Green means go for 5G! Telent looks to traffic signals for rapid, cost-effective, scalable roll-out

A new approach

At Telent, we have come up with an alternative approach for 5G deployment. With the application of Telent’s capabilities, experience and established relationships with leading technology partners and public sector clients such as Transport for London, Local Authorities, County Councils and highways agencies, Telent can offer a tailored and cost-effective approach for scalable, advanced and future-proof 5G network infrastructures.

Through Telent’s managed service partnerships, we operate and maintain many systems and services that 5G can leverage to deliver coverage. Telent services include traffic signals, street-based CCTV, passenger information devices at bus stops and other roadside information devices. By utilizing these existing local traffic signal, CCTV and other highways infrastructure, we can cost-effectively deploy 5G small cell systems, creating value for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

These various existing devices are already connected to local data networks and can be used to mount 5G antenna arrays and connect them to Service Providers’ local points of presence. In many cases the connectivity to these roadside devices is already powered by fibre and can, therefore, provide additional capacity to support the new 5G equipment.

In cases where the roadside devices are connected using the established cable technology, new fibre can still be pulled into the existing cable ducts to connect the 5G equipment. The Infrastructure Services team at Telent is currently rolling out super-fast and ultra-fast fibre broadband and can use this expertise to deploy additional fibre connectivity to support additional 5G antennas, as required. Other radio technologies that are complimentary to the delivery of 5G can also be leveraged to create a mesh architecture between connected roadside devices and locally installed additional 5G devices.

Assessing the advantages

In comparison with alternative street deployment options, our 5G solution offers competitive delivery of services and commercial models. Telent has a nationwide availability to undertake projects at scale, with capacity to serve major towns, cities and major transport hubs such as Gatwick & Stansted Airports, Ashford International and Port of Dover. This cost-effective approach is further simplified because third party specialist contractors are eliminated as site access and work credentials have already been secured by Telent’s own teams.

As with any infrastructure enhancement, ease of access is vital. We also have a tried and tested proficiency in the scheduling and management of services deployment. The approach of utilising existing street-based devices to install 5G, will present minimal planning and permission constraints (depending on availability of equipment) and associated delays. Telent’s VoltServer solution allows power to be provided via existing telecom ducts reducing the requirement for additional electrical supply installations. This approach, as well as using fully modular poles, enables projects to be rapidly scaled.

Of course, local authorities who allow their street assets to be used in such a way should not be expected to do so for free. This can be addressed via an annual rental fee which would subsidise infrastructure expense incurred for telemetry, management, maintenance and other system costs. The local community would also benefit from enhanced mobile coverage, the enablement of smart technologies and new services such as smart roads and autonomous vehicles.

Our detailed understanding of the highway network and technology environment, coupled with our proven track record in the design, planning, deployment and operation of multiple radio, mobile and cellular technologies, make Telent ideally suited to deliver on this proposition.

As 5G moves from concept to reality, Telent’s unique position as a leading technology provider will ease the transition, providing the right levels of service throughout, backed by assurance and proficiency. As part of Telent’s DNA, it continually assesses emerging and developing technologies to ensure that the technology benefits can be mapped against business requirements and demands can be met.