China Unicom and Huawei have signed an agreement on 5G network slicing to jointly carry out research, demonstration, and application of 5G network slicing. Network slicing is a key native capability of 5G, which can maximize the efficiency of communications networks and reduce network construction and O&M costs. 

UK's telecom regulator Ofcom has released the outcome of the principal stage of its 4G, 5G spectrum auction. EE, Telefónica, Vodafone came out as big winners. Ofcom has been running an auction of spectrum in two frequency bands: 2.3 GHz, which is usable by current 4G mobile and 3.4 GHz, which is one of the spectrum bands earmarked for 5G.

Cisco and it's partners aim to create a UK government funded complete end-to-end rural 5G testbed system for trials of new wireless and networking technologies, spectrum sharing, new applications and services with a focus on testing and demonstrating approaches for ensuring that 5G connectivity is accessible and affordable in hard-to-reach rural areas. 

‌Nokia, Intel and Verizon are collaborating on new Cloud RAN architectures to provide the flexibility needed for the operator's future services and requirements for 4G, 5G and IoT in the cloud.

T-Mobile USA has launched narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) plan for $6 per year. T-Mobile launched NB-IoT last October and plans to launch the technology nationwide by mid-year. T-Mobile also announced that the company has certified new NB-IoT modules from u-blox and Sierra Wireless for use on its network.

SK Telecom has completed the deployment of LTE Cat-M1 technology for IoT applications on commercial LTE base stations in collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm. LTE Cat-M1 is expected to lower manufacturing costs of IoT devices as its communications modules are much cost-effective than their counterparts for LTE-M, bringing more companies into an ecosystem for IoT business.

US carrier AT&T has completed deployment of its nationwide LTE-M network ahead of schedule to enable a new generation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications. The LTE-M network is now live across the U.S. on operator's nationwide 4G LTE network, following software upgrades. 

Telit is collaborating with Verizon as a key supplier of IoT modules for the carrier’s LTE Category M1 (LTE-M1) service, company announced last week.  In cooperation with Qualcomm Technologies, Telit is delivering IoT modules in full alignment with Verizon’s features and timing requirements. 

Nokia and the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) have conducted a test of MulteFire technology, which combines the high-performance of LTE with the simplicity of Wi-Fi deployment in unlicensed spectrum bands such as 5GHz.

AT&T is introducing a new family of LTE modules to meet the needs of a broad range of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The new modules offer multiple options and can run over the AT&T 4G LTE network, so IoT devices can transfer information more efficiently.