Multi-carrier Small Cells Slash Deployment Costs of In-Building Coverage by 80%

Tuesday 21^st February 2017, London, UK – Multi-carrier (multi-operator) small cells can reduce the total costs of delivering enhanced in-building coverage by as much as 80% according to new analysis from Wireless 20/20. The whitepaper, commissioned by ip.access, a Mavenir company since September 2020, presents compelling evidence of how neutral host, multi-operator small cells can deliver economically viable in-building solutions, unlocking new commercial opportunities in the ‘Middleprise’, which represents a $20bn segment of the global in-building wireless market.

Middleprise venues include small and medium-sized commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, colleges and even small retail stores, which all benefit from improved indoor mobile coverage and capacity. Research by CommScope has revealed that only two percent of commercial buildings have dedicated technology to ensure strong and reliable indoor mobile coverage and capacity.

For the vast majority of these businesses the high cost of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) solutions is prohibitive and the needs of this market segment are not well served by most mobile operators with traditional single operator small cell solutions.

In contrast, Wireless 20/20’s analysis* found that new virtualised small cell solutions can face the challenge of addressing the economic and multi-carrier requirements of small and medium sized venues, with multi-carrier small cell solutions offering 50-80% Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings over a 10-year timeframe.

Nick Johnson, Founder, CTO & Head of PLM at ip.access commented: “We have always maintained that multi-operator small cell solutions like our Viper™ platform are the only truly viable way to solve the indoor coverage and capacity crisis, but until now that potential has not been clearly quantified.

Nick Johnson added: “This fresh analysis provides clear proof of just how significant the financial benefits of multi-carrier small cell solutions are, and the host of commercial opportunities they unlock. Not only do multi-operator small cells make the significant ‘Middleprise’ segment immediately addressable by MNOs and neutral host providers, but they also deliver financial returns directly to building owners and businesses alike. This report is an essential read for the whole mobile industry.”

The full findings are detailed in the white paper, ‘Multi-Carrier Small Cell Solutions for In-Building Wireless’ is available for download here. The conclusions of the report will be discussed in more detail during ip.access’ webinar on multi-operator neutral host small cells, hosted by ThinkSmallCells. Click here to register.

ip.access will be exhibiting Mobile World Congress 2017 in Hall 7, Stand C60. To arrange a meeting at the show email events@ipaccess.com.