Telecom operator Sunrise UPC has deployed Huawei’s blade site solution BladeAAU Pro in its network in Switzerland.
Sunrise UPC’s majority of base stations are on a single pole in Switzerland. Sunrise UPC has 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G sites. Sunrise UPC faces major challenges in antenna space, wind resistance, and tower bearing.

Site adjustment requires a build permit if antenna space differs from the original site lengthwise, and this can take months or even years. A lot of its sites have only one antenna with limited space. This means heavy adjustment for new 5G construction.

Sunrise UPC has accelerated the deployment of 5G Massive MIMO thanks to the deployment of Huawei’s BladeAAU Pro that integrates both active and passive antennas. Sunrise UPC is able to deploy radio access technologies on the same antennas and various bands, simplifying network deployment.

Huawei said this high level of integration allows one antenna to provide coverage for multiple network modes, reducing wind resistance and ensuring that 5G modules can be installed at higher positions on existing poles.

With its full-band support and huge bandwidth, it helps operators shorten deployment time and is flexible enough to adapt to diverse scenarios. With this blend of powerful features, BladeAAU Pro has become a favorite among operators since its circulation in the global telecom market.

“Sunrise UPC’s goal is to continue as a front runner in the construction of high-quality 5G networks that can deliver premium experience and lead our business toward success,” Alexander Lehrmann, Director of New Business Development and Innovation at Sunrise UPC, said.

Sunrise UPC looks forward to further innovating with Huawei to advance 5G business development across a variety of new spheres, including smart construction, smart agriculture, smart healthcare, and smart venues.

Wang Haitao, CEO of Huawei Switzerland, said: “Huawei strives to provide innovative products and solutions for global operators to address the challenges faced in 5G business and explore more scenarios for 5G innovation and application, ultimately achieving business success.”

Sunrise UPC’s second quarter revenue increased by +1.3 percent to CHF 751.7 million, mainly due to higher consumer mobile service revenues. Sunrise UPC generated CHF 277.8 million (+ 0.4 percent) from mobile, CHF 316.6 million (+ 0.2 percent) from fixed line and CHF 151.2 million (+ 6.1 percent) from B2B in the second quarter of 2021. Sunrise UPC did not reveal its Capex.