The Key to Deploying Economically Efficient, 5G-capable Neutral-host Networks

By Microlab – A Wireless Telecom Group Company

September 23, 2021

How can network operators address growing capacity requirements for surging data use while avoiding the rapid rise of added costs? Optimizing budgets while providing the next-generation of wireless connectivity is possible by deploying in-building neutral-host networks (NHNs) for shared infrastructure. However, pitfalls in supporting point-of-interface (POI) infrastructure for NHNs can lead to fixed designs requiring an expensive redesign or replacement of network components. The following information reviews critical considerations for NHNs to maintain economic viability and provide cutting-edge 5G wireless communications performance.

MNO and Spectrum Flexibility

In an NHN, multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) share network infrastructure, but not all required MNO tenants may have a finalized contract on day one. NHNs that rely upon rigid, permanent POI solutions will be left without a means to add new MNOs later. In this case, the labor-intensive ripping and replacing of network infrastructure is the economically inefficient reality needed to incorporate new network tenants after day one. Upgradable POI solutions minimize complexity and operational costs, enabling the efficient modular addition of new MNOs after network commissioning.

NHN owners and integrators can face a similar circumstance if the network cannot adapt to newly allocated licensed and shared frequency bands as spectrum utilization for 5G evolves. Mid-band spectrum (highly valued frequencies in C-band, CBRS, etc.) will be essential in successfully implementing 5G networks due to its wider channel bandwidths resulting in improvements to capacity. Mid-band services, therefore, must be prioritized for greenfield venues or via upgrades in NHNs already deployed. NHNs that integrate inflexible solutions must, once again, redesign and replace commissioned infrastructure to retroactively enable 5G service bands in the network. Integrating modular POI systems is essential to ensure cost efficiencies and the benefits of new spectrum resources.

Superior Density and RF Performance

NHNs must address multiple MNOs and spectrum bands in telecom closets where space is limited. Locations that are size-prohibitive need a smaller, denser POI solution that can still deliver the core capabilities critical for minimizing operational costs. In this case, a condensed form-factor solution that allows streamlined injection of 5G services and modular flexibility for new network operators is required.

In addition, the failure to consider the effect of component specifications on coverage and capacity in an NHN can be a costly oversight. Solutions using low-loss components ensure leading RF performance for optimal budgets.

The Microlab MCC Platform

The Microlab Modular Carrier Combiner (MCC) platform maximizes modularity and scalability, empowering in-building network owners and operators to provide 5G connectivity quickly and cost-efficiently. Whether supporting multicarrier, multiband MIMO or SISO applications, the MCC Platform’s plug-and-play design can be rapidly installed in various NHN configurations. Return on investment (ROI) is improved with an upgradeable design that readily adjusts to MNO additions and the newly allocated spectrum. Networks can even be commissioned with just the facilitating MNO, allowing operators to join after contract finalizations seamlessly.

The MCC platform uses high-performance, low-loss components to ensure ideal RF performance. Low-insertion-loss filters improve effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) at the transmit antenna, while low-PIM filter combiners and hybrid combiners optimize the network’s throughput. The MCC platform offers mounting diversity with its rackmount and wall-mount platforms. The latter is an excellent choice for space-constrained telecom closets, delivering the MCC platform’s main capabilities via an integrated, compact solution for middleprise use cases. A trusted POI solution with innovative flexibility, the Microlab MCC platform provides NHN owners with the upgradability and reconfigurability essential for capacity and bandwidth demands dynamically changing over time.

www.microlabtech.com