Small cells
Focused coverage and optimum performance
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5G networks must efficiently manage growing traffic volumes both indoors and outdoors. With 80% of mobile traffic typically originating indoors, enterprises and consumers need robust connectivity and high-performing networks. Small cell radios play a crucial role in enhancing coverage and capacity, supporting demanding 5G applications such as enterprise operations, VR, AR and gaming. These radios are also essential for future innovations, such as smart cities and IoT.
Why do we need better indoor coverage, capacity and performance?
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90%
Time typically spent indoors
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80%
Mobile traffic originating indoors
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90%
Concerns relating to indoor performance
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2%
Buildings with dedicated indoor solution
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Enable private 5G networks
Increasing demand for private 5G networks
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>1Gbps
Indoor coverage and outdoor densification
How to boost outdoor and indoor end user experience with small cell solutions?
Seamless coverage and high performance are essential for a great mobile user experience. Small cell solutions can improve coverage and capacity in dense urban areas and indoor venues with minimal infrastructure, enabling flexible and scalable deployments.
With up to 80% of mobile traffic originating indoors, reliable and high performance indoor coverage is vital. Advanced indoor radio solutions and compact, plug-and-play small cells enhance in-building coverage and capacity, such as in offices, malls and enterprises.
For very large-scale enterprises and home offices, femtocell solutions effectively provide exceptional indoor experiences with easy-to-deploy, multi-standard products.
For outdoor scenarios, small cells are ideal for boosting capacity in even the busiest locations, complementing macro network coverage. Indoor small cells offer a flexible solution for seamless indoor coverage and scalable capacity.
Nokia has the widest range of small cell solutions that address all deployment requirements, and a small cells portfolio that is consistently ranked as market-leading by industry analysts.
Additionally, mmWave bands, with their high bandwidth and data rates, support demanding 5G applications like VR, AR and gaming. They are crucial for future innovations such as smart cities and IoT. mmWave solutions are not limited to just hot-spots, but can also service Fixed Wireless Access and are future-ready for sensing networks.
Explore our small cells portfolio
Addressing your capacity and business needs.
Outdoor/street site products
Shikra mmWave
- Ideal for hot spots, venues and Fixed Wireless Access
- Supports all mmWave frequencies (FR2)
- High capacity, high RF output power
- Integrated antenna
- Flexible deployment with AirScale baseband
Shikra remote radio heads
- From small to large deployments
- Wide range of bands and bandwidth support
- High RF output power
- Optional integrated antenna
- Compact with flexible installation options
Kolibri outdoor small cells
- Small and medium deployments
- High-bandwidth, high-capacity
- Integrated baseband functionality
- Easy 5G insertion: light touch install
- Direct connectivity to 5G Core
Kolibri strand mount
- Ideal for multi-system operators with CBRS band
- High capacity with 360 ° coverage
- Integrated baseband functionality
- Rugged, compact form-factor
- Simple plug-n-play installation
In-building products
Shikra mmWave
- Ideal for hot spots, venues and Fixed Wireless Access
- Supports all mmWave frequencies (FR2)
- High capacity, high RF output power
- Integrated antenna
- Flexible deployment with AirScale baseband
Shikra remote radio heads
- From small to large deployments
- Wide range of bands and bandwidth support
- High RF output power
- Optional integrated antenna
- Compact with flexible installation options
Kolibri outdoor small cells
- Small and medium deployments
- High-bandwidth, high-capacity
- Integrated baseband functionality
- Easy 5G insertion: light touch install
- Direct connectivity to 5G Core
Kolibri strand mount
- Ideal for multi-system operators with CBRS band
- High capacity with 360 ° coverage
- Integrated baseband functionality
- Rugged, compact form-factor
- Simple plug-n-play installation
AirScale indoor Radio
- Small to large deployments
- Wide range of bands and bandwidth support
- Supports all technologies
- Macro feature parity with AirScale baseband
- Multi-technology
Kolibri indoor small cells
- Small and medium deployments
- High-bandwidth, high-capacity
- Integrated baseband functionality
- Direct connectivity to core
- Plug-n-play with Ethernet connection
Smart Node and Femtocells
- Small businesses and residential
- Multi-band 4G/5G
- Modular architecture for flexibility
- Stand-alone solution with management and Femto Gateway
- Simple plug-n-play
Nokia named Leader in GlobalData’s Small Cell Competitive Landscape Assessment 2024 report
Explore GlobalData’s competitive assessment report, highlighting Nokia’s leadership in Small Cells with innovative, compact outdoor solutions and broad-spectrum support.
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Maximizing network connectivity with small cells
This solution brief highlights how Nokia's small cell solutions effectively address connectivity challenges, particularly in difficult-to-reach locations like narrow streets, deep valleys and geographically obstructed areas. By bridging coverage gaps, boosting network performance and unlocking new business opportunities, Nokia empowers operators to deliver seamless connectivity in even the most demanding environments.
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A 5G ready radio access system, providing connectivity and capacity needed for the Internet of Things.
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Efficiency, flexibility and scalability for 5G and beyond.
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