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Small cells hit the street

Outdoor small cells are a challenge for mobile operators. Nodes are often deployed to increase capacity in places where the network is struggling, but a spot that needs a small cell may not have a pole to support one. Even if a streetlight or utility pole is nearby, gaining access is likely to involve negotiations with at least one public agency. If another carrier has already deployed on the structure, adding more equipment becomes even harder from both a technical and a regulatory perspective.

These are the reasons that Kathrein has developed technology to embed small cells in manholes and connect them to existing landline infrastructure. The concept was first developed for Swisscom, which is testing it this month in Bern, Zurich, Basel and Lausanne.

Kathrein has integrated its antenna with a specially designed manhole cover. The antenna is in a special casing under the cover, which is load bearing and vibration limiting. Below the antenna is Ericsson’s base transceiver station.

The “Street Connect” solution should be commercially available next year. Operators that have already secured underground rights-of-way for fiber deployments are likely to be the most interested. In the U.S., Verizon Communications and AT&T have both deployed fiber to support residential and enterprise broadband. Cable operators often have access to underground conduit as well, and can partner with wireless carriers to backhaul small cell traffic.

Analyst Ken Rehbehn of 451 Research thinks operators who don’t currently have underground rights-of-way may be motivated to explore the move in order to take advantage of an in-ground small cell.

“The operators may not have underground right-of-way today, but Kathrein’s offer gives them – as well as tower company partners – excellent motivation to look at potential assets under foot,” said Rehbehn.

An in-ground installation is less likely to spark residential protest than a pole attachment, so city planning departments are likely to show interest in an in-ground solution as well. New York City has already scheduled a demonstration with Kathrein.

“A community’s aesthetic requirements frequently limit antenna form factor and placement,” said Rehbehn. “Especially in the case of historic areas, the operator’s site toolkit must incorporate a variety of clever antenna form factors.”

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ABOUT AUTHOR

Martha DeGrasse
Martha DeGrassehttp://www.nbreports.com
Martha DeGrasse is the publisher of Network Builder Reports (nbreports.com). At RCR, Martha authored more than 20 in-depth feature reports and more than 2,400 news articles. She also created the Mobile Minute and the 5 Things to Know Today series. Prior to joining RCR Wireless News, Martha produced business and technology news for CNN and Dow Jones in New York and managed the online editorial group at Hoover’s Online before taking a number of years off to be at home when her children were young. Martha is the board president of Austin's Trinity Center and is a member of the Women's Wireless Leadership Forum.