Cox Business serves up small cell solution for wireless operators

Cox Business is taking advantage of the emerging small cell opportunity with a new turnkey service that it says will enable wireless operators to deploy small cells to extend coverage and capacity.

Set on extending service into hard-to-reach areas, Cox Business' small cell service is set on helping wireless operators decrease network overload in high volume locations in able to provide a better data service experience for businesses and consumers.

Existing and new mobile operator wholesale customers have three outdoor options for the small cell solution: strand mount, pole mount and ground cabinet. 

The timing to deliver such a service could not be better. A recent Cisco study revealed that 497 million mobile devices and connections were added in 2014. This growth has driven mobile operators like Verizon to supplement their macro cell solutions to meet data demands.

One wireless operator that's clearly on the small cell move is Verizon (NYSE: VZ).

Fran Shammo, CFO of Verizon, told investors during the recent Wells Fargo Securities Technology, Media & Telecom Conference that instead of paying $6 billion to get AWS-3 spectrum covering the New York and Chicago metropolitan areas it will densify its network in those markets and add capacity through the deployment of small cells and distributed antenna systems (DAS).

Driven by operators like Verizon, the debut of this service represents a growing trend amongst wireless backhaul providers to offer turnkey solutions for wireless small cell deployments.

Joining Cox Business in this trend are a host of independent ILECs like Consolidated and Lumos and aggressive insurgent providers such as Zayo Group. Zayo recently announced that it now provides 1,200 small cell sites in its territory with a mix of fiber and turnkey network solutions.

For more:
- see the release

Special Report: Cable hones its wholesale skills in special access, wireless backhaul

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