Telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) is conducting a trial use of street furniture for small cells and aerial fibre deployment at Namma Metro Bengaluru as part of the TRAI pilot. TRAI has selected Vi to conduct trials at Namma Metro, Bengaluru, to test 5G readiness.
TRAI’s pilots aim to make cross-sectoral infrastructure more accessible for the quick rollout of the 5G networks. Street furniture such as electric poles, bus stands, traffic lights etc., is being used for testing 5G small cells. The trial targets 5G coverage at road level, in its concourse area, platform, and tracks on both sides. The learnings from the project will be used for 5G deployment in other Metro rails in the country.
Vi demonstrated a 5G download speed of 1.2 Gbps on a mobile handset at MG Road Station in the TRAI pilot. The telco has demonstrated a range of 5G-based technology solutions and use cases as part of its 5G trials on Government allocated trial spectrum in Pune, Maharashtra, and Gujarat earlier. The telco is also trialling the use of street furniture for small cells and aerial fibre deployment at Bhopal Smart City, New Delhi International Airport, and Kandla Port.
Small cells are equipment deployed to enhance 4G network coverage and capacity. Trials are being conducted to test the equipment for 5G network deployments in the future. It uses a higher frequencies spectrum to provide ultra-high broadband speed and is placed closer to the user to provide quick responses to the user’s request.
