Vodafone and Ericsson have launched a new initiative in Germany to address limited rooftop space and improve urban 5G coverage. The collaboration introduces compact antenna technology into their mobile network, starting with installations in Düsseldorf.
Their goal is to deploy an additional 500 antennas across Germany by the end of 2026. A significant hurdle in expanding networks in Germany is the scarcity of suitable rooftop locations for new antennas. Existing sites, often encompassing LTE masts, frequently fail to meet the structural criteria required by network planners and lack space for additional 5G antennas.
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Vodafone has introduced Ericsson’s Interleaved AIR 3218 antenna to tackle this challenge, enhancing the performance, capacity, and coverage of their 5G network on rooftops without expanding the antenna’s footprint. This strategic move supports Vodafone’s expansion efforts, particularly in Germany’s urban areas, thereby boosting overall 5G coverage.
Tanja Richter, Head of Technology at Vodafone, said, “Strong winds exert pressure on the antenna surfaces that are mounted on the roofs. The more mobile phone antennas there are up there, the higher the wind load. This also increases the demands on wind resistance and statics, meaning that not every existing rooftop location has been able to be upgraded with active 5G antennas to date.”
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Ericsson’s new antenna generation features the active antenna positioned behind the passive antenna. Richter explains that this innovation allows for more efficient use of mast space in city centers for expanding 5G coverage. These advancements are expected to speed up the rollout of 5G across Germany and manage the annual surge in data traffic exceeding 30%.
The compact antennas facilitate frequencies across low- and mid-band ranges, ensuring extensive coverage and capacity needed in urban areas. Furthermore, they can deliver data speeds exceeding one gigabit per second over a relatively compact area and reach a radius of up to one kilometer with 5G.
Daniel Leimbach, Ericsson´s Head of Customer Unit Western Unit, stated, “The use of a compact active-passive antenna can improve the mobile broadband experience in cities in the future. Ericsson’s Interleaved AIR 3218 will massively simplify site upgrades and accelerate 5G deployment in areas previously restricted by building regulations, planning law or for structural reasons.”
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