Small cells are low-powered cellular radio access nodes that have a ranges of around 10 meters to a few kilometers. They are base stations with low power consumption and cost. They can provide high data rates by being deployed densely to achieve high spatial spectrum efficiency.[1]
In the United States, recent FCC orders have provided size and elevation guidelines to help more clearly define small cell equipment.[2][3] They are "small" compared to a mobile macrocell, partly because they have a shorter range and partly because they typically handle fewer concurrent calls or sessions. As wireless carriers seek to 'densify' existing wireless networks to provide for the data capacity demands of 5G, small cells are currently viewed as a solution to allow re-using the same frequencies,[4][5][6] and as an important method of increasing cellular network capacity, quality, and resilience with a growing focus using LTE Advanced.
- ^ Athanasiadou, Georgia; Fytampanis, Panagiotis; Zarbouti, Dimitra; Tsoulos, G.V.; Gkonis, Panagiotis; Kaklamani, Dimitra (2020). "Radio Network Planning towards 5G mmWave Standalone Small-Ce". Electronics. 9 (2): 399. doi:10.3390/electronics9020339.
- ^ "FCC Facilitates Wireless Infrastructure Deployment for 5G". Federal Communications Commission. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "What is a Small Cell, and Why Does It Matter". Gunnerson Consulting. 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Technology | Small Cells | Qualcomm". Qualcomm. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
- ^ "Small Cells". Nokia Networks. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Indoor 5G Small Cells". Ericsson. 9 February 2023. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.