S06 CAF 1 2022 Network Architecture_Layout 1 18/02/2022 12:26 Page 20
DAS and small cells
NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
How networks are evolving to better address real-world needs Network architectures in the mobile space are evolving. Simon Fletcher, CTO, Real Wireless, looks at how mobile network architectures change and develop in order to serve different requirements, and at the models – in particular the use of DAS and small cells – that might apply in developing economies.
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Within urban conurbations, it’s not just the number of subscribers that grows but the complexity of data-compatible devices.
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ODAY, MOBILE NETWORK operator (MNO)-owned networks are still primarily about serving outdoor, mobile, voice-driven consumer requirements. But as the use of devices expands to more data consumption, network architectures must evolve to cope with a capacity crunch that impacts both indoor and outdoor service delivery. Let’s defer any discussion of 5G for the moment. In terms of current real-world deployments, recent architectural network evolution has often been driven by a rather belated focus on improving indoor coverage, largely in the context of improving cellular services for business. This in turn is bringing about changing business and ownership models, from infrastructure owned and controlled by the MNOs to more third-party or ‘neutral host’ deployment models, which in turn are evolving towards architectures to support specialised, higher-value, enterprise-focused needs. Within urban conurbations, it’s not just the number of subscribers that grows but the complexity of data-compatible devices. As more people use their devices for different applications, or to access different services, it stimulates further demand in the networks. It’s 20 Communications Africa Issue 1 2022
on the back of this that we start to witness the dynamics shift towards new architectures – going beyond the standard high-power, hightower offering.
As urban areas become more densely populated and mobile network demand increases, macro networks start to hit capacity limits. The IFC/World Bank recently commissioned a study from Real Wireless (the wireless advisory firm of which I am CTO), working in partnership with international investment and consulting firm Axon Partners Group, to consider the ways in which the new network architectures enabled by evolved DAS (distributed antenna systems) and small cells might bring benefit and present investment opportunities in developing markets. We identified three main use cases – urban densification, indoor coverage and private cellular networks. While there are big changes underway, as service providers begin to address the digital transformation of business and industry, we
should start by considering how outdoor coverage is currently addressed. Once you’ve covered the ‘basic’ urban needs provided by MNOs with their own infrastructure, how should networks evolve as the demands on coverage and capacity increase? As urban areas become more densely populated and mobile network demand increases, macro networks start to hit capacity limits. In the first instance, this can mean using small cells to plug urban not-spots and tackle heavy and growing network capacity demands in urban areas. Although small cells were originally designed to deliver improved coverage indoors, today they are deployed in a wide range of scenarios to improve capacity and coverage where additional macro deployment is unnecessary, uneconomic or impractical. Small cell network architectures are undoubtedly one of the key changes to recent network evolution, both indoor and out, but the deployment of small cells to plug gaps is more a fix than a long-term solution, unless it is supported by a more strategic approach to connectivity planning. At Real Wireless we have recently been engaged by regional authorities planning a strategic boost to connectivity in their cities. This is because government and local authorities www.communicationsafrica.com
