ZenFi Takes C-RAN Across the Hudson

Just in time for Metro Connect, ZenFi Networks has announced an expansion of its next-generation wireless infrastructure beyond the borders of New York City. They have won some similar business across the river in New Jersey.

An unnamed ‘major mobile network operator’ has tapped ZenFi for the deploymenbt of 600+ small cell nodes in northern NJ, as well as fronthaul fiber to each of those nodes, wireless siting, and network edge colocation. As you might expect, the infrastructure is aimed at a 5G network buildout. ZenFi has long been a proponent of the C-RAN model, and has been proving out its vision for a while now.  We had ZenFi CEO Ray LaChance on here for an Industry Spotlight just a few months ago.

ZenFi has spent the last several years deploying mobile network infrastructure throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC, and a couple years ago merged with Cross River Fiber. That got them into New Jersey, but with infrastructure that was originally targeted at regional wholesale and enterprise opportunities and especially the financial vertical. As part of that merger, ZenFi always saw revenue synergies in bringing each company’s specialization to the other’s market.

It seems as if we’ve been talking about 5G infrastructure buildouts for years now. Yet while the industry is definitely closer, everyone I talk to says there is far more left to be done than has been completed so far. Even getting an early start in the NY/NJ metro area leaves a lot left to do.

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Categories: Metro fiber · Towers · Wireless