Telecommunications Connectivity Solutions

ACCESS REPORT

Technology components at the heart of invention and innovation

The digital transformation is probably more simply explained as better access to information and better use of that information. Also articulated as an evolution of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is the fusion of the digital, human and physical worlds with connectivity between these worlds providing an unprecedented access to knowledge. This new connectivity is driving an acceleration of innovation and a velocity of disruption that has never been seen before.

Insight generated using the Universal Technology Taxonomy (UTT) classification tool which categorises all the world’s inventions into 114 separate technology classes across nine top level themes: Electrical; Energy; Information; Life Sciences; Materials; Mechanical; Semiconductor; Sensors & Optics; and Telecommunication.

Key Observations:

Across Telecommunications, Wireless Networks is the dominant category of invention globally, but recent pace of innovation has shifted towards Location & Satellite solutions. No surprise that China-protected inventions dominate, but US organisations including Qualcomm, Cisco and IBM are among the top owners of invention globally.
Across Wireless Networks inventions protected in the US & Europe, the top ten owners are also the top innovators as measured by 2021 publications. Qualcomm, Apple & LG Corp stand out for their relatively higher patent portfolio strength while of the top ten innovators Guangzhou-based consumer electronics company BBK Electronics has registered the highest relative growth in publications from 2018 to 2021.
Huawei is the most active innovator within the Location & Satellite category, but activity is characterised by the presence of big aerospace & defense names including Boeing, Airbus, Thales, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Top ten innovators based on 2021 publications and not already in the top owners list include Datang Mobile, BBK Electronics, Colorado-based satellite communications specialist Echo Star Corp and Tokyo-based Telecoms giant NTT.

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Insights & Thought Leadership

Europe’s Chemicals Industry: The Benefits and Risks Posed by the UPC

Examining the patent landscape of the chemicals industry in Europe following the establishment of the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

Key Patent Innovations and the BlackBerry portfolio

Following its acquisition by Key Patent Innovations, we revisited our analysis of the BlackBerry patent portfolio, identifying the areas at risk.

How innovation affects revenue for Big Tech

Big Tech firms thrive on innovation, and patents play a crucial role. Our analysis tracks the activity of Apple, Google, Microsoft and others over the last 20 years.

Meta’s Threads platform a direct challenge to Twitter

Our analysis finds that Meta’s patent portfolio illustrates its invention ownership strength in the technology stack that underpins the Twitter platform.

21st Century Evolution of Sustainable Plastic Technology Trends

To mark World Environment Day, Cipher tracks sustainable plastics technology innovators and owners in the 21st century.

The increasing importance of IP

How intellectual property (IP) moved into the business mainstream, as seen from the perspective of guests on the Cipher Vision Podcast.

Rewarding Innovation

Episode 11 in Season 3 features Ann Chaplin, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Qualcomm. Ann joined us to discuss how strong IP rights foster innovation globally, stressing the need for balanced regulation and increased diversity in inventors.

Innovation Not Regulation

Episode 10 in Season 3 features Andrei Iancu, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell and former Director of the USPTO – who joined us to discuss maximizing innovation.

Democratization of Innovation

Episode 9 in Season 3 features Keith Bergelt, CEO, Open Invention Network, who joined us to explore the relationship between IP and open source, sharing the benefits and challenges of collaboration and OIN’s role in preserving patent freedom.

Putting Passion in IP

Episode 8 in Season 3 features Anjanette Lecher, Director, Intellectual Asset Management at Corning Incorporated. She shared with us her love of intellectual property, discussing how to take a customer centric approach when analysing and presenting data, adopting the correct tools to support efficiency and visualizations.

SDGs through a patent lens

Episode 7 in Season 3 features Marco Richter, Global Head of Customer Success at LexisNexis Intellectual Property. He highlights the important role that patents play in helping us to become more sustainable, discussing the benefit of measuring innovation in relation to the UN Sustainable development Goals (SDGs).

Flat, Fast and Focused

Episode 6 in Season 3 features Lorie Goins who shares with us how to approach innovation, by adopting a questioning, inclusive and analytical mindset, drawing on tools to form evidence-based decisions that enhance your business and IP strategy.