The focus, in enhanced 4G and 5G network design, on an increasingly intelligent edge network, makes small cells a critical element of the platform, rather than a useful tactical solution for gaps in capacity and coverage. The major network vendors were once ambivalent about solutions which were – in the initial small cell hype – seen as potential replacements for expensive macrocell deployments. Now times have changed. It is clear that even 5G will still have macrocell build-out, with small cells complementing that to add targeted capacity, extend coverage cost-effectively, and support private sub-nets (see previous article). Also, operators are insisting on an entirely new cost base – if their traditional suppliers do not provide commoditized low cost hardware of…