Talley Inc

According to data from research firm MarketWatch, global deployment of 5G services is expected to increase 17 percent (CAGR) through 2028. This estimate comes as something of a two- edged sword, depending on who you are. For mobile customers, the new technology translates to more bandwidth, more low- latency services and higher throughput speed. As 5G becomes the de facto wireless service in many parts of the world, the surge in deployments will also incen vize device manufacturers to incorporate the technology into more of their products. Another boon for customers. For operators, however, delivering on the promise of 5G involves a host of new challenges, beginning with densifying their cellular environments. To support 5G and sa sfy the rising demand for more data, mobile network operators (MNOs) are using more frequencies and complex modula on schemes. On the equipment side, this translates to more tower-mounted antennas and remote radio units (RRUs). We're already seeing the results. Over the past several years, antenna port counts have more than tripled—going from fewer than 10 ports per antenna to more than 30. Cell towers that once needed just three antennas for coverage may now have dozens. The challenges of suppor ng more equipment on the tower The increasing conges on atop the tower creates its own challenges. One of the most obvious issues is how to sa sfy growing capacity requirements without overloading or overcrowding the tower. The ques on is decep vely complex. For example, in moving more antennas and RRUs up the tower, operators aren't just adding the weight of the equipment. They must also consider the increased weight of the larger power conductors that are needed to compensate for the voltage drop as the current travels up the tower. Even the best-designed towers are beginning to strain under the increased loads. A second key challenge MNOs face is how to accelerate the turn-up of new capacity and services. As 5G small cells densify, municipali es are growing more sensi ve to how wireless infrastructure in general impacts the landscape. This results in ghter zoning regula ons and longer delays in deployment. Networks need to recoup at least some of that me to speed their return on investment. A third problem is how to ensure an open and seamless path for con nued network growth. This problem has two sides. First, to ensure room on the tower for addi onal future antennas and RRUs, operators must do everything possible to economize their current space u liza on. Second, they must priori ze, to a certain extent, the ability of their network infrastructure to easily and quickly grow and adapt. All three issues share at least one common point of intersec on: the site's fiber-to-the-antenna (FTTA) strategy. As it turns out, the FTTA approach you use for any specific cell site can have a tremendous impact on your ability to keep up with 5G growth, now and in the future. This two-part blog series dives deeper into the subject, showing you how the technologies are evolving. Changes on the tower demand new FTTA strategies Talleycom.com SHEET QUARTER 3 2023

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