enterprise small cells: unlocking rising potential

Enterprise small cells: unlocking rising potentialStudy for Small Cell Forum by Nemertes ResearchPresented by Caroline Gabriel, Rethink Technology Research

© Small Cell Forum Ltd 2016

The Nemertes survey

516 responses, global reach

17 verticals, biggest samples from:• Financial services• Manufacturing• Professional services• Hi-tech

39% large companies, 47% mediumOver 40% CxO or VP level

30% consider themselves ‘aggressive’ in IT culture – willingness to adopt new technologies


Deployment plans

60% of respondents have deployed small cells or plan to do so by end of 2017A further 23% are evaluatingIndustries where more than 70% are deploying or planning by 2017:

logisticsretailenergy/utilitiesconstruction

Regional leaders:APAC 52% by end 2017Europe 49%

Public facing organisations ahead of private networks – 71% by 2017, vs 58%

Enterprises planning to deploy small cellsSource: Nemertes/SCF


Interest and deployment levels

Level of interest in small cell solutions by sector – most 6.25 to 7.25 out of 10

Highest level of interest doesn’t always equate to highest deployment – but new capabilities emerging to drive interest in new sectors e.g.education, healthcare

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Levels of interest in small cells, and plans to deploy. Source: Nemertes/SCF


Where is the interest highest?

Some types of enterprise have particularly high interest:• Midsized offices of 250-1,000 staff• Very distributed enterprises (many branch offices or outlets)• Those with good WLANs (opportunities for integration, good IT)• Those with strong BYOD policies• Latin American enterprises


Reasons for interest

Mobile-first, BYOD - rising reliance on cellularMeans indoor coverage is now mission critical – 94% said it has an impact on business, 42% seriousYet 45% have issues with voice, 36% slow data, 33% device management etcOther reasons – replace fixed lines, security, productivity etc

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Reasons for interest in small cells cited by more than 25%. Source: Nemertes/SCF


Public locations

In venues, malls and other public-facing locations, there are additional reasons for interestThese enterprises particularly want capabilities beyond coverage and capacity42% want to make their venue more desirable – attract customers and keep them longerEnable m-commerce, presence aware services, social media

Top reasons to deploy small cells in public venuesSource: Nemertes/SCF


Approaches to indoor QoS

30% rate small cells as best approach to improve indoor QoS

19% rate DAS most highly (40% are using DAS)

26% would like a combination

Even where DAS and WiFi installed, combinations are favoured - small cells improve economics of DAS and add new capabilities to existing WLAN

Only 2% see no benefits to small cells as indoor solution

19

30

26

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DAS Small cells Combination Unsure/neitherPreferred indoor solution DAS or small cells - % of enterprisesSource: Nemertes/SCF


The voice issue

Voice quality and coverage, especially indoors, increasingly important as usage moves to mobile-firstVoice a key driver for small cellsHigh interest in VoWiFi, esp in AsiaBut over 90% see additional benefits in cellular or combined voice strategyImportant area of Forum work for 2016

Top benefits of small cells over VoWiFi by % of enterprises citing. Source: Nemertes/SCF

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How to release the potential

63% would pay more for improved QoS55% would prefer an MNO with small cells

But still some barriers to deployment:• Education and awareness – 35%

have enough info for an informed buying decision

• Cost and deployment sharing issues

• Need for multi-operator (advantage of DAS)

• ROI (as opposed to cost)• Management and control

All these are important aspects of the Forum’s work programme in 2016, and barriers will be significantly lowered

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Key barriers to deployment of small cells, % of enterprises citing. Source: Nemertes/SCF

enterprise small cells: unlocking rising potential

Presentations & Public Speaking