loader from loading.io

40. The Life Cycle of a Cell Site: The Design of the Network - Part One

5G Guys | Tech Talks

Release Date: 02/08/2023

62. The Future of Technology in Federal Applications: Insights from Intel's CTO show art 62. The Future of Technology in Federal Applications: Insights from Intel's CTO

5G Guys | Tech Talks

The Future of Technology in Federal Applications: Insights from Intel's CTO   In this 5G Guys podcast episode, we talk with guest Steve Orrin, the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Professional Engineer for Intel Federal. Steve shares insights from his ten-year tenure at Intel, focusing on helping the government adopt advanced technologies. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of AI, cybersecurity, pervasive connectivity, and the role of data in driving technological innovations. Steve provides examples of AI applications in government sectors, such as...

info_outline
61. Q1 Telco Earnings with Jim Patterson show art 61. Q1 Telco Earnings with Jim Patterson

5G Guys | Tech Talks

Telecom and Technology Earnings Insights: A Deep Dive with Industry Veterans In this episode of 'The 5G Guys', hosts Wayne Smith and Dan McVaugh invite telecom industry veteran Jim Patterson to discuss the latest earnings reports from major telecom and technology companies. Jim Patterson, with a 30-year career including 15 years at Sprint and experience as an entrepreneur, now offers analysis through Patterson Advisory Group. The episode explores key themes in the earnings reports, such as reactions to pricing, C band deployments, and company strategies for managing debt. Patterson shares...

info_outline
60. Storytelling and Predictions - Premier, Wireless Economy show art 60. Storytelling and Predictions - Premier, Wireless Economy

5G Guys | Tech Talks

Navigating the Waves of Telecom: From CapEx Booms to Strategic Spending   The 5G Guys podcast hosts, Dan McVaugh and Wayne Smith, introduce a new series titled 'Storytelling and Predictions,' aimed at sharing their extensive experience and insights into the telecommunications industry without overshadowing their guests. They dive into the impact of 5G on capital expenditure, noting a significant increase in spending to roll out 5G networks, which is now adjusting back to normal levels. The discussion transitions into the differences between CapEx and OpEx spending, emphasizing the shift...

info_outline
59. Saving Telco from Itself with Pete Bernard show art 59. Saving Telco from Itself with Pete Bernard

5G Guys | Tech Talks

This episode of the 5G Guys podcast tackles the existential challenges facing the telecommunications industry, emphasizing how sometimes, telcos are their own biggest adversaries due to their inherently conservative nature. Hosts Dan McVaugh and Wayne Smith welcome repeat guest Pete Bernard to discuss his new venture, Edgecelsior, and explore how the telco industry can evolve amidst the rapid technological changes spurred by new technologies like AI, 5G, and edge computing. Bernard shares insights from his career, the strategic pivot towards Edge and IoT technologies at Microsoft, and his...

info_outline
58. Building Cell Sites Can Be a Win-Win with Hugh Odom of Vertical Consultants show art 58. Building Cell Sites Can Be a Win-Win with Hugh Odom of Vertical Consultants

5G Guys | Tech Talks

In this episode of 'The 5G Guys' podcast, hosts Dan McVaugh and Wayne Smith discuss the rapidly changing landscape of telecommunications infrastructure and 5G technology with guest Hugh Odom, the founder of Vertical Consultants. The discussion plunges into the transformation of carrier models for property owners, the influence of municipalities and private networks, and the necessity of regulation. Important subjects touched upon include the carriers versus tower companies' different business models, the introduction of small cells in the public right of way, and the realization of...

info_outline
57 - First Responder Communications in Schools: Are You and Your Community Covered? show art 57 - First Responder Communications in Schools: Are You and Your Community Covered?

5G Guys | Tech Talks

In this episode, Dan and Wayne interview Cody Martin from Castle Rock Microwave and Jeff Vaughn from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. They discuss the importance of effective public safety communications infrastructure, with a case study in Douglas County, Colorado, where they strengthened signal strength in 90% of schools, enhancing communication efficiency for first responders and the school’s security response teams. The podcast touches on the technical aspects, challenges faced in multi-agency coordination, the need for ongoing system monitoring, and the importance of consistent and...

info_outline
56. Exploring Private Wireless Networks with Jeff Hipchen show art 56. Exploring Private Wireless Networks with Jeff Hipchen

5G Guys | Tech Talks

In this episode of the 5G Guys podcast, hosts Dan McVaugh and Wayne Smith explore private wireless networks with guest Jeff Hipchen, a Principal of RF Connect. They discuss how private wireless networks are utilized differently, giving examples in healthcare, professional sports, and higher education sectors. Hipchen emphasizes that private networks allow businesses to control their destiny as they allow the customization and security not offered by public networks. He also highlights how these networks supplement existing services like Wi-Fi and address capacity issues caused by the...

info_outline
55. Exploring CES Highlights, AI, and 5G with Jim Patterson show art 55. Exploring CES Highlights, AI, and 5G with Jim Patterson

5G Guys | Tech Talks

In this episode of 5G Guys, hosts Wayne Smith and Dan McVaugh are joined by guest Jim Patterson, a veteran in the telecom industry with 30 years of experience. Patterson shares insights from the Las Vegas annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Major topics discussed include the minimal mention of 5G at CES, the integration and applications of AI in consumer electronics, and the potential of Wi-Fi advancements challenging licensed spectrums. They also explore wireless tech's evolution and possible future and touch upon data privacy issues, AI monetization, and potential carrier strategies....

info_outline
54. What Do Tomatoes, Forklifts, and Cows Have In Common? show art 54. What Do Tomatoes, Forklifts, and Cows Have In Common?

5G Guys | Tech Talks

5G and Advanced Positioning Technologies: Revolutionizing Location-based Services   The podcast episode features Samuel Van de Velde, founder and CTO of Pozyx, discussing the impact of 5G and other advanced technologies on location-based services. Samuel highlights how 5G integrates positioning capabilities into its standard, enabling increased application in areas such as indoor asset tracking and industrial IoT. The discourse uncovers use cases in agriculture, like tracking cow behavior to enhance farming practices using ultra-wideband technology, and discusses the future of location...

info_outline
53. Fixed Wireless Access with Samsung's TJ Maan show art 53. Fixed Wireless Access with Samsung's TJ Maan

5G Guys | Tech Talks

In this 5G Guys podcast episode, Wayne and Dan welcome TJ Maan from Samsung to discuss Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). TJ explains what FWA is and its benefits over traditional wireline broadband delivery technologies, noting its speed, reliability, and usefulness in areas where DSL or fiber may face logistical issues. TJ also discusses how FWA has evolved over time, particularly with the rise of 5G and the involvement of tier-one operators such as Verizon and T-Mobile. They also discuss the possible role of regional operators in providing FWA and how FWA can help bridge the digital divide,...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Welcome back to the 5G Guys Podcast! Today, we are diving into the exciting world of cellular networks and providing a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into building and maintaining them. This is the first of a multi-episode series called "The Life Cycle of a Cell Site!"

In our digital world, with the high demand for faster and more reliable data speeds, the need for strong and efficient cellular networks are becoming increasingly important. In this new series, we will lay the foundation you need to understand the process and all the moving parts it takes to make it all happen.

If you have been listening for a while, you know that Dan is a Radio Frequency Engineer! We decided this would be the best place to start our deep dive on this topic so Wayne will be interviewing Dan about the important role that radio frequency engineering plays in the design of a cell site, the various aspects of network design, including site selection, frequency planning, and more.

We'll also be discussing the true definition of a cell site, the four areas of design/engineering that build cell sites, the most pivotal part of every cell site project, and the headaches that can come with zoning. By the end of the show, you'll understand why every site is unique and how a project requires a customized approach.

You'll also understand the importance of teamwork and how a group of experts with a variety of skills and backgrounds are working together to keep us all connected on every site. In part two of this series, we will take a look at the Construction aspect of building Cell Sites and the physical materials that go into making these networks happen.

If you know someone who will enjoy this conversation or would like learn more about Cell Sites, we ask that you share this episode with them to help spread the word!  Plus, if you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover on the show, reach out to us via the links below. 


More Of What’s Inside:

  • Site Acquisition and how it works
  • Who the main stakeholders are 
  • Small versus big Cell Sites
  • Little known facts about Cell Sites
  • How and why rooftops are a good place for antennas 
  • The 4 areas of design/engineering that build Cell Sites
  • The interactive role of Radio Frequency Engineering 
  • The most pivotal part of every Cell Site project 
  • Zoning and permitting and what it takes to find good land
  • The special role of transport engineers 
  • The complexities that could come on a project
  • How often do networks get rebuilt?
  • And so much more! 

 

Connect With Us: 

Sponsor Links: 

Website:

Social:

Submit Your Ideas or Feedback:

Episode Minute By Minute:

  • 0:02 A sneak peek of today’s conversation 
  • 1:05 Thank you to today’s sponsors 
  • 3:00 The true definition of a Cell Site
  •  4:40 The 4 areas of design/engineering  that builds Cell Sites
  • 6:57 The interactive role of Radio Frequency Engineering 
  • 13:33 The most pivotal part of every Cell Site project 
  • 16:21 Headaches that come with zoning
  • 22:00 The special role of transport engineers 
  • 28:16 What we will be covering on our construction episode 
  • 29:57 Every site is different and unique 
  • 31:32 How often do networks get rebuilt?