New Style MBNL/EE/3 masts
A View of modern sites from EE and 3 in 2025, as well as some older ones.
EE Ericsson 2025 Configurations: Introduction
Ericsson is a key vendor in BT EE's modern network portfolio, utilised in many urban, ultra-urban, and some rural locations. The above is a flagship permanent multi-beam EE capacity site serving Hyde Park Corner, central London, with spectrum deployment of 1800, 2100, 2600MHz and 3500MHz+3700MHz through dual band 1800+2100MHz ERS 4490, ERS 4419 for 2600MHz and AIR AAU.
A closer view of the Ericsson ERS 4490 and ERS 4419 radios and multibeam antenna ports.
EE Ericsson: Rural and Moderate Urban Medium Capacity
A typical configuration in rural and moderate urban areas that uses two RRUs per sector: ERS 2262 for 800MHz 4G, 700MHz 5G meanwhile ERS 4490 delivers 1800MHz 2G and 4G, 2100MHz 4G and 5G. These services are connected directly from RRUs to the passive antennas - the MHAs visible support Three's ground fed 800MHz and 1800MHz. At some locations ERS 2460 radios are utilised for low band with benefit of four way receive capability (4Rx).
Closeup of aforementioned ERS 4490 and ERS 2262 radios.
EE Ericsson: Urban High Capacity
Highly loaded Urban sites tend to have a similar base configuration as the less busy sites but with the addition of 2600MHz +/- n78 capability. This example uses ERS 2460 for 700MHz and 800MHz, ERS 4480 (similar to ERS 4490) 1800MHz+2100MHz, as well as ERS 4419 for 2600MHz and Ericsson AIR Massive MIMO panels to support n78. Separately, the aged four port antenna supports Three 1800MHz.
A bank of ERS radios supporting two sectors' FDD capability at a central London location. Left to right: ERS 2460, ERS 4419, ERS 4480, ERS 2460, ERS 4419, ERS 4480.
Modern EE Nokia Configurations
EE's Nokia zone includes some urban areas, as well as much of rural Great Britain. The high level architecture is often quite similar to the Ericsson zone in so far as multiple band radios are a common feature. The above site delivers capability for EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone, but, for this section, we are focusing on the left passive, and the radios found below it.
The highest radio is for 3500MHz+3700MHz, likely Nokia AZQJ. On the lower left is the low band radio for 700MHz and 800MHz with EE typically using Nokia models AHPMDA or AHPMDB for this purpose. The lower middle radio delivers 2600MHz and is a Nokia ARHA meanwhile the right radio delivers 1800MHz and 2100MHz, likely being and AHEGB or AHEGC. Notably, many EE Nokia sites will use active antennas for 3500MHz+3700MHz, such as AQQQ.
Coming soon
Coming soon
Legacy configurations
Historical documentation of older site configurations. Please note: EE and Three 3G switch offs mean that 3G equipment documented will often be decomissioned now.
Two Port Antenna Per sector
EE 2G/3G (at the time) /4G (1800/2100/1800MHz) and 3 3G (at the time) 2100MHz.
Four port antenna per sector
Allows 3 to add their 4G 1800MHz. Therefore mast broadcasts EE 2G/3G (at the time)/4G and 3 3G (at the time) and 4G. With a combiner, it is possible to also add 2600MHz, though this is very rare. Four port Kathrein antennas are common, as are Commscope MHAs.
Typical antenna schematics for four port panels. Two ports have the 2100MHz from both operators and 1800MHz which can either be EE 2G/4G or 3 4G. The other two ports can then have another 1800MHz input from EE or 3.
This is the EE and 3 cellular segment to the Corfe Castle transmitter. Broadcasting EE 4G 20MHz 1800MHz at over 100mbps and 3G (at the time) in the 30s, this is one very well performing location. Uses a fairly typical arrangement of four port antennas: one for 1800MHz 2G and 4G and one for 3G from both operators.
Two two port panels to make a typical four port configuration.
In the case of monopoles, a larger top shroud is used to fit the four port antennas.
Four port with 2600MHz
Guildford Cathedral
Six Port per sector - 800MHz addition
Same as four port examples above, but gain 800MHz ability for EE or 3 or both. Commscope Andrew antennas or Huawei models, alongside Commscope MHAs usually.
Six Port panels were carrying EE 2G/3G (at the time)/4G on 1800MHz and 2100MHz and 3 3G (at the time) on 2100MHz. However, a low band input is cabled, indicating that 800MHz is likely (probably from EE). 60-70mbps typical EE 4G speeds (Overall site, B20 max throughput is ~37Mbps).
Same as above but split across a four port Huawei carrying 1800MHz and 800MHz, with a two port Kathrein carrying the 2100MHz.
Six Port per sector - 2600MHz addition
Single Antenna
Dual antenna
Eight Port per sector
For 800MHz/1800MHz/2100MHz and 2600MHz
An EE and 3 mast carrying EE services on the 1800MHz (2G), 2100MHz (3G), 1800MHz (4G), 2600MHz (4G) and 3 2100MHz, 1800MHz and 800MHz services. NB: In line with configuration at the time. Six Port antennas are used, alongside Powerwave and Radio Design MHAs
A schematic showing how multiple bands licensed by EE can be used on an EE/3 location, such as on the top left image above. 800MHz and 2600MHz each have dedicated inputs and the 1800 and 2100MHz are fed as normal.
This example is similar to above but using a six port Huawei antenna (ATR4518R3 or Similar) and a four port Commscope Andrew (CV65ASX-V1-M).
10 Port per sector
Same as the eight port array but with 4 way receive diversity on 2600MHz.
Huawei RRUs for EE 2600MHz
EE 2600MHz RRUs (Remote Radio Units) and a BOB (fibre Splitter)
The arrangement on the Guildford transmitter. A six port arrangement with low, high and high band for 800MHz as well as 1800 and 2100MHz services. This mast provides 3 800MHz, as well as EE and 3 1800MHz 4G and (at the time) 3G 2100MHz. Guildford transmitter.
Another triple band panel arrangement for providing 3 800MHz, as well as EE and 3 1800MHz 4G and (at the time) 3G 2100MHz. EE 4G was operating with speeds around 70mbps. High Hunsley
Another six port arrangement for providing 3 800MHz and EE 800MHz, as well as EE and 3 1800MHz 4G and (at the time) 3G 2100MHz.
This location has six port panels and has EE 800MHz and 3 800MHz+1800MHz 4G and (at the time) 2100MHz 3G. Also EE 1800MHz 2G