P/03 · SMALL CELLS
Street-furniture small cells for 4G/5G capacity densification in Ghana's cities.
// What it is
One neutral host, multiple operators.
Small cells are compact, low-power base stations that complement macro towers in high-density urban environments. Mounted discreetly on lamp posts, traffic signals, bus shelters or building walls, they provide a tight-radius coverage and capacity boost (typically 200–500 m) where macro cells are congested or blocked. Like African Towers' macro infrastructure, each small cell is neutral-host: multiple operators connect to the same node via standardised interfaces, sharing the passive enclosure and power supply.
// Who it's for
Built for these infrastructure users.
- Mobile operators with urban capacity constraints
- Municipal authorities seeking to reduce street clutter from multiple single-operator nodes
- Event venues needing targeted temporary or permanent capacity
- Business districts and CBD areas with extreme data demand
// How it works
The shared-infrastructure model explained.
African Towers installs and powers the small-cell enclosure and handles all permitting with local authorities. Operators integrate via fronthaul or self-backhaul from their nearest macro site. A single node serves up to four operators from one enclosure — no separate planning permission, no duplicate street works.
// Use cases
Representative deployments.
- Oxford Street, Osu — dense retail and hospitality district capacity
- Airport City CBD — financial district lunchtime peak data
- Kumasi Kejetia bus terminal — high footfall transport hub
- Accra waterfront — tourism and event capacity
- University campuses — lecture-break peak demand
Frequently asked questions
- What are small cells and how do they differ from macro towers?
- Macro towers are tall structures (typically 30–60 m) covering wide areas (1–5 km radius). Small cells are compact nodes mounted at street level (3–10 m) covering short ranges (200–500 m). They complement macro networks by filling coverage holes in dense urban environments and adding capacity in hotspots that a macro cell cannot serve efficiently.
- Are small cells suitable for 5G in Ghana?
- Yes. 5G relies heavily on small cells, especially for high-frequency (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) bands that have limited range. African Towers' small-cell structures are designed to support current 4G LTE deployments and are dimensioned to carry 5G active equipment as Ghana's rollout progresses, protecting operators' investment.
- How does permitting work for street-level small cells?
- African Towers handles all municipal and NCA permitting as part of the service. We engage directly with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and other relevant authorities to secure wayproof on public street furniture or agreement with private landlords for façade mounts.
- Can small cells be deployed quickly for events?
- Temporary small-cell deployments are available for large events (concerts, sporting fixtures, conferences). These can be commissioned within 2–3 weeks from agreement, using trailer-mounted or rapid-install kits, and decommissioned afterwards.
// Related services