- June 25, 2020
- Kimley-Horn Corner, Perspectives
What is Small Cell Technology?
The engineering behind cellular networks
Kevin Clements, PE
Telecom Practice Lead
David Reuter
Telecom Practice Lead
Technology is ever-changing, helping everyone stay connected across the globe. As technology evolves, the infrastructure that supports it also needs to adapt. Our national Telecom experts identify, assess, and engineer thousands of small cell nodes on new and existing structures to meet our clients’ demand for additional capacity and coverage for emerging technologies.
What are Small Cells?
When people think of cell towers or antennas, they often think big. But small cell technology refers to both the size of the antenna and the amount of small cell towers that are in close proximity to the end user. The closer you are to the service, the faster your speed.
Small cells are essential to 5G service.
Kimley-Horn supports the nation’s largest carriers and clients with small cell deployment across the country. When installing 5G infrastructure, our Telecom team breaks down our small cell design process into four main steps:
- Site Identification – identifying potential site locations through GIS and field visits
- Site Application/Analysis – preparing and submitting pole attachment applications and related structural analysis of the identified poles
- Site Engineering – creating site-specific drawings and design documents to include the small cell node, telco, and fiber design
- Utility Coordination – connecting the infrastructure via fiber optic cables for faster data transmission
Is Your Community Ready for Small Cell Technology?
As connectivity becomes more and more essential, we work closely with developers and our partners in retail, mixed-use development, community planning, higher education, and more to bring greater connectivity to communities across the country.
We are passionate about connecting people across the nation, and we collaborate closely with diverse engineering specialists across Kimley-Horn to assess, design, and develop innovative and appropriate solutions for your project. As a firm with a reputation of delivering a better experience, we diligently manage the milestones of your project—from organization to tracking to project management—and we partner with our clients to ensure their success. We are setting a new standard through our work in writing policy for structural analysis, writing ordinances, and helping clients write their internal policies.
For an assessment on how to improve your community’s connectivity, contact Kevin Clements or David Reuter.
About the Authors
Kevin Clements, PE
Kevin has more than 16 years of experience providing structural and civil engineering design services and program management for the telecommunications industry throughout the United States. His practical engineering experience includes structural analysis, structural modification design, construction phase planning, civil design plans, closeouts, inspections, and permitting. Working with many of the nation’s top carriers and infrastructure owners, he oversees a diverse workflow consisting of traditional tower assets, small cell nodes, in-building wireless solutions, fiber networks and construction implementation.
David Reuter
David has more than 20 years of experience providing site development, engineering, and project management services for the telecommunications industry. He works closely with carriers, fiber providers, cell tower owners, and utilities to design networks that meet the demand for faster speeds and more reliable connectivity. In addition to traditional engineering services, he consults with clients on Smart City Initiatives—the deployment of 5G, small cell, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies—to provide the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data and pave the way for a smarter, more connected world.