Case Studies

BBU Swap & Integration

Project Overview

Celnet led a large-scale baseband unit (BBU) replacement and integration project for a major U.S. carrier’s network upgrade. We swapped out legacy BBUs for advanced Ericsson models across 500+ live sites, ensuring seamless operations in high-traffic environments while meeting strict carrier testing and FCC compliance standards.

Scope of Work

  • Replacement of legacy BBUs with Ericsson models (5216, 6630, 6648, 6651, 6610)
  • Site preparation and pre-install readiness validation
  • Automated and manual integration activities
  • Fiber and transport troubleshooting during cutover
  • Network testing, validation, and close-out documentation

Execution Highlights

Activities were sequenced to limit service interruptions during live upgrades. Integration leveraged ESI for automation, with manual interventions for site-specific configurations. Teams completed NEA/AREA validations, Alarm 66 monitoring, E911 verification, and SRS automated call testing in accordance with carrier specifications. Fiber loss and backhaul challenges were systematically addressed on-site, with full logs and acceptance packages delivered for carrier review.

Results

  • 500+ BBU swaps executed annually with minimal service disruption
  • Enhanced 4G LTE and 5G network capacity and performance
  • 40% reduction in fiber loss and transport-related incidents via field-level remediation
  • Maintained network stability throughout the upgrade process

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