5G networks are necessary for small cell deployments. Small cells will be installed to enable use cases for recreation facilities, production facilities, healthcare organizations, and other enterprises, whilst macro cell deployments have gone out to support consumer use cases. So, what are the advantages of 5G small cell deployments for enterprises and how can they drive growth using it? Let’s find out.
1. Less Real Estate
Small cells are tiny in comparison, frequently no larger than a dorm refrigerator, whereas the majority of cellular data transmits between antennas and macro cells that frequently measure several hundreds of feet high in the air. Some of them even resemble a typical pizza box in size.
And if you look closely, you can see them strategically positioned atop buildings, utility poles, streetlights, and other structures throughout our cities. They are located only a few blocks apart from one another rather than being built miles apart, like Marco cells.
Small cells carry data utilizing mid- and high-band spectrum in addition to “conventional low-band airwaves,” according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA). Even though these airways have “mid- and high-band frequencies” that may send “bigger quantity data at lightning speed.”
2. More Environment Friendly
Small cells not only easily blend into the surroundings—so much so that many of the structures blend in with the surroundings and the structures they are mounted on—but they also lessen the need for macro cell towers, according to an editorial in Telecoms.com.
In fact, according to the news source, small cell infrastructure may even replace cell towers in the upcoming years. Await results.
Two further environmental benefits: Small cell deployments do not affect bird migration routes. Additionally, they consume a lot less energy than larger macro-cell structures.
3. Streamlined Regulations, Less Fuss
Local governments frequently raise objections when a new macro cell is built—no, scratch that, when it is even proposed, long before a shovel is ever put in the ground—confident that the tall new construction would be an eyesore that destroys the neighborhood and lowers local property values.
Convince these skeptics and the skeptical citizens who choose to elect or appoint them need considerable persuasion and legal force.
However, 5G small cell infrastructure allows you to leave the sales techniques more frequently.
4. Less Expensive
For wireless communications, the physical size of small cell infrastructure is a game changer in several crucial areas, maybe none more so than sheer bottom-line costs, as they say.
Typical heights of towering macro installations range from 200 to 500 feet. Naturally, large steel buildings are more expensive and more challenging to create than small cells that are similar in size.
Small cells also create much less interruption during the building and installation phases because they occupy less actual area and are frequently mounted on top of the already-existing infrastructure.
5. Capacity
5G small cells may connect a large number of devices on a single private network thanks to eMBB and mMTC capabilities that are built-in, meeting capacity requirements for wireless communication. More 5G small cells can be simply installed if an industrial site or campus requires more capacity as network demand increases.
6. Spectrum Availability
The deployment of 5G small cells in licensed, shared, unlicensed, or locally licensed spectrum gives businesses a range of alternatives for their network. To set up a private network in a licensed spectrum, they can decide to collaborate with a mobile operator. Alternately, they can deploy in the authorized 3.5 GHz band or the globally accessible unlicensed 5 GHz or 6 GHz spectrum bands and benefit from shared spectrum programs like CBRS in the U.S. Additionally, several nations, like Germany and the United Kingdom, have designated regionally licensed spectrum for sole usage by businesses and industry verticals. The variety of available spectrum alternatives will hasten the implementation of 5G small cells by an enterprise.
7. Mobility
Since 5G small cells are based on 3GPP mobile technology, unlike Wi-Fi access points, hand-off between small cells is seamless and connectivity is not lost. This is crucial for use cases like tracking cargo in a square kilometer-sized shipping port or autonomous forklifts traveling across a factory floor.
Also Read: The Key Role of 5G Small Cell Technology
8. Coverage
Businesses may determine which areas of campus need service and then strategically place 5G small cells to cover the entire area, much to how Wi-Fi access points are now installed in office buildings. Additionally, it gives businesses the freedom to quickly expand coverage to meet changing needs.
End Note
Businesses can better utilize 5G technology to make 5G a quicker, more dependable network that can support the devices needed for business. Think about your 4G infrastructure now, and get ready for 5G later. It is an investment that fully alters the network rather than merely making it better.