JOTS NHIB: Revolutionising Indoor Mobile Connectivity for UK Businesses

How JOTS NHIB Works

The JOTS NHIB model is based on a three-domain architecture:

• Retailer Domain: Where the end-user services are managed
• Neutral Host Domain: Where the shared infrastructure is deployed and operated
• Operator Domain: Where each mobile network operator manages their core network functions

This structure allows for clear delineation of responsibilities and efficient resource sharing.

The system uses small-cell base stations, which are compact, low-power cellular radio access nodes. These are ideal for improving indoor coverage and capacity, especially in buildings where traditional macro-cell signals may struggle to penetrate effectively.

How JOTS NHIB Differs from Traditional 5G Infrastructure

• Shared Infrastructure: Unlike traditional 5G deployments where each operator builds their own network, JOTS NHIB enables multiple operators to share a single in-building network infrastructure.
• Indoor Focus: While 5G infrastructure covers both outdoor and indoor environments, JOTS NHIB is specifically designed to address the challenges of indoor connectivity.
• Small Cell Technology: JOTS NHIB utilises small-cell base stations, which are more suitable for indoor deployments compared to the larger macro cells often used in traditional 5G rollouts.
• Cost-Efficiency: The shared approach of JOTS Neutral Host In-Building significantly reduces deployment and operational costs, making high-quality indoor mobile connectivity more affordable for businesses.
• Standardised Approach: JOTS NHIB provides a unified set of technical requirements agreed upon by major UK mobile operators, streamlining the deployment process for neutral hosts.
• Neutral Host Model: JOTS Neutral Host In-Building enables third-party neutral host network operators to deploy and manage the shared infrastructure, which is less common in traditional 5G rollouts.
• Enterprise Focus: While traditional 5G infrastructure serves a broad range of users, JOTS NHIB is particularly beneficial for enterprise premises, ensuring robust indoor coverage for multiple operators.

Practical Benefits of JOTS NHIB

• Improved Indoor Coverage: By enabling shared infrastructure, JOTS NHIB allows for more comprehensive indoor coverage, benefiting businesses of all sizes.
• Cost Efficiency: The shared approach significantly reduces deployment and operational costs, making high-quality indoor mobile connectivity more affordable for businesses.
• Simplified Deployment: With a standardised set of specifications, neutral hosts can more easily deploy solutions that work with multiple operators, streamlining the implementation process.
• Enhanced User Experience: Employees and customers can enjoy seamless, high-quality mobile connectivity regardless of their network provider.
• Futureproofing: While initially based on 4G LTE technology, the JOTS NHIB framework is designed to be adaptable to future technologies like 5G.
• Spectrum Flexibility: The specifications are spectrum-agnostic, allowing for the use of various spectrum options, including shared spectrum, to optimize performance.
• Improved Network Capacity: By offloading indoor users from macro networks, JOTS NHIB helps improve overall network capacity, benefiting both indoor and outdoor users.

The Future of Indoor Connectivity

JOTS NHIB represents a significant step forward in the evolution of indoor mobile connectivity. By providing a standardised framework for neutral hosting, it paves the way for more widespread adoption of shared indoor networks. This not only benefits businesses by providing better connectivity at lower costs but also supports the broader goal of improving mobile coverage across the UK.

As the demand for reliable, high-speed mobile connectivity continues to grow, solutions like JOTS NHIB will play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses of all sizes can access the connectivity they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.