Small-Cell Market Just Getting Started, Crown Castle Says, Citing IoT, 5G, Analysts Recount

Crown Castle International officials met with analysts in New York and forecast a bright future for small cells, analysts emailed investors. The company said it had 25,000 small-cell nodes “in its current pipeline,” said Jennifer Fritzsche of Wells Fargo: “Expect to see annual run-rate to emerge over the next 18-24 months. In order to achieve its small cell targets, CCI noted it would require a lot of external labor. The company estimates that of its current markets, CCI wins about 50 percent share of small cell builds, with the balance being a mix of carrier self-perform builds or other competitors.” Executives said earnings on small cells have been above its expectations in markets where the company owns the underlying fiber, Fritzsche said. CCI officials said “small cell deployment is not even in the early innings,” reported Amy Yong of Macquarie Capital. Fifth generation "will expand the wireless landscape as low latency becomes the norm and speed/capacity increase exponentially,” Yong wrote. “New entrants could include IoT, auto manufacturers in their pursuit of the connected car, and Silicon Valley. Small cells and [millimeter wave] will be deployed in dense urban areas, but nationwide 5G will leverage low-mid band spectrum.”