The Telecom Infra Project’s (TIP) Neutral Host & Infra Sharing Project Group (PG) is proud to publish the TIP Neutral Host Infrastructure Sharing Framework, a new industry resource designed to guide stakeholders in understanding, deploying, and scaling neutral host networks.
Why Neutral Host Networks?
Mobile data demand continues to surge, with 5G accelerating the need for innovative infrastructure models. Neutral Host Networks (NHNs) enable multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) and service providers to share infrastructure, reducing redundant investment, accelerating deployment, creating win win business cases for inbuilding and outdoor deployments and lowering environmental impact. They also create a level playing field by ensuring equal access, transparent pricing, and fair resource allocation for Enterprises requiring multi-RAN connectivity, and for telecom operators wishing to leverage network and spectrum assets to expand connectivity services where needed. Neutral Host brokers act as a key value chain resource for telecom operators and Enterprise and Municipal clients requiring connectivity within buildings and as a part of densification of urban networks. This is becoming a key requirement across regions as Building infrastructure regulations change to align with a burgeoning need for cellular connectivity and coverage to ensure public safety and critical communications.
What’s Inside the Framework?
The framework provides:
- Definitions & Criteria: What qualifies as a Neutral Host and the principles of independence, shared utilization, and equal access.
- Key Aspects: Seven parameters for evaluating deployments, including shared infrastructure, technology agnosticism, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.
- Scoring Mechanism: A structured way to compare deployment models based on different needs and environments.
- Business Models: An overview of approaches from infrastructure leasing to PPPs, BOT models, and hybrids.
- Case Studies: Real-world examples such as CloudExtel’s deployment in Mumbai and Proptivity’s deployment in Stockholm, showing how neutral hosting works in practice.
Why It Matters
Neutral hosting is more than a technical model, it’s a business and policy enabler. By reducing capex and opex, increasing coverage, and fostering collaboration between operators, enterprises, municipalities and governments, NHNs create a pathway for more sustainable and inclusive connectivity.
👉 Download the full white paper here.
Join the Movement
TIP’s Neutral Host & Infra Sharing PG brings together operators, vendors, policymakers, and real estate stakeholders to advance these models globally. With momentum growing across the ecosystem, now is the time to explore neutral hosting as a cornerstone of the future telecom landscape. Join today!