To add network capacity and coverage reach in dense or underserved area, carriers are increasingly looking to small cells, which are also viewed as a key underlying infrastructure element for 5G. But, as small cell technologies are increasingly used to improve network performance, carriers are having to work with towns and cities around the country to come up with ways to help the equipment blend in with its surroundings.
The need to conceal small cell solutions has ushered in all manner of stealth solutions, including building them into smart internet of things-type garbage cans, park benches and, now, a cactus.
In Tuscon Arizona, near where AT&T fabricates custom concealment solutions, the carrier has made small cell housing designed to match the cacti that grow in the area. Scott September, new site manager, said, “When AT&T proposes a new communications site in a neighborhood, one of the fist things we do is we meet with the city, we talk about what their requirements are. We also meet with the neighborhood to talk about design elements they may want to see in the communications site.”
A key aspect of fabricating stealth concealments is ruggedized materials and “radio frequency-friendly” materials like fiber glass, which is commonly used in the six week to eight week production process .
It’s worth noting here that the long-term challenge with small cell deployment has been achieving a scalable process; deployments can range in cost from $20,000 to $50,000 per site, which makes it tough to come up with a predictable cost structure.
Case in point, Verizon Wireless is currently working with the city of Palo Alto, Calif., to install 92 small cells, 80 on wooden utility poles owned by the city, and 12 on metal street lights, according to a project description received by the city on Jan. 30. Verizon contemplates three configurations, all containing one antenna, three radios and one disconnect. The variations are in whether the battery back up is located on the pole, on the ground next to the pole, or not needed at all.
That initial project description has been revised twice, with the most recent variation, dated May 5, detailing outstanding questions left up to the local Architectural Review Board for decision. Those issues include “a final shade of brown paint for equipment attached to wood poles. Additionally, should all pole mounted equipment including mounts, cabling and conduits be painted?” Relative to the ground cabinet, Verizon wants to know if should be painted to blend in with surroundings? If so, what color green? Or concealed in street furniture? What about an art wrap? Is that preferred to street furniture? And so on.
This process of community buy-in, while a good mechanism for outreach and engagement, like fabrication of custom concealment solutions, adds time and cost to the project.
