Connectivity infrastructure specialist Freshwave built new mobile infrastructure for the 10-site pilot that makes it shareable and capable of delivering 4G and 5G for all four mobile network operators (MNOs) in what it described as "a first for the UK".
The infrastructure to create the small cells consists of specially designed wideband antennas, cabinets and columns and large amounts of dark fibre to each cabinet. Outdoor small cells installed at street level process some of the demand for connectivity in densely populated areas such as London's City to reduce demand on the macro site serving the area including Bank, Mansion House, the Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars.
FIND OUT MORE: CITY OF LONDON HOSTS MOBILE CONNECTIVITY PILOT
VMO2 joins EE on the pilot with fellow MNO Vodafone due to sign up in spring 2023. Freshwave said the multi-operator outdoor small cell network is the culmination of more than two years of close collaboration with all four MNOs seeking to minimise street clutter and the associated disruption during street works through the first-of-its-kind network’s shareable infrastructure.
Paul Broome, VMO2 London & South-East trial manager, said: “With the largest outdoor small cell network of any of the major operators, we’re excited to have signed up for this pilot with Freshwave. Outdoor small cells provide a flexible solution for boosting network connectivity. Adding extra capacity to our existing legacy solution of over 200 small cells in the City of London will provide further benefit to the ever-increasing data demands of its users."
The network uses a centralised radio access network (C-RAN) and by housing multiple pieces of telecoms equipment in accompanying cabinets fewer devices are needed on the street assets themselves. The network also uses dark fibre built by wholesale fibre broadband operator Netomnia.
Simon Frumkin, Freshwave’s CEO, added: “We’re delighted to have reached this milestone in the pilot of our truly multi-operator neutral host network. Shared digital infrastructure is the logical evolution in telecoms as cities become more connected and smarter.
"Companies like Freshwave that deploy using the neutral host model help accelerate this connectivity for everyone as the model is more cost-effective, greener and less disruptive. I’m proud Freshwave are doing what’s right by all parties in this area.”
800G-ready network
As its 5G and network expansion continues, VMO2 has also announced a collaboration with US AI-specialist provider Juniper Networks to build a network that is 400G-enabled and 800G-ready to create what it described as "a near future-proofed digital foundation for its [VMO2's] customers".
Raj Yavatkar, chief technology officer at Juniper Networks, said: "Virgin Media O2 has chosen to leverage silicon, software and automation innovation from Juniper that can turn complexity on its head to deliver a simplified, more reliable and more sustainable network foundation for its business."
