The advent of 5G heralded great promise. It was set to improve all aspects of our lives.
A number of studies agree. For example, one for the European Commission focusing on the automotive, healthcare, transport and utilities sectors in Europe assessed that 5G would deliver first-order benefits of €62.5bn per annum in 2025, with €50.6bn in second-order benefits arising from ‘knock-on’ impacts from the use of goods and services.
However, the technology’s roll out has failed to meet these expectations so far, for a number of reasons.
Among them is that some of the mistakes of the 4G era are being repeated. Crown Castle Interim CEO Tony Melone warns: “4G deployments were initially ‘not sufficient to meet the promised performance levels of that technology…I think a similar dynamic is in play with 5G.” He added: “The remaining densification required to deliver on the promise of 5G performance will drive not only robust tower growth but also significant demand for small cells.”
Also having an impact on the effective deployment of 5G infrastructure, especially in dense areas, can be complex, time-consuming, costly, and labour intensive. For 5G to become a widespread reality, more cell sites, increased investment, greater flexibility, and a review of the political and regulatory environments are required.
Indeed, these deployments have encountered many challenges according to a recent report which explores the role 5G plays in today’s digital landscape. It found that 96 percent of respondents in mobile network operators (MNOs), public, and private sector organizations from the UK, Ireland, and the US, have faced increasing hurdles.
Today, the cost of infrastructure is very high. While the “incumbent” operators in each country can rely on their “historical” infrastructure, the new players face huge investments if they want to meet the needs of 5G by deploying their own networks. Otherwise, they have to pay for the use of the infrastructure of other operators, who then have the power to apply the tariffs they want. Such financial dependence leads to unfair competition and rising cost.
Another hurdle is very high interest rates limiting investment possibilities as well as funding gaps for SMEs and 5G-related business models that could amount to €4.6 billion and up to €6.6 billion annually. This could represent a major challenge for the evolution of 5G in Europe and poses the risk of Europe being left behind in the race for 5G leadership.
Challenges of network densification
In his recent blog Zahid Ghadialy, Principal Analyst & Consultant, 3G4G and Senior Director, Strategic Marketing, Parallel Wireless, highlighted other challenges raised by increased mobile network densification in busy urban areas and historic cities with listed buildings. They included:
Physical Space Constraints
Particularly for listed buildings and heritage sites. Competition for antenna space is fierce in busy urban spaces. A simple and effective way to increase digital infrastructure and provide greater network coverage in densely populated areas are small cells. They act as catalysts for development across regions. They boost connectivity that attracts new businesses into an area and increases employment opportunities and business rates retention for local authorities. They also support new ways of working, enabling flexibility and hybrid working. Historically deployment has been held back due to the complexity, planning hurdles, expensive concession models and inconsistent practices. Now the establishment of nonexclusive Open Access agreements offer industry and local authorities a simpler way of working.
Aesthetics and Visual Impact
Likely to be important in certain historic city centres. Small cells are also implemented where it is often impractical to install larger mobile antennas or dense urban areas where there is increased data traffic. In the UK BT Wholesale is rolling out small cells on street-based assets like lampposts. The Government is supporting with the Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) and the more recent 5G Innovation Regions. They make £40 million of funding available to develop tomorrow’s wireless communication networks, with a specific focus on exploring how public assets can be used to support the development and deployment of mobile communications and small cells.
Technical Challenges of the network densification
Dense urban environments can experience interference due to overcharge of base station and important data traffic. This is set to become even more of a challenge according to predictions from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) intelligence. It reported there were more than 220 5G networks deployed as of the end of 2022, with over 30 countries expected to launch 5G services in 2023. ABI Research also forecasts that global 5G subscriptions will grow from 900 million to more than 3 billion between 2022 to 2027.
Community Engagement and Perception
Engaging with the community, providing accurate information about EMF exposure, and addressing misconceptions are crucial. So too, is creating truly interconnected communities of the future with 5G connectivity – indoors and outdoors, and in urban, suburban, and rural settings. For example smart cities that deliver secure and controlled internet access for residents, entertainment with both indoor and outdoor areas enjoying high-speed network access and education with controlled internet access for students at home as well as blanket coverage across networks.
Local regulations
Hurdles that may arise due to cities and councils imposing zoning and permits. Easing these is something France’s simplification bill is aiming for. It hopes to aid smoother deployment of digital infrastructures to go further and faster in the digital development of the territory. The Fédération Française des Télécoms highlighted the 10 measures local operators are proposing to facilitate this.
Changing laws to speed up 5G roll-out
A number of initiatives have taken place: from MNOs not having to pay licenses for a few years or relaxing the restrictions and EMF constraints when installing antennas. Also, governments have been introducing new laws in support of the streamlined rolling out of 5G nand the requireed network densification. These include the UK government ‘turbocharging’ the delivery of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) to eliminate 4G mobile ‘not spots’ in the countryside. This will speed up the roll-out of next-generation 5G networks.
To accelerate the deployment of gigabit network infrastructure across Europe, the EU Council presidency and European Parliament have agreed to replace the 2014 broadband cost-reducing directive (BCRD) by the gigabit infrastructure act (GIA).The new law aims to lower the unnecessarily high costs of the electronic communication infrastructure deployment, partially caused by the permit-granting procedures before deploying or upgrading the networks. The regulation also aims to speed up the deployment of the networks, provide legal certainty and transparency for all economic actors involved, and provide for more efficient planning and deployment processes for operators of public electronic communications networks.
In Belgium European Commission’s long-awaited “2023 Report on the state of the Digital Decade” was welcomed as it made positive mention of federal and Walloon 5G innovation projects initiated as part of the recovery plan. It was also noted the 5G stimulus programme and the associated subsidies are making a significant contribution to the adoption of 5G in businesses.
The Indian government has amended the right of way (RoW) rules, too, making it easier for telecommunications operations to set up towers and optic fibre on street furniture by paying minimal charges in a bid to speed up rollout of 5G services.
As we have already seen there are also ongoing discussion around regulations that could result in changes in the law in terms of installation constraints and standards. All or any of those listed above could have the potential to positively transform prospects for the industry and positively respond to network densification requirements.
How to address the network densification challenges?
Reimagining how networks are built, deployed and operated will define the next wave of innovation across Europe. Seven technologies have been identified in which the EU should lead if it is to stay ahead of the game: 5G standalone, FTTH and FTTx roll-out, Open RAN, network virtualization and softwarisation, edge computing, quantum encryption as well as low-earth orbit satellite communications.
Dialling up the opportunities
At the same time there is opportunity. Ericson Networks stated 80% of data is consumed indoors, but only an estimated 10-15% of indoor floor space is served by 5G. This means the majority of coffee shops, co-working spaces, retail outlets etc still rely on network connectivity below 5G’s standard of quality and security. It added around 90% of business worldwide are SMEs who lack the option to offer a seamless 5G experience. This coincides with findings that 71% of decision-makers in telecoms operators, public and private sector organisations in the UK, Ireland and US are now more confident in 5G than ever before.
Partnership approach
To create the truly interconnected communities of the future it is essential that we close the gaps in 5G connectivity and network densification – indoors and outdoors, in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Neutral hosts can help achieve that by offering the ability to deploy, operate, and lease connectivity infrastructure. This enables public and private sector customers to have access to reliable, advanced connectivity that enables them to deliver their services and accelerate 5G adoption. They can deliver their services and accelerate 5G adoption without the need to build or maintain proprietary infrastructure because the infrastructure investments can be shared on a neutral basis across several customers. Cost and enhanced security are not the only benefits, the approach is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional network rollout as it reduces the need for overbuilding. This will become more important as organizations focus on ESG strategies and ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Things are moving
Initiatives are being developed and rolled out such as this initiative in Birmingham. It is one of many investments being made across the UK to help the mobile operators deliver 5G capabilities in dense urban areas with high demand. Other neutral hosts are adopting the Aberdeen and Birmingham projects as the blueprint for best practice in urban small cell deployments.
Riding the Wave of Network Densification with WAVE by AGC
As we have seen addressing these challenges can be expensive and approvals can be slow taking up to 24 months. The procurement process can be complex and implementation costly.
A fast and cost-effective solution is the combination of 2 plug-and-play technologies developed by WAVE by AGC that uses the building’s façade to provide coverage. This cutting-edge solution provides high densification with low power consumption, delivering a fully aesthetic integration with no need for permits or camouflage.
On the one hand, WAVEATTOCH, the discreet indoor glass antenna, that connects to existing power and fiber infrastructures.
On the other hand, WAVETHRU, a patented window laser treatment that makes glazing permeable to electromagnetic waves, allowing indoor WAVEATTOCH antennas to radiate out into the urban environment.
Operators enjoy many benefits :
➔ First, using facades instead of traditional locations makes it easier to find the optimal spot for glass antenna placement, providing top-notch signals for customers.
➔ Second, it reduces congestion and interference, ensuring fast and reliable mobile connectivity for urban residents and businesses.
➔ Third, it eliminates the need for time-consuming city planning authorizations and concerns about architectural limits.
➔ Finally, the installation is faster, easier, and less risky compared to traditional infrastructures, essential for cities needing to quickly expand their connectivity networks.
For city authorities, this solution preserves urban beauty while meeting connectivity and network densification needs, and maintaining unobtrusive architecture.
For residents, WAVEATTOCH offers a discreet, aesthetically pleasing antenna that integrates seamlessly into urban architecture, making it nearly invisible and blending harmoniously with the surroundings. More than that, the resident/owners can participate in this ecosystem through the platform developed by AGC: Rent My Window.
To discover more about how WAVE by AGC solutions can help respond the key challenges talk to our team.
Get in touch with us now.