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Small Cells: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2019 to 2025

Published: Jun, 2019 | Pages: 248 | Publisher: WinterGreen Research
Industry: Telecommunications | Report Format: Electronic (PDF)

The leading vendors in the small cell market have invested in high-quality technology and processes to develop leading edge monitoring and digital triggering activation capability.  

Small Cell markets encompass virtualization, cloud, edge, and functional splits.  As 5G networks come on line in 2020, they require increasing sophistication from mobile operators. The challenge going forward in mobile network buildout is to bring together a growing number of LTE and 5G radio access technologies.   A range of connectivity services are needed.  APIs are needed in each small cell to manage connectivity to a number of customer sensors that are implemented in different segments. 

The small cell sales at $11.5 billion in 2018 are forecast to reach $52 billion in 2025.   Networks spending has been transformed from macro cell tower dominance to 80% of spending on small cells.  Small cells support wireless communications across short distances.  All the indoor and outdoor places need to increase wireless coverage, providing significant market growth for small cells.  

Small Cell markets encompass virtualization, cloud, edge, and functional splits.  5G requires increasing sophistication from mobile operators.  The challenge is to bring together a growing number of LTE and 5G radio access technologies.   A range of connectivity services are needed.  Associated APIs are needed in each small cell to manage connectivity to a number of customer segments.   
 
Figure 1. Small Cell Market Driving Forces
•  Need for enabling evolution of local communications network
•  Availability of fully virtualized, distributed, ultra-reliable software 
•  Effective software for controlling agile infrastructure
•  Automation facilitates large-scale low-cost network densification 
•  Lowers cost by implementing network through third-party deployments
•  Effective integration of base small cell technologies 
•   Systems integration achieved with open and interoperable standards
•  Open and interoperable standards needed to ensure competition
•  open and interoperable standards needed to ensure economies of scale
•  Adoption of these 5G Era technologies will require culture shifts in processes
Source:  WinterGreen Research, Inc.
 
Small cells need infrastructure across a broad range of commercial and governmental organizations.  Each have a part to play in making small cells work along with tower infrastructure to create a broadband commercial network.  Service providers are focused on densification.  Small cells are a critical part of the infrastructure for several key 5G Era deployment scenarios: 

Figure 2. Small Cell Infrastructure Critical Issues
• Service providers are focused on densification
• Small cells are a critical part of the infrastructure for key 5G implementations
• 5G deployment needs small cells
• >6GHz spectrum propagation limits cell sizes
• Shared and license-exempt spectrum mandates lower power
• Areas of hyper-dense broadband traffic need small cells
• Small cells meet demand in cities, stadia, transport hubs
• Scalable deployment
• Low-cost deployment 
• Using a low-skilled, third-party, or end-user workforce
• Small/medium enterprises requiring self-deployed indoor coverage
• Coverage extension in rural, remote, moving and temporary deployment
• Scenarios with equipment size, weight or power constraints.
Source:  WinterGreen Research, Inc.
 
The digital economy, self-driving cars, drones, traffic lights, and smart things all need more wireless coverage.  According to Susan Eustis, leader of the team that prepared the research, “Small cell suppliers have a focus on broadband improvement.  Power and performance are being improved.  Small cells improve the transmission coverage and density.”

This 5G coverage is needed as IoT, the Internet of things and smart phone video increase transmission needs.  “Everything will be connected,” said SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son, announcing an ARM processor deal in London.  

Key Topics

•	Small Cells
•	Virtualization
•	Cloud
•	Edge
•	Functional splits
•	LTE Small Cell
•	5G
•	Network Densification
•	Hybrid Ethernet Based DAS
•	DAS
•	In Building Wireless
•	Broadband Traffic
•	In Air Interface Solutions
•	Outdoor and Stadium Deployments
•	Heterogeneous Network
•	Hung On Aerial Coax, Fiber, Or Electricity Cables
•	Distributed business
•	Enterprise
•	End-To-End Integrated Small Cells
•	Metro Cell Solution Signal Transmission
•	ADRF Positioning
•	Bandwidth Allocation
•	Across enterprise boundaries

Companies Profiled

Market Leaders

•	Ericsson
•	Huawei
•	Nokia / Alcatel-Lucent
•	NEC
•	ZTE
•	Samsung
•	Fujitsu
•	ip.access

Market Participants

•	Airspan
•	ANs
•	ADRF
•	Ciena
•	CommScope
•	Corning Spidercloud
•	ip.access
•	NTSI
•	Optimos
•	Qualcomm
•	Signal Booster.com
•	Small Cell Forum
•	Solid Technologies
•	Zouk Capital / ip.access
•	Small Cell Forum
 Table of Contents

Abstract: Small Cells Used to Improve Wireless Coverage, Close the Gaps in Coverage 1
Small Cells Executive Summary 19
Small Cell Market Driving Forces 19
Small Cell Market Shares 24
Small Cell Market Forecasts 26

1. Small Cells: Market Description and Market Dynamics 28
1.1 Small Cells Definition 28
1.1.1 Web-Scale Architectures Deliver Signals Close to the Smart Phone 29
1.1.2 Small Cells Set To Be Major Enabler for 5G 29
1.1.3 Vision for 5G 30
1.1.4 Outdoor Small Cell Market Is in The Beginning Stages Of Deployment 32
1.2 Small Cells Bring Transformational 5G 34
1.2.1 Small Cells Market Driving Forces 34
1.3 Small Cell Networks 36
1.3.1 Small Cells Industry Addresses Fast-Paced Change 37
1.4 Small Cell Signal Enhancement 40
1.5 Shared Spectrum Radios 43
1.6 Base Station Functional Splits 45
1.6.1 Small Cells Miniature Cellular Base Stations 45
1.6.2 Small Cell Operator Challenges 48
1.6.3 Small Cell Base Stations 48
1.7 5G Envisioned As A Unifying Connectivity Fabric That Connects Everything Around Us 51
1.8 Business Model for Small Cells 54
1.8.1 Small Cell Site Risks Different From Tower Site Risks 55

2. Small Cells Market Shares and Forecasts 58
2.1 Small Cell Market Driving Forces 58
2.2 Small Cell Market Shares 65
2.2.1 Ericsson Small Cells 72
2.3 Small Cell Market Forecasts 74
2.3.1 Small Cell Market Segments 79
2.3.2 Small Cell Applications 3G, 4G, and 5G 79
2.3.3 Number of Wireless Customers 84
2.3.4 Mobile Data Traffic 87
2.3.5 International 5G Activity Growing Significantly 90
2.3.6 5G Network Countries: South Korea 90
2.3.7 5G Networks in China 91
2.3.8 5G Network in Japan 91
2.3.9 5G Network in The United States 92
2.3.10 Leading 5G Vendors 92
2.3.1 Small Cell Installed Base 93
2.3.2 Small Cell Installation Issues 93
2.3.3 Small Cell Backhaul 94
2.3.4 Enterprise Needs For Indoor Coverage 96
2.4 Small Cells Industry Challenges 96
2.4.1 Small Cell Vendor Response to Market Challenges 97
2.5 Number Of Mobile Internet Users 99
2.5.1 Telecommunications Fiber 107
2.5.2 Internet Traffic Growth 109
2.5.3 5G Handles 10x More Data Than 4G 114
2.6 Small Cell Prices 115
2.7 Small Cell Regional Market Analysis 120
2.7.1 Wholesale Turf Vendor Mobile Backhaul Network Operators 123
2.7.2 US Small Cell Networks 123
2.7.3 San Francisco Leads in Municipal Small Cell Deployment 125
2.7.4 San Francisco Leads the Way in Municipal Small Cell Deployment 127
2.7.5 Asia-Pacific Market 128
2.7.6 China 128
2.7.7 Japan 128
2.7.8 UK 128
2.7.9 UK EE 128
2.7.10 Iran 129
2.7.11 Small Cell Deployments by Region and Density, Indoor and Outdoor, Architecture 130

3. Small Cells Product Description 131
3.1 Wireless Industry Small Cells for Homeowners 131

4. Small Cells Research and Technology 135
4.1 Modern Mobile Network 135
4.2 FCC Position on Small Cells 140
4.2.1 Small Cell Legislation in California 142
4.2.2 Small Cells Support Competitiveness of Nations 143
4.3 Industry Associations 147
4.3.1 Cambridge Wireless 147
4.4 Small Cells Local Regulations 147
4.4.1 ETSI 148
4.5 Macro Network Layer 150
4.5.1 LTE Small Cell Technology 151

5. Small Cells Company Profiles 152
5.1 Airspan 152
5.2 ANs 153
5.2.1 ANS Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), Small Cells 155
5.3 ADRF 157
5.4 Airspan 158
5.5 AT&T 158
5.5.1 AT&T Small Cells 159
5.5.2 Fiber is Key to 5G 159
5.6 Ciena 160
5.6.1 Ciena Reports Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2017 and Year-End Financial Results 161
5.7 Cisco Small Cells 161
5.7.1 Cisco Universal Small Cell 8000 Series End-Of-Life 162
5.8 CommScope 164
5.8.1 Commscope Revenue 168
5.8.2 Airvana 169
5.8.3 Commscope / Airvana 171
5.8.4 Airvana Targets Mobile Operators 171
5.9 Corning / Spidercloud 171
5.9.1 SpiderCloud LTE Small Cell Technology 172
5.10 Ericsson Small Cells 174
5.10.1 Ericsson Holistic View Of The Network 174
5.10.2 LM Ericsson Revenue 176
5.10.3 Ericsson Benefits Of Integrated Small Cells 176
5.10.4 Ericsson Lightpole Site 179
5.10.5 Ericsson Radio Dot System 183
5.10.6 Ericsson Dual Band Radio Dot 186
5.10.7 Hardened Radio Dot for Outdoor and Stadium Deployments 187
5.10.8 Ericsson Small Cell In-Building Solutions 190
5.10.9 Ericsson, AT&T, Qualcomm, and Small cells 191
5.11 Huawei 193
5.11.1 Huawei Small Cell Achievements in 4.5G/5G Technologies 195
5.11.2 Densify Cellular Networks, Creating Serious Inter-Cell Interference Solution 198
5.11.3 Huawei Revenue 200
5.11.4 Huawei 201
5.11.5 Huawei 203
5.11.6 Huawei 5G Operator Collaboration 203
5.11.7 Huawei 5G Vendor Trials 204
5.11.8 Huawei 5G X-Haul 204
5.12 ip.access 205
5.12.1 Ip.access Industry Standards 206
5.13 NBN 207
5.14 Nokia 208
5.14.1 Nokia Small Cells Improve TCO 210
5.14.2 Nokia Small Cells Deliver Cost-Effective Capacity And Coverage, Indoors And Outdoors, Key To Network Innovation 211
5.14.3 Nokia Small Cells Support Heterogeneous Network 221
5.14.4 Nokia Small Cell Deployments 221
5.14.5 Smart WiFi Delivers Carrier Grade Wireless Access with Nokia AirScale Wi-Fi 222
5.14.6 Nokia AirScale Wi-Fi Allows Service Providers Without Licensed Spectrum To Run a Wi-Fi service That Takes Advantage Of Mobile Edge Computing222
5.14.7 Nokia Revenue 224
5.15 NTSI 225
5.16 Optimos 226
5.16.1 City of New York Selects Optimos 226
5.16.2 Irma and Maria Recovery - Acorn 228
5.16.3 Optimos International to Rollout PICOs Nationally 228
5.17 Qualcomm 229
5.18 Samsung 231
5.19 Signal Booster.com 231
5.19.1 Cellular Signal Booster, Das, Public Safety Das Equipment 231
5.19.2 Public Safety Bands 232
5.20 Small Cell Forum 233
5.21 Solid Technologies 236
5.22 Zouk Capital / ip.access 238
5.23 ZTE 239
5.23.1 ZTE Revenue 241
5.24 Selected List of Small Cell Companies 241
5.24.1 Cell Phone Signal Boosters For Home 241
WinterGreen Research, 244
WinterGreen Research Methodology 244
WinterGreen Research Process 246
Market Research Study 246
WinterGreen Research Global Market Intelligence Company 247
List of Figures

Abstract: Small Cells Used to Improve Wireless Coverage, Close the Gaps in Coverage 1
Figure 1. Small Cell Market Driving Forces 27
Figure 2. Small Cell Infrastructure Critical Issues 27
Figure 3. Industry Increasing Network Bandwidth Dramatically 29
Figure 4. Converged Networks 30
Figure 5. Small Cell Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018 32
Figure 6. Small Cells Market Forecasts Dollars, Worldwide, 2019-2025 34
Figure 7. Vision for 5G 38
Figure 8. Small Cells That Amplify Cellular Phone Signals Making Possible More Uses Of A Mobile Phone Indoors 39
Figure 9. Barriers To Market Development for Outdoor Small Cell Market In Beginning Stages Of Deployment 40
Figure 10. Outdoor Small Cell Cost Issues 41
Figure 11. Constraints on 5G Development 41
Figure 12. Small Cells Market Driving Forces 43
Figure 13. Small Cells Industry Adaptation To Change 46
Figure 14. Small Cells Industry Adaptations 47
Figure 15. Small Cells Industry Imperatives 47
Figure 16. Inside Building Poor RF Coverage, RF Distribution Systems 49
Figure 17. Cell Phone Signal Enhancement Process 50
Figure 18. Cell Phone Signal Simulation using iBwave 50
Figure 19. Types of Buildings Using Cell Phone Signal Enhancement 51
Figure 20. Shared Spectrum Radios Network Changes 52
Figure 21. 5G Small Cell Benefits 52
Figure 22. Low Cost Characteristics Of Small Cells 54
Figure 23. Fixed Mobile Convergence Handset Illustration 58
Figure 24. 5G Innovation Platform Features 60
Figure 25. Small Cell Industry Increasing Network Bandwidth Dramatically 61
Figure 26. Small Cell Business Model Elements 62
Figure 27. Small Cell Operational Risks Different From Tower Site Rental Business 64
Figure 28. Small Cell Market Driving Forces 67
Figure 29. Small Cell Market Driving Factors 68
Figure 30. Small Cell Market Issues 69
Figure 31. Small Cell Infrastructure Critical Issues 70
Figure 32. Converged Networks 72
Figure 33. Small Cell Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018 74
Figure 34. Small Cell Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018 75
Figure 35. Small Cell Equipment Market Shares, Units, Worldwide, 2018 76
Figure 36. Small Cell Company Market Positioning, 2018 77
Figure 37. Fiber Homes Passed AT&T 78
Figure 38. Ericsson Multi-Operator Dot Small Cell 81
Figure 39. Small Cells Market Forecasts Dollars, Worldwide, 2019-2025 83
Figure 40. Small Cell Market Forecasts, Dollars, Worldwide, 2019-2025 84
Figure 41. Small Cell Market Forecasts Units, Worldwide, 2019-2025 85
Figure 42. Small Cell Market Segments, Carrier Indoor, Femto Cells, Carrier Outdoor, and Enterprise 87
Figure 43. 5G Application Network Improvements 89
Figure 44. Small Cell Market Industry Segments, 3G, 4G, and 5G, Dollars, Worldwide, 2019-2025 90
Figure 45. Small Cell Market Industry Segments, 3G, 4G, and 5G, Percent, Worldwide, 2019-2025 91
Figure 46. Wireless Customer Market Forecasts, Worldwide, 2018 92
Figure 47. Industry Increasing Network Bandwidth Dramatically 94
Figure 48. Mobile Data Traffic Growth 95
Figure 49. Ericsson Estimate of Worldwide Wireless Subscriber Base 96
Figure 50. Small Cell Market Forecasts, Installed Base Units, Worldwide, 2019-2025 101
Figure 51. Power, Coverage, and Capacity of Small Cells 102
Figure 52. Back Haul Small Cell Market Is Primarily Driving Factors 103
Figure 53. Number of Mobil Subscribers Worldwide, 2017 109
Figure 54. CTIA Count of Wireless Subscribers in Americas 110
Figure 55. Mobile Subscribers by Technology Generation 2015 111
Figure 56. Billions of M to M Connections 112
Figure 57. Annual Net Subscriber Additions in US by Service Provider 113
Figure 58. Smartphone Traffic vs Tablets Other Wireless Hones, and Laptops 114
Figure 59. Massive Investment Cycle: US Homes Passed with Fiber 116
Figure 60. Key Market Driver 118
Figure 61. Small Cell Hyperdense Installation in Oakland CA 119
Figure 62. Hyperdense Work Streams Features 120
Figure 63. Hyper-dense Smart Cell Features 121
Figure 64. Nokia Femtocell Price Image 124
Figure 65. Small Cell Prices And Coverage, Verizon, Samsung and AT&T 125
Figure 66. Sprint Magicbox 127
Figure 67. Small Cells Regional Market Segments, 2018 129
Figure 68. Small Cells Regional Market Segments, 2018 130
Figure 69. A Recent Crown Castle Small Cell with VZ on it at 35th & Lituanica, Chicago: 132
Figure 70. Small Cells San Francisco and Oakland 133
Figure 71. Small Cells and Electricity Distribution 134
Figure 72. Small Cells vs. DAS Locations 139
Figure 73. Houston Small Cell Separate Site Applications 140
Figure 74. Industry Small Cell Installations vs. Examples 141
Figure 75. Small Cell Forum Partners 143
Figure 76. Small Cell Forum Collaboration Partners 145
Figure 77. Integrate Wireless Technology Into The Built Environment 150
Figure 78. 5G Licensed, Shared, and Unlicensed Spectrum Bands and Properties 151
Figure 79. Bandwidth Allocation by Country 152
Figure 80. 5G Spectrum Utilizing Low, Mid, and High Bands 153
Figure 81. 5G NR mmWave Outdoor Coverage via co-Siting 154
Figure 82. ANS Trusted Source of Backhaul Expertise 161
Figure 83. DAS Services by ANS 162
Figure 84. Small Cell Services by ANS 163
Figure 85. DAS Services by ANS 164
Figure 86. ADRF Positioning 165
Figure 87. Ciena Revenue Q$ 2017 and 2016 169
Figure 88. Cisco Universal Small Cell 8000 Series 171
Figure 89. Commscope Revenue by Segment 173
Figure 90. Metro Cell Solution Locations 173
Figure 91. Macro Cell Tower Solutions Locations 173
Figure 92. Macro Cell Tower Solutions Signal Transmission Types 174
Figure 93. Metro Cell Solution Signal Transmission Types 174
Figure 94. SpiderCloud LTE Small Cell Technology 180
Figure 95. Ericsson Small Cell Portfolio Features: 185
Figure 96. Ericsson Positioning for Small Cells 186
Figure 97. Ericsson End-To-End Integrated Small Cells 187
Figure 98. Ericsson Small Cell Strand-Mount Unit for Outdoor Micro Radios Making It Easier To Install Radios On Existing Grid: Hung On Aerial Coax, Fiber, Or Electricity Cables 188
Figure 99. Ericsson Multi-Operator Dot and the Multi-Dot Enclosure Functions 190
Figure 100. Ericsson Radio Dot System Architecture 192
Figure 101. Ericsson Dual Band Radio Dot 194
Figure 102. Ericsson Hardened Radio Dot for Outdoor and Stadium Deployments 195
Figure 103. Outdoor and Stadium Ericsson Hardened Radio Dot Small Cell Features 197
Figure 104. Ericsson Small Cell In-Building Solutions 198
Figure 105. Huawei Small Cells 202
Figure 106. Huawei Positioning with Small Cells to Address Network Operator Needs 204
Figure 107. Huawei Significant Breakthroughs In Air Interface Solutions 205
Figure 108. Small Cell 4.5G Technologies Implementations 210
Figure 109. Nokia eNode Bs Features 219
Figure 110. Nokia 5G AirScale and AirFrame Radio Portfolio 220
Figure 111. Nokia Broadband Traffic 221
Figure 112. Nokia AirScale 222
Figure 113. Nokia 5G Applications Remote Vehicle SubArrays, Multiple Nodes with 128 Antennae elements, Indoor Mobility, Adaptive Beam Tracking, Outdoor Vehicular Mobility 223
Figure 114. Nokia In Building Wireless 224
Figure 115. Nokia Small Cell Target Markets 225
Figure 116. Nokia DAS and Hybrid Ethernet Based DAS 226
Figure 117. Nokia Supports Indoor Wireless 227
Figure 118. Nokia Advantages of Small Cells 228
Figure 119. Small Cells Support Heterogeneous Network 229
Figure 120. Nokia Small Cell Deployments 229
Figure 121. Nokia AirScale Wi-Fi’ 231
Figure 122. NTSI Customers 234
Figure 123. Qualcomm / Nokia Partnership 238
Figure 124. Mobile Carriers And Wireless Networks That Need Enhanced Reception 240
Figure 125. Small Cell Forum Standardization Of Key Elements Of Small Cell Technology 242
Figure 126. Small Cell Forum Membership Standardization Of Key Elements Of Small Cell Technology 242
Figure 127. 5G Issues As They Relate To Small Cells And Network Densification 243
Figure 128. Small Cell Forum Issues, Virtualization, Cloud, Edge, Shared Spectrum, RAN 244
Figure 129. Operational and Deployment Requirements, Including Regulatory Frameworks, Backhaul And Sites Topics 244
Figure 130. Solid Technologies Small Cells for Hospitals 246
Figure 131. Series of ZTE LTE Small Cell products 247
Figure 132. ZTE Small Cell Product Highlights 248 



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