O2: Telefónica is also expanding 5G via radio relay

For the accelerated expansion of capabilities in cellular networks, O2 / Telefónica intends to rely on radio relays in the future to supply radio masts in rural areas with faster connections to general fiber optics. The directional radio mast in the E-band provides 5G capability.

In 4G and 5G rollouts, Telefónica has primarily relied on connections to cell phone towers using fiber optics. Such a process is also standard in Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone and ensures adequate capacity in the radio cell. However, in the future, the network operator Telefónica always wants to use radio relay where no fiber optic infrastructure will be available in the near future. It mainly refers to the cell phone mast in rural areas.

Directional radio for remote locations

Telefónica explains that technological advances in directional radio have made it possible to connect a mobile radio station with much higher bandwidth and several gigabits per second, using directional radio in the E-band at 80 GHz. Competitor Telecom shows how to set up a directional radio link An extreme example of over 64 kilometers from Cuxhaven to Helgoland,

50% 5G coverage by the end of 2022

Compared to the connection of all masts with fiber optics, directional radio brings with it high flexibility as well as cost and time savings and supports the company in 5G network expansion, it said today. Telefónica wants to be able to supply 5G with the O2 network to the entire population of Germany by 2025. At the end of this year, according to current data, the share stood at 30 percent, and should reach the 50 percentage point by the end of next year.

The E-band is also used by Starlink.

For directional radio, Telefónica relies on the E-band at 80 GHz, which extends from 60 to 90 GHz. Telefónica’s reply to inquiries about the exact bandwidth available and what speed a connection can achieve in both directions is still pending. E-band is used in Starlink’s satellite Internet, along with the Ku and Ka bands.