Enterprises and multi-operator small cells

ppnn1919

As small cell deployments cover larger and larger private and semi-private spaces, the desire to offer multi-operator coverage and service becomes stronger and stronger. Small enterprises can tolerate single-operator deployments and may even use them as a competitive lever to get the best subscription deal. Larger enterprises, though, cannot bind themselves to one operator to the exclusion of others and must seek multi-operator solutions in order to serve their diverse customer base well.

This paper examines the challenges and options for supporting multiple operators within enterprise small cell deployments. It includes both protocol options with classic Iu-h small cell architectures (such as MOCN) as well as alternative solutions such as distributed antenna (DAS). Not least, it identifies the challenges of management of the enterprise solution when split across the operators sharing the access network.