Transformative solutions for urban connectivity

In the heart of bustling cities, where digital demands are at their greatest, Small Cells emerge as the beacon of connectivity. These miniature base stations, strategically positioned in high-traffic areas, offer a lifeline to urban dwellers, enhancing network capacity and coverage. Densification, the strategic deployment of small cells, becomes crucial in these dense urban environments, where traditional macrocell towers just cannot meet data demands. By embracing densification, telecommunications providers unlock the potential for ubiquitous coverage and lightning-fast speeds, transforming cities with world-class connectivity.

The proliferation of small cells is a key strategy in addressing the escalating demands for data and coverage, yet it is not without its challenges. However, with pioneering initiatives such as Small Cells as a Service (SCaaS) and Neutral Host OutDoor (NHOD), Cellnex is spearheading transformative solutions that promise to revolutionize the landscape of telecommunications.

The road to widespread deployment of small cells is fraught with barriers to overcome, ranging from logistical hurdles to regulatory issues. Access to suitable sites, acquisition of permits, installation complexities, time-to-market pressures, and cost considerations loom large. However, Cellnex embraces a holistic approach that capitalizes on municipal and private assets, leveraging lampposts, bus shelters, façades, and more to overcome these barriers. By forging strategic partnerships, such as agreements with different municipalities in Europe and the collaboration with USP in Spain to utilize press kiosks, Cellnex is innovating, streamlining processes and expediting timelines.

Cellnex’s value proposition extends beyond mere facilitation; it is committed to optimizing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Through the SCaaS model, Cellnex is an end-to-end provider, encompassing deployment, operation, and maintenance of small cells. Alberto Hernando, Global Head of Densification at Cellnex emphasizes:  “This integrated approach not only simplifies the burden on MNOs but also improves operational efficiencies and cost-effectiveness.” Moreover, by venturing into RAN as a Service (RANaaS), Cellnex unlocks further value by enabling multiple MNOs to share common active equipment, thereby optimizing resource utilization and driving economies of scale.

In Poland, Cellnex’s move into RANaaS with Polkomtel represented a paradigm shift in the telecommunications landscape, blending active and passive infrastructure management to unlock greater efficiencies. Building on this model’s success, Cellnex aims to extend its application to the Small Cell field, enabling multiple MNOs to utilize the same infrastructure. This approach minimizes both deployment and operational costs, making the model more scalable and efficient.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Cellnex is collaborating  with MNOs to pilot SCaaS initiatives, using the NHOD model. This brand-new UK industry specification sets out the architecture for neutral, interoperable network infrastructure where Neutral Host Providers own and operate RAN equipment, delivering mobile traffic to each MNOs core network. Cellnex is working closely with leading MNOs to conduct the first trial of NHOD in London. Mike Harrison, Head of Product and Solutions in Cellnex UK, states, “The first small cell under this model is set to go live in the coming weeks, marking a milestone in the journey towards a more open and efficient network infrastructure.”

Beyond NHOD, Cellnex offers a flexible portfolio of small cell solutions designed to adapt to MNOs’ evolving needs. Hernando notes, “While SCaaS will gain traction in the mid-term, many MNOs currently favor a more conventional approach. To support this, Cellnex has successfully deployed small cells for some of the most prominent MNOs in Europe through a collocation-based model.” This foundational offering addresses critical deployment challenges by handling the permitting process, providing power supply and connectivity, and offering additional services such as equipment installation and first-line maintenance (FLM), ensuring a hassle-free deployment experience for customers. Under this model, Cellnex has deployed: more than 1,000 small cells in London; over 100 small cells across Spain in 2024, with a pipeline exceeding 500; several dozen small cells in Portugal’s beaches and key tourist areas.

By championing innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, Cellnex is paving the way for an even better connected future. As the telecommunications landscape evolves, Cellnex continues to pioneer, empowering MNOs to embrace the promise of tomorrow, today.