Whitepapers

In this paper we address how 5G can serve rural areas and outline the requirements and trade-offs that result from this use case. In the process of the analysis we uncover many of the practical aspects for successful deployments of 5G in rural areas.
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Joint analysis of Xona Partners and Angola Cables of the performance capabilities and cost structure of LEO satellite constellations and submarine cables demonstrate the complementary nature of the two technologies and identifies use cases where strategic relationships between the two ecosystems could develop.
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5G extends operating frequencies into the millimeter wave bands to enable high-bandwidth services. In this paper, we compare the performance and cost of deploying fixed wireless access in millimeter waves at 28 GHz to Fiber-To-The-Home deployments. Our objective is to uncover the subtleties of both technologies and identify how they compare.
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A retrospect of the most strategic projects we worked on compiled in our insight papers, synthesizing our thoughts, views and learning from engaging innovative technology actors and investors with a sharp focus on advancing the global Internet Infrastructure.
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Edge computing stands at the intersection between cloud providers and telcos, each seeking to carve a role in servicing the enterprise. This paper addresses market dynamics and identify the opportunities and leverage players in each ecosystems have.
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In this paper, we review major trends that shape the edge cloud ecosystem with an eye on investment strategy to capitalize on this opportunity.
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In this paper we present a cost model for enterprise private wireless networks with satellite backhaul. We highlight the evolution of satellite and cellular industries to improve performance and reduce cost, and address the critical elements required to integrate both technologies.
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Africa is synonymous with massive opportunities but also fundamental challenges. The answer to both resides, among other things, in the development of a robust, economically viable technology ecosystem, with Internet connectivity being the cornerstone of any viable execution model. In this paper, we zoom in one some nascent opportunities disruptive internet technologies offer in terms of leapfrog opportunities for Africa, and in particular the emergence of low earth orbit internet constellations.
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Robots need to hit very stringent KPIs to make them economically viable. This has led to various false starts in deploying robots. One of the fundamental answers to achieving these KPIs is the need for embedding more and more advanced AI-enabled designs into robots. The caveat is that it requires clear understanding of AI costs, limitations and trade-offs versus benefits. Over time, economics will likely play into strengthening the ROI for robots, but the AI tradeoffs dimension will remain the cornerstone of such ROI equation. This thesis is explained in our short paper.
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Space and Internet are converging. The emergence of low earth orbit satellite constellations, and the investments pouring into it by global technology players, is one of the most significant disruptions of the last few decades. Opportunities abound. Challenges are numerous. This paper explores such aspects based on our involvement of architecting and deploying large scale Internet networks and services.
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The Internet infrastructure is evolving into a new phase, bringing in new disruptive technologies such as space networks, quantum computing and blockchain platforms. We provide a brief synthesis of some of our work in these areas with the most important take-aways.
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The internet is approaching 50 and the question of how it will look at 60 pops up. We provide our views on how things may look, and insights into trends and challenges ahead.
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In the run towards 5G, millimeter waves emerged as the leading technology largely driven by the plans of a few service providers on both sides of the Pacific. To assess the potential of the millimeter wave market for technology and financial investors we applied our techno-economic models in a typical US suburban areas. The results presented in this paper, show that the performance of millimeter waves affects the ability of the service provider to reach sufficient number of subscribers necessary to amortizes capital and operational expenses. This leads us to conclude that millimeter waves is a niche fiber extension application suitable for select markets.
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A survey of smart city activities around the world shows that much of the focus of smart city projects remains on establishing the most basic of services such as connectivity. In fact, there is a clear lag in the deployment of technologies and services in smart city applications, versus what technologies enable. In this paper, we present a bottom up approach to understand the fundamental reasons for such lag. We call this the cascading technology trap.
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We highlight Xona’s collective Silicon Valley experience in the various components of the innovation value chain, from technology ideas incubation, to venture capital funding, to growth into global markets, as well as successful business exits, to develop a Silicon Valley inspired technology and innovation ecosystem, and in allowing our clients to develop a low risk, insightful presence in the Valley and kick start an evolutionary innovation centric environment of their own.
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Industry 4.0, IoT and AI will replace decision and control of humans by “intelligent” machines controlled by networks and entrust possibly existential decisions to artificial intelligence. The enormous potential of freeing mankind from monotonous conductor tasks must be balanced by protection against the increasing danger of loss of essential control and freedom, which could ultimately annihilate the dignity of human beings and mankind as a whole. The huge legal and social challenges of this control revolution require that ultimate control is preserved for humans by human values. The eight principles proposed at the G7 meeting in Takamatsu/Japan in April 2016 have confirmed such need. This panel discussion intends to contribute to a German-Japanese Value Partnership to develop reliable answers.
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Edge Computing is necessary architecture to meet the requirements of 5G applications and allows service providers to address the needs of vertical markets. The implementation of Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) has until now lacked a compelling business case but this could change soon as service providers develop their strategy on how to best address vertical markets. This paper provides a perspective on MEC outlining some of the key benefits and challenges facing the ecosystem that must be overcome for wider MEC adoption.
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The rapid emergence of open source models in the design of telecom and network infrastructure systems is a trend that could drastically change the industry value chain and underlying competitive dynamics. Several strategic initiatives initiated by Cloud and Internet players, telecom operators, and disruptive startups portend a new paradigm reshaping this sector over the next few years. In this paper, we summarize our view on the potential of open source technologies and impact on business models in the telecom ecosystem. These views are based on our involvement in the development of telecom networks and Cloud infrastructure, which we intersect with the observations of leaders in these ecosystems.
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vRAN is a disruptive technology that is rapidly becoming more feasible. Current architectures being pursued by the TEMs, will allow MNOs to improve the performance of HetNets specifically related to interference and mobility management, but will fall short of having a disruptive impact on the industry. Disruption will come from vRAN technologies when the fronthaul challenge is solved. This will alter the MNO-TEM relationship and market structure, and will allow new entrants into the market such as the fixed access service providers.
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This paper outlines the main characteristics of the home automation market and expose trends are shaping the market, raising challenges, and creating new opportunities.
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In this paper, we set out an ecosystem reference model for IoT and provide a brief overview of some key challenges, with special emphasis on the legal and regulatory aspects, how they are being addressed and how upcoming changes may impact in the future.
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This white paper focuses on the different roles that International Carriers can play in IoT and what steps they need to take now to guarantee a future that is more than providing the bit pipe necessary to make things work under the covers.
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Wide-area IoT connectivity is on the cusp of a major shakeup that will unfold over the next few years. While the wireless industry worked on retrofitting cellular technologies and service models designed for consumer broadband to running M2M/IoT networks, narrowband or LPWA have emerged to provide an optimized connectivity solution for IoT/M2M by addressing requirements for low-power, long range, scalability and longevity in the field. This paper provides an overview of emerging IoT connectivity protocols and identifies the threats and opportunities in these approaches where emerging dynamics are setting the boundaries for collaboration and competition to decide the winners in a market valued in the trillions of dollars.
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This paper presents the views and takeaways of Xona Partners on the latest developments and future trends in the mobile industry that can be ascertained from the 2015 edition of MWC. We cover multiple functional areas and highlight potential disruptive technologies that will impact the telecom industry in the near future. 
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Investments are steadily flowing into the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem as investors attempt to match market analysts’ optimism about the sector. In this paper, we examine where different classes of investors are placing their money and the strategic reasons behind such investments.
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The Internet of Things promises to unlock huge economic potential estimated in the trillions of dollars. Companies in different industries are jockeying for position in this field with many wondering what they’re strategy should be – where and how to play in IoT to best capitalize on this emerging opportunity. In this paper, we put forward a 5-layer model for the IoT ecosystem as part of a framework to gauge the evolution of IoT. We then put forward a few observations on key trends, including policy and regulatory constraints that play a pivotal role in shaping the development of the IoT.
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This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for the design and implementation of cloud based IaaS/PaaS/SaaS and migrating applications to these environments. Along with this, an innovative cloud monitoring and optimization solution is introduced, with the aim of dynamically adapting cloud resources, based on the processing performance requirements. Specific case studies are described and learing from these deployments synthesized.
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In this paper, we introduce a novel technology & strategy advisory model, based on a hands-on operational execution and a shared risk shared return model.  It is based on a technology incubation approach, followed by a progressive spin-in into the client’s business, creating as such new revenue streams in adjacent businesses. Illustrative case studies implementing this model with leading technology clients are presented.
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In this paper, we highlight our collective experience from working in the Banking and non-Bank lending ecosystem in the United States leveraging our experience in Data Science and Big Data Analysis technologies. We discuss the multiplying impact of such lending practices on the economy in emerging and fast developing economies due to increased access of credit to the innovation ecosystem and venture capital funded startups.
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In this paper, we identify the trends that shape the market for RF distribution systems. We outline innovations in DAS design and project its future evolution within the context of technological and commercial market drivers. We argue that the business model and applications enabled by DAS and competing technologies, such as small cells and distributed radio systems, is key to shaping the outcome of the competitive landscape. Seen from this perspective, DAS has the advantage of allowing operators share a common infrastructure. The evolution of DAS provides for new applications and market opportunities.
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