by TIP News
The Neutral Host & Infra Sharing Project Group (NHIS PG) of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) focuses on advancing neutral host business models for In-Building Solutions (IBS), Outdoor Densification, and Edge Solutions. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the PG accelerates the adoption of shared infrastructure and open business models, which reduce both capex and opex while enabling cost-effective connectivity deployments.
A neutral host operates a shared network infrastructure that service providers use through commercial agreements. This model—gaining momentum globally—promotes shared passive and active network components, driving competition and lowering costs across indoor and outdoor urban environments.
The NHIS PG is a global catalyst for neutral host deployment, bringing together neutral hosts, vendors, system integrators, MNOs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to eliminate barriers and promote innovative solutions. With growing momentum from industry leaders, policymakers, and real estate stakeholders and growing interest from users in higher QoE and more ubiquitous coverage, now is the time to join the Neutral Host & Infra Sharing PG and shape the future of connectivity.
For more information about TIP’s NHIS PG, please visit https://telecominfraproject.com/neutral-host-infra-sharing/
One of the NHIS PG’s essential functions is highlighting prominent Neutral Host and Infra Sharing deployments worldwide through case studies. This case study highlights the CloudExtel Urban Railways deployment in Mumbai, dramatically improving connectivity for Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and the millions of customers passing through these train stations daily.
TIP acted as a catalyst for CloudExtel’s neutral host operation deployment, including sharing best practices frameworks and deployment playbooks and fostering ecosystem collaboration. The detailed case study is here, and an executive summary is below.
Mumbai Suburban Railway Transit—The Urban Neutral Host Success Story
This case study unveils the transformative potential of Neutral Host Networks (NHNs) — innovative telecom infrastructure systems shared by multiple mobile network operators (MNOs). Managed by a neutral third party, Neutral Host Networks revolutionize connectivity by maximizing infrastructure efficiency, slashing costs, and dramatically boosting coverage and capacity. With cutting-edge features like scalability, cost-effectiveness, and seamless management, NHNs are driving the future of telecom infrastructure.
A standout case in this evolution is CloudExtel’s breakthrough deployment of India’s first fully shared Neutral RAN solution, showcased at 9 stations of the iconic Mumbai Suburban Railway network. This railway system — the busiest transit corridor in the world, with 7 million daily passengers — presented immense challenges in coverage and capacity. Historically, MNOs relied on multiple adjacent macro sites to deliver service, resulting in poor signal quality, overcrowded connections, and limited data capacity on railway platforms.
CloudExtel’s game-changing neutral host architecture turned these obstacles into opportunities. By offering a fully shared solution, they reduced costs, improved network quality, and created a superior user experience for millions of passengers. This architecture not only slashed capital and operational expenditures for MNOs but also delivered scalable, energy-efficient, and future-proof infrastructure, ready for rapid upgrades to next-gen technologies.
With the ability to streamline network operations through a centralized management interface and enable seamless growth, this Neutral Host Network solution paves the way for faster deployments and a greener telecom footprint. The paper also delves into the impressive technical results, including optimized RF design, superior signal quality, and robust throughput, reinforcing CloudExtel’s solution as a pioneering model for future urban connectivity.
This case study showcases neutral host networks as the catalyst for next-level connectivity, offering a bold, collaborative, and efficient solution to the challenges faced in dense urban environments.