Originally posted to NEDAS

When it comes to building the networks of the future — the networks that will be able to support cutting-edge, highly innovative applications and massive amounts of data from 5G — everyone is looking for the best solution. Underlying infrastructure like fiber and wireless nodes must proliferate in order to deliver high levels of capacity, but the truth is that this isn’t a battle infrastructure providers can fight on their own. 

When it comes to managing cost and competition, two factors that are important to solve if we’re to make substantial progress, converged, shared infrastructure has emerged as an ideal solution that enables everyone to succeed. This was the topic of a keynote session presented at the NEDAS Virtual Symposium 2020. Delivered by Ray LaChance, Co-Founder and CEO of ZenFi Networks, an innovative communications infrastructure company focused on enabling fiber optic network, network edge colocation and wireless siting solutions in the NY/NJ metro region, this presentation discussed shared infrastructure and the horizontal tower. 

The idea of shared infrastructure is part of the Zenfi Networks operating model — the company’s infrastructure (which includes more than 1,300 miles of fiber optic network, nearly 50 colocation facilities, approximately 7,000 wireless sites under contract and more) is shared across multiple customers. This is because it enables operators to deploy network assets more rapidly and in more places at a lower cost of ownership — all of which supports 5G progress. Still, the idea of shared infrastructure and an understanding of its forms and applications has yet to meet the truly mainstream telco sphere. 

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