Speakers
Speaker Session
Where did the complexity of future wireless networks come from? What has happened since we launched 2G GSM with a single technology, single frequency band and a single operator site? This talk will review the evolution of digital cellular site design and explore how the complexity has come about. To do this we’ll explore radio access technologies, frequency bands, antenna systems, RF transmission lines, site sharing and mobile backhaul, we’ll also look to the future to consider how site design will evolve through RAN architecture evolution, including optimisations of today’s D-RAN and deployments of C-RAN with traditional approaches, or vRAN and Open RAN
Andy Sutton is a Principal Network Architect within BT Architecture and Strategy team. He is responsible for 5G end to end network architecture, RAN architecture evolution and mobile backhaul strategy and architecture. Andy holds an MSc in mobile communications from the University of Salford and has over 30 years of experience within the telecommunications industry. Andy’s research interests include distributed and centralised RAN and core architectures and protocols, network dimensioning, QoS and mobile backhaul (optical transmission, microwave and millimetre wave radio systems, network architecture and protocols along with synchronisation and time distribution in telecommunications networks). He also works on low latency and ultra-reliable networks architecture and design. During his career Andy has worked for Mercury Communications Ltd, Orange, H3G, EE and BT. Andy holds the post of Visiting Professor at the University of Liverpool and University of Salford. Andy is a chartered engineer and holds fellowships from the IET, BCS and ITP. Andy contributes to international telecommunications standardisation activities and several industry forums. Andy also has an interest in the history and heritage of telecommunications and is a CW Wireless Heritage SIG Champion.