TELEKOM INFRA

SHIBU VARGHESE MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO , TELEKOM INFRA

( AAS ) and Massive MIMO , use a completely different radio than other generations . These multiband new radios are huge ; they give you up to six times the capacity , but they ' re also much heavier , and have a very different form factor to the equipment we had previously installed across our sites .”

While Telekom Infra operates a number of masts throughout the Netherlands ( many of which still required strengthening in order to support the new 5G equipment ) a significant number of its sites are based on rooftops , meaning the company exists in a constantlyshifting state of symbiosis with more than 2,500 individual landlords throughout the country . “ We had to convince the landlords in many of the buildings where our sites are located that installing this new kind of antenna on their roofs was absolutely necessary ,” says Varghese . “ Then , because of the size and weight of the new 5G equipment , we were having to strengthen our masts , and even strengthen the roofs

of some buildings where it was determined they wouldn ' t be able to stand up to the strain of the new antennas . We had to negotiate with landlords , draw up new contracts , and then actually get the physical equipment ready . It was very intense work , but it was very successful .”

On the same day that T-Mobile received regulatory clearance to switch on its network , Telekom Infra ’ s infrastructure was ready to support it . In 2020 , T-Mobile ’ s network was ranked best in the world by Umlaut . “ We are very proud to be an anchor infrastructure partner to the world ' s best 5G network ,” says Varghese .

Building for the next Boom Now , Telekom Infra is once again taking the steps to ensure it is ready for the next

112 November 2021