Nokia Networks launches world’s first 1 Gbps small cell and new services, features to solve deployment challenges #NetworksPerform

Nokia Networks delivers a new Flexi Zone outdoor modular base station that becomes
the world’s first small cell to achieve over 1 Gbps peak data rate. A bundle of services
simplify small cell deployment and help operators to evolve to Ultra-Dense Networks. 

With up to 90% of a small cell’s total cost of ownership (TCO) consumed by its deployment
and operation, Nokia Networks has lined up several innovations to address the major
barriers. These include the optimal selection of viable sites, more efficient backhaul,
improved plug and play technology, new energy-saving features and simplified
synchronization between base stations. 

A round up of the launches 

• Nokia Networks’ new Flexi Zone G2 Multi-Band Carrier Aggregation Outdoor
  Micro/Pico Base Station (BTS) platform delivers exceptional capacity and greater
  than 1 Gbps peak data rate. By using three RF module slots, operators can deploy
  and aggregate between various radio access technologies and spectrum
  combinations including up to three LTE licensed carrier bands or configurations
  offering a combination of LTE licensed carrier bands, unlicensed LTE bands (LTE-U
  or LAA) and Wi-Fi.
• Nokia HetNet Engine Room allows operators to deploy small cells 30% faster, with
  20% lower costs and serve 10% more subscribers. Using detailed 3-D street level
  maps, the service calculates a ‘Site Value Index’ that quantifies the likely return on
  investment (ROI) for operators from different locations. 
• Several other Nokia Networks innovations also focus on overcoming the technical
  and cost barriers of deploying small cells: 
• A point-to-multipoint non-line-of-sight (NLoS) wireless backhaul option from
  Nokia Networks partner Tarana Wireless. Fast high-performance fiber-like
  backhaul can now be deployed to sites that are difficult to reach costeffectively
  with fiber or line-of-sight technologies. 
• New Intelligent Self Organizing Networks (iSON) capabilities enable rapid
  small cell deployments with backhaul over public networks* and for operator
  networks that do not use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). In
  these two more complex environments, small cells can now be operational in
  under 20 minutes after being powered up.
• An integrated Grand Master Clock function added to the Flexi Zone Controller
  that distributes a high accuracy clock to all Flexi Zone AP** within the cluster.
  This functionality offers significant CapEx and OpEx savings by eliminating
  the need for an external timing solution or GPS antenna for each small cell. 
• Flexi Zone operating costs are reduced by a new energy-saving feature that
  enables operators to power down capacity underlay small cells at specific
  times and at low loads. 

Randy Cox, Head of Small Cell Product Management at Nokia Networks, said:
“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. 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. Now operators can justify the business case for small cells
and improve the return on their network investments.” 

Did you know? 

In the US for example, the cost of pole rentals can vary from $US 50 to $US 1,000 per
month and site acquisition can range from $US 3,000 to $US 30,000.