In-Building Tech

Connecting CRE building technology buyers with CRE tech sellers

720×90

small cells

Samsung unveils 5G mmWave small cell for indoor environments

 

Samsung Electronics unveiled a new integrated 5G mmWave small cell for indoor use as part of the company?s suite of 5G in-building products, Samsung Link.

Samsung?s new 5G indoor small cell, dubbed Link Cell, will help provide seamless coverage to users in indoor environments. It delivers 5G-powered applications within enterprises, including manufacturing or distribution facilities, corporate offices, and entertainment or public venues (such as shopping centers, stadiums or hotels).

The Korean firm said that Link Cell is among the first commercial products available globally that provides wireless operators with a mmWave indoor small cell.

Link Cell gives wireless operators the possibility to extend 5G service into businesses and venues. It is also a critical component for future private 5G networks in enterprises, such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail and warehouse facilities, Samsung said.

Verizon will be the first U.S. wireless operator to commercially deploy Samsung?s Link Cell, which the wireless provider will use to extend the footprint of its 5G Ultra Wideband network. Verizon recently announced lab trials of 5G in-building solutions, which used Samsung Link.

?Verizon continues to rapidly advance our 5G deployment, and the addition of indoor cell sites will extend the availability of the fastest 5G service in the U.S. This is a key step in providing industry-changing, scalable, latency-sensitive, robust 5G solutions for enterprises,? said Adam Koeppe, SVP of Technology Planning and Development at Verizon.

The first version of Samsung?s Link Cell will support 28 GHz and has the capability to combine four 100-megahertz channels, offering high capacity and ultra-fast download speeds. Moreover, it brings together a radio, antenna and digital unit into one compact box.

Link Cell, which features the Qualcomm 5G RAN platform, can be discreetly placed on walls or ceilings, similar to a Wi-Fi access point, while minimizing noise through fanless convection cooling. Samsung said that the small cell will adjust for optimal RF performance, allowing mobile applications to seamlessly operate within a facility or?as applications transition from a macro 5G network outside to the in-building network?maintain high-quality communications continuity.

Samsung said that the Link Cell is available now for wireless operators to purchase for use in commercial rollouts.

?Today, we are excited to unveil Samsung Link for wireless operators to expand the capabilities of 5G networks and seamlessly link together outdoor and indoor 5G experiences,? said Jaeho Jeon, EVP and head of R&D for Samsung Electronics’ networks business. ?As one of the first commercial 5G mmWave indoor small cells, Link Cell will enable wireless operators and enterprises to bring 5G services to various offices, facilities and venue locations.?

In addition to Link Cell, Samsung will deliver solutions supporting other indoor needs and spectrums. Link Hub and Link HubPro provide low and mid-band support to operators and enterprises.

Link Hub is designed for venues with existing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), providing low and mid-band 5G service across an existing in-building infrastructure. Link HubPro is an active antenna system, which includes a hub and indoor radios for mid-to-large enterprises with support for various spectrum options.

Neutral Connect Networks expands in-building wireless business via acquisition

The equity firm that controls Neutral Connect Networks acquired Connectivity Wireless

Neutral Connect Networks announced the acquisition of Connectivity Wireless Solutions by M/C Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm that is the leading equity investment firm for Neutral Connect Networks.

M/C Partners acquired Connectivity Wireless Solutions and its subsidiaries, including Simplifi DAS Holdings, with the main aim of consolidating the businesses to accelerate growth in the neutral-host infrastructure and in-building wireless services business.

?These businesses are natural complements to one another and create a combined entity with enhanced scale, industry-leading technical expertise, and the operational capacity to support the growth in this market,? said Brian Clark, Managing Partner at M/C Partners. ?M/C Partners has a long and successful heritage in the wireless industry, and we believe the neutral-host infrastructure and in-building wireless business represents a significant growth opportunity, particularly with the planned deployments of CBRS, private LTE networks and the transition to 5G, which we are keen to participate in.?

As part of the acquisition, Stephen Bye has assumed the role of CEO of the newly combined companies. The senior leadership teams of Neutral Connect Networks and Connectivity Wireless Solutions will report directly to Bye.

Over the coming weeks, the companies said they will undergo a reorganization process to improve operating efficiencies. ?We will work together to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible to deliver best-in-class solutions and services to our customers, supporting managed Wi-Fi, CBRS, private LTE networks, and the evolution to 5G and beyond.?

?The combination of Neutral Connect Networks and Connectivity Wireless Solutions will enable us to pursue an acceleration of growth in the neutral-host infrastructure and in-building wireless services business, supporting wireless service providers, cable companies, venue owners, property developers and enterprise customers,? said Bye.

Founded in 2016 and based in Boynton Beach, Florida, Neutral Connect Networks is a provider of wireless communications networks (including in-building wireless, managed Wi-Fi and small cells) used by service providers to improve the quality of coverage with increased throughput and capacity in buildings, at sports and entertainment venues, in parks, transportation hubs, and business shopping districts around the U.S.

Connectivity Wireless Solutions, based in Duluth, Georgia, was founded in 2008 and focuses on the design, installation and maintenance of in-building wireless distributed antenna systems. The company has already deployed more than 2,700 in-building wireless networks which provide more than 500 million square feet of coverage across the U.S.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on the communications, information technology services and media sectors. The firm has invested over $2.2 billion of capital into nearly 100 companies, generally investing in companies with enterprise values of $25 million to $250 million. Related current and prior investments include Cavalier Telephone, Ensono, Everstream, Fusepoint, Denovo, ICG Communications, Involta, Lightower, MetroPCS, NuVox, Thrive Networks and Zayo Group.