UK Mobile Operators Unveil Joint Specification for In-Building Coverage Solutions

17th November 2020

On November 16, 2020, Mobile UK, the trade association representing EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone, announced the publication of a ground-breaking technical specification aimed at improving in-building mobile coverage. The Joint Operators Technical Specification (JOTS) Forum, comprising the four major UK mobile network operators, has developed a common standard called Neutral Host In-Building (NHIB) for shared in-building radio solutions based on 4G small-cell technologies.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of providing reliable mobile coverage inside buildings, where signals are often weak or non-existent due to architectural barriers and high user density.

Key benefits of the JOTS NHIB specification include:

Improved indoor connectivity: The specification enables better mobile coverage in various indoor environments, including offices, shopping centres, and public buildings.

Cost-effective multi-operator services: By allowing shared infrastructure, the NHIB approach reduces deployment costs and improves scalability.

Enhanced user experience: Customers of all participating operators can expect more reliable and consistent mobile service inside buildings.

Energy efficiency: The shared approach leads to a reduction in equipment requirements and energy consumption.

Future-proofing: While currently based on 4G technology, the framework is adaptable to 5G and potentially other wireless technologies.

Andrea Dona, Head of Networks at Vodafone UK, emphasized the benefits:

“The JOTS forum offers great opportunities for the sector. We can work together to find indoor coverage solutions which are not only technically viable but also offer a reduction in equipment requirements and energy consumption alongside some other great cost efficiencies. Above all, it benefits customers by ensuring we can deliver the strongest and most reliable indoor coverage available.”

The JOTS NHIB specification is particularly relevant for third-party neutral hosts seeking to provide enhanced in-building coverage for customers of one or more UK operators. It sets the stage for increased collaboration between mobile networks and neutral host network operators, paving the way for improved connectivity in challenging indoor environments.

While currently a UK initiative, the JOTS Neutral Host In-Building model presents a template that other countries could potentially adopt to address similar challenges in indoor mobile coverage. As businesses and public spaces prepare for increased foot traffic in the post-pandemic world, this specification provides a timely solution for ensuring seamless mobile connectivity indoors.

For more information, contact us about your mobile communications requirements and our expert team here at Shared Access will be pleased to help.

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