Ultra WideBand (UWB)

2021: MMK has launched IoT solutions for automatic control of transportation, loading and storage of iron ore raw materials

On July 21, 2021, the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Plant announced the introduction of IoT solutions for automatic control of the transportation, loading and storage of iron ore raw materials. This project was implemented with the support of MegaFon. More details here.

2020: Apple asks Russia for frequencies for improved Bluetooth

September 24, 2020 it became known about the application filed by Apple for frequencies 6240-8236.8 MHz for testing UWB in Russia. The request was received by the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (GKRCH, responsible for the distribution of this resource in the Russian Federation), which will consider it at the next meeting.

As writes RBC with reference to the draft decision of SCRF, Apple Rus asks frequencies "for carrying out scientific, research, skilled, experimental and design works on specification of conditions of electromagnetic compatibility of superbroadband wireless devices of small range with radio-electronic means of different function".

Apple asks Russia for frequencies for improved Bluetooth

One of RBC's informed interlocutors said that such studies are a standard step in order to open the frequency band for short-range devices that do not provide commercial services.

A RBC source close to the members of the GKRCH explained that the Ministry of Defense should express its position on the Apple Rus application at the conciliation meeting, which will be held before the meeting.

The representative of the Ministry of Digital Affairs only told the publication that by September 24, 2020, the next meeting of the GKRCH is being prepared. The department did not disclose the details of this process.

Analysts cited by RBC predict that in the future Apple will be able to use the technology for money transfers or payment between devices. Also, with the help of UWB, the company can simplify navigation in shopping centers and train stations, as well as replace the keys to the house or car.

By September 24, 2020, UWB technology supports iPhone 11, although this feature is not used in Russia due to the restrictions imposed by the MCR.

According to forecasts of the analytical company MarketsandMarkets, the volume of the global UWB market will grow from $1.1 billion in 2020 to $2.7 billion by 2025.^[1]

2019: Apple was not allowed to launch UWB in Russia

In December 2019, it became known that Ultra WideBand (UWB) technology, designed for high-speed communication between Apple devices, will not work in Russia, since the authorities did not allow the American company to use the appropriate frequencies.

The State Commission on Radio Frequencies (GKRCH) responded to Apple by refusing a request to allow the use of frequency in the 6 GHz band with U1 chips, which are installed in iPhone 11 and are designed for UWB operation.

It became known that Ultra WideBand (UWB) technology, designed for high-speed communication between Apple devices, will not work in Russia, since the authorities did not allow the American company to use the appropriate frequencies

According to Izvestia, Roskomnadzor opposed such a resolution, but did not explain its position, unlike the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry advocates maintaining these frequencies exclusively for its department as critical to the defense of Russia.

According to experts interviewed by the newspaper, theoretically, the UWB can interfere with military radar equipment, but in practice the probability of this is extremely small.

The publication notes that similar Russian restrictions on UWB do not apply in Belarus and Kazakhstan. But due to the unified customs space with them, Apple cannot supply full-featured iPhone 11 (with working U1 chips) to these countries.

The U1 chip with short-range radio technology, based on the 802.15.4z standard, was created by Apple itself. The solution allows you to measure very accurately (up to a few centimeters) the distance between two devices with U1 chips. The system determines the location of objects in the room much more accurately than GPS, and at the same time consumes very little energy, like Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). The range of the UWB is three times greater than that of Bluetooth, and the data transfer rate is up to five times higher. However, it is not necessary to search for the recipient in the list of available smartphones.^[2]

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