Survey Highlights Cable’s Big ‘Small Cell’ Opportunity

Cable operators are well positioned to produce a new revenue stream through partnerships that support the rollout of small cell networks designed to beef up the capacity of mobile networks in concentrated, high-traffic areas, a recent Amdocs/Real Wireless survey shows.

According to a survey of the survey of 40 national and large cable operators and mobile network operators (MNOs) in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific, about 70% of the MNOs are prepared to use small cell networks rolled out by or owned by a third party, such as a cable operator. Of the mobile network operators surveyed, about 70% expect to have “significant” small cell deployments underway by 2018, though many predict a slow rollout due to several technical and operational challenges. MNOs surveyed identified several challenges that could hinder the speed of small cell rollouts, including project management (65%), negotiation with partners (45%), and “various technical aspects” (40%).

The survey also showed that 85% respondents viewed automation as critical or important for small cell deployment, and 80% said their existing processes and tools are inadequate. Multiple service operators, Amdocs and Real Wireless said, are “well placed” to overcome several challenges faced by MNOs as they pursue small cell strategies, citing cable’s expertise in the installation and maintenance of dense networks in the field. About 40% of the MSOs surveyed have plans to support small cell deployments.