Small cell
Small cells are radio base stations with low output power in cellular cellular networks and include femtocells , picocells and microcells . The size of a small cell can range from 10 meters to a few kilometers. The term "small", English . for "small", refers to the relative size in comparison to large macro cells, as they occur in cellular networks for covering larger areas. Small cells are mainly used to increase the capacity of a cellular network in spatially limited areas, such as in urban areas with many network participants. They are not used to increase the absolute network coverage.
technology
Small cells often use a central base transceiver station and distributed and compact remote radio heads as transmitting antennas. German mobile phone operators use such a system in the Berlin subway or at Munich Airport, for example .
Small cells come in many different cellular standards . They are used in the GSM , UMTS and LTE networks common in Europe and will still play a major role with the advent of 5G . In Germany, for example, the mobile operator Deutsche Telekom has announced an expansion offensive with the help of small cells (as of 2018). These are primarily placed on existing telephone pillars , multifunctional housings or on house walls. The company's fiber optic infrastructure, which is already in the ground, is used.
Most broadcasts are in the 2.6 GHz range (band 7) with LTE. Band 3 (1.8 GHz) can also be used in isolated cases.
commitment
Small cells are used, for example, by all three German network operators at popular festivals such as the Oktoberfest in order to optimally supply the tents with thousands of people with mobile communications . The amount of data transferred increases every year, so that network operators are forced to make more capacities available. Such mobile radio sites can also be installed in stadiums or concert halls.
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Web links
- Nokia Networks Product page for the small cell products from Nokia Networks
- SmallCells @ ÖTEL: Telekom tests small cells in telephone booths Blog post by Deutsche Telekom on the use of small cells