Roam Indoor Opportunity

Roam Network
Roam Network
Published in
3 min readJun 7, 2023

Enhancing Wireless Network Infrastructure for Seamless Indoor Coverage

Did you know that people spend 90% of their time indoors, consuming data right where they are? Surprisingly, approximately 80% of data consumption occurs indoors. As tenants demand reliable coverage, capacity, and speed throughout buildings, it’s crucial to ensure that the indoor user experience with 4G and 5G networks matches the quality experienced outdoors.

One of the main challenges in providing robust indoor coverage is the higher capital and operational costs per subscriber, leading to lower returns on investment. Consequently, indoor network rollouts are commonly seen in densely populated areas like stadiums and train stations, while other locations often rely on outdoor networks for coverage.

The introduction of 5G further complicates matters. Higher frequency bands used in 5G exhibit faster attenuation, resulting in shorter coverage distances. As a result, more base stations are required to cover the same area effectively.

Additionally, the adoption of energy-efficient construction materials, driven by cost considerations and energy codes, contributes to the attenuation of radio waves. This effect is particularly noticeable in the higher frequency bands used by 5G. Moreover, the thicker structure of office buildings exacerbates radio attenuation, particularly in central areas.

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

This unmet demand for indoor coverage necessitates a solution.

One proven approach to address the rising costs associated with indoor coverage is investment sharing through increased levels of common infrastructure. The more sharing is achieved, the greater the cost advantage. The emergence of 5G presents an ideal opportunity for this strategy. In 4G, where licensed bands are relatively narrow (20 MHz), the case for multiple radios is stronger. However, in 5G, wider bands (100 MHz or more) can meet user needs effectively, as they offer higher bandwidths despite faster attenuation and various physical barriers.

The neutral host model presents a viable solution for selling capacity from shared infrastructure to incumbent operators. This model can be implemented as operator-led, where a local operator deploys and sells capacity to others, or as a third-party model where a neutral host operator operates solely for this purpose.

Here’s where Roam comes into play. Roam Network combines Web3 and neutral host models to create a decentralized wireless network infrastructure that addresses the challenges faced by wireless network operators. By leveraging Roam’s network sharing capabilities, operators can achieve over 50% reduction in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) associated with building and operating similar mobile network infrastructures.

Roam offers a technical private mobile network solution, empowering real estate owners, incumbent operators, or third parties to establish neutral host networks for indoor use cases using 5G and 4G technologies. Roam Network takes care of integration, commercial negotiations with incumbent operators, and even assists in acquiring the necessary licenses from local authorities if required. After deployment, Roam Network provides ongoing remote care and support functionalities.

In this model, operators purchase capacity based on their needs from neutral host providers, and Roam Network shares the resulting revenue with the network owner.

This approach ensures that customers of incumbent operators consistently enjoy the best possible experience as they enter any building. Simultaneously, real estate owners can maintain consistent coverage across all their properties while earning passive income from their investments.

Moreover, the indoor 5G provided by Roam Network can also serve private buildings, acting as a connectivity layer for various IoT and energy management solutions.

To learn more and take your connectivity journey one step further, don’t hesitate to contact us. Discover the possibilities with Roam Network and unlock the full potential of seamless indoor coverage. We can redefine the 5G landscape with Roam Network’s Web3-powered solution.

It’s time to unlock a new era of seamless connectivity TOGETHER!

🤝 Let’s #Roam2Earn, Roamers 🤝

Author: Martti Ylikoski, Telco CTO & Co-Founder @ Roam Network

Photo by GuerrillaBuzz on Unsplash

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Roam Network
Roam Network

Enabling Global Mobile Connectivity for Everyone. Powered by Web3 technology, Roam Network delivers value where other networks can’t.