Small cells may be a lifesaver for networks drowning in data, but like lifeboats tossed from a ship, small cells need a connection in order to deliver. That connection to the legacy network is a key priority for carriers as they plan small cell deployments.
“In the AT&T labs, the Sprint labs, in all the carrier labs they’re currently working on handoff technologies,” said Matt Glass, EVP of network solutions at Nexius. “The key to having Wi-Fi and picocells become more of a carrier trend is waiting on the handoffs to the legacy macro networks. … These mesh networks will get better and better and I think we’ll see small cells pick up.”
More than three-quarters of global network operators say that seamless integration with macrocellular networks is very important to them when considering small cell deployments, creating opportunity for contractors who can help with that process.
NB+C is working with several carriers as they plan small cell deployments. “It’s heady times as we head into 2014,” said Tom Kane, president of NB+C. “In my opinion, we have a nice heavy backlog of small cells sitting right in front of us that are, by all accounts, absolutely necessary for the networks. … It’s a pivot point for carriers.”
Kane agreed that handoffs to the legacy network are a major gating factor. “Right now some of the things we are seeing are the carrier challenges around how does that small cell operate in a broader macro network – how do the handoffs work and is that functional and will that be a good user experience?” he said.
Return on investment is another key consideration for carriers. Kane said the big question for carriers is: “What does it really take to deploy from a capital and a manpower and a timeline perspective? If you forecast 100 small cells in a city in a dense urban environment, really what is that going to take, because to be honest no one has really gone to that much volume yet. And certainly with the new equipment coming out and new planning coming out, no one can really point to a model that is proven.”
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