Building the Future of Connectivity: Boost Mobile and Cisco's Collaborative Journey

In an era where connectivity is paramount, Boost Mobile has emerged as a formidable player in the telecommunications landscape. As part of Dish Network, Boost Mobile provides robust and reliable wireless services to over 240 million customers. We had the opportunity to sit down with Mike (Mac) McNamara, Vice President and Head of Network Engineering for Boost Mobile, to discuss the challenges, solutions, and outcomes of the company’s ambitious 5G network deployment and the pivotal role Cisco played in this journey.

Overcoming challenges in a hybrid cloud greenfield deployment

Building a nationwide 5G network is no small feat, especially under the constraints Boost Mobile faced. “We created the network in just under three years, during the middle of COVID-19 and massive supply chain issues,” McNamara explained. Despite these hurdles, the team at Boost Mobile persevered, working collaboratively in-office to tackle daily challenges related to supply chain disruptions and personnel management.

The urgency was further compounded by FCC mandates requiring Boost Mobile to cover 20% of the nation’s population by June 14, 2022, and 70% by June 14, 2023. Remarkably, the mobile network operator (MNO) met these milestones, showcasing resilience and a commitment to innovation.

A culture of collaboration

The partnership between Boost Mobile and Cisco is built on a foundation of trust and mutual goals. “Cisco and Boost Mobile have been partners for a number of years,” McNamara noted. “Cisco has been a fantastic partner.” This long-standing relationship was crucial in selecting Cisco for the 5G network build-out. Beyond just providing equipment, Cisco brought its global expertise in networking to help design Boost’s 5G cloud-native open radio access network (Open RAN).

The synergy between Boost Mobile and Cisco is best described as collaborative. “It wasn’t just Cisco selling us the equipment and shipping it. It was Cisco’s people and team members in our offices every day, working with us side by side,” McNamara emphasized. This hands-on approach ensured that any issues were addressed immediately, fostering a culture of problem-solving and innovation.

Automation: the key to success

Automation played a critical role in the successful deployment of Boost Mobile’s 5G network. The Test Automation Framework (TAF) from Cisco was instrumental in testing new services and activating cell sites. TAF’s capability to generate test cases and execute them across thousands of devices within minutes was a key differentiating factor in this process. Additionally, the software defined networking (SDN) controller, Cisco Crosswork Network Controller, enabled a zero-touch provisioning solution to automate the deployment and activation of cell sites.

“The automation systems from Cisco made things so much easier,” McNamara said. “We could deploy new cell sites in an automated fashion, test them, activate them, and bring them on air—all within that automation.” This efficiency was crucial in meeting the FCC’s stringent guidelines and covering 70% of the U.S. population.

Outcomes and future prospects

The results of this collaboration are nothing short of impressive. Boost Mobile not only met the FCC milestones but also developed the nation’s first completely cloud-native 5G wireless network built on Open RAN technology. Looking ahead, McNamara sees automation continuing to evolve rapidly, driving innovation and expanding Boost Mobile’s network and customer base.

When asked about his excitement for the future, McNamara’s enthusiasm was palpable. “I’m extremely excited about what I do for Boost. We have amazing team members, and we are a culture that works together as a team in an office environment. Every day we work side by side [to] figure out problems, come up with solutions, and implement them immediately.”

Advice for industry peers

For those facing similar challenges, McNamara offers sage advice: “Have a solid architecture, a complete plan, and enlist help from industry experts. Put a timeline together and stick to it. Address problems head-on and immediately. That’s what our management at Boost Mobile preaches every day.”

The partnership between Boost Mobile and Cisco exemplifies how collaboration, innovation, and automation can overcome significant challenges and drive the future of connectivity. As Boost Mobile continues to expand and delight its customer base, the lessons learned from this journey will undoubtedly serve as a blueprint for success in the telecommunications industry.

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