The challenge of hyper connectivity: delivering digital infrastructure
Some things are fundamental. In a business context it’s the likes of cash flow and supply and demand. At the level of country, the usual suspects are GDP growth and trade balance. But like all things, fundamentals are also susceptible to change. As we enter the era of hyper connectivity, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that digital infrastructure is a new fundamental.
I worked in the UK mobile network operator industry for thirty years. I was part of several network roll outs and it’s fair to say: delivering coverage is difficult. The infrastructure is expensive, the process is disruptive, and everyone involved has different priorities.
It was great to see the Shared Rural Network deal signed this week. It’s the type of collaboration needed to deliver the networks of the future. From my leadership roles in two industry joint ventures, I know well the sort of challenges that have been overcome to reach an agreement. A huge well done to everyone involved!
But the barriers to effective coverage for all remain plenty. In the UK, we have a clear opportunity to learn from the ways other global markets have boosted their mobile network coverage. Usually it’s about achieving faster deployment, for less cost and in the right places.
I pioneered a way to do this indoors, using mobile network operator approved small cells wrapped up in a managed service. Faster: with light touch, retrofit installations, at lower cost: than other types of indoor mobile networks, and in the right places: for Enterprise businesses needing connectivity to all four mobile networks. It also provided Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) improved coverage and capacity at minimal cost.
But outdoors there are different challenges to tackle. With demand for 5G network close on the horizon the:
- MNOs,
- Real Estate Providers,
- And Central and Local Government
will need to work together to achieve coverage faster, for less and in the right places.
There are three key things to do first:
- Share infrastructure.
- Use low cost or dark fibre.
- Open access to street assets.
As with 3G and 4G, it won’t be easy. But true neutral hosts methods, led by commercially and technically collaborative network service providers will play a vital role. Both will mean that there can be as many benefits and opportunities as there are challenges:
- Partners that can deploy and manage cutting edge C-RAN architecture,
- Less planning processes for one set of equipment,
- Energy savings from deploying less, and smaller, structures.
For the UK to demonstrate digital infrastructure prowess and a globally competitive 5G rollout, we need to let go of old industry tensions and flip business models in favour of rapid deployment for all.
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