At a recent 3GPP 5G workshop in Phoenix, the Small Cell Forum shared new development programmes that will be critical in shaping the roadmap for 5G networks. The workshop was organized by the 3GPP RAN group, the industry body responsible for mobile network specifications across 3G, 4G/LTE, and upcoming 5G standards,
Addressing the 3GPP members, the Small Cell Forum set out requirements in three key areas – multi-operator support, RAN virtualization and monetization through common APIs (application programming interfaces). The industry body that aims to drive the wide-scale adoption of small cells and accelerate the delivery of integrated HetNets, outlined the scope of its current work programme, that is helping define the role of small cells in a 5G network.
Earlier this month, the Forum unveiled six key operator-led small cell work programmes to drive the development of future mobile networks.
Small Cell Forum Chair, Alan Law said: “The small cell will play a central role in the high capacity, densely deployed HetNet networks of the future – both for current 4G/LTE systems and for future 5G networks. “We were able to share with 3GPP the work we are doing on multi-operator small cells, on access virtualization over different latency transport networks, and on monetizing 5G through the establishment of common API frameworks – all challenges we have been addressing from a 4G perspective and where we have strong learnings to bring to the 5G table,” he added.
