Empowering Mobile Network Operators with Wireless Technology

A variation on this solution is Centralized RAN (CRAN). CRAN is similar to DRAN with the exception being the baseband units that control the Radio Heads are located in an off-site, centralized location that can serve multiple venues. In addition to lower costs, DRAN solutions also provide increased simplicity, control, and visibility to the MNOs, making it their preferred solution in many cases.

As LTE continues along its evolutionary path towards 5G, new wireless supplements such as Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) and LTE-LWAN Aggregation (LWA) are being utilized. LAA and LWA both augment a MNO’s licensed spectrum by utilizing unlicensed 5GHz spectrum in the Wi-Fi band to provide additional capacity and higher data throughput. As with DRAN solutions, LAA and LWA provide promising options for the MNOs but venues may be less receptive due to the potential impact on their own Wi-Fi networks. Mobilitie must perform a careful evaluation of these various options for each venue and manage the sometimes delicate balance between meeting the MNO’s technology preferences and the venues’ desire for unobtrusive installations that do not adversely impact any of their existing wireless systems.

The industry continues to evolve and the next big step in that evolution is the emergence of Citizen’s Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The FCC has allocated 150 MHz of spectrum, previously used by the U.S. Navy, in the 3.5 GHz band. CBRS offers a host of new opportunities for Mobilitie and provides a path towards business and technical models that feature shared RAN and shared spectrum, reducing the cost and level of complexity to deploy in-building wireless services. CBRS also opens new opportunities for wireless solutions in venues that have historically been difficult to deploy in-building systems in due to high costs or lack of MNO prioritization.

Mobilitie is perpetually evaluating the impact of these emerging technologies and anticipating how they will change the needs of our clients, namely the venues we serve, and our MNO partners. For the venues; Internet of Things (IOT) and industrial automation services are rapidly gaining traction and enhancing the need for robust Wi-Fi and LTE services. Venues also continue to demand solutions that will attract the MNOs to underserved verticals such as hospitals, factories, and commercial real estate. The MNOs are in the midst of their own migration to 5G services in pursuit of 1 Gbps data speeds, and Mobilitie must be in a position to facilitate that migration by providing the MNO’s with the ability to easily deploy new technologies and spectrum bands. That will include expanded antenna beam capabilities, virtualizing the RAN and the adoption of unlicensed spectrum platforms such as CBRS to reduce the costs and resources need to deploy in-building wireless services. Mobilitie has a long history of evaluating industry trends and anticipating their impact. The rapidly changing technology landscape of today only reinforces our commitment to evolving to meet our clients’ needs.