Aligning Small Cell Incentives

Brought to you by The Small Cell Group

This full-day event will bring together experts from every element of this value chain to share their experiences of recent high-profile deployments and ‘war stories’ concerning the lessons they have learnt on how to get the best from small cells.

Registration for this event is now closed.

About the event

The need for small cells is now well established, giving an opportunity for mobile operators to deliver ever-increasing levels of capacity while improving user experience, despite limited spectrum and technology gains.  However, getting the best from small cells requires the alignment of the incentives for small cells amongst several conflicting parties.
 
These include:
  • Citizens and consumers, who can benefit from improved access, higher speeds and greater choice and quality in their access to mobile services, whether in busy urban areas or remote rural villages.
  • Central government, seeking to maximise economic, social and growth opportunities and to understand the role wireless in its broadest sense plays in this, while ensuring broadband infrastructure can be deployed without artificial barriers resulting from planning processes.
  • Local and regional government, seeking to improve the services for their citizens and visitors while ensuring they get value for money from public assets and deploy public funds appropriately given UK and EU procurement rules
  • Site providers, seeking to offer their assets (e.g. lighting columns, CCTV poles etc.) to deliver value for them in the face of uncertain levels of demand without constraining their ability to continue to enjoy use of their assets for their core purpose.
  • Operators needing certainty on the availability of appropriate locations for small cells over the long term without eroding their potential cost effectiveness
  • Third parties providing backhaul infrastructure and site management and deployment expertise
  • Small cell vendors producing a limited set of product options for an international market while being sensitive to the needs of planning authorities and local communities.
Presentations will be heard from:

Confirmed panellists include:

  •  Kevin Baughan, Director of Metro Wireless, Virgin Media Business
  •  Paul Ceely, Head of Network Strategy, EE
  •  Mark Harrop, Director - Mobile Strategy and Portfolio Development, BT Wholesale
  
The ever popular Small Cell SIG has a track record for selling out fast therefore early booking is highly recommended for a guaranteed place at this event.
 
This event is FREE to members of Cambridge Wireless. Tickets for non-members are £250 plus VAT. To join Cambridge Wireless as a member and attend future events for free, please visit: www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/sign-up
 
 

You can follow @cambwireless on Twitter and tweet about this event using #CWSmallCell.

Hosted by CMS

CMS is a pioneering firm with a distinctive approach to business law.

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Sponsored by Electro Rent

Electro Rent are test equipment specialists with over 50 years of experience providing access to the latest test and measurement technology.

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Sponsored by Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies, the world’s premier measurement company offers a full range of the latest wireless test equipment that spans the entire lifecycle from early design and development through to volume manufacturing, network deployment and service assurance. For more information, please visit: www.agilent.co.uk

Agenda

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The information supplied below may be subject to change before the event.

09:00

Registration & Networking over Refreshments

09:30

Introduction to the Small Cell SIG by Simon Saunders of Real Wireless

09:45

Welcome from our host - Anthony Waller, Partner of Olswang

09:55

Welcome & Presentation from our Joint Sponsors Agilent Technologies/Microlease

Morgan Hanson, Sales & Business Development Manager, Agilent Technologies “Introducing the Latest in Handheld RF & μW Analyzers from Agilent”

10:15

Small Cells and Broadband Britain; Simon Towler, Deputy Director, Head of Telecommunications Policy, Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

The government’s ambition is to see a transformation in broadband in the UK – with high speed fixed and mobile connectivity as widely available as possible. The dramatic growth in mobile data traffic and the potential of mobile broadband to support economic growth and social inclusion are just a couple of the challenges and opportunities facing governments including the UK. Wireless technologies including small cells can play a key role in realising the government’s broadband plans.”

10:30

Regulatory Challenges Associated with Deployment of Small Cells; Robindhra Mangtani, Principal Advisor, Ofcom

As consumers’ usage of mobile data increases, mobile networks are evolving in order to cater for it, developments such as: increasing the use of spectrum, new technologies such as LTE and the enhancement of the macro layer through technologies such as MIMO, CoMP, SON is planned to deal with this demand along with small cell deployment, addressing the need for capacity and coverage. Mobile network operators and third party wholesalers on their behalf are deploying new types of small cells in mobile networks. WiFi offload using unlicensed spectrum is the most commonly known type of small cell, but there are others including micro/pico cells and femtocells using licensed, unlicensed or shared spectrum, all these solution require regulatory review on issues including: spectrum usage & allocation, backhaul, power, spectrum allocation databases and suitable sites.

10:45

Small Cell Deployment – The Statutory Hurdle: Town & Country Planning (De-)Regulation of Small Cell Roll-out; Chris Stratton, RICS Telecoms Forum & MLL Telecom Ltd

A review of the town & country planning rules relating to telecom equipment deployment, focussing on small cells and what the Government is trying to do to reduce the burden.

11:00

Panel Session with Session One Speakers

11:25

Coffee/Tea & Networking

11:55

Moving People, Goods and Bits: Small Cells and Transport for London; Robert Woolley, Senior Commercial Development Manager, Transport for London

The talk will describe how TfL will assist the mobile network operators to successfully serve customers using small cells on TfL assets.

12:10

Small Cell Expectations – A Local Government View; Ian Jones, Senior ICT Consultant, Leeds City Council

This session will describe how the Leeds and Bradford wireless concession includes both Small
Cell and Wi-Fi technologies and how Small Cell technology supports the digital ambitions of both
cities.

12:25

Panel Session with Session Two Speakers

12:50

Networking Lunch

13:50

Delivering Urban Capacity; Jonathan Freeman, Director, Capacity Solutions, Arqiva

Achievement of the industry ambition of ubiquitous high capacity networks throughout urban areas requires alignment of sometimes competing stakeholder requirements. For small cells to succeed in the UK the solution must be cost effective, scalable and standardised across different urban locations. This presentation explores how this can be achieved, analyses outstanding challenges,
suggests potential solutions and details a roadmap to achieve mass deployment.

14:05

The Golden Goose Feels the Heat; Mark Harrop, Director, BT Wholesale

A suppliers perspective: observations on outdoor WiFi, the local authority concession model and the potential implications for WiFi and small cell deployment

14:25

Panel Session with Session Three Speakers plus Kevin Baughan, Director of Metro Wireless, Virgin Media Business

14:50

Coffee/Tea & Networking

15:20

Panel Session with Paul Ceely, Head of Network Strategy, EE, Mark Harrop, Director, BT Wholesale, Simon Saunders, Director, Real Wireless, Zahid Ghadialy, Managing Director, eXplanoTech & Simon Fletcher, Senior Manager, NEC Telecom Modus

16:15

Fill in Evaluation Forms and Event Close by Simon Saunders of Real Wireless

16:20

Event Close

Speakers

John Freeman - Head of Technology, Arkessa

Mark Harrop - Director, BT

Ian Jones - Senior ICT Consultant, Leeds City Council

Robindhra Mangtani

Chris Stratton - Head of Site Acquisition & Estate Management, MLL Telecom

Robert Woolley

SIG Champions

Simon Fletcher - CEO, Real Wireless

Simon joined Real Wireless in January 2016 as Chief Technology Officer, taking overall technical and innovation strategy responsibility across the company. He is a member of the UK5G AB, co-chair of the International WG, and member of the Climate WG. His long-standing association with the UK innovation eco-system through roles such as Director of mVCE and the Innovate-UK ICT-KTN brings a wealth of practical knowledge on open innovation to accelerate product and services delivery. Simon spent his formative years in telecoms infrastructure systems and product development. In NEC Corporation he played a key role in the formation of Joint Ventures for development of 3G and 4G products and established a core team that developed the first-generation of technology for 4G systems culminating in a Steering Board position in the LTE SAE Trials Initiative (LSTI). In recent times he has directed projects on future cities, the application 5G and IoT in industry verticals with an event horizon towards 2030. His long participation in Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and then directing Real Wireless engagement in H2020 and the 2016 NIC study on Future Comms infrastructure brings great foresight on a range of architectural evolutions underway in 5G architectures, in particular for Open RAN and Diversification. He is a CW Small Cell SIG Champion, and in February 2022 the Small Cell Forum (SCF) appointed Simon as their Chief Strategy Officer, drawing on 25 years direct industry experience and work as an advisor to governments, regulators and big business.

Caroline Gabriel - Research Director, Analysys Mason, Co-founder and Research Director, Rethink Technology Research

Caroline has been engaged in technology analysis, research and consulting for 30 years and since 2002, has been focused entirely on mobile and wireless. As co-founder and research director of Rethink Technology Research, Caroline has developed a significant research base and forecast methodology, based around deep contacts with mobile and converged operators round the world. This addresses critical issues and trends in mobile and wireless infrastructure, and particularly operator deployment intentions for 4G, 5G, small cells, Cloud-RAN and other technologies. She is also a senior contributor to Analysys Mason’s Next Generation Wireless research programme. She has led research and consulting projects with a wide range of clients, including mobile infrastructure vendors, large and start-up operators, regulators, trade bodies, government agencies and financial institutions. Her advice and forecasts have helped inform strategic decisions at a wide range of vendors, operators, start-ups and finance houses. Prior to setting up Rethink, Caroline held various executive positions at VNU Business Publishing BV, then Europe’s largest producer of technology related B2B reports and publications. She was the European content and research director, and was a member of the leadership team for VNU’s online business. She holds an MA from the University of Oxford.

Vicky Messer - VP Product Management, Picocom

Vicky Messer is VP of Product Management at Picocom with over 25 years of experience in the wireless industry. Vicky joined Picocom over 4 years ago and leads Product Management, Technical Marketing and partnership activities. Vicky also leads the Picocom Small Cell Forum (SCF) activities and joined the board member at Small Cell Forum (SCF). In recognition leading in multiple work items and a published papers, Vicky was awarded the SCF ‘Outstanding Individual Contribution to SCF award’ in 2020.

Vicky is a certified IET registration mentor, and currently mentors a local young female engineer. In May 2023 Vicky joined Industrial Advisory Board Bath University Electronics and Electrical Engineering and also won a SCF Industry Award 2023 for Women in Wireless.

Neil Piercy - Founder, Independent

Neil has been developing base stations for various communications systems for over 30 years, during which time he has performed roles throughout the whole development lifecycle, as well as management roles. Neil joined the small cell specialist company, ip.access, when it was formed as a spin-off from TTP Com back in 2000, and stayed with the company for 23 years, during which time his roles varied from System Architect through to Head of Engineering. As a Systems Engineer covering software, hardware, and RF, he includes specialist areas such as security and networking, as well as a focus on all aspects of protocol design and implementation. He has analysed system performance and performed simulations across GSM, UMTS, LTE and NR small cell RAN equipment and systems. He is now a freelance telecoms Systems Engineering consultant.

Simon Saunders - Visiting Professor, King's College London

Prof. Simon Saunders is an independent advisor and researcher with deep industry and academic background in communication systems technology and a burgeoning interest in the intersection between real and artificial neural systems, communication systems and music. He is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London, telecoms advisor to DCMS and Trustee of the charity Music for All.

Simon is a specialist in the technology of wireless communications, with a technical and commercial background derived from senior appointments in both industry (including Google, Motorola and Philips), academia (University of Surrey, Trinity College Dublin) and regulation (Ofcom).

He founded the Small Cell Forum and chaired this industry association from 2007-12, growing membership to 150 companies and working with 3GPP to create the first standards for small cells. He acted as Director of Emerging & Online Technology for Ofcom, leading Ofcom’s Emerging Technology programme and creating their Online Tech team. At Google (2015-20), he worked with operators globally to enhance wireless connectivity via a range of advanced technology initiatives, combining wireless networks, artificial intelligence and network virtualisation. As co-founder and Director of Technology for independent wireless strategy advisory firm Real Wireless (2006-15), he was responsible for overall technical capability and direction, providing independent wireless expertise and advice to operators, regulators, technology and law firms and wireless users. In 2019 Simon organised the world’s first 5G music lesson on behalf of charity Music for All, led by famous musician Jamie Cullum.

He is an author of over 150 articles, books and book chapters, including a popular textbook on antennas and propagation. He has invented over 15 patented wireless technologies and served on technical advisory boards of several companies and universities.

Event Location

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Location info

Olswang LLP, London, 90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6XX

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