13:30
Registration and networking with refreshments
14:00
Introduction to CW and UK5G
14:05
A word from our Sponsor, Eric Hawthorn, Executive Chairman, Radio Design
14:10
A word from our Sponsor, Jonathan Hicks, Account Manager, UK & Ireland, CommScope
14:15
Introduction to the Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) Group from Roberto Kompany, Senior Analyst, Analysys Mason
14:20
Review of current macro network site types and design Prof Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect, British Telecommunications
Macro cells have formed the basis of cellular mobile radio coverage since the rollout of analogue mobile phone networks in the 1980s. As mobile network operators have evolved their networks to support digital cellular and followed the 3GPP roadmap through GSM, UMTS, LTE and now to 5G, we’ve witnessed the incredible evolution of macro cells. From single band space diversity sites supporting a handful of voice calls, to today’s mobile broadband sites utilising multiple radio access technologies, multiple frequency bands, carrier aggregation and complex antennas transmission lines to deliver 100s of Mbps. This talk will review this evolution and present the current macro site designs as a basis for exploring the site evolution to 5G. The broad typology of cellular radio sites will be explored while initial lessons from BT/EE 5G macro cell rollout will be presented.
14:40
Q&A
14:45
Macro Cell developments that support LTE evolution and 5G deployments: Colin Bryce, Director of Mobile Network Engineering – Europe, CommScope Inc.
Over the recent past our industry has focussed on developing the standards and communication technology necessary to deliver the IMT 2020 vision and in particular 5G targets on eMBB, URLLC and mMTC. More recently as we move towards initial commercial deployment of 5G in 2019 and beyond, consideration has focused more on the practical issues related to deploying new technology on existing sites and the costs and tasks involved in delivering enhanced LTE and 5G services quickly and efficiently. This talk will consider what approaches can be taken to upgrade macro cell sites to support massive MIMO and where and when its use is appropriate, what RAN architecture might be appropriate and how that might impact the physical implementation of cell sites and finally what other initiatives such as open RAN could impact future developments.
15:05
Q&A
15:10
Refreshments and networking
15:40
Smart Rollout to Maximise ROI: Mike Page, Systems Expert, Radio Design
Rollouts of 5G alongside other existing RATs and frequency bands that bring the benefits of 5G to the entire nation promise to be very costly. A smart approach to rollout driven by prudence will yield great benefits in reaching as many markets as possible and will serve to maximise ROI. The use of combiners, TMAs and RF routers play an instrumental part in controlling the cost of rollouts that maximise ROI.
16:00
Q&A
16:05
Strategic planning: an overview of the role of the macro cell, Iris Barcia, COO, Keima
New technologies, architectures and market needs have transformed connectivity in the past years, and this talk will review how that transformation has impacted network planning. Wireless networks have hugely changed and 5G has the potential to open the door to evolved business models and services. What is the strategic role of the macro cell in today´s HetNet concept? Beyond the implementation of massive MIMO and 5G upgrades, when are macro cells the key to cost effective capacity and coverage objectives?
16:25
Q&A
16:30
How massive MIMO can deliver the promise of new 5G Radio Networks George Grayland, 5GFutures
In a cellular mobile network, high traffic areas often account for a large proportion of the total traffic in the network. Improving the customer experience in those areas is a constant challenge for Mobile Operators. New small cells are often the solution in those areas but increasing the performance of the macro cells is also a key strategy in the Operator arsenal. Massive MIMO is a relatively new base station solution for both 4G and 5G networks. This talk will cover the fundamentals of massive MIMO, how massive MIMO can be deployed in mobile networks, the challenges, examples of technical solutions and some of the initial results of this new technology.
16:50
Q&A
16:55
Panel session with all speakers chaired by SIG Champion Roberto Kompany, Analysys Mason
17:20
Event wrap up
17:30
Event closes
