The document discusses the growing use and deployment of small cells globally. It notes that Asia is leading the adoption of small cell technology, with over 56 operators deploying small cells. The number of small cells deployed is projected to grow dramatically from 7.4 million in 2013 to over 44 million by 2018, addressing demand for mobile capacity indoors and outdoors. Small cells are seen as filling the gap between traditional macro base stations and WiFi to provide a rich set of wireless options for operators.

1. 7.4million
million
small cells in the field | Oct 2013
Asia is leading the charge to high-capacity small cells.
Today’s Korean HetNets are a glimpse of 2015 for North America and Europe.
12m
> 44 for residential use
> 26 in enterprises
> 17 within their own networks
10m
= Indoor small cells
Small cell shipments
56
More than
operators have deployed
small cells
= Outdoor small cells
8m
= Residential + SOHO
6m
4m
2m
m
87,000 Enterprise small cells
+ 81,000 Indoor urban small cells
= 168,000 Indoor small cell units
to date
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2700
outdoor units increasing
mobile capacity
deployed to date
There’s a major gap between the high cost of macro base station deployment
and the limited coverage continuity of Wi-Fi deployment.
Most operators will combine macro, Wi-Fi, and small cells for a rich set of wireless
options in the field.” – Joe Madden, Principal Analyst, Mobile Experts
SMALL CELLS FOR CAPACITY
www.mobile-experts.net