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5G takes indoors centre stage at MWC2020

Published on 7th February 2020

Ranplan Wireless, pioneer of heterogeneous (HetNet) wireless network planning tools, predicts far greater emphasis on ultra-reliable indoor connectivity, Open RAN architectures and automation, post initial network deployment

With 5G deployments intensifying, one of the key themes at this year’s Mobile World Congress will be the challenge to perfect wireless connectivity inside and in close proximity to buildings in dense urban environments. Other hot topics at this month’s MWC will be the emergence of more intelligent and dynamic networks through AI-led automation as well as the increasing drive for network openness and interoperability led by the O-RAN Alliance.

As mmWave spectrum becomes broadly available, service providers will be strongly incentivised to dramatically improve the capabilities of cellular networks indoors. Ranplan envisages that within the next few years the proportion of larger buildings in urban areas with dedicated cellular networks will increase at least five-fold from the current level of approximately 2%, with global spend expected to reach $11bn by 2023. A special impetus is likely to come from the private 4G(LTE)/5G stampede, epitomised by CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service).

Ranplan also believes that the increasing drive for openness and interoperability of networks will see more support for the O-RAN Alliance at this year’s MWC. “While the major operators are keen to reduce costs, avoid vendor lock-in and encourage more sharing of infrastructure, the move away from proprietary networks will also encourage innovation, multi-party collaboration and reduce the dominance of the major equipment providers, opening up exciting new opportunities for smaller vendors,” said Per Lindberg, CEO Ranplan Group AB.

Over the next few years, networks will be much more dynamic, flexible and intelligent, leveraging AI-led automation tools to adapt to varying traffic demands and exploiting the powers of network slicing algorithms to instantly modify themselves.

“Ranplan’s roadmap is strategically aligned with the principles of O-RAN Alliance as there are obvious benefits attached to open interfaces and full interoperability in a multi-vendor environment. We recognise that these attributes are absolutely essential to the realisation of network slicing as well as automation and optimisation of network operations,” said Per Lindberg. “Network slicing epitomises the real-time adaptability of the network architecture of the future. Its realisation is set to deliver highly desirable and tangible benefits – in terms of both cost and performance – to consumers, enterprises and operators,” said Professor Jie Zhang, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ranplan Group AB.

At MWC 2020, Ranplan will be showing the latest capability of its flagship platform, Ranplan Professional. Version 6.0 is powered by the next generation propagation engine, Ranplan Maxwell, a vector-based deterministic, true 3D ray-launching/tracing engine, providing increased accuracy and faster prediction speeds. This new edition platform also paves the way for a cloud native and multi-vendor environment, embracing open interfaces and automation. Ranplan will also be featuring its Collaboration Hub (C-HUB), a secure, cloud-based project management and workflow platform that allows operators, system integrators and equipment vendors to work together and gain real-time project status overview. The C-HUB is already being used to support OSS integration with a large mobile operator in Japan.

Also featured at MWC will be Ranplan In-Building, an indoor network planning and optimisation platform designed specifically for large, complex in-building projects where high-density indoor coverage is a challenge. In addition, Ranplan Tablet caters to the needs of non-RF engineers to help reduce the time of onsite RF planning by quickly capturing site survey information, rapidly creating preliminary indoor plans, and easily generating bills of materials.

Ranplan is exhibiting in Hall 7 Stand 7C24

 

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations
Peter Rennison
PRPR Tel: 44(0)1442 245030
Email: pr@prpr.co.uk

Certified Advisor

FNCA Sweden AB, +46(0)8-528 00 399 info@fnca.se, is the Company’s Certified Adviser at Nasdaq First North.

About Ranplan Wireless

Ranplan Wireless is an innovative wireless technology company that has developed the world’s only solution that can plan, design and optimise inbuilding and outdoor wireless networks in coordination (HetNet). Our solutions enable us to help an ecosystem of companies deploy the next generation of wireless networks for a range of applications in urban environments, supporting multiple technologies such as 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi and IoT, providing end users with an unmatched quality of experience.

Ranplan Wireless is a subsidiary of Ranplan Group AB (Nasdaq First North: RPLAN) whose head office is in Stockholm, Sweden. The group operates out of offices in the UK, US and China.
www.ranplanwireless.com

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