Small Cell Forum (SCF) today called upon industry regulators to act for the deployment of dense HetNets worldwide for the widespread adoption of 5G.
In the absence or a supportive regulatory framework, 5G deployments are likely to be significantly impacted, SCF warns.
According to SCF, the biggest challenges in rolling out the dense networks associated with 5G lie in the underlying network architecture and fragmented and outdated national regulatory frameworks.
HetNets, SCF believes, represent a fundamental shift in telecoms infrastructure, providing the underlying communications backbone for pervasive and robust connectivity, and more efficient utilization of spectrum and network resources.
To support this initiative, SCF is developing different best practice guidelines for states, regulators and municipalities in North America in collaboration with 5G Americas, in Latin America in collaboration with the GSMA, and through working with leading carriers in the Middle East and Asia.
In Europe, SCF is preparing responses to the UK Digital Economy Bill, which is currently before the Public Bill Committee and closely following the review of the European telecom framework, the Electronic Communication Code that contains regulatory proposals aimed to facilitate the deployment and operation of small cells. SCF aims to disseminate best practice to all stakeholders and help drive global alignment.
At the same time, SCF is continuing to urge national governments to strengthen deployment provision in support of the societal and commercial benefits associated with enhanced connectivity.
David Orloff, chair of Small Cell Forum, said, “We are actively engaged in defining operator and vendor priorities for bringing interoperability and consistency to the enabling technologies that will be the foundations for 5G networks.”
Orloff also urged the industry to work in conjunction with regulatory bodies to create an environment in which these networks can be swiftly and cost-effectively deployed.
Rajani Baburajan
editor@telecomlead.com