INWIT scales inbuilding wireless across Italy’s tourist spots to meet 5G checks

BT News Desk
February 16, 2019 5:16 am

Millions of local and international visitors flock to Italy’s historical landmarks and major venues every day, creating unique challenges for network operators in keeping people connected with high reliability. To address this, businesses across Italy are investing in digital infrastructures, giving customers, visitors, employees and tenants an in-building wireless experience. INWIT, Italy’s largest provider of neutral host services, is collaborating with CommScope to deliver superior mobile voice and data services with readiness for 5G.

INWIT designs, installs and operates in-building wireless solutions for all types of enterprises and public venues. It will deploy CommScope Era, an all-digital C-RAN antenna system for multi-operator projects at venues throughout Italy, including the Fortezza da Basso Conference Centre and the Congress Palace, both in Florence.

INWIT will benefit from CommScope Era’s all-digital, software-centric architecture and its ability to flexibly allocate mobile capacity from a small footprint, centralised headend. This significantly improves the economics of delivering in-building wireless services when compared with traditional distributed antenna systems DAS.

CommScope Era now features a direct CPRI interface to Nokia baseband units and a family of remotes ranging in power from 60 milliwatts to 20 watts, to support virtually any building structure and its adjacent outdoor spaces. As a single in-building wireless platform that can scale from office buildings to the largest stadiums, CommScope Era meets INWIT’s needs for flexibility and operational efficiency. INWIT’s success in deploying solutions throughout Italy illustrates the flexibility and attractive economics of the C-RAN antenna system.

The country’s service providers are seeking 5G-ready technologies to keep up with the subscriber demand for more wireless bandwidth by adding capacity to their networks. Inherent in its digital architecture, CommScope Era establishes a highly-efficient multiplexed fiber front haul architecture that supports today’s LTE and 3G services and can be used for 5G in the future.

“INWIT is committed to providing reliable, multi-operator, in-building wireless connectivity for all types of public and private organisations. Our neutral host business model allows mobile operators to optimise their investments by sharing network infrastructure,” said Giovanni Ferigo, Chief Executive Officer, INWIT. “By collaborating with CommScope, INWIT drives down cost barriers to in-building wireless by providing one shared infrastructure that can support all operators at all venues.”

“Reliable, ultra-fast mobile coverage in what we consider the birthplace of Western civilization will enhance the experience of locals and the thousands of visitors who explore museums, stadiums, conference centres, train stations and other historical landmarks,” said Samuel Buttarelli, Vice President of DAS and small cells, CommScope. INWIT and CommScope are responding to operators’ needs for options that will make in-building wireless more affordable for building owners and commercial real estate companies while paving the way for 5G services in the future.

Key takeaways

Strategy

  • Ultra-fast mobile coverage in the birthplace of Western civilization will enhance experience for thousands of visitors.

Execution

  • INWIT will deploy CommScope Era at venues throughout Italy including Fortezza da Basso Conference Centre and Congress Palace.
  • CommScope Era is a single in-building wireless platform that can scale from office buildings to the largest stadiums.

Cost

  • INWIT drives down cost to in-building wireless by providing one shared infrastructure that can support all operators.
  • INWIT and CommScope are responding to needs for options that will make in-building wireless affordable while paving the way for 5G.

People

  • Millions of visitors flock to Italy’s historical landmarks creating unique challenges for network operators in keeping people connected.

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