Ubicquia solutions transform streetlights into broadband networks to support myriad uses

Ubicquia’s latest module is the Ubimetro, which is a small cell that leverages Qualcomm’s FSM-based architecture to support technologies like LAA and V-RAN that are expected to be the foundation of ultra-dense 5G networks, according to a company press release. In addition, the Ubimetro lets the network operator utilize a wide variety of backhaul options: Ethernet, power-line communications (PLC), fiber or wireless mesh.

“Our whole goal is that, when you plug into the top of the streetlight, we want to be able to give people flexibility as to how they’re going to connect to the network,” Aaron said.

“What’s nice about what we do is that you may start with the wireless and—based on traffic—you can justify saying, ‘Now, we need to go fiber,’ whereas—not understanding the architecture yet and the requirements—having to run the fiber and dig up the streets is a tough decision [when deploying the network initially]. We give them the ability to plug-and-play easily and quickly launch in the wireless. And then, where they want to have more backhaul, they can upgrade to anything from Ethernet, fiber or PLC.”

Because they are plugged into the top of a streetlight, Ubicquia’s solutions have access to persistent power, and the weather-proof casing is IP-66 and IP-67 rated, Aaron said. The plug-and-play nature of the solutions make networks easy to deploy. In addition, the small form factor means Ubicquia’s solution is not an eyesore, so there should be less resistance to deployment from the planning commission or other local regulatory body, Aaron said.

“When our unit is on top of a streetlight, you can’t even see it from underneath the streetlight,” he said. “The beautiful thing about this is that you’re not making the streetlight or the pole unattractive by putting boxes on it and antennas hanging all over it.”

The combination about these characteristics greatly enhances the ability for quicker deployments of the ultra-dense cell-site network configurations needed to make the 5G-driven vision for the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities a reality, Aaron said.

“Normally, the mobile operator tries to get attachment rights, so they can get access to the pole. Then, they have to get power. Then, they have to get backhaul,” Aaron said. “What this really allows for—on the business side—a flexible model, whether the city want to provide the access for the mobile operator, or the city could provide it as a service to the mobile operator.”