Although efforts are underway to sunset 2G and 3G networks, many CSPs will need to operate multiple base station types across 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G for many years. In addition, they will need to accommodate an ever-widening range of spectrum bands – up to 20 bands perhaps – ranging from sub 1GHz low bands and 3.5 GHz mid-bands to very high 26-40GHz millimetre bands, with even higher 66-79GHz bands also expected to be used in the future. Another major issue is the need to reduce opex costs, particularly power consumption. Although 5G hardware is more energy efficient than 4G, the total power consumption of 5G networks will  be higher as 5G networks will be much denser and will require more base stations.

Huawei's "ONE 5G" Concept

Amalgamating multi-band, multi-RAT base stations into single hardware units that can efficiently maximise the use of  available spectrum was a major theme at the Forum. For CSPs, this brings many benefits: replacing multiple "boxes" with a one or two "box" solution leads to lower tower costs and simplified, more spectrum-efficient multi-band network deployment, while the use of dynamic power sharing across all carriers, spectrum bands and RATs reduces power consumption. Centre-stage at the event, therefore, was Huawei's “ONE 5G” concept - a set of base station solutions designed to integrate legacy base station hardware into single RAN units and facilitate the transition and optimised usage of all mobile spectrum bands, including legacy narrowband FDD bands, to 5G.

Huawei demonstrated several new ultra-wideband products including its second-generation, 800 MHz MetaAAU with ELAA technology; multi-band 4T4R radio; FDD 8T8R radio incorporating its Hertz antenna and new indoor Giga Lampsite 5.0 products. Several of Huawei's new antenna products now incorporate its proprietary Signal Direct Injection Feeding (SDIF) technology, which dispenses with the need for cables inside the antenna enclosure. This provides many benefits, including a higher gain/better coverage (due to reduced signal loss), improved power dissipation, higher reliability - plus a claimed 1Kg/band saving in weight.

Other Key Themes

Other major themes included Intelligent RAN, where the vendor demonstrated its latest AI-based solutions and 5G Advanced, where numerous innovations in IoT and private networks based on the upcoming 5.5G standard were showcased.  Of particular interest was the vendor's  HCS-based Millimetre Wave positioning technology using passive IoT tags, a promising technology for numerous applications requiring precise positioning, such as autonomous vehicles, drones, etc.

*Harmonized Communications Sensing

A full review of Huawei's Global MBB Forum, including a full set of takeaways, is published in the following report, available to clients of Counterpoint Research's 5G Network Infrastructure Service.

Selected Highlights from Huawei's Global MBB Forum

Table of Contents

Overview:

• CSPs - Facing Network Challenges
• Huawei's “ONE” Concept
• Frequency Bands Transitioning to 5G
• Challenges of Fragmented FDD Spectrum

New Base Station Products:

• 2nd-gen MetaAAU with ELAA
• Meta BladeAAU
• Ultra-Wideband, Multi-Band 4T4R Radio
• FDD 8T8R + Hertz Antenna
• Dual-Band FDD mMIMO Radio
• New mmWave Products

Intelligent RAN:

• Intelligent RAN Benefits
• Huawei Solutions & Deployments
• Operator Examples

5G Advanced and IoT:

• IoT Connections By Technology
• Passive IoT Technologies
• HCS : Millimetre Wave Positioning using Passive IoT
• Hybrid Private Networks
• Connected 5G Factory
• Healthcare – Smart Hospital
• Healthcare – 5G Mobile Stroke Care
• Oil & Gas Extraction

Key Takeaways