New state legislation for small cell bills driving deployments across the United States; Antenna port counts increasing to support 4x4 MIMO, CBRS, and LAA
EJL Wireless Research estimates Alpha Wireless was the top U.S. outdoor small cell antenna vendor for shipments volumes in 2017, followed by Ericsson, and Galtronics. We also note that quasi omni antennas captured the largest revenues in 2017 while panel antennas had the largest unit market share.
As the U.S. mobile operators continue to move forward on their respective outdoor small cell strategies, advances in higher port count antennas are following the path already taken by macrocell BTS antennas. The need to support multiple frequency bands including traditional cellular (700/800MHz), PCS (1900MHz), and AWS/WCS (2100/2300MHz) spectrum as well new frequency bands such as 3.5GHz for CBRS and 5.8GHz for licensed assisted access (LAA) is driving up antenna port counts. Additionally, the need to support 2x2 or 4x4 MIMO is also driving antenna port counts. These factors are pushing the outdoor small cell antenna market towards higher levels of integration while maintaining a minimal footprint design.
“Within the outdoor small cell antenna market, the shape and size of the antenna with regards to visual impact on the site is sometimes more critical than the RF performance of the antenna,” says Lum. While the U.S. mobile operators have restricted new entrants for their macrocell BTS antennas approved vendor lists, they are allowing new vendors for outdoor small cells antennas. It remains possible for new antenna vendors to supply the U.S. mobile operators and neutral host operators if they can offer a unique product or service capability compared with existing vendors.
About EJL Wireless Research
EJL Wireless Research provides proprietary, accurate and cutting-edge market analysis and consulting services on the wireless technology ecosystem. The firm's wireless infrastructure research focuses on vertical elements of the wireless ecosystem including telecommunication standards evolution, global and regional regulatory issues, spectrum availability, mobile operators, and mobile infrastructure equipment vendors. In addition, the firm provides analysis across horizontal technology suppliers including RF semiconductor materials, RF semiconductor/components, and RF subsystems. Our goal is to provide our clients with critical market analysis and information.
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EJL Wireless Research is managed by Earl Lum. Mr. Lum has 25 years of experience within the wireless industry including 8 years as an Equity Research Analyst on Wall Street. The company is headquartered in Half Moon Bay, CA. For more information about EJL Wireless Research, please visit the company’s website at www.ejlwireless.com.
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