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5G Infrastructure

5G and edge computing, Open RAN, towers and small cells, data centers and fiber, 5G New Core

U.S. Outdoor Small Cells Spending Forecast, 2020-2025: An integral part of the 5G mobile network

Small cells are small installations typically mounted on poles or other street furniture to address problems with capacity or coverage. Over the past few years, the outdoor small cell market in the U.S. has grown substantially, and iGR forecasts continued growth, in spite of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this market study, iGR presents spending forecasts for U.S. outdoor small cells, in which iGR includes metrocells, remote radio heads as small cells, and outdoor DAS.

The spending forecasts are presented by spectrum (sub 6 GHz, CBRS and mmWave) and include network build spending for both TAM and “actuals” and operational spending for both TAM and “actuals.”


Key Questions Answered

  • What are metrocells, RRHs and oDAS?
  • What are the main drivers and inhibitors of the outdoor small cell market?
  • What are the issues with deploying outdoor small cells in the U.S.?
  • What is the regulatory environment for deploying small cells?
  • What is the effect of COVID-19 on the deployment of outdoor small cells?
  • How did iGR create its total addressable market forecast for U.S. outdoor small cells?
  • How did iGR create its ‘actuals’ forecast for U.S. outdoor small cells?
  • What is the cost to build and operate the TAM for sub-6 GHz and mmWave small cells?
  • What is the cost to build and operate the actuals forecast for sub-6 GHz, CBRS and mmWave small cells?

Who Should Read

  • Mobile operators
  • Infrastructure OEMs
  • Small cell product and solution vendors
  • Backhaul service providers and equipment OEMs
  • Financial analysts and investors.

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Executive Summary
    • Outdoor Small Cell Forecasts
    • What This Means
  • Methodology
  • Outdoor Small Cells and the Technologies and Spectrum to Support Them
    • Different Types of Small Cells
    • Different Types of Haul
    • 5G
    • Wireless Spectrum
    • Mobile Industry Technology Trends
  • Drivers and Inhibitors of Outdoor Small Cells
    • Market Drivers
    • Market Inhibitors
      • Summary of Small Cell-related Regulations and Legislation
      • Impact of Regulations on Small Cell Deployments
  • RAN Densification and Outdoor Small Cells
    • Network “Pain Points”
  • Outdoor Small Cell Deployment Requirements and Issues
    • Small Cell Deployment Requirements
    • Small Cell Locations
    • Impact of COVID-19 on Outdoor Small Cells Market
  • Methodology for Outdoor Small Cells Forecasts
    • TAM for Outdoor Small Cells
    • Actually Deployed Outdoor Small Cells
      • Spectrum-Related Assumptions of Actuals Forecast
    • Network Build Spending for Outdoor Small Cells
    • Operational Spending for Outdoor Small Cells
  • Outdoor Small Cells - TAM Opportunity
    • Sub 6 GHz (including CBRS)
    • mmWave
    • TAM Total Opportunity
  • Outdoor Small Cells - Actuals Spending
    • Sub 6 GHz
    • CBRS
    • mmWave
    • Total Spending for Actuals
  • Definitions
  • About iGR
    • Disclaimer

List of Tables

  • Table A: Total Spending for Outdoor Small Cell Actuals by Spectrum ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 1: State Legislation in 2020
  • Table 2: State Legislation in 2021
  • Table 3: TAM Sub 6 GHz and CBRS Outdoor Small Cells - Network Build Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 4: TAM Sub 6 GHz and CBRS Outdoor Small Cells - Operational Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 5: TAM Sub 6 GHz and CBRS Outdoor Small Cells – Total Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 6: TAM mmWave Outdoor Small Cells - Network Build Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 7: TAM mmWave Outdoor Small Cells - Operational Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 8: TAM mmWave Outdoor Small Cells – Total Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 9: Outdoor Small Cell TAM Opportunity by Spectrum ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 10: Sub 6 GHz Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Network Build Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 11: Sub 6 GHz Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Operational Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 12: Sub 6 GHz Outdoor Small Cells Actuals – Total Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 13: CBRS Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Network Build Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 14: CBRS Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Operational Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 15: CBRS Outdoor Small Cells Actuals – Total Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 16: mmWave Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Network Build Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 17: mmWave Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Operational Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 18: mmWave Outdoor Small Cells Actuals – Total Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Table 19: Total Spending for Outdoor Small Cell Actuals by Spectrum ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Definitions Table

List of Charts and Figures

  • Figure A: Total Spending for Outdoor Small Cell Actuals by Spectrum ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure B: Total Spending for Outdoor Small Cell Actuals ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 1: Cell Site Backhaul Capabilities and Use Cases, Wired and Wireless
  • Figure 2: TAM Sub 6 GHz and CBRS Outdoor Small Cells - Network Build Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 3: TAM Sub 6 GHz and CBRS Outdoor Small Cells - Operational Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 4: TAM Sub 6 GHz and CBRS Outdoor Small Cells – Total Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 5: TAM mmWave Outdoor Small Cells - Network Build Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 6: TAM mmWave Outdoor Small Cells - Operational Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 7: TAM mmWave Outdoor Small Cells – Total Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 8: Outdoor Small Cell TAM Opportunity by Spectrum ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 9: Outdoor Small Cell TAM Opportunity ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 10: Sub 6 GHz Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Network Build Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 11: Sub 6 GHz Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Operational Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 12: Sub 6 GHz Outdoor Small Cells Actuals – Total Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 13: CBRS Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Network Build Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 14: CBRS Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Operational Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 15: CBRS Outdoor Small Cells Actuals – Total Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 16: mmWave Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Network Build Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 17: mmWave Outdoor Small Cells Actuals - Operational Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 18: mmWave Outdoor Small Cells Actuals – Total Spending ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 19: Total Spending for Outdoor Small Cell Actuals by Spectrum ($ millions), 2020-2025
  • Figure 20: Total Spending for Outdoor Small Cell Actuals ($ millions), 2020-2025

For additional information on the U.S. Outdoor Small Cells Spending Forecast, 2020 – 2025 market study, please contact Iain Gillott, at (512) 263-5682 or by email.

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