At Mobile World Congress, Meta shared details of its three-year journey in building a neutral host indoor cellular network using the CBRS shared spectrum band. Working in close collaboration with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, Meta developed a scalable and cost-effective solution to provide reliable cellular coverage across its global office footprint. The goal was to ensure consistent mobile connectivity for employees across all properties, while avoiding the complexity and delay of traditional DAS deployments.
Unlike conventional licensed spectrum models, Meta leveraged shared spectrum to install in-building infrastructure that supports all three mobile operators, creating a "neutral host" setup. This approach led to 75% faster deployments and significant cost savings. Key innovations included seamless handling of critical services like 911 and lawful intercept compliance, and co-developed network integration solutions to deliver consistent user experiences.
All partners emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, highlighting how shared goals around customer experience, agility, and innovation drove the program’s success. Meta does not plan to commercialize the solution but aims to share learnings with the broader industry. With growing interest in private and neutral host networks from other sectors, this model offers a compelling blueprint for enterprise connectivity innovation.
Watch the full conversation here.