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Growth and consolidation in the cards for regional towercos

Cellular networks continue to evolve around the world and the distributed network market is on the rise unilaterally, with macrocells, distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cells in various form factors - picocells, microcells, metrocells, plus Wi-Fi making up the bulk of the technologies being utilised to solve capacity and / or specific coverage challenges for mobile network operators (MNOs). While these technologies are not new, there have been innovations in business models and deployment strategies which are making the application of these solutions more widespread, and their role in the network densification for 4G, and particularly 5G, cannot be ignored. The Future Network tracks distributed network projects around the world to create a comprehensive picture of who is deploying what, where.

Legacy technologies like distributed antenna systems (DAS) can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments and are multi-operator compatible. DAS have been deployed by MNOs, towercos and third party neutral hosts for many years, and still have an important role to play in cellular networks. However, there are various limitations often cited by the market, namely that they are cumbersome, complex to install, and typically have a high price point. DAS costs often run into the millions (GBP / USD) meaning that a consortia of multiple operators are often sought to make the deployment economically viable (a process that is politically complex, time consuming, and threatened by operator spectrum sensitivities).

How JMA Wireless is revolutionising mobile wireless performance for MNOs around the world

What 5G will mean for network planning is still high on the agenda for discussion around the world. There are many questions around the implications for infrastructure, spectrum, and business models, and often, quite simply what 5G actually is. We have outlined some of the most pertinent use cases and main case studies and trials that are currently running around the world as mobile network operators, and infrastructure companies, try to get ahead of the curve and implement network densification strategies. We also touch on the potential for active infrastructure sharing as we move into the higher frequency bands required for 5G. Could this be the game changer that allows the neutral host business model to succeed? Who will be that neutral host? And how can both the passive and the active infrastructure providers evolve to facilitate the next generation of network evolution?

Network densification in developed and developing markets: Japan and India case studies

Indonesian towercos go beyond steel and grass to offer city poles, fibre and more to customers

Flexenclosure offers high-standard, purpose-built solution for outdoor telecom sites

Guest editorial by Caroline Gabriel, Research Director and Co-founder of Rethink Research outlines bottlenecks for operators in deploying heterogeneous networks

Proving the economics and business model to roll out distributed networks across indoor and outdoor locations