Small cells remain a bit of an enigma for the wireless space. Predictions for years have opined that the move to small cell deployments were just around the corner as surging demand for mobile data services had traditional wireless networks on the ropes.
Those predictions have been tempered somewhat by advances in technology and software used to support traditional macro sites, which also have the benefit of familiarity and comfort for wireless operators. That comfort also comes from operators knowing how much macro sites typically cost to erect and operate, something that it still a bit of an unknown in the small cell space.
RCR Wireless News spoke with Aaron Blazar, VP at Atlantic-ACM, about the challenges the firm sees for mobile operators moving into the small cell space, highlighting items from a recently released white paper on the topic: “2014 Small Cells Economics & Realities”
Blazar noted that while the technology for small cell deployments are indeed ready, basic challenges like power, backhaul and site acquisition remain tripping points that wireless carriers and vendor partners still need to tackle. Not that those challenges are insurmountable, as Blazar said he expects the market for small cells to remain in a “test” phase through at least 2014, with next year potentially the timeframe in which commercial deployments hit their stride.
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Small cell market continues search for economic sense
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