The NEDAS Virtual Symposium aired live September 8-10, 2020 featured a discussion about 5G Densification Challenges sponsored by MasTec. The panel, moderated by Jim Davis, Principal Analyst, Connectivity & Tech for Business Insider Intelligence Network Solutions brought together speakers David Bronston, Special Counsel for Phillips Lytle; Nathan Newsome, Business Development for GPRS; James Zik, VP, Product Management for PCTEL RF Solutions; and Joshua Broder, CEO Tilson.
The discussion surrounding the challenges of 5G network deployments tend to follow separate development tracks. This leads to a major challenge to the process in terms of engineering and construction and the jurisdictional approval process from a carrier perspective. Another notable challenge experienced in 5G deployments is that most cities have different departments requiring input to permits and approvals throughout the various stages, increasing the complexities of carrying out the process. The challenges are experienced on top of the fact that the deployment of a functional 5G networks is constrained by budgets of varying sizes. The entire process of 5G densification appears to be complex and complicated even before the process begins. The n0eed to use different types of equipment makes the process prone to delays.
The COVID-19 era has done very little in alleviating the challenges to the deployment of 5G networks and the ensuing processes required. The construction process was impeded from the fact that most permitting offices were operating remotely or paperless – without a solution for continuity in place.
Unlike traditional 4G cellular technology that leverage towers positioned about a mile away from each other, 5G requires more distributed and accessible base stations on poles placed nearly every block to achieve the high densification required to support high bandwidth users. It is noted this process could be extremely expensive in order to achieve the performance required to support network operators using the same device. For a successful 5G network deployments, there is a need to achieve ultra-reliability for network optimization. While the 5G densification process is required, it is faced with a number of challenges that require everyone to overcome – together. To learn more you can watch the panel in its entirety on the NEDAS YouTube channel here.
NEDAS sits at the intersection of the wireline and wireless infrastructure where interconnectivity is key to enabling the connected world. The group serves as facilitators of the connected world through the promotion and creation of networking opportunities and innovative thought-leadership programs at the crossroads of wireless and wireline communications infrastructure space. Since 2010, NEDAS programs bring together industry thought leaders, cutting-edge technologies and end-user solutions shaping a new communications infrastructure landscape enabling a more connected world. The NEDAS Virtual Symposium is available online by visiting virtual.nedas.com.
