Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) is conducting a trial on the use of street furniture for small cells and aerial fibre deployment at Namma Metro, Bangalore, as part of a pilot by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). In this pilot, Vi has demonstrated a 5G download speed of 1.2Gbps on a mobile handset at MG Road station.
TRAI has selected Vi to conduct trials at Namma Metro, Bangalore as the main metro rail in the country to test 5G readiness. The trial targets 5G coverage at road level, in its concourse area, platform and tracks on both sides. The learnings of this project will in turn be used for 5G deployment in other metro rails in the country. These pilots are aimed at making cross-sectoral infrastructure more accessible for the quick roll-out of the 5G networks. Street furniture such as electric poles, bus stands, traffic lights etc. is being used for testing 5G small cells.
Additionally, Vi is also conducting trials on the use of street furniture for small cells and aerial fibre deployment at Bhopal Smart City, New Delhi International Airport, and Kandla Port in Gujarat. The telco has demonstrated a range of 5G-based technology solutions and use cases as part of its 5G trials on government-allocated trial spectrum in Pune and Gandhinagar earlier.
Small cells are network equipment being deployed by Vi to enhance 4G network coverage and capacity. Trials are being conducted to test the equipment for 5G network deployments in the future. It uses higher frequencies’ spectrum to provide ultra-high broadband speed and is placed closer to the user to provide quick responses to the user’s request. As per TRAI, these pilots will be very helpful in making cross-sectoral infrastructure more accessible for the quick rollout of the 5G networks for telcos, post allotment of 5G frequencies by the Department of Telecommunications. Hundreds of 5G small cells are needed to be installed in a square kilometre of area to provide good coverage. Use of street furniture already available at metro rail areas, such as poles, can be used for mounting these 5G small cells, obviating the need for erecting thousands of new towers. This will not only ensure faster deployment of 5G but also unlock the true potential of underutilised street furniture at ports.
