Mobile connectivity playbook for cities

In Europe, 5G coverage is already extensive in urban areas, provided primarily from existing macrocell towers. Although the macrocell-based deployment of 5G services has provided some capacity relief to 4G networks, increasing urban mobile data demand is pushing against the capacity limits of the existing network infrastructure. In addition, the deployment of mmWave 5G services, which would add significant new capacity, is not practical using macrocells. The challenges for network design that are already evident in urban 4G deployments become dominant with the transition to 5G. Building urban mobile networks for 5G requires a new way of thinking. City governments and mobile network operators must develop a more cohesive approach for the installation of new, or reuse of existing, street assets as part of network densification initiatives. This playbook identifies a lifecycle and tools that collectively help mobile network operators to improve their urban mobile networks efficiently and cost-effectively and city governments to further their digital agenda and be good stewards of the city’s resources and streetscapes. It is a deliverable from the collaboration between the city, operators, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders within the TIP Connected City Infrastructure solution group