Ericsson promotes the shared neutral host model in the U.S.
The private networking push will not be good news for rival Nokia
Factories that have already installed Ericsson neutral host private networking gear include Toyota Forklifts, Cummins and - maybe - Tesla
Ericsson appears to have broken up one of the major factors limiting 4G and 5G neutral host private networking use in the U.S., bringing AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon under its steely wing with its new enterprise connect radios and software.
Neutral host networks are shared wireless infrastructures that enable multiple network operators to provide connectivity and coverage in indoor enterprise spaces and outdoor public arenas. Rather than each mobile network operator (MNO) deploying their own separate infrastructure, a single neutral host network can serve multiple MNOs, thereby lowering the costs of deploying this infrastructure.
Thus, this shared approach is particularly relevant when deploying in-building systems in big venues or in industrial sites with specialist requirements. Neutral host deployments have started with in-building coverage in carpeted and industrial enterprises, schools and hospitals.
“This is one of the advantages of being an Ericsson, we have good relationships with all the [communication service providers],” said Ericsson’s Manish Tiwari, who had been head of private cellular networks at the Swedish vendor’s Cradlepoint unit, which is now under the Ericsson banner. “I think they see the need,” Tiwari said of mobile network operators.
U.S. first
He also noted that the neutral host model is moving first and quickest in the United States thanks to things like shared mid-band Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) and now, products like Ericsson’s enterprise connect. Tiwari noted that the neutral host model will follow in Europe, enabled by operators and spectrum, of course.
Industry analyst Joe Madden, founder of Mobile Experts, said he was “happy to see” the Ericsson move. He questioned Tiwari live at its analyst day event on whether the neutral host Ericsson radios would connect with Nokia or Samsung radios in the field.
“It’s still possible,” Tiwari said. “They’re certified by all carriers.”
Still, this particular Ericsson push into the neutral host/private networking field must give Nokia pause for thought. Dell’Oro Group has said that through 2023 and 2024 - so far - that Huawei is the top private networking player, followed by Nokia and then Ericsson. The Finnish vendor must be worried that its Swedish rival is completely gunning for its silver ranking in the growing private networking market.
DAS killer
Ericsson’s head of product marketing for enterprise 5G, Matt Addicks, described the new enterprise product to Fierce as a “DAS killer.” Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) have been used for years so ensure cell phone signaling around campuses, earning a reputation as being expensive to install and difficult to update for 4G LTE and 5G.
The Ericsson system, he noted, can cover areas from a few thousand square feet to millions of square feet. Addicks said that the Ericsson neutral host footprint is already serving customers like Toyota Forklifts in Indiana, engine manufacturer Cummins in New York and an unnamed car manufacturer.
“I can’t comment on who that is specifically,” Addicks said. Fierce heard this refrain a couple more times during the event. He did, however, say that Ericsson was helping this customer install 5G private networking in their global factories.
Fierce has previously heard from SNS Telecom & IT analyst Asad Khan that Ericsson is working with Tesla to install private networking in some of their factories. Given how paranoid Elon Musk & company are about anything but the most fawning press coverage, however, it shouldn’t be surprising that Ericsson wouldn’t want to confirm anything.
Addicks told Fierce that the unnamed car manufacturer put in the neutral host private networking to improve their E911 coverage across buildings. They found, however, that the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) performance on the factory floor was wildly improved once they were off a jumpy Wi-Fi link and solidly on 5G.
“We deployed a private 5G solution for their AGVs and sensors and then for their cameras and security,” Addicks said. The manufacturer reported this resulted in less mysterious beeping on the factory floor because of halted AGVs, which sounds like a positive outcome for them.