KPN deploys next generation small cells
In the coming years KPN will increasingly deploy small cells in its mobile network.
Small cells, which are small mobile base stations with a range of around 200 meters, provide additional 4G coverage and capacity in public places where large crowds gather, such as shopping areas, squares and train stations. The deployment of small cells in these areas will further enhance and safeguard the capacity and speed of KPN’s 4G network. After successful trials in Amsterdam and The Hague KPN has now started to deploy the next generation small cell at the Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam.
The Ericsson small cell that KPN started to deploy in a JCDecaux tram shelter at the Rembrandtplein, is the world first of its new generation that has been added in a live network. This generation is substantially smaller and coordinates with the existing KPN mobile base stations in accordance with the so-called “C-RAN” architecture. This small cell supports carrier aggregation (4G+) and tests performed by KPN showed that at the Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam peak speeds of up to 200Mbps have been reached by combining the small cell and existing mobile base stations.
“Small cells are not new, but with this new generation we can enhance quality and increase capacity while consuming less energy”, says Jacob Groote, director Mobile Networks at KPN. “Large crowds gather at the Rembrandtplein and especially during weekends a great amount of data is consumed. Thanks to this new generation Ericsson small cell, which also fits nicely into the urban landscape, KPN’s 4G quality at the Rembrandtplein will be better than ever.”
As small cell base stations can easily be fitted into the urban landscape, the permit application procedure is relatively short. Additionally, together with KPN’s large fiber footprint in its fixed network, small cells can be easily connected to the network. “Thanks to these new applications, in addition to the existing nationwide covering mobile network, we can respond quickly and flexible to our customers’ growing demand for capacity and the needs of the smart city,” adds Jacob Groote.