Whether you want to implement 5G in a dense urban environment or a scenic rural setting, planning and zoning approvals are challenging. Urban areas have no space or desire for a lattice-type tower, and pristine rural areas want to keep their rustic ambiance.
Streetworks solutions are now solving deployment issues in areas like these, expanding urban service to bring 5G close to the customer where it needs to be, and establishing service in previously underserved rural areas.
What are streetworks solutions? They involve using various existing or new fixtures such as light poles, trash receptacles, rooftops, and other enclosures to play double-duty as antenna and radio locations. At Alpha Wireless, we design our antennas to be small, aesthetically pleasing, modular and easy to upgrade and service – perfect for streetworks installations.
Colin Cunningham, Managing Director of Cellnex Ireland and Fergal Lawler, CEO of Alpha Wireless, discussed recent collaborative streetworks deployments involving Cellnex’s “Get Connected” program.
Beyond Lattice Towers
Fergal
We’re now getting into sites where you typically wouldn’t get additional deployments. Many of these scenic communities do not accept lattice towers.
Colin
Yes, in some of the rural areas, that’s the case. If you take that a little bit further and go
into some of the more urban areas, the problem is that there isn’t space on the ground. The only way to solve the problem is a streetworks solution with a canister-type antenna on top and a small footprint on the ground.
Tri-Sectors Deliver Great Performance
Fergal
Regarding bringing service into the cities, you recently deployed the 5G version of our AW3836 Tri-Sector antenna, right?
Colin
Yes, we were doing some work for one of the operators, and Three came along and said they’d like to do this as well.
You’ve had a lot of experience working with Three in the UK and bringing this antenna to the market. The feedback we’ve had from Three is that the antenna’s performance is absolutely fantastic. It has exceeded their expectations so much that they’re now seeing it as a deployment option in more locations than they envisaged at the start.
Quick Council Approvals
Fergal
So, you’re building the site where the coverage and speed are needed; you don’t have to go outside the town and shoot in.
Colin
Correct. Having the option allows us to do what we need to deliver what operators need in these areas.
We’ve been working on this for three or four years, and we’ve managed to break down a process in Ireland that is working with all the councils. We’ve convinced operators that this is a solution they should use.
We’ve exceeded their expectations because they didn’t think this would be as good as it was when they started. Our feedback is that they see it as a really good option.
Alpha Wireless Designs Streetworks solutions
Alpha Wireless has been designing and manufacturing antennas globally for more than 15 years, with 1.5 million installed worldwide. We’re constantly innovating in response to changes in the telecommunications ecosystem, and we’d like to help you solve your network challenges.
If you’d like to understand more about how streetworks solutions can help you expand your network reliably, cost-effectively and quickly, contact Alpha Wireless today.