If you came across the Ericsson Capsule Site in your local town square, you might be forgiven for thinking it was a new art installation, designed to add a touch of urban chic to its surroundings. In fact, the architect-designed, composite-clad structure conceals everything mobile operators need to provide fill-in coverage – especially in urban and suburban areas where new demand for mobile broadband is highest.
Designed by renowned Swedish architect and designer, Thomas Sandell – the man behind the acclaimed Ericsson Tower Tube – the Capsule Site completely encapsulates all equipment, including antennas and microwave transmission units in a stylish composite cover.
The cover can be colored and illuminated to fit in with its surroundings. It can be decorated, disguised or branded as required – and be as eye-catching, or as unobtrusive, as appropriate. It can also be fitted with an integrated flat screen display and scrolling advertising panels, to provide information or promotions to passers-by. New revenue opportunities are opened up by the Capsule Site, not simply through roll-out of coverage for mobile broadband, but also through co-branding and other promotional opportunities providing new revenue possibilities for the operator.
The stylish, modern exterior and small footprint of the Ericsson Capsule Site make siting it much easier, faster and more cost-efficient than with traditional steel-frame RBS designs.
The Capsule Site is delivered to site in ‘flat-pack’ form ready for assembly, which takes less than one day. When installed, the tower is around 14 meters high and has a triangular footprint of just 2 x 2 x 2 – which helps keep site rental costs down.
The new site solution can be preconfigured either as an outdoor main-remote RBS or as an indoor macro RBS, with a heat exchanger that reduces running costs compared with convection cooling.
As it is completely enclosed in the composite cover, the Capsule Site offers better security and resistance to theft and vandalism than traditional site designs.
Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio Networks at Ericsson says: “Ericsson strives to constantly redefine the telecommunications landscape by our innovative technology and design. With its small footprint and ability to blend into the surroundings, the solution reflects our commitment to the development of sustainable societies. The Capsule Site provides operators with new possibilities, from increased alternatives for site locations to new revenue opportunities.”
The first Ericsson Capsule Site was launched June 17 at the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Stockholm, Sweden.
