How Does HFCL’s Unlicensed Band Radio Solve the Last-Mile Connectivity Challenge?

By December 2022, Reliance Jio dominated the Indian market with an extensive wireless telecom subscriber base of over 424.5 million, establishing its lead among telecommunications companies.

In 2023, the estimated count of smartphone users in India surpassed one billion. Projections anticipate a significant increase, reaching an estimated 1.55 billion users by the year 2040.

India clinched the position as the world’s second-largest telecommunications market by the close of 2022, amassing a subscriber base surpassing 1.1 billion.

Recent years have seen a transformative shift in the telecommunications sector, brought about by the rapid advancement of digital technology and the widespread integration of internet services into everyday life. Telcos are presented with a multifaceted challenge- providing network coverage to underdeveloped rural areas while simultaneously satisfying the connectivity expectations of densely populated metropolitan areas triggered by the spike in demand for  reliable, high speed internet access.  

Geographical obstacles such as sparse population density and difficult terrain impede the growth of network coverage in rural locations, rendering fiber deployments commercially unviable. On the other hand, urban settings come with their own set of difficulties such as constrained infrastructure area, intricate building designs and high levels of electromagnetic interference. In addition, laying fiber in urban areas requires prior approval from city authorities.

Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) is being deployed by telcos as a comprehensive solution to handle the dual challenges of enabling connectivity in densely populated urban contexts and extending network coverage in rural areas while addressing the pressing need for sustainability and energy efficiency. Leveraging the unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum band, telcos strategically deploy Point-to-Point UBR and Point-to-Multipoint UBR devices to bridge the digital divide across diverse landscapes. 

In response to customer inquiries regarding alternatives to fiber, it’s essential to acknowledge the importance of providing secondary and alternate solutions. While fiber remains the primary solution for high-speed internet connectivity, wireless technology has emerged as a viable alternate option. With Unlicensed Band Radio, telcos can offer reliable connectivity solutions that complement existing fiber infrastructure, ensuring seamless coverage and meeting the diverse needs of customers across both rural and urban areas.

HFCL’s Unlicensed Band Radio at a Glance

HFCL’s groundbreaking Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) represents a paradigm shift in telecommunications infrastructure, delivering fiber-like speeds through wireless technology. This innovative solution bridges critical connectivity gaps across diverse environments – from dense urban centers to remote rural landscapes.

The UBR stands out through its intelligent design, featuring advanced AI-based interference mitigation algorithms, ensuring reliable performance even in challenging RF environments. Its plug-and-play architecture enables rapid deployment within a single working day, dramatically reducing network expansion timelines compared to traditional fiber installations.

Operating in the unlicensed 5 GHz band, the UBR eliminates spectrum licensing costs while providing robust backhaul capabilities for 4G/5G networks. The solution’s versatility allows it to offer telecom operators a unique proposition to deliver high-speed connectivity wherever traditional solutions fall short.

Addressing Critical Industry Challenges with Unlicensed Band Radios

The telecommunications industry faces multifaceted challenges in delivering universal connectivity, which HFCL’s UBR solution directly addresses through innovative engineering and strategic implementation:

Technical Challenges & Solutions

Interference Management

• Problem: The unlicensed 5 GHz band faces significant interference from co-located and neighboring wireless devices, potentially compromising network reliability.
• Solution: UBR implements advanced AI-based algorithms for:
  • Dynamic Channel Selection (DCS) for automatic switching to interference-free channels
  • Dynamic Data Rate Selection (DDRS) for adaptive modulation optimization
  • Intelligent spectrum utilization ensuring stable performance in congested environments

Network Coverage Limitations

• Problem: Traditional solutions struggle with diverse deployment scenarios, from dense urban areas to remote locations.
• Solution: UBR offers:
  • Versatile deployment options for both short and long-range links
  • Adaptive RF technology for maintaining connectivity in challenging terrains
  • Support for various antenna configurations to optimize coverage

Commercial Challenges & Solutions 

Cost Barriers

• Problem: High CAPEX/OPEX associated with traditional backhaul solutions (fiber/microwave) limits network expansion.
• Solution: UBR delivers:
  • Operation in unlicensed bands, eliminating spectrum licensing fees
  • Reduced equipment costs through the use of Wi-Fi-based radio technology
  • Minimal maintenance requirements lowering operational expenses

Deployment Time & Complexity

• Problem: Extended lead times for fiber installations and complex regulatory approvals delay network expansion.
• Solution: UBR provides:
  • Single-day deployment capability
  • Plug-and-play design requiring minimal technical expertise
  • Simplified regulatory compliance through unlicensed band operation

Infrastructure Reliability

Network Resilience

• Problem: Service disruptions due to fiber cuts and microwave link failures impact business continuity.
• Solution: UBR serves as:
  • Reliable primary connectivity option where fiber deployment is impractical
  • Robust backup solution ensuring service continuity during primary link failures
  • Complementary capacity addition for traffic offloading

By addressing these fundamental challenges, HFCL’s UBR solution has emerged as a transformative force in telecommunications infrastructure. The solution’s comprehensive approach to solving both technical and commercial challenges has made it an integral part of modern network architecture, particularly in advancing 4G/5G deployment strategies while maintaining operational efficiency and service quality.

The Uniqueness of UBR: Technical and Commercial Advancements

HFCL’s Unlicensed Band Radio stands out in the telecommunications industry due to its unique combination of advanced technical features and significant commercial value. The UBR seamlessly integrates multi-band radio traffic aggregation, efficiently supporting backhauling for both 4G and 5G networks. This adaptability allows it to address diverse connectivity needs in both urban and rural settings.

One of the key technical advancements of the UBR is its AI-powered interference mitigation. Utilizing hitless Dynamic Channel Selection (DCS) and Dynamic Data Rate Selection (DDRS), the system employs advanced algorithms to self-optimize performance, ensuring stable connectivity even in challenging environments. Furthermore, the UBR incorporates robust 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) security, which guarantees secure data transmission—a critical requirement for operators handling sensitive information. The device’s plug-and-play design enables rapid deployment, with installation possible in less than a day, significantly reducing the lead times compared to traditional fiber optics or microwave solutions. Additionally, its real-time bandwidth management features, such as Y.1731-based Vendor Specific Messages, facilitate intelligent traffic routing and optimization, enhancing operational efficiency. The UBR consumes relatively lesser power compared to typical microwave solutions, resulting in a significant reduction in overall power consumption. This significant decrease helps lower overall energy use and minimizes the environmental footprint.

From a commercial perspective, the UBR offers remarkable cost-effectiveness. Operating in the unlicensed 5 GHz band allows it to eliminate costly spectrum fees associated with licensed frequencies, making it a more affordable alternative while reducing both capital and operational expenditures for operators. Moreover, HFCL’s UBR has demonstrated significant global expansion potential, with exports to over ten countries, showcasing its scalability and relevance in international markets. As global digital transformation accelerates, UBR positions HFCL as a leader in addressing connectivity challenges. Importantly, the UBR contributes to societal benefits by extending high-speed internet access to underserved areas, promoting digital inclusion and supporting economic development. This societal impact further enhances its commercial value, aligning perfectly with global connectivity initiatives.

To ensure optimal placement and achieve the desired network performance, we offer LinkXpert – Link Planning Tool, an industry-leading solution for precise network planning. This tool played a crucial role in accurately designing the network, taking into account various factors such as terrain, interference, and capacity requirements. To efficiently manage the deployed solution, we provide an Element Management System (EMS). With its scalable, flexible, and centralized management features, the EMS offers comprehensive network oversight accessible through a user-friendly web interface. Additionally, its Zero Touch Provisioning capability streamlines deployment processes, ensuring rapid and hassle-free network expansion.

Growth Potential: Demonstrating Market Demand

HFCL’s Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) solution demonstrates exceptional growth potential, evidenced by its remarkable market penetration and expanding global footprint. As India’s leading UBR manufacturer, HFCL has already captured over 35% of the domestic market, successfully deploying more than 500,000 UBR radios with Tier-1 operators both in India and internationally. This substantial market presence is not merely a statistical achievement but a testament to the solution’s reliability and innovation in addressing critical connectivity challenges.

The company’s growth trajectory is further validated by significant recent successes, including a landmark Rs. 141 crore order from BSNL for 4G/5G backhauling solutions. This major contract, coupled with multiple orders from leading Indian telecom operators, demonstrates the increasing market demand and trust in HFCL’s UBR technology. The solution’s adaptability and effectiveness are particularly evident in its successful deployment across ten countries in the past year alone, including challenging terrains in Poland where the 1Gbps P2P radio is now providing seamless connectivity to remote rural areas.

Looking ahead, HFCL’s growth potential is substantially amplified by several key market drivers. The ongoing global transition to 5G networks, coupled with the increasing demand for cost-effective backhaul solutions, positions HFCL’s UBR as a crucial enabler of telecommunications infrastructure development. The company’s strategic expansion into key international markets – including the UK, US, Europe, and Africa – is supported by a robust infrastructure of local offices, warehousing facilities, and experienced global teams, ensuring sustainable long-term growth.

The company’s growth potential is particularly significant in the context of major infrastructure initiatives such as the BharatNet Phase-III project and BSNL’s nationwide 4G and 5G services deployment. These large-scale projects, combined with the increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and the growing demand for last-mile connectivity solutions, create substantial opportunities for HFCL’s UBR technology.

HFCL’s unique position as a 100% Made in India manufacturer, combined with its extensive global distribution network and strategic partnerships with leading technology firms, provides a strong foundation for sustained growth. The company’s ability to offer cost-effective, high-performance solutions that address diverse market needs – from urban centers to remote rural areas – positions it ideally to capitalize on the growing global demand for reliable wireless connectivity solutions.

This comprehensive ecosystem of market presence, technological innovation, strategic partnerships, and expanding opportunities clearly demonstrates HFCL’s UBR solution’s substantial growth potential in both domestic and international markets. The company’s track record of successful deployments, combined with its forward-looking approach to product development and market expansion, positions it strongly for continued growth and market leadership in the telecommunications infrastructure sector.

Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Wireless Connectivity 

HFCL’s Unlicensed Band Radio solution plays a transformative role in strengthening the wireless industry ecosystem by providing innovative approaches to critical connectivity challenges. As a pioneering technology in the unlicensed spectrum space, the UBR solution contributes significantly to the industry’s growth and evolution.

At its core, HFCL’s UBR technology enhances the wireless ecosystem by providing a vital bridge between traditional connectivity solutions. By offering fiber-like speeds through wireless technology, UBR creates a new tier of connectivity options that complement existing fiber and microwave infrastructure. This capability has been instrumental in expanding network accessibility across diverse environments, particularly in scenarios where traditional solutions face technical or economic limitations.

The solution’s contribution to the ecosystem is evidenced by its substantial adoption among telecom operators, with over 500,000 UBR radios deployed with Tier-1 operators in India and internationally. This widespread deployment demonstrates how UBR technology is helping reshape the wireless backhaul landscape by offering a cost-effective alternative that reduces CAPEX and OPEX for operators while delivering high-performance connectivity.

HFCL’s UBR innovation particularly strengthens the 4G/5G ecosystem by providing efficient backhauling solutions. The technology’s ability to support multi-band radio traffic aggregation makes it an ideal complement to modern cellular networks, helping operators enhance their network performance while optimizing infrastructure costs. This contribution is particularly significant as the industry continues its transition toward 5G and beyond. Its advanced features, including AI-based interference mitigation algorithms and cloud-based management capabilities, contribute to raising the industry standard for wireless backhaul solutions.

HFCL continues to strengthen its ecosystem contributions through ongoing innovation and product development. The company is currently working on developing an ultra-high-capacity 4 Gbps UBR solution, demonstrating its commitment to anticipating and meeting future industry needs for higher capacity backhaul solutions.

Through these comprehensive contributions, HFCL’s UBR technology is helping create a more efficient, accessible, and innovative wireless ecosystem. The solution’s ability to address critical connectivity challenges while offering cost-effective deployment options positions it as a key enabler in the industry’s ongoing evolution toward more advanced and capable wireless networks.