Proptivity expands reliable indoor 5G connectivity for London's commercial buildings, using terrestrial timing signals traceable to (UTC)NPL and provided from Telehouse London Docklands.
Proptivity build and operate mobile infrastructure for consistent 4G and 5G coverage from multiple operators in commercial buildings - all from a single indoor deployment. In order to scale its model in the UK, Proptivity needed a London hub that could support a repeatable 5G delivery model across multiple properties, with fast, direct interconnection to UK mobile network operators (MNOs) and precise, traceable timing to every site.
Proptivity required a reliable method of synchronising Ericsson indoor radio systems to deliver precise time consistently across corporate sites – particularly where GNSS satellite-based timing is difficult to access or unavailable. There is a growing desire for resilient timing solutions to complement satellites, as accurate synchronisation is essential for high-performance indoor 5G connectivity, and when synchronisation is disrupted, this affects the performance and availability of 5G systems.
Proptivity selected Telehouse London Docklands, a service node for NPLTime Certified® and one of Europe’s most connected data centres, as the London hub for its UK deployments. From here, Proptivity was able to access fibre-delivered timing signals from NPL, traceable to the national time scale, UTC(NPL) which is the realisation of the global time scale in the UK, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Ericsson radio systems deployed indoors could be synchronised accurately without the need to install rooftop antennas for every building, which can be difficult for many commercial properties. Proptivity was therefore able to connect to UK operator networks and extend its services across London in a scalable, repeatable way.
From Telehouse, serving as its London base for UK deployments, and using reliable timing signals sourced from NPL, Proptivity can now scale a repeatable indoor 5G model. This provides a resilient, high-performing and consistent 4G and 5G service for commercial building owners and their occupiers. A stable synchronisation model allows for better indoor mobile connectivity, even in buildings where satellite signals are difficult to reach.
As expectations for stable and resilient mobile connectivity continue to rise, this collaboration strengthens the UK’s digital infrastructure and supports the next generation of 5G innovation and the Internet of Things (IoT) – for which our national timing capability provides the foundation.
With Telehouse’s help, we have successfully transported time between NPL’s master UK clock and high-performance 5G systems in London corporate cell sites. This has been achieved with sufficient accuracy to offer sterling 5G coverage for all three UK MNOs, enabling customers to use their mobile phones as they would expect.
Magnus Kelly, Director - Proptivity
The demand for seamless indoor mobile connectivity is growing rapidly as organisations embrace hybrid working, smart buildings and increasingly data-intensive applications. At the same time, operators and enterprises are looking for more efficient ways to deploy infrastructure that is resilient, scalable and future-ready. Our work with Proptivity highlights how carrier-neutral interconnection and trusted digital infrastructure can accelerate the rollout of high-performance indoor 5G. By providing a secure, highly connected environment with access to critical services, including NPLTime® as a service, we're helping create the foundations for the next generation of connected workplaces and supporting the UK's evolving digital economy.
James Whitnall, Head of Product Development - Telehouse Europe