Three 5G Lead Page
Three Rebuild and 5G Introduction
Three acquired a huge chunk of 3.5GHz spectrum for 5G use through their acquisition of UK Broadband, previous marketed name Relish, who used the spectrum for 4G fixed wireless broadband in London and some other locations. The large, 5G-suited, spectrum ownership potentially enables a significant advantage in 5G. Three is undertaking a total RAN transformation to rebuild the extremely loaded 4G network and deploy this 5G spectrum. As of February 2020, Three 5G launched with NRARFCN 640548.
Sterling performance off a Three 5G site.
Huawei Max Configuration Sites
Max configuration sites are substantial rebuilds, in terms of not only RAN capability transformation for Three as well as EE, but also structural strengthening and metalwork to support all the latest equipment! This example has for Three (left pair) Huawei 64T64R 5G Massive MIMO with AAU5614, Huawei 4T4R across all L08 (Huawei 5301), L14 (Huawei 5301), L18 and L21 (Huawei 5501 dual band) using Huawei AHP antennas. EE (right pair) also have a substantial 4G deployment and Huawei 5G Massive MIMO. These upgrades are usually very recognisable due to their characteristic design with four antennas per sector, or at least in early stages, four poles to suppport future antennas.
Huawei 4T4R rebuild only
Three UK Chariot project Huawei mast rebuild with 4T4R across all the 4G bands. Essentially the same as the mast above but without the 64T64R 5G Massive MIMO, well so far anyway. The Huawei AHPs and installation of numerous RRUs makes these quite noticeable too.
The performance capabilites of the 4T4R 4G is really quite something.
Huawei 2T2R rebuild only
Masts like these often do not look any different antenna wise, only the radios have changed, and these are often hidden
Huawei radios for Three at the base of a 2T2R rebuilt site: 5501s for L18 and L21 and 5301s for L08, but all setup to operate in a 2T2R configuration. In the case of the L08 5301, only two are used with one operating in split mode to serve two sectors of 2T2R.
UK Broadband London sites
Three UK UK Broadband Site rebuild with Huawei: Huawei AAU5614 Massive MIMO and Huawei ADU fed off RRU 5501. Some of these sites have also been upgraded to add other bands.
Three Ericsson
A Three UK Ericsson 5G lattice max config with 700+800+1400+1800+2100 MHz 4G. Radio wise it is much the same as Ericsson monopoles: ERS 2460 (07+08), ERS 4480 (18+21), ERS 2012 (14). 32T32R Massive MIMO.
Three 5G Monopoles: Phase 8
An Ericsson Three Unilateral Phase 8 5G Monopole. 4G radio wise: ERS 2460 (07+08), ERS 4480 (18+21), ERS 2012 (14). These also come in Huawei equivalents which do not have 700MHz but do have 4T4R 800MHz.
Three 5G Monopoles: Phase 7
Bilateral multi RAT Phase 7 Monopole with Three using Ericsson configuration.
4G radio cabinet at a Three Ericsson 5G pole. The right six radios are ERS 2012s for 1400MHz, top left are ERS 4480 for 1800MHz and 2100MHz while bottom left are ERS 2460 for 700MHz and 800MHz.