Dense small cell networks seen as key to 5G
While small cell technologies are being used to add capacity and coverage for LTE networks, scalable deployments have proven problematic given varying regulatory regimes and access to power and backhaul. To support larger connectivity projects, carriers and infrastructure providers work with city officials to win access to numerous sites including street lights, benches, utility poles and other places well-suited to installing a small cell. Case in point, wireless infrastructure provider Arqiva this week said it has won access to 15,000 lampposts across the London borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames.
With the 10-year deal, Arqiva said it will initially focus on installing Wi-Fi APs in high-traffic areas, while noting in a statement future plans involve the “deployment of small cell technology to help the U.K. mobile network operators (MNOs) to further expand mobile coverage and capacity over the coming years. In the future, small cells will also be crucial to the delivery of 5G.”
Arqiva has similar agreements covering other parts of London including Barnet, Brent, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulhma, Harigey, harrow, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond-Upon-Thames and Wandsworth.
Company Managing Director of Telecoms and M2M Nicolas Ott tied the small cell siting win to the company’s parallel focus on 5G fixed wireless access. “Street furniture is integral to the future delivery of 5G fixed wireless access broadband to homes.”
Arqiva, working with Samsung, announced in July a live 5G fixed wireless access system that uses 28 GHz spectrum to offer gigabit internet to enterprise and consumer customers. The company describes the system, which is in a trial phase, as speeding time to market and offering a more attractive business case than fiber-to-the-home or fiber-to-the-premises.
Back to the importance of small cells, Ott hit on the importance of cooperative work with municipal leaders: “We are excited to be working with yet another London Borough, and are pleased that more and more local authorities – like Kingston – are recognizing the importance that both their residents and businesses place on connectivity, and exploring the ways that they can boost it. As we head towards the 5G era, ubiquitous connectivity is becoming increasingly important, and it’s vital that councils act now.”
