Small Cells, Major Growth

Mobile Experts regularly release market studies to estimate the demand for various wireless technology devices and components, areas of growing demand and technological changes. In December of 2013, Mobile Experts released their latest analysis of the small cell market. 

Small Cells

Small cells are radio access nodes that use relatively little power. Depending on the design, they have a range of a few feet to half a mile. In contrast, macro-cell devices have a range of several miles. 

Small cells are used for 3G data offloading, the re-routing of data traffic that cannot be handled by the cellular network. They are also used in 4G networks as part of their carrier aggregation technology to re-route part of a signal as required to keep data flowing at the required speed. Small cell devices reduce the congestion of cell phone networks. Users can choose to use small cell networks because of their greater bandwidth. 

Small Cells, Major Market Growth 

The small cell market is expected to grow over the next five years. However, the semiconductor market will grow even faster, with 80 percent more devices sold in 2015 than sold in 2013. For example, the sales of systems on a chip, transceivers and power amplifiers are expected to grow far faster than small cell technology because these components are used in both small cell and macro cell devices. Multi-mode small cells are expected to see significant growth due to their flexibility. Multi-mode small cells can be used to upgrade second generation LTE models and deliver third generation data rates of 84 Mbps. 

Small Cell Technology Is Taking Off

Small cells are increasingly used to support data transfers in indoor environments, like Wi-Fi hotspots. Small cells cost less than macro-cells. Deploying over 100,000 small cells has allowed South Korea to dramatically increase data network capacity without incurring the cost of a macro-cell rollout. 
Small cell technology supports mobile data traffic in areas that have cellular network congestion without requiring the installation of more cell phone towers, which are increasingly hard to place due to zoning and space restrictions. Small cells are an alternative to Wi-Fi and Wi-max. Wi-Fi and Wi-max networks create problems in small spaces because of radio interference, a problem small cells alleviate. However, Wi-Fi and small cells can be complementary technologies. Small cells can be used to ease wireless traffic in office buildings, cafes and schools without affecting existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.