A HetNet (short for heterogeneous network) is two interlinking networks (or layers), each of which has distinct a purpose. Layer one is the coverage (or macro) network, the second is the capacity network.
Most of us in the wireless industry are familiar with the term macro network (or coverage layer). It is the traditional tower and roof top mounted network that carriers have been deploying for years.
The capacity network is an interlinked combination of iDAS, oDAS , microcell and picocell equipment that aims to solve the capacity issues next generation networks are seeing since wideband networks are better served by smaller, lower powered cells to provide that capacity.
Fewer and fewer people have coverage issues in an urban setting. The complaint has now shifted to capacity or availability of bandwidth for intensive applications like video. Most everyone has experienced capacity issues during special events or even in dense urban situations.
Separating the focus and development of these two vastly different network topologies is the best way to tackle the divergent and considerable challenges for each. The iDAS and oDAS worldwide equipment market is expected to balloon from $6.5 billion in 2010 to $23.2 billion in 2015 according to In-Stat.
iDAS (in-building distributed antenna system), microcell and picocells have all been deployed in varying degrees over the years, but they have been deployed as a coverage solution. As carrier start deploying these solutions designed for capacity the deluge of iDAS will begin. oDAS (outdoor distributed antenna system) deployments are a newer occurrence in the wireless world and they are expect to see exponential growth.
With more users using the same amount of spectrum, always expecting faster and faster data speeds, more capital dollars will be funneled into capacity HetNet solutions like iDAS and oDAS. Gone are the days of ‘blasting’ a facility from a macro site to provide in-building coverage.
For years the motto has been ‘coverage is king’, that motto has now shifted to ‘capacity is king’. HetNet apears to be the most cost effective way to get there.
Photo: Chris Farley and Adam Sandler perform ‘Lunch Lady Land’ on SNL (Photo Source: The SNL Archives)