The growing demand for mobile communications, access to applications and the streaming of rich video content on-the-go are collectively pushing network capacity to the edge for a number of wireless service providers. To ensure they can meet this demand and deliver on the Quality of Experience (QoE) expected in the user base, many are implementing small cells.

Such a move has not always been met with favorable response within the industry. Too many limitations were in place due to the cost and rigid characteristics of existing backhaul technologies, including microwave and fiber. Plus, the return on investment takes time if the provider’s ambitions exceed current demand. For those expanding into untapped markets, however, the use of small cells is opening up a whole new world of opportunity.

This opportunity could also mean mobile coverage for those in geographical areas often overlooked by major carriers. The village of East Garston is one example, where professionals in this UK destination had to drive up the hill outside of the village to get cell service. Now, thanks to a Vodafone (News - Alert) Group trial, the village has a dozen miniature base stations to enable seamless communications.

According to this Spectrum (News - Alert) report, the implementation of these small cells is smarter than the traditional cell tower, as they are not only less obtrusive and easier to install, but they are also smarter and cheaper. For the wireless carrier seeking to expand capacity in urban areas, small cells also offer an opportunity to leverage current investments without building an entirely new infrastructure. 

Simon Saunders (News - Alert), chairman of the Small Cell Forum believes it’s impossible to find an operator in business today who doesn’t believe in small cells. Findings from ABI Research also suggest the same, showing that deployments in 2013 will reach unprecedented numbers. Global shipments of outdoor small cells are expected to surpass two million by 2016 – a number that will reach 37 million when factoring in indoor cells.

Consumer and professional use of carrier networks is growing by leaps and bounds. And, as Steve Jobs discovered with his demonstration of the iPhone (News - Alert) 4, a lack of capacity can shut everything down. With the race between carriers for the best products and service offerings, a lack of performance can quickly ramp up customer churn.

Taqua aims to help wireless carriers avoid the churn, delivering solutions for small cells to address demand in the backhaul market. The company offers an extensive portfolio of Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Backhaul Systems to enable connectivity to any small cell. Each site is then connected via standard Ethernet to the Taqua (News - Alert) Remote Backhaul Module.

To create the optimal support network, hundreds of clusters are connected and managed through a single user interface. For environments where high capacity backhaul is needed without significant infrastructure investment, small cells are an optimal choice. After all, they make use of structures already in place as they increase capacity for strained networks. In partnering with Taqua, Line-of-Sight requirements are no longer a factor, therefore allowing for true expansion of the options needed to meet capacity needs.

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