Carrier of Carriers - Small Cell Networks for both 4G LTE and 5G NR

Graham Currier, Dense Air COO

19 July 2018
4G & 5G Wholesale Small Cell Sharing Technology
 Equipment Vendor
Airspan Networks Summary

OUR INVESTORS
4G LTE / Industrial IEEE ➢ $2B in cumulative
Mobile Carriers revenue
Licensed & Lightly-
& Network Operators ➢ 2M devices in service
Licensed
Main Industrial Networks: Smart ➢ 160m Mobile
Access & Backhaul
Grid, Public Safety, Subscribers supported
Transportation, Oil & Gas,
Municipalities, Government Scalable supply chain
(Foxconn & Flextronics)

Others

HQ in Florida, US Team initially formed

in 1994-1996
Tier 1, 2 and 3 plus WISPs
>300 in R&D (Israel, Independent Company
Supported by Direct Sales, UK and India) since 1998
System Integrators, Resellers,
Agents Awarded largest Small
Sales Offices throughout Cell roll-out in industry in
Asia, EMEA & the 2014
Americas
 Reliance Jio in India

120,000
Indoor
Airspan Cells deployed

Mathew Oommen, president Reliance Jio: “Jio is the world’s fastest

Zero to 100M growing mobile operator, acquiring 100 million LTE subscribers in
record time and experiencing an unprecedented rate of data adoption
subscribers in 83 days! and usage. Jio is partnering with Airspan to deploy a network of
small cells…… ….. The design provides a strong path towards 5G with
the same tools and building blocks, allowing a further quantum leap in
capacity.”
 Sprint in USA

240,000 cells
Outdoor

deployed in 12
months
Indoor John Saw, Sprint CTO - “Sprint Magic Box is making big strides.” “The
company recently hit a milestone of 100,000 deployed Sprint Magic Boxes to
businesses and consumers in approximately 200 cities. Sprint plans to deploy more
than 1 million units as part of its multi-year roadmap”.. ….

...Plug and Play

Proof-Point: Sprint Small Cell Deployment Status

Deployment in 200 Cities

200k+ Deployed and ~3000 Small Cells per day!

70% Indoor / 30% Outdoor: Target is 1 million!
The 10 Lessons we learnt about Small Cells...

1. Small Cells have limited coverage, number of single MNO users served is always small
2. Small Cells are under utilized, because number of users connected is small
3. Small Cells must provide “public” same services as Macro cells
4. Small Cells must provide the same user experience as a Macro cell (at cell centre)
5. Small Cells must be seamlessly integrated with Macro cells
6. Small Cells OPEX must be the same (or better) as Macro Cells / per served user
7. Small Cells must be in the right place to serve usefully serve end users
8. Small Cells must be easily deployable into the “right places”
9. Small Cells must be futureproofed and evolve in line with Macro Cells (4G to 5G)
10. Small Cell must easy to manage and maintain and provide same KPIs

For most MNOs it’s been very tough to

achieve all of these requirements!
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The Economics of 4G Small Cell Deployment is broken…

• Traditional MNO Outdoor The Answer is

deployment of LTE Small Cells is Dense Air
uneconomic Shared Indoor or Outdoor
4G/5G Small Cells supporting
• hence very limited deployment by MNOs Mobile Operators or other
• Site Rental, Power, Zoning, Power, Service Providers
Construction, Equipment Capex, Fiber or
Microwave/mmWave Backhaul etc…
Small Cell 5 Year TCO

• Indoor cells often are equally as

uneconomic
• Building Owner deal ($$$), Neutral Host 5x
designs, Cabling, Construction costs, RAN
Equipment Capex, backhaul OPEX etc…
• Less than 5% of buildings have DAS –
Shared Single MNO
Distributed Antenna Systems Dense Air Solution
Macro Cell Spectrum Efficiency (bits/s/Hz)

Macro Networks have poor Spectral Efficiency

Note: Networks using high bands have very poor efficiency

~1.2bit/s/Hz average. DL SE

64 QAM
QPSK
16 QAM 10 bit/s/Hz

0.1 bit/s/Hz 100x

Macro Cell Spectral Efficiency Source: Data collected from 18,500 Cells in Reliance Jio
Dense Air: We Improve Network Spectral Efficiency

Small Cells at Customer Premises to improve MBB services MNO Benefits

• Focused deployment in buildings at “Cell Edge” Locations Improv ed
Spect ral
• Improves Customer Experience (better Speed, Battery Life and Experience) Much Bet t er Ef f iciency
Improved
Uplink
• Improves MNO Macro Network Spectral Efficiency and Coverage Speeds
Indoor
LTE
Cov erage

• Network Densification for Mobile Network Operators

Small Cell
AirDensity
or AirUnity

QPSK, SISO

16 QAM, MIMO
64 QAM, MIMO
64 QAM, MIMO

A Bet t er Bet t er
Q ualit y of Bat t ery
Ex perience Lif e
Fast er
Cell Center Extended Cell Centre Indoor
Cell Middle Cell Edge Speeds

End User Benefits

Spectrum Holdings and Operating Companies

• Airspan Spectrum Holdings (ASH) is 100% owned

subsidiary of Airspan Networks Inc.

• Airspan Spectrum Holdings (ASH) is a “Special

Purpose Vehicle” for the acquisition of Spectrum
Assets that complements Airspan’s 4G (and then 5G)
small cell solutions

• In markets where ASH obtains spectrum OpCo’s are

established using Small Cells to build “wholesale”
shared networks (www.denseair.net)
• These operating companies are called

“Dense Air”

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Dense Air – Small Cell Network Operator

• “Network Densification or Network Extension” as a service using small cells

• A “Neutral Host” delivered in dedicated licensed spectrum
• Designed for 4G LTE networks and later for 5G NR
• Filling-in Coverage holes and Capacity weak spots in Mobile Networks
• We improve the “Spectral Efficiency” of existing Macro Cells
• Objective: Global Wholesale provider for Mobile and Fixed Network Operators
• We DO NOT compete with “Retail” Service Providers
• Our services are suitable for Urban, Suburban or Rural areas
• We also support Private LTE and IoT Networks for Large Enterprise and Government

Provides Operational and Network Provides products and technology

Design support for Dense Air for Sharing / Neutral Host

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 Dense Air (Q2 2018)

• Dense Air established in September 2017

• UK: Dense Air Group HQ
• Corporate HQ, Financial and Product Mgmt
• Dense Air Ireland
• Sales and Operations for Ireland
• Operating in avg. ~43MHz of 3.6GHz (Bands 42 &43)
• Dense Air Belgium
• Sales and Operations for Belgium
• Operating in 45MHz of 2.6GHz (Band 38)
• Dense Air Portugal
• Sales and Operations for Portugal
• Operating in avg. ~68MHz of 3.6GHz (Band 42 & 43)
• 168 MHz in Lisbon, 112 MHz in Porto

• More to come in 2018……..

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Dense Air - Wholesale “Neutral Host”

• Dense Air focuses on three types of use cases

• Network Enhancement and Extension as a Service in licensed spectrum
• Neutral Host, Multi Operator / Service Provider support

Mobile Network Wireless Fibre 5G as a Service

Densification Extension
(Urban) (Rural)

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 Dense Air – Our Building Blocks

Small Cells operating in Licensed Spectrum Outdoor

• Indoor and Outdoor Solutions (Street Pole)

• Shared “Neutral” wholesale operation

Indoor
(Window) Rural
Scalable Cloud Computing (Network Edge)
• Cloud based Neutral Host sharing
• Support multiple operators from single box
• Scales to millions of users
Cloud
Big Data Analytics and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
• Ability to ”see” where LTE is performing poorly
• Targeted Deployment in MNO Weak Spots Poor
Coverage
• Partner portals and operations systems
and Capacity

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“Virtualized” Small Cells as a Service

• Dense Air “virtualizes” it’s small cells Physical

Outdoor
Virtualised
MNO #1
• Each real physical eNodeB supports multiple “virtual” eNB
instances, one per MNO supported
Virtualised
• Single set of active electronics (eNB) enables Neutral MNO #2
Host network sharing
• Each virtual instance of an eNodeB is fully
encapsulated Virtualised
MNO #3
• Separate address space
• Separate mgmt and control interfaces
• No sharing of any data between virtual instances Virtualised
MNO #1
• Each Virtual eNodeB has it’s own PLMN ID
Virtualised
• Dense Air implements an advanced QoS and SLA MNO#2
solution to ensure that each virtual small cell delivers Virtualised
the target capacity of capacity MNO #3

Neutral Host: Single Small Cell serving 3 or 4 MNOs

Physical Indoor eNB

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Mobile Network
Densification

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Airspan’s AirUnity: All-Wireless Self-Deployed Small Cell

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Indoor “Windowsill” Small Cell

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Dense Air - Mobile Network Densification

• Enhancing user experience by extending 4G LTE

and later 5G Macro Cell coverage
• Using relay ‘Magic Box’ technology to fix poor
indoor coverage
• Targeting modern Enterprise buildings with high RF
penetration loss
• Recovering macro-cell efficiency where there’s a
high user density
• Macro-cell coverage extensions in dense urban
environments
• Leveraging LTE Relay technology
deployed by Sprint to transform
their network coverage
• Operating in Dense Air spectrum
• Benefitting Dense Air Wholesale
MNO Partners

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Big-data logs
Detecting Poor
Coverage and Capacity

Analysis System
(AGOOP Corp.)
3 billion logs per month
(Communication Logs from Smartphone Application)

OK
OK
OK OK
OK
OK
OK NG

※user permission has been obtained

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SoftBank aGoop Big-data Analysis

before after

NG log point NG log point

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Leveraging SoftBank Experience on Improving 4G Coverage

• Dense Air focuses on improving

4G Network Coverage
• Improved user experience
• Migration to IMS Voice

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 Jan.2018～Mar.2018 Mar.2018

Ireland Japan

74% 74% 75% 98% 98% 97%

● Temple bar ● Tokyo Station

76% 73% 73% 98% 98% 98%

78% 78% 73% 98% 97% 98%

1Km
1Km
LTE OK Ratio LTE OK Ratio

Ave 75% LTE Improvement

Ave 98%
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Dense Air – AI Assisted Deployment

Example: Poor Coverage in Food Store

Network Densification Service: Summary

• We deploy small cells to improve coverage in “cell edge” conditions (urban)

• Target is small cell deployment in “uneconomic” area for MNO
• Small Cells improve macro network spectral efficiency, by enabling optimal PRB utilization
• Every small cell we deploy can be tightly integrated into an MNO network
• Supports seamless handover to/from small cell
• Macro equivalent functionality (including VoLTE and eMBMS)
• Virtualized Small Cells support all normal RAN KPIs and OA&M / mgmt. interfaces
• Deployment process is pure “Plug and Play”
• AI “Assisted Installation” is recommended
• Indoor (and Outdoor) small cells can be used
• Indoor plug and play user installed boxes (supports 128 UEs per AirUnity)
• Low and High Power Outdoor Small Cells (Poles mounted)
• Backhaul solution is LTE Relay in most cases. mmWave/Ethernet is an option
• Service: Zero CAPEX, based on simple monthly charge per small cell

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Wireless Fiber
Extension

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Dense Air - Wireless Fibre Extension

• Dense Air “Network Extension” service mmWave

Access and
• Extending fibre broadband coverage into rural Backhaul or
and under-served locations UE Relay

• Leveraging existing roadside utility poles (power

or telephony) Sub 6 GHz
eNB and
• Low CAPEX & OPEX wireless infrastructure to gNB
economically extend broadband networks
• Fixed broadband Service
• (like short range copper xDSL)
• 4G LTE & 5G multi-operator access
• Fed by multi-hop smart wireless backhaul
• Extending service into environments where
fibre to the premises is uneconomical.

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The Dense Air WFE Solution: Typical Deployment
Sub 6 GHz Licensed Small Cell

Fibre

Wireless Fibre
Extension
(mmWave Mesh)

Fibre Extension
fed LTE Node

Fibre fed LTE

Node

Dense Air
WFE
• Solution is “Wireless Fiber Extension (WFE)” as a service using Dense Air spectrum
assets and low cost eNodeBs (AirSpeed and AirHarmony)
• Solution also uses Airspan iBridge for Pole to Pole Backhaul (microwave and mmWave)
Network Extension Service: Summary

• Small cells to extend cell edge coverage (rural)

• Extend coverage footprint when Macro economics stop because of low density
• or when geography makes Macro deployment difficult / impractical
• Delivers both Fixed (wireless) and Mobile Broadband services
• Tightly integrated into an MNO’s RAN network
• Supports seamless handover to/from small cell (mobile services)
• Macro equivalent functionality (including VoLTE and eMBMS)
• Virtualized Small Cells support all normal RAN KPIs and OA&M / mgmt. interfaces
• Deployment process is quick, “Plug and Play” with simple physical installation
• 1 hour to install on “made ready” wooden poles
• Typically Outdoor small cells can be used
• Low and High Power Outdoor Small Cells (Poles and Rooftops)
• Backhaul solution is LTE Relay (later 5G NR) or mmWave Mesh
• Service: Zero CAPEX, based on simple monthly charge per small cell
 Neutral Host
“5G as a Service”

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Dense Air “5G as a Service” for MNOs

• Delivering wholesale 5G coverage into high foot-

fall locations - Neutral Host
• Leveraging 5G technologies and architectures
• 5GNR Giga-bit connectivity, Massive MIMO, Fixed
and Mobile, Hybrid access networks, Edge
Computing
• Optimising for:
• Transportation – connected vehicles
• Industrial & Enterprise IoT
• Real-time broadband applications

Neutral Host “5G” network

will build infrastructure in
places MNOs economics fail
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 “5G as a Service” by Dense Air

• What is 5G in the real world…

“Like Fiber”
Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)
• Faster Peak Speeds: Gigabit/s Services to normal portable devices
• High Average Speeds (i.e. Cell Edge): >50 Mbit/s most of the time
• High Percentage of Time on 4G LTE and 5G NR Radios: >95%

Support for the Wireless “Internet-of-Things” (mMTC) “Everything is

• Hundreds of Billions of connected devices connected”
• Directly: using LTE Cat M1 or NB-IoT
• In-Directly: Via Small Cells / Wi-Fi APs / Bluetooth backhauled using LTE

Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC)

• Mission Critical Applications: Public and Private: Near 100% Coverage “Safe and Secure”
• Autonomous Cars, Industrial Automation, Public Safety Networks
• Edge Computing Platforms with connectivity for AI entities

Only “Massive Densification” can create a 5G Network!

 Dense Air 5G Service: LTE to 5G NR Conversion...
“2020” 5G Launch: 5G NR Macro supported by Small Cells

MNO
Macro Cells

Up to 1.6 Gbit/s

Fiber

Street
Cells • 5G NR Small Cells can ensure the “Power” of 5G NR is delivered to end users
immediately after MNO launch (using existing LTE Bands)
Fiber
• Small Cells act as a “Gateway” allowing older and newer handsets to gain
access to faster speeds and low latency 5G services
Dense Air: “5G RAN as a shared service”
• 2020 Small Cell 5G RAN: Customer Premises & Street Nodes
Network Densification using NextGen Small Cells
“Eliminating the Cell Edge” using Indoor and Outdoor MNO 5G NR

mmWave Sub 6
Sub 6 GHz 5G NR WiGig or GHz 5G
mmWave 5G NR & WiGig 5G NR NR
The 10 Lessons we learnt about Small Cells...

1. Small Cells have limited coverage, number of single MNO users served is always small
2. Small Cells are under utilized, because number of users connected is small
3. Small Cells must provide “public” same services as Macro cells
4. Small Cells must provide the same user experience as a Macro cell (at cell centre)
5. Small Cells must be seamlessly integrated with Macro cells
6. Small Cells OPEX must be the same (or better) as Macro Cells / per served user
7. Small Cells must be in the right place to serve usefully serve end users
8. Small Cells must be easily deployable into the “right places”
9. Small Cells must be futureproofed and evolve in line with Macro Cells (4G to 5G)
10. Small Cell must easy to manage and maintain ands provide same KPIs

Dense Air “Small Cells as a Service” “cracks to

code” for massive deployment
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The “Dense Air” Service Proposition

• We install, operate and maintain “Small cells as a Service”

• Zero up-front CAPEX
• Price is based on simple per cell monthly fee with no data usage fees
• No long term commitment necessary
• Service includes “Big Data” analysis of existing LTE network
• To determine deployment locations and calculate the benefits of small cell deployment
• MNO can request deployment in specific locations via Denseware Portal
• Virtual “Small Cells” are integrated into MNOs RAN
• Seamless handover, Fully managed and Full KPIs
• Dense Air works with directly building / venue owners
• and with Town / City councils for outdoor small cells
• Goal is to deploy small cells in optimal locations / Take the hassle out of deployment

Dense Air Ireland/Belgium is preparing for Commercial Service launch Q1 2019

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Thank you for your Attention – Questions?
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