The case arises after the US government’s Prism data collection programme which leaked by Edward Snowden in the NSA files, which means that the EU citizens’ data held by US companies passed to US intelligence agencies and therefore break the EU’’s Data Protection Directive standard for data protection.

EC argument on this case is that the framework is necessary to maintain both political and economic stability between the countries and it can be further improved.  An opinion on Safe Harbour framework from ECJ is expected by 24 June. Facebook declined to comment regarding the issue.

Safe Harbour Framework Cannot Ensure Privacy of EU Citizen’s Data When Surfing Facebook

South Korea and European Union join hands for 5G

The South Korean Ministry of Science and the European Commission has signed an agreement in order to “deepen discussions in the area of Net Futures”. Reports show that both of them have decided to work for the next generation mobile Internet 5G looking forward into network communications and cloud computing. An estimated investment worth €700 million is expected to arrive from EU in next seven years and it is said that EU is prepared to invest up to 5 times as much for 5GPPP. South Korea and EU is expected to sign a MoU later this year.

The 5G services will bring much more additional changes in internet computing apart from just giving consumers the benefits of faster internet speeds. Along with the 5G connection, a promise arrives of downloading “1 hour HD movie” in just 6 seconds that matches the fiber optic connection in your house. The 5G services will enable easy and faster connectivity between vehicles, buildings and infrastructure to interact and communicate even in smaller cities of South Korea like Songdo.

For example on being stuck behind some heavy vehicles like truck in poor weather conditions, the 5G enabled camera can give you information about the traffic situation ahead by streaming a video. A network of few connected homes can really be helpful in case you remotely need to check the smoke detector with thermostat and immediately call the fire brigade if anything goes wrong. Grab further details of what 5G can do for you. The 5G market could roll-out somewhere in between 2020-2030.

South Korea and European Union join hands for 5G