Case Study: BT advances shared 5G indoor coverage with Mavenir's virtualised vRAN solution

BT and Mavenir promote new shared vRAN solution

BT, working with Mavenir, was looking for a better way to deliver flexible indoor mobile coverage for multiple operators, especially as 4G and 5G densification increases demand in offices, public venues, and large premises. The challenge was to replace costly distributed antenna systems and single-operator femtocells with a scalable, multi-operator solution that could support growing indoor connectivity needs.

Mavenir provided the virtual network functions for BT’s new virtual radio access node, enabling a shared vRAN small cell that can host up to four operators while keeping each operator’s control and management separate. BT said the solution was in lab and testbed trials, with field trials planned for 2019, and that it had already been well received by EE and O2 UK; the main impact is a more flexible, economically viable, and upgradeable indoor coverage model for multi-operator 4G and 5G deployments.

BT

Jones

Managing Director of Mobile Operator