The companies that build and operate wireless networks are not the only businesses poised to profit as carriers densify their networks with small cells. As network nodes multiply, a number of businesses that support the carriers are seeing new opportunities.
Dark fiber providers
Wireless carriers usually prefer dark fiber for small cell networks because they want to light it with their own equipment. Carriers activate dark fiber by installing an optical modular transceiver. Dark fiber can be less expensive than lit fiber, especially as carriers add bandwidth. Zayo and Lightower are two dark fiber providers that have been working to run fiber to specific urban locations seen as prime spots for small cells.
Program management companies
These are the companies that go into a city on behalf of a wireless carrier to handle site acquisition, structural engineering and construction of new sites. Companies like Crown Castle, ExteNet Systems and Mobilitie own the network infrastructure and lease it back to the carriers, while many others provide network deployment and maintenance as a service. Program managers like Nexius and NB+C have seen an uptick in small cell-related business this year.
Antenna vendors
Carriers want to deploy hundreds of antennas in U.S. cities and suburbs, and that’s good news for the companies that make this equipment. Unlike cell tower antennas, this equipment will be installed in highly populated areas. Vendors like Kathrein, CommScope and Galtronics are designing cellular antennas to blend into urban environments.
Concealment specialists
Often carriers will turn to a third party to find the best way to conceal an antenna or radio. These are companies that can create custom solutions for a specific deployment. Companies like Stealth Concealment, Sabre Industries and ConcealFab are all working to help carriers camouflage small cells.
Logistics providers
In the wireless infrastructure industry, two of the most prominent providers of logistics services are easily confused with one another. Their names are KMM and KGP. Both are owned by women who used their initials to name their companies. Both provide warehousing and distribution of wireless network equipment. KGP acquired Bluestream Professional Services in 2012, so the company now installs and maintains networks as well. Crown Castle, which calls itself the nation’s largest shared wireless infrastructure provider, has awarded all of its materials and warehouse management activities for small cell and fiber deployments to KMM.
Test and measurement solutions vendors
Operators often engage an independent contractor for network validation, usually a different company from the one that installed the small cell(s). When the network includes multiple small cell nodes, management of handoffs and elimination of interference can both be complex. Carriers are using network validation solutions made by companies like Viavi Solutions and EXFO to test small cell interactions with one another and with the macro network.
Consultants
Consultants who help municipalities negotiate with wireless carriers and their agents are staying busy as cities sort through applications to access the public rights of way. Many of these companies are run by wireless industry veterans, and for some of them consulting is a small piece of a larger business. Jurisdictions are working with a wide variety of advisors from companies including CTC Technology & Energy, Wireless 20/20, Aero Solutions and CityScape Consultants.
More on small cell networks:
Building Tomorrow’s Networks (webinar recorded 10/19)
Best Practices for Deploying Hetnets (feature report)
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