How Industry Leaders View Nextgen Inbuilding Systems at Connect (X) 2024.
Day 1 of WIA was filled with networking and learning. I attended a charity concert at Connect (X), made new connections, and enjoyed an outstanding performance by the Niko Moon Band. The event raised significant donations, and the band's guitars were auctioned off for additional funds during the closing hours.
On Day 2, I networked with professionals and gained valuable insights.
GWCC Conference Rooms: The lighting, audio, and display setup were poor despite interesting panelists. An industry leader noted the lack of innovation in the room during an important session. WIA needs improvement here.
Article Agenda: I will cover three notable sessions from Day 2, with a detailed focus on Sessions 2 and 3. Please get some coffee.
Session 1: Transitioning Telecom Assets: Strategies for Success in the Data Center Market: This session focused on achieving power, space, and equipment efficiency in data centers to support green solutions. The key takeaway is that, much like the real estate adage "location, location, location," the placement of next-gen data centers is crucial for 5G/6G due to their delay sensitivity.
My Perspective on Session 1: NextGen Public Venue Systems are extremely sensitive to delay and must be designed cautiously for long-term success. Design considerations should encompass the full view of the OSI & TCP/IP model. The placement of Cloud Native ORAN solutions, such as CUs or CU+DU, in next-gen cloud ORAN data centers follows the same principle.
Data Center Business Strategy: If you are a telecom company with an existing data center portfolio in major cities globally, consider that a huge win.
If your telecom infrastructure business boasts a billion-dollar valuation and holds ample cash reserves, this is an opportune moment to deploy your liquidity by strategically acquiring key data center assets in major cities. Focus on targets that already possess robust fiber infrastructure.
Long Term Win from M&A: With real estate prices currently suppressed and capital scarce due to high borrowing costs spurred by Federal Reserve interest rates, your divestment of surplus liquidity can not only assist companies in need of cash but also enhance your value proposition exponentially. As these data centers, strategically located near dense population centers, evolve into next-gen technology hubs, the synergies created will further amplify the value of your acquisitions.
Session 2. How 5G Can Open New In-Building Business Cases: Panelist included Tier 1 US MNO 1, Tier 1 US MNO 2, Business Development Leader focused on Mobility & Smart City, Tower Company Leader proposing new wireless business model for Inbuilding
Discussion Points:
My Questions to the panel of Session 2:
Outcome:
My Perspective on Session 2:
Responses indicated that one of the MNOs is still pursuing 5G DAS solutions under their business model. Another Tier 1 MNO doesn't have any preference between DAS, MORAN, or MOCN, as they focus on the final business use-case. Additionally, I was anticipating a response regarding the digital CPRI / eCPRI interface for DAS to optimize the model towards ORAN. None of the MNOs touched upon this area.
What is MORAN and CBRS MOCN?
MORAN: There is a need for further clarity on the transition and operational management. Is this model truly beneficial? It could apply to in-building systems with a mid-size enterprise portfolio of 50000 - 250,000 square feet, but managing a large number of radios in a common shared infrastructure poses challenges.
Scenario Analysis: Imagine MORAN Deployment in a New York Gym Facility
Imagine gym facility in New York has deployed a CBRS Radio over the GAA spectrum under proof of concept, with a maximum EIRP of 30 dBm. The setup also features midband licensed radios from three major mobile network operators (MNO1, MNO2, and MNO3), each adjusted to align with inbuilding MPE requirements. These radios are mounted on the walls, positioned 15 feet above consumers' heads.
The facility's bottom floor, which includes locker rooms and various gym equipment, operates on a best-effort basis. MNO3, leveraging its anchor rights, has successfully integrated a millimeter-wave (mmWave) FR2 radio into the setup, providing a higher performance matrix for their customers.
Each MNO maintains its own baseband in this deployment, connecting to the backhaul router. A GPS unit is roof-mounted, splitting the clock among different MNO headend equipment. This configuration allows for enhanced connectivity and performance, catering to the high-density user environment typical of a gym setting. This includes 6 radios with multiple basebands to cover a 30,000-square-foot facility. ~ 15000 Sq Ft - Floor 1 (Full Bars), 15000 Sq Ft - Basement with Locker Rooms (Best Effort)
CBRS MOCN: The solution primarily addresses coverage issues, but future capacity concerns remain. In the above MORAN scenario, envision a CBRS Radio shared by the gym and Tier 1 MNOs using the GAA spectrum. In essence, CBRS MOCN allows different mobile operators to use the same CBRS network to provide their services, which can help improve network efficiency and coverage, especially in areas where deploying separate networks may not be feasible or cost-effective. This allows all Tier 1 MNO consumers to switch to a CBRS inside the gym while maintaining coverage. The frequency relationship with outdoor macro cell sites from each MNO facilitates smooth handovers. Now imagine this setup in a 1 million square foot facility. It effectively solves basic coverage issues and provides seamless mobility for Tier 1 MNO consumers without them noticing any coverage disruptions. Game changer, isn't it?
While it may resolve initial coverage challenges, accommodating future capacity needs will likely result in additional costs due to the need for ongoing upgrades. These upgrades would necessitate adjustments to the fiber, power, and space requirements, potentially conflicting with the initial design and proposed costs. As labor rates increase, the Bill of Materials (BOM) and installation costs for future upgrades will also rise.
MOCN solutions can be cost-effective when the S1 / NG interface cost is minimized, and when MOCN Gateway costs, often contributed by the enterprise, are carefully considered. Strong collaboration among all Tier 1 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) is crucial for project success. However, if MNOs do not participate promptly, even efficiently deployed solutions may become isolated with limited mobility. This situation can lead smaller players to continue deploying off-air solutions, which are regulated by FCC Part 20.
For some enterprise customers without Priority Access License (PAL) CBRS spectrum assets, reliance on General Authorized Access (GAA) spectrum grants within the CBRS SAS model is crucial. However, SAS is programmed to give incumbents a priority over any other user on GAA, leading to uncertainty regarding the amount of spectrum that will be granted. Spectrum grant conflicts may arise in areas near US Military Ship-borne Radar Stations, Ground-borne Radar Stations, Fixed Satellite Ground Stations, and Federal Quiet Zones. Exclusion zones also exist where no CBSD may operate.
While Proof of Concept trials have shown successful grants of up to 60MHz on GAA, it is uncertain if scaling the use case will impact the grant structure.
From a business perspective, the success of these solutions depends heavily on carriers' prioritization of business locations, which may conflict with MNO's targeted ROI opportunities that focuses on YoY revenue growth. MNOs could potentially benefit more by having their sales and business segments focus on securing enterprise customers with long-term lease bulk-line contract opportunities. This revenue driven approach is more advantageous than solely relying on free systems without a clear strategy for generating new revenue or ROI.
Scalability Scenario: If MORAN/MOCN systems achieve scale in enterprise in-building systems, imagine all 500K square ft buildings in major cities deploying new 5G systems either funded by the enterprise as MOCN or funded through a cost synergy model as MORAN.
This is how it may look:
It's important to remember that 80% of traffic comes from in-building environments, highlighting the necessity of addressing these issues effectively with the correct strategy.
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Session 3. How Innovative Business Models are Reshaping In-Building Communication: Panelist included Tier 1 US MNO, Financing Firm focused on NextGen Networks, Inbuilding Equipment OEM, & NextGen Network Operator
Discussion Points:
My Questions to the panel of Session 3:
Outcome:
My Perspective on Session 3:
I explored various in-depth perspectives on these MORAN/MOCN platforms under Session 2. Here, I elaborate on fostering a positive and collaborative approach to real solutions:
Concerns about the complexity of the new MORAN/MOCN architecture and the required engineering expertise for maintenance in the new ecosystem are valid.
The current 3PO model doesn't align well with this framework. All US Tier 1 MNOs must take a proactive and collaborative approach to develop and support solutions for this new ecosystem. This includes investing in specialized training, fostering partnerships with OEMs, and ensuring seamless integration of new technologies. Such efforts will help address the challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by MORAN/MOCN/ORAN architectures.
Tier 1 MNO Technology Strategy
Even though these Inbuilding MORAN/MOCN systems may be free for US MNOs and significantly enterprise-funded:
Conclusion: Despite the excitement surrounding various inbuilding solutions like DAS, MOCN, and MORAN and their potential to create millions of engineering jobs and hundreds of new third-party network operators, it is essential to implement these solutions only where they are truly suitable. Working on the product development of CPRI interfaces for next-gen DAS and making the RAN ecosystem truly open for public venues, as defined by Open RAN standards, is critical for the next decade. Eleven years ago, during a town hall meeting at my previous employer, a leadership phrase, "DAS is Dead," was coined. However, most in-building systems in large public venues and enterprise world continued to deploy 4G/5G DAS systems from 2014 to 2024 despite that phrase. The phrase is back again, and it will be interesting to see how much market share shifts from DAS to MORAN/MOCN in the age of AI/ML and ORAN.
Getting Tier 1 MNOs to collaborate is like trying to push giant magnets (each the size of the Burj Khalifa) together, all with the same polarity, as illustrated above. Tier 1 MNO 1 resists ORAN, Tier 1 MNO 2 is cautious, and Tier 1 MNO 3 insists on a 'MUST' for ORAN. MNO 1 and MNO 2 recognize that DAS is a great fit for large public venues, but MNO 3 resisted even that. Meanwhile, 3PO, aiming to deploy systems for them, feels the pressure. The ultimate goal of large public venue is to achieve a high-quality, high-performing, green energy wireless solution for the consumers. A new business case revenue will only emerge once systems are deployed, but currently, all Tier 1 US MNOs are stuck in agreeing on a common strategy.
The questions remain:
Is the DAS dead? or will we witness major RAN OEMs acquiring large market-share DAS OEM?
In my view, next-gen DAS with enhanced CPRI and extensive product development integrates seamlessly into ORAN Architecture, provided that Carriers, Enterprises, and RAN/DAS OEMs collaborate closely to ensure mutual success. This integration offers significant efficiencies in terms of fiber, space, and power. CPRI eliminates unnecessary radios from the DAS architecture, making it ORAN-friendly.
Implementing MORAN/Shared-MORAN with ORAN in a public venue requires significant effort and resources. Currently, it seems more like a dream than a reality.
Bottomline:
Wireless Technology Evolution & Growth Prospects: A diverse knowledge of RAN, Small Cell, DAS, and WiFi products is crucial for developing next-gen 5G NR FDD/TDD inbuilding solutions. In cases where Private Network, WiFi, and Cellular Commercial Bands are integral to the public venue design, WiFi may also become an integrated product solution of common use-case. To succeed in this space, one must be adaptable and open to learning. Telecom is like a basic utility, and once the money market opens up, the majority of nationwide inbuilding solutions require rip & replace as existing Public Safety (Project 25), 2G, 3G, 4G LTE systems do not support 5G. Old WiFi systems also require rip & replace to WiFi 7. WiFi is unlicensed spectrum and cannot solve all capacity needs for MNOs. These all technologies co-exist.
Envisioning ORAN dream with the MORAN/MOCN type model, every outdoor macro, outdoor small cell, and in-building system, including public venues in North America, will require rip-and-replace efforts. This signifies immense growth potential in ORAN market for the next decade and beyond, contingent on the financial market opening up.
Financial Economics: The current economic situation is compressed due to the Federal Reserve's high interest rates, aimed at controlling inflation. While consumers spend freely, corporate investments in non-profit-generating growth models have halted. Publicly listed companies are implementing OPEX savings models to maintain stock prices, anticipating compressed topline revenue growth. Telecom margins have slimmed as MNOs cut spending. High-debt companies face challenges in recycling debt coupons and may file bankruptcies if the Fed doesn't pivot this year. Small and midsize growth companies may remain private to avoid Wall Street's shorting impact on valuation. Large portfolio companies must maintain profit margins and cut OPEX to show QoQ/YoY growth. M&A is another strategy in place. Any financial statistic miss will significantly decline their valuation due to Wall Street's aggressive short strategy. Depending on the Federal Reserve's actions later this year, we may either see more layoffs or new hiring in the optimistic scenario.
Global Harmony: Global peace is essential to halt unproductive and hurtful wars that disrupt financial markets, disturb supply chains, and result in significant loss of lives. These geopolitical issues underscore the need for harmony and cooperation worldwide.
Big Picture Success: The Private Wireless Concept in Wireless Industry (Indoors, Outdoors or Industry 4.0) will materialize into a multi-billion-dollar market, creating millions of new jobs and new businesses in the Wireless Industry.
Author Disclaimer: My extensive experience in network engineering, WiFi, outdoor macro, Small Cell/DAS, and in-building products/design solutions shapes my insights in this article. I have deep experience in in-building technology strategy, large project management, program management, proof-of-concepts, FOAs, and cost efficiencies in various solution designs. I conducted interoperability testing between 4G/5G Nokia and Ericsson RAN, focusing on next-gen in-building DAS products, and designed enterprise solutions with Ericsson Dot/DRAN and Nokia RAN products, covering both FR1 and FR2 spectrum use-cases. I led strategic design initiatives for high-profile venues such as airports, stadiums, arenas, convention centers, large transportation hubs, and more, and mentored over 50 cross-functional SMEs in my capacity as National Inbuilding Lead.
I am passionate about Public Venue Technology Evolution, Private Network Solutions Engineering, and Satellite Engineering Projects like SpaceX and Amazon Kuiper, which aim to connect underserved populations. With over 18 years in the telecom industry, I have led global, cross-functional teams and managed over 45 personnel for optimal efficiency and large project success, benefiting North American MNOs and various business sectors. I have traveled extensively across 40+ states in North America, contributing to seamless wireless connectivity solutions.
My telecom background enables me to anticipate and visualize technology designs and deployments with the end user in mind, driving the development of new business models and sales revenue growth.
Positive Approach: I welcome feedback and criticism on the article. I am open to making changes based on your suggestions. Your input is valuable to me, and I take a constructive approach to criticism. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you feel that something is not aligned or could be improved.
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