CASE STUDY Rural Wireless Coverage Coastline Highway and Interior Canyons Background Long stretches of open highway would seem like pretty simple areas in which to provide wireless coverage. However, when the highway is located along a scenic coastline within a rural canyon, providing wireless service becomes more challenging. In addition to providing adequate capacity, the location of new cell sites is restricted in consideration for the area's natural scenery. The Problem Two service providers were challenged with providing wireless service in the rural canyons along the California coastline. One provider utilized analog modulation (AMPS) and digital modulation (CDMA) to provide 800 MHz mobile phone service, and the other provider utilized analog modulation (AMPS) and digital modulation (TDMA) for its 800 MHz service. Subscribers of both services experienced poor coverage along the highway and intermittent signal loss while commuting through the canyons. In addition, nearby business and residential subscribers also experienced poor service because the highway traffic utilized most of the capacity from their areas. Placement of additional cell sites was severely restricted due to visual concerns and zoning regulations. CASE STUDY The ADC Solution ADC worked with both providers to craft a long-range coverage solution that accommodated the AMPS, CDMA, and TDMA technologies, was visually consistent, and improved service without requiring many new cell sites. Two base transceiver station (BTS) sites were added along the Pacific Coast Highway and one site was installed at each end of the canyons that were to be covered. ADC host units were centralized at the BTS site, creating a base station hotel, to reduce the amount of cabinets required. Each host unit digitized the RF signals and transported them over fiber optic cable to a remote unit, which reconverted the signals back into RF to provide coverage into the canyon and highway areas. Because the remote units are small cabinets that were unobtrusively mounted on existing poles, the visual impact of the complete solution was minimal. The digital platform of ADC’s long-range coverage solution was particularly attractive because it easily met the needs of both service providers. Digital optical RF transport can accommodate both the CDMA and TDMA technologies that were being used by the two different service providers. Identical equipment was used for each provider's network, yet the systems were easily configured individually to meet each provider's requirements. One provider required dedicated TDMA channels for each site, while the other simulcast CDMA signals. A zone selector was utilized with the TDMA system, allowing RF channels to be switched between different host units. In that way, a mobile signal could utilize the same channel throughout the entire call. Benefits Realized by the Customer The digital long-range coverage solution was so effective that it enabled coverage along a 12-mile stretch of winding road from a single host location. Additional capacity and improved coverage was achieved throughout the highway and canyon areas. As a result of the enhanced highway coverage, the two service providers' subscribers within the business and residential areas along the highway also experienced better quality of service and were more likely to retain their service. Furthermore, should either provider choose to upgrade to a dual-band system in the future, ADC's solution will allow them to do so within the existing installation by changing out the remote units without requiring additional zoning approvals to add new cabinets. Web Site: www.adc.com From North America, Call Toll Free: 1-800-366-3891 • Outside of North America: +1-952-938-8080 Fax: +1-952-917-3237 • For a listing of ADC’s global sales office locations, please refer to our Web site. ADC Telecommunications, Inc., P.O. Box 1101, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA 55440-1101 Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously improving our products, ADC reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may verify product specifications by contacting our headquarters office in Minneapolis. ADC Telecommunications, Inc. views its patent portfolio as an important corporate asset and vigorously enforces its patents. Products or features contained herein may be covered by one or more U.S. or foreign patents. An Equal Opportunity Employer 103211AE 7/06 Revision © 2006 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All Rights Reserved . CASE STUDY Rural Wireless Coverage Coastline Highway and Interior Canyons Background Long stretches of open highway would seem like pretty. poor coverage along the highway and intermittent signal loss while commuting through the canyons. In addition, nearby business and residential subscribers