Active RAN sharing could save operators US$60bn

Paul Rasmussen — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:02:48 -0400

A new study from ABI Research finds the worldwide combined OPEX and CAPEX savings from active infrastructure sharing could amount to as much as US$60 billion over the next five year period. The study finds operators could enjoy at least 40 per cent cost savings in addition to those available from passive site sharing. According to senior analyst Aditya Kaul, "With most countries and regions of the world having more than one operator, network sharing is a logical way of pooling resources for common benefit. However, many operators are reluctant to share site electronics, fearing issues of competition, scalability and accountability." Article

T-Mobile UK to chop 5,000 cellphone masts

Paul Rasmussen — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:08:28 -0400

The site-sharing agreement struck between T-Mobile and 3 UK seems to be gathering pace with around 5,000 cell sites identified for decommissioning. Both operators are planning to remove masts and transmitters as they begin to share resources, but it looks likely a small amount of new sites will be built as they take 3G into areas where coverage has been absent.

The two firms claim this site-sharing deal will give them the best 3G network in the UK, providing 98 per cent of the population with good 3G coverage. This claim could prove to be a valuable marketing tool for both firms, especially given that 02 recently admitted it had failed to meet its licence obligations regarding network deployment and coverage.

A similar deal between Vodafone and Orange to share networks remains stalled after the two companies failed to agree on the value of each other's infrastructure assets. Negotiations surrounding the sharing of transmitter sites has been seen as relatively simple in comparison to deciding how any agreement would work with respect to backhaul and core network components.

For more on this story:
- go to Mobile Today

Related articles:
T-Mobile and 3 not to merge--confirmed (almost). Rumour Mill
Site sharing will cut 3,000 masts, claims Voda and Orange. Site sharing story