In-Building

Solutions
Our solution approach
and its evolution
Autumn 2023

Authors:
Colin Eddison Technical Director, Cellnex UK In-Building Solutions
Adeel Raja Principal Technical Consultant, Cellnex UK
Mike Harrison Head of Products and Solutions, Cellnex UK The indoor coverage experts
In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

Contents
1. Introduction 3

2. Background and context 4

3. Traditional solutions 5

4. The latest architecture 7

5. Our NHIB solution 8

6. Evolution of DAS and base station technology 9

7. Virtualisation 10

8. OpenRAN 10

9. Private Wireless Network functionality 11

10. Closing Summary 12

11. ANNEXES 13

A. About Cellnex 13

B. Glossary of Terms 14

C. The Joint Operator Technical

Specifications (JOTS) 15

D. OpenRAN 15

E. Additional sources 16

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

1.Introduction
Cellnex UK is a neutral host infrastructure Many buildings in the UK suffer from
and connectivity solutions provider, and poor mobile phone signal from one
part of the Cellnex Group which operates or more mobile networks. Solutions
in 12 countries across Europe with an to this problem have existed for many
annual turnover of 3.5 billion euros. In the years, but are not ubiquitous.
UK, we operate more than 9,000 mobile Available budget, space and power,
sites today, growing to 13,000 by 2031. together with a complex ecosystem,
We’ve deployed over 1,000 small cells, means that many demands continue
and are a provider of private networks to remain un-served.
and indoor mobile coverage solutions.
Technology, though, is evolving, as is
Innovative and technology agnostic, the commercial model, meaning that
Cellnex UK are indoor coverage experts, the problem can now be solved for
working with partners to develop the an increasing number of locations.
next generation of indoor connectivity.

The purpose of this document is to present

our approach to providing 4G and 5G
mobile coverage for many types
of buildings, outlining the solutions that
are available today and the way these In this document,
solutions will evolve in the medium term.
we will set out our approach
to In-Building solutions, considering
a number of factors, including
cost profile, power consumption,
installation disruption, continuing
technology evolution, smart
building applications
and more.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

2.Background and context

Despite the anywhere/anytime More recently, however, mobile coverage Another solution in use today is a All multi-operator In-Building
connectivity enabled by today’s mobile is seen more as a utility, where the building repeater system – similar to a TV or radio solutions deployed by Cellnex
phone networks, the majority of calls and owner or tenant has the greatest interest in booster system. The external signal is UK are fully JOTS-compliant.
mobile internet sessions continue to fixing the problem. The added complexity of captured and distributed internally.
originate from inside buildings. The quality mobile versus other utilities, is that It should be noted that the MNOs’ standard
of mobile network operator coverage in a complete solution needs to include all Repeaters do not provide any additional practice is to sign-off new solutions before
offices, shopping centres, hotels, four licenced mobile network operators. capacity, and are therefore only suitable they are permitted to be connected into
entertainment venues, etc. is therefore for small locations with a light usage their network. One complexity is that they
critical to building owners, tenants, To date solutions have typically comprised which are in areas where the external do this in different times and different ways.
employees and visitors. a distributed antenna system, known as macro cells are not congested.
DAS, into which the signals from multiple Beyond traditional DAS deployments, there
However, thick walls, steel structures MNOs are injected. These are new signals, With advances in technology, the increasing has been slow progress in encouraging
and the increasing use of metallised- derived from MNO equipment located appetite from building and venue owners each MNO to sign up to a common
glass in building design can have a major at the premises, and provide additional to provide excellent mobile connectivity platform. Through extensive trialling
impact on mobile signals originating from network capacity dedicated to the to users, and the increasing acceptance and collaboration, though, Cellnex
outside the building – reducing their building. The solution includes separate of a greater level of shared infrastructure, is able to offer a range of solutions
strength, or blocking them completely. base stations from each UK operator Cellnex is able to offer solutions that reduce which can suit any building type.
(Vodafone, VMO2, EE, and 3) located in an the cost base today, with an evolution
Regardless of the nature of the building equipment room on site, each with their path that simplifies and optimises still One final piece of market context which
use or customer segment, these challenges own ‘backhaul’ connections into their further. These include vendors offering is crucial to understand: Vodafone and
are common to all. The approach to respective networks. The antenna system more multi-operator equipment, Three have announced an intention to
addressing them is also similar for is shared, but the other elements aren’t. ‘OpenRAN’ and ‘C-RAN’ architectures, merge. Whilst this is expected to take
each: an In-Building solution may be enabling us to provide a more complete time to progress through regulatory
similar for an office building, a retail A DAS fed by base stations from each solution on behalf of the operators and approval, it is possible that there will only
destination or a transport hub, although operator is a technically excellent solution; a single point of contact for customers. be three MNOs in the near-to-mid-term.
each deployment will be tailored to however, the power consumption, space
the building footprint and dimensioned requirement, cooling obligation and overall One advantage in the UK, that is
in terms of capacity according to the cost are sub-optimal. Plus, the need not seen elsewhere, is that the MNOs
density of devices and the type of use. for relationships with multiple parties have jointly established a suite of
has been just too challenging for many technical guidance known as the JOTS
Historically, the responsibility of building and venue owners to manage. (Joint Operators Technical Specifications),
rectifying the mobile coverage problem which specify the performance, coverage
was seen to belong to the Mobile and reliability of wireless systems
Network Operators (MNOs). shared between UK mobile operators.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

3. Traditional solutions
The two most commonly deployed multi- their signal. These signals are then base stations are connected back into upgradeable and extendable to cater for
operator solutions in the UK to date are: distributed around the building via a their respective networks via a backhaul new technologies, additional operator
distributed antenna systems and repeaters. network of radio units and low-profile transmission link, one for each MNO, who connections, and building expansion.
antennas – wall or ceiling mounted. Each may use different transmission providers.
Distributed Antenna Systems base station is typically an individual rack All Cellnex UK DAS deployments comply
circa 1.5m high and in larger systems each with the JOTS Distributed Antenna
The diagram below illustrates a traditional MNO may have multiple base stations. The System specification. Systems are
DAS deployment, where all participating
MNOs install telecoms base station
equipment within the building to provide Active
equipment

DAS master unit

Signal from MNOs

Traditional macro stations
DAS deployment
Dedicated capacity

Radio units hidden

in risers or ceilings
Indoor antennas
and cabling

Signal distribution
with combiners
and cabling

Discreet antennas Mobile network

throughout the operators
building/venue

VM02

Vodafone

EE

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

Whilst their use is being replaced Cellnex UK offers this solution, and has Repeater solution
for smaller and mid-sized locations, a number of flagship deployments,
this solution will remain suitable for including the Etihad Stadium, Sky campus Here, a ‘donor antenna’, installed on the Cellnex UK uses only those repeaters
many years for the largest and busiest at Osterley, the Cambridge Biomedical roof captures the signals from outside, recognised by Ofcom as licence-exempt.
venues, such as large stadia, arenas, Campus, and the Bullring in Birmingham. boosts and retransmits them inside the Whilst other types of repeaters are available
and top-10 shopping centres. building via an antenna or small DAS. The and can be legally purchased, they are not
outside signal is effectively extended into permitted for operational use in the UK.
the building. This provides strong signal
strength but adds no extra capacity, so is Cellnex UK offers this solution
DAS schematic only suitable for small buildings with light for small locations with a light
usage and where the operators’ macro usage requirement.
environment is not frequently in congestion.
Mobile network operators

VM02 Vodafone

EE 3
Repeater schematic
Core networks

External The building

The building

Equipment
room 4x donor antennas on roof Repeater main hub Expansion units & antennas

Connection to Cellnex operations centre Remote radio units & antennas

MNO base stations

Cellnex DAS master unit

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

4.The latest architecture NHIB schematic

Mobile network operators

The JOTS forum has developed decreases the footprint, power
a second major specification for consumption and cooling obligation, and VM02 Vodafone
In-Building solutions known as NHIB makes the installation a simpler and less
(Neutral Host In-building). This sets disruptive process. JOTS NHIB solutions
out the technical requirements for can also take advantage of existing
EE
shared In-Building solutions using structured cabling within the building.
small-cells and offers a more centralised Core networks
approach, removing the MNOs’ base Whilst the specification has been agreed by
stations from the building entirely. the UK’s four MNOs – VMO2, EE, Vodafone
and 3 – each operator runs an approval
Instead, the MNOs connect back to process to integrate ‘trusted’ connections Cellnex datacentre
their core network through the neutral from the neutral host into its networks.
host datacentre. The mobile traffic
is then carried via a fibre connection Cellnex UK has now launched a solution
to the building, where the signals are conforming to this architecture. It is
distributed via a series of radio points. currently available for small to mid-sized
locations, and will include Vodafone,
Offloading the direct connection between VMO2 and EE as standard. More detail Switching and routing equipment
MNOs and the building makes it possible to is provided in the next section. Connection to Cellnex operations centre
remove the operator base stations entirely,
with on-site telecoms equipment reduced
to just a few units of rack space. This
dramatic reduction in equipment The building

Equipment
room

Baseband controllers Remote radio units & antennas

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

5.Our NHIB solution

Following development and testing, Cellnex The platform is scalable, and has been
UK has now launched its multi-operator dimensioned ready to support additional
In-Building solution for small and mid-sized systems to meet our customers’
buildings, based on the NHIB architecture. needs. Further, the platform stands
It’s a single-band 4G system with frequency ready for integration with new vendor
re-use technology, and is therefore an equipment as technology evolves.
optimum solution for this size of building.
We have also deployed a system of radio
We have established a datacentre capability points at our office in the centre of Reading,
which underpins the solution, and have which has been integrated into two mobile
conducted testing and acceptance with networks and is carrying live traffic.
both Vodafone and VMO2. The activity to
integrate EE into this solution is underway,
and will be completed in Q1 2024.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

A further evolution of this solution is result: a marginal reduction in on-site

6.Evolution of DAS and base that the baseband unit will be capable
of multi-operator operation. Cellnex,
equipment and reduction in backhaul
connections. We are not yet convinced that

station technology with its suitability configured datacentre

with connections into each MNO, would
then act as trusted partner operating
the additional savings would outweigh the
significant development costs. However,
we will continue to monitor the eco-
and managing a single BBU on behalf of system, and make decisions accordingly.
Base station vendors have now brought to Whilst in the configuration below there all participating operators. The expected
market a solution where small cell is still the requirement for multiple
baseband units (BBUs) connect into backhaul connections, the space
a proprietary system of radio points. Single footprint and power requirement on site
unit BBUs rather than full rack base stations is much reduced versus traditional DAS Vendor BBU solution – evolution to include Cellnex datacentre
can be installed on site for each MNO. deployment. Supporting multiple bands
These solutions are currently going through and multiple technologies (from 2G to 5G),
the MNO acceptance processes. it offers much greater capacity than the
NHIB solution referred above, and is well Mobile network operators Cellnex datacentre
suited to medium to larger buildings.
VM02 Vodafone
The equipment is available today,
and Cellnex will be adding it to the
solutions portfolio later this year.
Vendor BBU solution
EE 3
Switching and routing equipment
Core networks
Connection to
Mobile network operators The building Cellnex operations centre

VM02 VM02 BBU

The building
Vodafone Vodafone BBU

EE EE BBU
Cellnex
BBUs
3 3 BBU
Equipment
Cellnex BBU room
Cellnex operations centre for managing
purpose
Remote radio units & antennas

Equipment
room

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

7.Virtualisation 8. OpenRAN
Baseband software is being developed The benefits include the flexibility to add Vendor-specific integrated equipment is At present, OpenRAN equipment is nascent
which will run on standard IT or remove sites with minimal effort, and set to evolve towards a more open system and in development but evolving rapidly.
hardware. This will further reduce enables resources to be scaled elastically of hardware and software components all Timelines for practical deployments are
the space requirement on site, to address changing network demands. working to a common open standard. In not clear due to limited multi-operator
lower the cost of installation and time, this is expected to reduce costs of OpenRAN equipment currently being
enable remote system upgrades. The virtualised baseband unit can be telecoms equipment. An overview is available, and the additional investment
operated by each individual MNO or provided in the Annex. required for new platform management
Existing IT equipment rooms can be used, by Cellnex UK as a trusted partner. tools. However, Cellnex UK is keeping a
with little additional power or cooling. close eye on developments, is working
Trialling and adoption within the with a number of OpenRAN vendors, and is
technology sector is not widespread, planning several field trials across Europe.
and we may not see adoption in the Open RAN schematic
in-building market for some time.

Mobile network operators Cellnex datacentre

VM02 Vodafone
CU

EE 3
Switching and routing equipment
Core networks Connection to Cellnex operations centre
Centralised Unit (CU)

The building

DU

Distributed Unit (DU)

Remote radio units & antennas

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

9.Private Wireless Network

functionality
A Private Wireless Network is Typically, all equipment is located on the
In-Building solution with Private Network added (evolution)
a dedicated business network – fully secure premises including the private network
and tailored to its environment. It allows core. However, the private network core
businesses to interconnect people and can be shared – which reduces costs per
things using 4G or 5G technology, without customer, and useful for multi-location use Mobile network operators Cellnex datacentre
relying on public networks which may be cases. It is therefore possible for Cellnex,
congested or not available. as a trusted partner, to host the private VM02 Vodafone
network core in its data centre, as per the
Many use cases are supported by diagram opposite. The private network will
such networks, and they vary from also be able to share much of the same
sector to sector, but include: infrastructure (including active equipment) EE 3
as the In-Building solution, further reducing Switching and routing equipment
Smart buildings overall cost and simplifying deployment. Core networks Cellnex private network core
Connection to Cellnex operations centre
Mission critical communications Cellnex is a leading provider of industrial-
grade Private Network solutions, with
Asset health monitoring and
a large number of case studies across
predictive maintenance The building
Europe. We have the expertise today to
implement both an In-Building solution
Location tracking
for public mobile coverage and a private
wireless network for business-critical BBUs
Environmental sensors
applications within the same project.

Cellnex BBUs
Private network BBUs
Remote radio units & antennas

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

10.Closing Summary
Our approach to the development A detailed design is then undertaken in Solution Application
of In-Building solutions is one of evolution full compliance with the appropriate JOTS
and close collaboration with the MNOs. specification and ICNIRP exposure levels For small buildings with a low-capacity requirement where
We consider the technology, architecture for transmitting radio frequencies, followed Repeater system good macro coverage and capacity is available outside
and technical acceptances available today, by system installation and commissioning.
whilst understanding how they will evolve
tomorrow. This manages the cost of Every In-Building solution is therefore Single band solution for small to medium-size
NHIB buildings with a medium capacity requirement
installations whilst providing an upgrade tailored to meet our customers’ specific
path and maximises MNO connections. business requirements. We remove the
complexities of dealing with multiple Multi-band solution for medium to larger-size buildings
As the indoor coverage experts, we stakeholders, by acting as a single point Vendor solution with a medium-to-large capacity requirement
look at every requirement in detail of contact. Once installed, the system is
before selecting the right solution for fully managed and monitored 24x7x365.
each project. We conduct surveys of For large venues with high footfall such as large
DAS stadia, arenas, top-10 shopping centres, etc
the building and understand fully the The solutions available from Cellnex today
requirements of the users, which may are summarised in the table opposite.
include multiple tenants across a building.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

11. Annexes
A. About Cellnex

Cellnex UK is a Critical National Our commitment to connectivity extends We’re trusted by organisations to
Infrastructure Provider, and part beyond infrastructure; we are dedicated to deliver best in class In-Building
of Cellnex Telecom, Europe’s largest closing the digital divide in the UK, helping solutions; our references including
independent telecoms infrastructure people stay connected by promoting digital Etihad Stadium, Sky campus at
provider. With the wireless infrastructure skills and providing access to digital devices Osterley, Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
To find out more
foundation that we deliver across rural and services to the communities that need We operate as a neutral host – we
and book a meeting with
and urban areas, Cellnex UK connects it most. partner with all four MNOs – and are
everyone, everywhere. technology agnostic, resulting in the
our in-building connectivity
Cellnex UK are indoor coverage best possible solution for every experts, get in touch at:
experts and have extensive experience location.
deploying In-Building solutions in sports In-BuildingSolutions@
stadia, transport hubs, commercial cellnextelecom.co.uk
real estate, hospitals and more.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

B. Glossary of terms ICNIRP

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the organisation that
determines exposure limits for electromagnetic fields.

Key terms used in this document and others widely used are explained in the In-Building Solution
A wireless infrastructure system designed to provide reliable and efficient cellular
coverage within a specific building or venue.
following table:

Joint Operator Technical Specifications, established by the four UK mobile network

JOTS
operators.
Term Description
Mobile Network Operator, there are four in the UK: EE, Virgin Media O2,
MNO
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project, an umbrella term for Vodafone, and 3.
3GPP a number of standards organisations which develop protocols for mobile
telecommunications.
Neutral Host In-Building, a JOTS specification where a third-party provider offers
NHIB connectivity services from multiple mobile network operators within
The fourth generation of wireless networks that provide faster internet speeds, a building or venue.
4G
improved voice quality, and support for advanced mobile services.

The fifth generation of wireless networks that offer even faster internet speeds, lower Ofcom Ofcom is the regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries.
5G latency, and support for advanced technologies like virtual reality, Internet of Things,
and autonomous vehicles.
Ofcom Licence Types of repeater which meets the technical criteria specified by Ofcom.
exempt It is illegal in the UK to use other types of repeater to transmit MNO signals.
The connection between a mobile network operator’s base station and the core
Backhaul
network, or backbone network, and the small subnetworks at the edge of the network.
A technology concept that promotes the disaggregation and interoperability
OpenRAN
of radio access network components.
BBU Baseband Unit, manages the baseband signals for transmission and reception.

CAT6 A standardised Ethernet cable that supports high-speed data transfer. Private Network A dedicated business network providing secure and controlled connectivity.

A centralised architecture for radio access networks, where the baseband units (BBUs),
C-RAN located centrally, are separated from the remote radio units (RRUs) which are located Radio Access Network, part of a mobile telecommunication system responsible for
RAN
on-site. connecting user devices to the core network.

Split architecture for 5G networks where the baseband functionality is split into two
CU/DU A device that receives a signal and retransmits it with greater power, so that the signal
physical units: a Centralised Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU). Repeater
can cover longer distances or be received on the other side of an obstruction.

Distributed Antenna System, a network of antennas and other components

DAS that enhances wireless coverage and capacity in areas with high user density Remote Radio Unit, converts radio signals to a form suitable for transmission over a fibre
RRU
or challenging RF environments. optic or coaxial cable.

A building, which uses digital technology to collect various types of data (related to
European Telecommunications Standards Institute – a non-profit organisation which
ETSI Smart Building occupancy rates, temperature, lighting, etc.) in real time, allowing action to be taken,
produces telecommunications standards for use throughout Europe.
often automatically.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

C. The Joint Operator D. OpenRAN

Technical Specifications (JOTS)
The JOTS forum has been established The technical solutions are The radio access network (RAN) is part the pool of suppliers and lowering the
to specify the performance, coverage detailed and include: of a mobile telecommunication system. barrier of entry for smaller companies and
and reliability of wireless systems that Conceptually, it resides between a specialists is expected to lead to greater
are shared by mobile operators. They ensuring that appropriate device such as a mobile phone, and competition, which will in turn lower the
are referenced by providers, including assessments are carried out; the operator’s core network. cost of delivering connectivity solutions
Cellnex UK, when deploying shared radio and provide a catalyst for innovation.
solutions on behalf of their customers. that new deployments Each MNO has one, although there is
don’t compromise existing an element of sharing between some MNOs are piloting OpenRAN
The UK JOTS forum was founded in technologies and devices; operators. It comprises the base stations, configurations, but widespread
1999, by the then four UK MNOs. Since or baseband and radio units, and antennas. adoption is not yet underway.
then, the specifications have been that all mobile operator spectrum Historically baseband units or base
updated to include the latest technology requirements are met; and stations have been provided as integrated
and additional architectures. units by a small number of vendors
that the solution meets current
such as Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung.
There are two specifications 3GPP and ETSI standards.
for In-Building solutions: OpenRAN allows for the separation between
It is important for building owners
hardware and software components, all
JOTS Distributed Antenna and businesses to choose a certified
built to industry-wide specifications. This
System specification (DAS) and experienced partner with a deep
means that different suppliers can contribute
understanding of the specifications
parts to the system, safe in the knowledge
The JOTS Neutral Host In-Building (NHIB) together with the capability and experience
that components will work together and
to deploy and manage the solution.
with the rest of the network. Widening
Under the specifications, a Neutral Host
provider (for example, Cellnex UK), JOTS is a UK initiative, and is currently
will install the in-building connectivity not an approach adopted elsewhere
solution into the building or venue. in the world. More information is
The provider will be responsible for available at www.mobileuk.org/jots
adherence to the requirements of JOTS.

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In-Building Solutions: Our solution approach and its evolution

E. Additional sources

Cellnex UK In-Building video:

JOTS website:
www.youtube.com/
www.mobileuk.org/jots
watch?v=aiXFj9QZlJA&feature=youtu.be

Cellnex UK website In-Building pages: OpenRAN links:

www.cellnex.com/gb-en/technology/ www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-open-
in-building-solutions ran-principles/open-ran-principles
www.o-ran.org

Cellnex UK resource centre,

collateral and case studies:
www.cellnex.com/gb-en/das-lp

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