AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - May 08, 2015) - Mobile operators are evolving their radio networks with small cells and het-nets. Long accustomed to capital-intensive macrocell networks, everyone in the mobile industry is asking two questions. How much will it cost to roll out small cells? And how much will it cost to operate and maintain these small cells over their lifetime?
In its most recent market study, iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry, has sought to answer these questions by modeling small cells costs over a five- year period. In the model, iGR assumes that 50 LTE Metrocells would be deployed at one time in an urban market. The model provides cost estimates for four different types of fixtures: new poles, existing poles, building sides and building roofs. Further, for each type of fixture, iGR has modeled three backhaul scenarios: fiber only, wireless only, and wireless moving to fiber after the first two years.
"As LTE use increases, mobile operators are deploying LTE metrocells to provide necessary coverage to meet the demand in dense urban environments," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR. "We have found that there is a very wide range of costs associated with the deployments due to the location of the installment and the type of backhaul used."
iGR's new market study, U.S. LTE Metrocell Lifetime Costs: A five-year cost estimate, provides a discussion of het-nets, the issues that surround small cell deployments, and different types of backhaul. In addition, it provides an estimate of the costs associated with the deployment and maintenance of LTE Metrocells over a five-year period.
The following key questions are addressed in the new research study:
- What is a het-net? What are small cells?
- What are network 'pain points'?
- What is driving the need for het-nets?
- How are pain points identified?
- What are different ways to address pain points?
- Where is it appropriate to deploy small cells (indoor and outdoor)?
- What are iGR's assumptions regarding small cell installations?
- What outdoor locations are best suited for small cell deployments?
- What are the average costs of these outdoor locations?
- What is an attachment? What is the average cost of an attachment?
- What are the different types of backhaul with regard to small cells?
- What types of backhaul are considered in the model?
- What is the average throughput needed for a small cell? What does that throughput cost?
- How much does it cost to deploy LTE metrocells?
- How much does it cost over five years to deploy LTE metrocells?
The information in this market study will be valuable for:
- Mobile operators
- Small cell equipment manufacturers
- Mobile backhaul suppliers
- Tower companies
- Antenna and tower equipment vendors
- Financial analysts and investors.
The new report can be purchased and downloaded directly from iGR's website at www.iGR-inc.com. Alternatively, contact Iain Gillott at (512) 263-5682 or at Iain@iGR-inc.com for additional details.
About iGR
iGR is a market strategy consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile communications industry. Founded by Iain Gillott, one of the wireless industry's leading analysts, in late 2000 as iGillottResearch, iGR is now in its fifteenth year of operation. iGR continuously researches emerging and existent technologies, technology industries, and consumer markets. We use our detailed research to offer a range of services to help companies improve their position in the marketplace, clearly define their future direction, and ultimately improve their bottom line.
iGR researches a range of wireless and mobile products and technologies, including: smartphones; tablets; mobile wearable devices; connected cars; mobile applications; bandwidth demand and use; small cell and het-net architectures; mobile EPC and RAN virtualization; DAS; LTE; VoLTE; IMS; NFC; GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSPA; CDMA 1x/EV-DO; iDEN; SIP; macro-, pico- and femtocells; mobile backhaul; WiFi and WiFi offload; and SIM and UICC.
A more complete profile of the company can be found at www.igr-inc.com.
Contact Information:
Contact iGR
Iain Gillott
(512) 263-5682