Ericsson and Vodafone have initiated the deployment of a compact active-passive antenna in the UK, enhancing 5G capacity, coverage, and performance without increasing the antenna footprint. Ericsson’s Interleaved AIR 3218 combines an antenna-integrated radio and multiband passive antenna technology in one single enclosure, meaning additional high-performing 5G capacity can be added with no additional antenna footprint.
With accelerating 5G deployments, ever-increasing data traffic, and subscriber growth, mobile networks require new levels of site flexibility, spectrum efficiency, and energy savings. Using a single antenna footprint and Massive MIMO (massive multiple-input multiple-output) technology, Vodafone will leverage the larger bandwidth of mid-band spectrum to increase 5G capacity and deliver enhanced mobile broadband experiences. Combining the technologies into a single unit also helps improve network efficiency and reduce deployment complexity.
The combination of radio and antenna in one single unit brings an optimized modular form factor and easy rooftop, tower, wall, and pole mounting, meaning that site upgrades and acquisitions will be simplified and 5G deployment accelerated in areas previously constrained by building regulations or planning law. AIR 3218 is forecast to be deployed across 50 sites within the Vodafone UK network in 2023, with a 30 percent saving in site acquisition and build time expected.
Ker Anderson, Head of Radio and Performance, Vodafone UK, said: “5G is the UK’s digital future, but we should never underestimate how difficult it is to deliver a future-proofed network at scale across the length and breadth of the UK. Working in partnership with Ericsson, we are constantly exploring new ways to accelerate this transformation, and this is another example of where innovation is delivered through collaboration.”
Evangelia Tzifa, Chief Technology Officer, Networks & Managed Services, for Ericsson UK and Ireland said: “This is a game changer for Vodafone and the UK deployment of 5G Massive MIMO. Together, we are increasing 5G capacity without growing visual antenna footprint on site. By being able to do more with less we are bringing the benefits of next-generation connectivity to more people in the UK, but also reducing any impact on the environment and continuing our journey to break the energy curve.”
Click here to learn more about Ericsson 5G RAN Solutions.
