Ericsson’s Interleaved AIR 3218 combines an antenna-integrated radio and multiband passive antenna technology in one single enclosure. This should deliver greater 5G capacity, coverage and performance without adding to 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 use the larger bandwidth of mid-band spectrum to increase 5G capacity and deliver enhanced mobile broadband.
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 and managed services, Ericsson UK and Ireland, added, “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.”