This claimed smallest, lightest Massive MIMO will overcome some building and planning regulations
BT Group’s UK mobile division, EE, is to deploy Ericsson’s Massive MIMO radio equipment at 1,000 select sites in the U to speed 5G roll-out and modernise the infrastructure.
EE’s 5G network is the first in Europe to deploy Ericsson’s antenna-integrated radio (AIR 3268) which is smaller (25 cubic litres) and lighter (14kg) than previous generations of radio equipment and uses up to 40% less energy.
Developed in partnership
The equipment was initially developed in partnership between the companies last year. 5G upgrades will be possible in some areas previously constrained by building regulations or planning law, because older technology would have needed a taller mast or one that could bear a greater load.
Ericsson claims the AIR 3268 is the lightest and smallest Massive MIMO radio equipment in the industry and is the most energy efficient radio equipment of this type deployed in Europe.
The new kit will operate within EE’s 3.4GHz and 3.6GHz spectrum bands with the intention of improving capacity, coverage and speed.
Starting with London
EE’s first deployments will be in London (pictured), with sites in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Belfast to follow this year. The technology will be expanded into more urban and suburban areas in future, where Ericsson is a key partner for EE.
Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer, BT Group, said, “We’ve already made significant progress in making EE a more efficient network, delivering vast quantities of additional data without equivalent energy increases. Our partnership with Ericsson is a further milestone in this journey.”
Björn Odenhammar, CTO, Networks and Managed Services, Ericsson UK and Ireland, commented, “This is a great step forward for the deployment of 5G in the UK and gives a much-needed boost in both 5G coverage and mid-band performance.”
BT Group and Ericsson are founding companies of the 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders initiative.