Macro Cell Solutions: Ensuring Reliability and Flexibility for Quality Deployments

As broadband consumption increases – especially with the explosive growth of cellular and the roll-out of 5G-Advanced features – wireless operators face the challenge of adding capacity and boosting network performance to stay ahead of the competition. Traditional approaches to macro cell deployment are no longer sufficient. Achieving the full potential of 5G and futureproofing for 6G requires not just higher data rates, ultra-low latency, and massive network capacity, but also careful preparation, flexible designs, and robust engineering and testing.

Reliability and Uptime: Job 1 in Macro Cell Wireless Networks

Ensuring that the network provides continuous service with minimal downtime is essential for both end-users and operators. A reliable network must handle failures seamlessly with built-in redundancy, fault tolerance, and robust recovery mechanisms. It should minimize service interruptions, which is crucial for both critical applications (like emergency communications) and everyday user experiences.

Macro cells are the backbone of wireless networks, yet often in the wireless industry there are suppliers who just make cabinets, or just make cables or terminals, etc. When a network is built piecemeal in this manner, it can pose issues with component variability, integration, compatibility and reliability, to name a few. After all, if the full network solution has been cobbled together and then doesn’t work – who is responsible?

That’s one reason Belden provides complete end-to-end wireless broadband solutions through its three sub-brands – PPC, Precision OT and Sichert. By being a one-stop-shop for everything from fiber cables to vaults, having one supplier helps ensure smoother integration, cost efficiency, reliable performance, simplified maintenance and speedy time-to-market on changes and new designs.

A robust and reliable network brings with it confidence that fewer truck rolls will be needed, minimizing operational expenditure (OpEx). Rather than separating out capital expenditure (CapEx) costs of installing a network, and OpEx running costs, taking a holistic approach ensures that long-term quality and reliability won’t be compromised by short-term savings on components.

5G-Advanced and Beyond: Flexible Macro Cell Networks Bend Toward the Future

Moving from 4G to 5G to 5G-Advanced and beyond, it’s important to future-proof your network as much as possible. What’s the best way? Our experts say it’s by taking advantage of flexible, modular designs.

These tailored network designs offer several key benefits for macro cells:

1. Scalability – Flexible, modular designs allow for easy expansion of the network as demand grows to accommodate population density or traffic volume increases in a region.
2. Cost Efficiency – A modular approach means that operators can replace or upgrade parts of the network without overhauling the entire infrastructure. When moving from 5G to next gen networks, for example, specific modules can be swapped out without needing a complete rebuild. This reduces both CapEx and OpEx.
3. Flexibility for Deployment – Flexible network designs make it easier to deploy macro cells in a variety of environments – urban, rural, or even remote areas. Modular equipment can be tailored for different geographic needs, ensuring optimal coverage and performance for specific locations. For instance, additional capacity can be added in high-demand areas.
4. Faster Upgrades and Maintenance – Modular designs enable faster upgrades and easier maintenance. If an issue occurs in one module, it can be replaced or repaired without affecting the whole system. This minimizes downtime and ensures continuous service.
5. Simplified Network Management – Using non-proprietary modular connectivity components across the network simplifies network management.
6. Technological Evolution – With flexible, modular solutions, operators can easily adopt new technologies as they become available. Instead of a complete infrastructure overhaul, only specific modules need to be updated or replaced, ensuring evolution with minimal disruption and investment.

While Macro Cell towers are a very mature market for connectivity, there’s a need for innovation in terms of providing extreme flexibility, according to Jason Cartwright, Senior Solution Line Manager at Belden.

“We ask our customers to tell us their pain points, ideas, and network needs. We walk away with that feedback and make a customized product quickly to meet their requirements.”

Most often, customers ask us for user-friendly designs offering flexibility and modularity – all with the high quality and reliability they’ve come to expect from us. One example of how we take customer feedback and develop innovative solutions in response is the Hybrid Fiber/Power OVP (Overvoltage Protection) Terminal.

Designed to distribute power and fiber connectivity for outdoor wireless networks while providing equipment protection from lightning strikes, we incorporated the flexibility our customers need:

• Configurations are available to support three, four, or six radios and gland diameters for standard and armored FTTA jumper assemblies.
• Surge protection devices can be electronically status monitored and include a visual indicator window to easily detect a network failure.
• In the case of a surge protection device failure, a module can easily be unplugged and replaced in the field.
• Cable gland entries are also included to support hybrid or discrete power and fiber trunk connections.

End-to-End Wireless Network Quality and Support

Flexible, modular designs help operators efficiently manage macro cell networks while meeting the growing wireless demands. Our commitment to research, design and quality extends to our emerging wireless portfolio. Through industry-leading innovation and world-class testing capabilities, our wireless solutions are optimized and ensure secure, reliable broadband delivery to small cell, macro cell, and fixed wireless applications. For more information, check out our Macro Cell guide and contact us to discuss how our customized wireless solutions can work for you.