Nokia Networks this week took the wraps off its first 1 Gbps-capable small cell and unveiled a new service designed to optimise its deployment.
The Finnish vendor’s new small cell, called the Flexi Zone G2, enables operators to aggregate up to three carriers. Its thr ee radio frequency (RF) module slots mean operators can combine licensed LTE frequencies, unlicensed LTE (LTE-U), and WiFi.
In addition, Nokia also unveiled a new service that it claims will help telcos to roll out small cells 30% faster, with 20% lower costs, and serve 10% more subscribers compared to a ‘standard’ small cell deployment.
Called the HetNet Engine Room, it uses 3D street level maps to ascribe a score to every possible small cell location. This score, which Nokia calls a ‘site value index’, quantifies the likely return on investment (ROI) on the deployment of a small cell in any given location.
"Deploying a small cell on one side of a road can cost ten times more than at a location just a few meters away on the other side of the road," said Randy Cox, head of small cell product management at Nokia Networks, in a statement on Wednesday. "We are bringing a new approach that enables operators to pick the best sites and then deploy small cells and their backhaul quickly and at a much lower cost."
