Most operators see small cells as important, but only a few are rolling them out.  According to the Small Cell Forum, which champions the technology, 98 per cent of operators think small cells are essential, but deployment has been limited to only 46 operators.

“These operators are typically big and from developed markets,” says Gordon Mansfield, chairman of the Small Cell Forum. “Now we need to look at how we can help the hundreds of more conservative operators – from both developed and emerging markets – to roll out small cells.”

To that end, the forum has launched a new release programme.  “Consider it a how-to guide for small cell deployment, providing best practice for installation and giving vendors a clear direction on products based on carrier requirements,” says the chairman.

Release 1 includes a guide to rolling out 3G femtocells in homes and small offices, as well as information about how to assist small cell deployments for public access.  “Femtocells dominate the rollout numbers, but it is public access where most of the small cell revenues will come from,” says Mansfield.

According to the latest figures from Informa Telecoms & Media, there are currently 10.8 million small cells deployed, up from 6.4 million at the start of Q4 2012. Of that sum, femtocells account for 9.4 million. By 2016, Informa predicts that 90 per cent of all cells will be small ones  (86 per cent of them being of the femto variety) but public access is where most money will be made.  According to Informa, revenues from public access models will top US$16.2bn by 2016, accounting for nearly three quarters of the overall small cell market total.

“From what we have seen in the last couple of months, 2013 looks to be the year that public access takes off,” says Mansfield, pointing to numerous rollouts. AT&T has started public access trials in what it calls “the most challenging metropolitan areas”, reiterating plans to roll out 40,000 units by the end of 2015. Vodafone UK is currently testing 1,000 small cells for public access and plans to start tri-mode modes (3G, 4G and Wi-Fi) in March. Verizon plans to roll out public access in the second half of the year. And BT, unusually for an operator – as they are typically focused on urban areas – is starting a technical trial of rural models.

As part of Release 1, the forum has also published two white papers – put together by forum members  – arguing that backhaul need not be a financial showstopper, either in rural or urban areas, for small cell deployments.  Over the next 12 months, the forum is to publish releases 2 and 3, providing “significant updates” on enterprise small cells and metrocells respectively.