SOLiD Launches RocketWAVE Technology Platform to Fulfill Promise of mmWave 5G

PLANO, Texas — October 23, 2019—SOLiD, the leader in cellular in-building and public safety infrastructure, today launched the SOLiD RocketWAVE^TM5G off-air repeater platform. The RocketWAVE solution will provide millimeter wave (mmWave) signal distribution, 5G performance, speed and capacityindoors. New RocketWAVE mmWAVE products offer a simple, economical solution to assure seamless in-building service for mobile operators wishing to extend their mmWave networks indoors in the United States. RocketWAVE mmWave products will support 24GHz, 28Ghz, and 39GHz individually.

Without reliable in-building solutions, 5G subscribers will experience a drastic drop in performance every time they walk indoors, resulting in poor customer experience often leading to high churn rates. This issue is particularly problematic with new mmWave frequencies, given their higher attenuation and short propagation nature. Moreover, the challenge of extending 5G coverage indoors is further complicated by the increasing use of energy-efficient building materials, which can block or weaken many RF signals.

“The reliance on an outdoor-to-indoor strategy for 5G mmWave coverage depends on the assumption that small cell sites on lower height poles and structures are readily available. EJL Wireless Research has proven this strategy to be flawed, given the state of 5G mmWave networks across the U.S. currently,” said Earl J. Lum, Founder and President, EJL Wireless Research. “The RocketWAVE solution bypasses the requirement for small cell sites to deploy 5G mmWave radios, and allows for the mobile operator to directly feed 5G mmWave signals indoors from off-air repeaters deployed on rooftops. This enables support for enterprise users without the need to try to beam the signals through Low-E Glass windows or require outdoor CPEs to be mounted below the tree line.”

“While everyone is focused on how to plan their networks to build out sufficient 5G outdoor coverage, the fact remains that up to 80 percent of mobile traffic occurs indoors,” said Ken Sandfeld, President of SOLiD Americas. “Our new RocketWAVE 5G technology platform unleashes the full potential of mmWave 5G performance where 5G subscribers want service, indoors. RocketWAVE will provide ‘hotspot’ 5G service exactly where the mobile operator wants it, allowing carriers to deliver an outstanding, seamless 5G experience that lives up to the hype.”

SOLiD has not yet announced a shipment date for this new product, but deliveries are expected to begin in 2020. To learn more, visit SOLiD in Booth 1918 at MWC 2019 in Los Angeles, October 22-24.

About SOLiD

SOLiD drives extreme edge connectivity through a portfolio of DAS, optical and IOT solutions to connect people, places and things in a fantastically connected world. SOLiD delivers distributed antenna systems, optical transport and IOT solutions across the globe. SOLiD enables indoor and outdoor cellular and public-safety communications at some of the world’s best-known and most challenging venues including leading hospitals; professional, and college sports venues; government, university and Fortune 500 corporate buildings and campuses; international airports and metropolitan subways; industrial and logistical facilities; and other high-profile sites. For further information on SOLiD DAS, Backhaul and Fronthaul, and IOT solutions visit www.solid.com/us or call 1-(888) 409-9997.