For the next big development in the wireless industry, researchers are going small. They have developed a new technology that will make big cell towers obsolete, and its size is less than the size of a Rubik’s cube. With mobile traffic data increasing day by day, there needs to be more cell towers to handle the extra traffic.
But, those of who has seen a wireless network tower up close will admit they are ugly. No one wants a cell tower in their backyard. It obstructs the view; it is also proven to emit harmful radiations.
With new wireless technologies, the old gigantic cell towers would be a thing of the past. Many wireless technology giants are working on new technology to make cellular antenna the size of a Rubik’s cube. These small antennas could be placed over lamp posts, utility posts or even in top of tall buildings. They would need electrical power and an optical fibre connection to the mobile service provider to work.
In a few years, wireless telecom companies, large companies and other users will be placing more and more these new technologies on lampposts, in stadiums and other surreptitious spots to help boost capacity and satiate the need for speed that Smartphone and tablet users have.
These cells would also benefit the phone companies. The hardware cost is almost 10 times less than a conventional cell tower. Once installed they will only cater to a small area, thus, one big area that used to be covered by a large mobile tower, can now be split into several sub sections, each covered by a small antenna.
That way there would be no call drops or video buffering as smaller number of mobile phones would be fighting for the antenna’s attention. These small antennas, called small cells, would provide flexibility and increased Quality of Service at an attractive cost.
Implementing a small cell infrastructure is also more environmentally friendly as it will reduce the number of cell towers (maybe even eventually eliminate them) and it provides a cleaner signal with less power.
Smaller cell base stations are nothing new. In U.S., AT&T has already started selling ‘femtocells’, about the size of a wireless router. People can connect to the mobile network though a home broadband connection. The range is small, covering only a room or two. But they are useful in areas where there would be no cell coverage otherwise.