In big cities like New York, the air space above buildings is valuable real estate – think the Manhattan skyline. Where there is no room to build out, urban planners build upward. Ericsson is opening up the same opportunity to operators struggling with site acquisition challenges in densely populated areas, allowing them to utilise wall space in existing sites and safely add 5-times the capacity to towers. Ericsson’s new modular Radio System, launching at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will redefine how mobile networks are built on every level.
Ericsson Radio System’s modular architecture flexibly expands to changing demands on the road to 5G with multi-standard, multi-band and multi-layer technology. It all but eliminates site acquisition issues, delivering three times the capacity density with 50 percent improvement in energy efficiency. The system will give network operators the infrastructure they need to support growing mobile data needs, which are expected to reach 25 Exabytes per month by 2020, when 5G is expected to be commercialised. The new portfolio reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) by 20%.
Hideyuki Tsukuda, senior vice president technology, Softbank Mobile, said: “As mobile broadband demand continues to grow, we are addressing the connectivity and speed requirements of our consumer and corporate customers by investing in the performance of our mobile network. Ericsson’s new modular, compact and energy-efficient radio system enables us to target our network investments precisely where and when they are needed. This helps us to quickly address increased demand and ensure continued customer satisfaction, while optimising our available spectrum resources.”
With the new system, operators will be able to tailor and evolve each mobile network site to meet their local requirements today and in the future. Ericsson Radio System improves operator responsiveness and reduces capital and operational expenditure.
Ken Rehbehn, principal analyst mobile telecom, 451 Group, said: “Ericsson Radio System is a generational shift that sets the stage for fascinating innovation going forward on the road to 5G. This new portfolio makes possible the rapid embrace of upcoming capabilities as they are standardised. Coupled with Ericsson’s approach to software, it provides new ways to deliver flexibility and agility. It can handle the rich complexity that operators face to meet the demands of regulatory and commercial realities.”
Ericsson Radio System delivers the industry’s most energy efficient and compact radio solution, maintaining performance leadership at half the size and weight. The flexibility inherent in the architecture is made possible by targeted software deployment, which enables fast and efficient rollout of new capabilities.
Arun Bansal, senior vice president and head of business Unit Radio, Ericsson, said: “We never compromise on radio network performance. Our experienced R&D team slashed the size and weight in half across the product line only after we secured performance. Ericsson Radio System’s multi-standard, multi-band, multi-layer architecture with integrated backhaul provides an ideal platform for operators to support their business today and on the road to 2020, laying the foundation for 5G.”
