What are the main challenges for 5G rollout in the UK today?
The deployment of 5G in the UK, both technically, financially and politically, presents many challenges. Consumer demand for data and UK Plc's ambitions for coverage in the context of reducing ARPU at the MNO level make crucial investment decisions, the cost of spectrum and associated conditions play an important role. in creating an enabling environment for infrastructure deployment, particularly in the following areas: rural areas that may not have a viable business case to support operator investment. Access to spectrum and real estate is a challenge. Recent efforts to legislate on these to give greater certainty about the timing and costs of deployment in the near term have had the opposite effect. How best to allow the use of private investment capital and targeted public funds to alleviate some of the burden on mobile network operators should be examined to create the conditions necessary to support future investment. large scale required for large-scale deployment of 5G. From a technical and practical point of view, the complexity of the site, the size of the antenna, the equipment, the existing and surrounding infrastructure, etc. Have a significant impact on the actual solution of the site. In the case of 5G, it could be an add-on to an existing site or a new site. The initial and ongoing engagement of the owners with market experts and local knowledge, as well as an end-to-end process, will be essential, for example, to design sites with the optimal planning and deployment solution. and manage all stakeholders from its creation to its integration into the network. .
What is the origin of your association with Huawei?
WHP has been in the UK wireless infrastructure market since 1988 and works with operators to implement and upgrade their networks. Over the past decade, Huawei's growth as an equipment provider has been prolific, as Huawei has become more integrated in the UK and as demand for their services increases, they are looking for high-quality companies able to partner with them and provide multi-volume services. their growth as they replaced existing equipment and rolled out 4G. WHP, with long experience with MNOs, had recently undergone an MBO and implemented a strategic growth plan that included providing end-to-end services to a growing number of clients. This naturally led to our initial discussions and we found that we share similar attitudes not only about growth and ambition, but also about a willingness to challenge standards, innovate and improve efficiency and quality. . So it really is these shared values, ambitions and good pace that allowed us to embark on this adventure for both WHP and Huawei.
How should the 5G infrastructure be different from that required for previous mobile network iterations?
5G will see the first truly multi-layer networks requiring a more variable site solution than previous iterations, as well as a large variety of equipment at each site. The macro layer needs to be seriously improved and densified. This should be topped off with a layer of small cells to add capacity and fluidity. Construction work will also be required as sites, sites and office complexes compete and differentiate themselves in terms of connectivity. Each site will require robust physical engineering and potentially more specialized/custom solutions. In recent times, physical assets have become smaller and implementation more flexible, however, new technologies have heavier equipment, for example. MIMO antenna, which means more robust engineering and structures. complex design. Every site has a complex layout nowadays, either through sites to cover a specific area or by the type of facility, for example. Multiple operators, multiple technologies, and therefore each site needs more signatures, interface controls, and more.
What are the likely costs associated with upgrading the infrastructure to prepare for 5G?
The costs will be considerable, as the infrastructure upgrade will in some cases be more expensive than the original site, due to exchanging towers for heavier infrastructure to cope with the new additional equipment. The restrictions placed on putting this into practice in terms of network downtime when working on a live network also make the task much more difficult than building a new infrastructure from scratch. example. The key to success and cost reduction is scaling early and giving stakeholders the visibility of a stable program. This provides stable, high-quality resources deployed in a planned manner with efficient use, minimizing downtime and unnecessary effort.
How long do you think it will take us to reap the benefits of 5G?
We expect 5G to take 7-10 years to fully establish itself. However, with 5G-enabled phones shipping this year and the current rollout of the 5G network set to see the first benefits much sooner, the clamor for self-driving or autonomous vehicles and smart highways suggest that consumers will be able to access some of these functions in certain areas over the next two years. The use of social networks and applications will result in increased use and critical applications in real time once the network is established in the main urban areas. In the next 5 years we expect to see great benefits as the mobile experience converges with the extended FTTP network and users can use contiguous connectivity.
What will be the biggest change that 5G will bring?
Everything and everyone is connected in real time all the time. We hope that the revolution / evolution of the network will allow to realize all the future of technologies. For example, innovative initiatives are: 5G will enable individuals, businesses and communities to be a prerequisite for achieving social inclusion and transforming the way we interact.
How would you describe the relationship with Huawei and what does it bring to each party?
Our relationship with Huawei has grown since 2014 and it has been a difficult and successful time for both companies. Overall it's a good experience. We value our relationship and what we have accomplished together. We share similar values and ambitions and can be more mutually successful in the future. We see in Huawei advanced technology, innovation, motivation, support and unlimited energy for your programs. We believe that WHP brings deep knowledge and expertise to our service area, our experience, our extensive resources, our volunteer attitude, our sense of ethics, our unmatched experience, our challenges, innovation, Value and business fairness.
What benefits will 5G bring to companies? Do you have a use case that you can share?
Businesses will reap many benefits from the more extensive and faster connectivity facilitated by 5G, including real-time monitoring of calorie/calorie consumption from a personal interactive personal plan. Towards a situation of surveillance and intervention in real time for intensive care at critical moments that allow the effectiveness of expert care associated with AI in a greater number of people than this is currently possible. In general, communication, information, and action can be spread faster, more interactively, and in a mobile environment, it's hard to think of a business that wouldn't benefit from this capability. Rob Potter is Managing Director, WHP