The Small Cell Forum has just published Release 9 to round out its work on commercialising densified networks. It is now looking towards the advent of 5G networks, dividing its work streams between the deployment of hyper dense networks and the digitisation of the enterprise.

The Forum maintains that operators need to densify now, and with 18m small cells already deployed today, this is well underway. But there are steps that can be taken today with LTE networks, without waiting for 5G. Also, operators still need to deliver RoI on their 4G assets.The Forum will be laying down technical foundations and working on the management of the networks around virtualisation and automation.

It will also be looking more closely at digitised enterprise verticals, focusing initially on healthcare, hospitality and property management. It is also now working with local authorities and regulators, investigating alternative ownership models - such as multi-operator neutral host - and looking at scalable and repeatable deployment plans.

Partner collaboration is more important than ever, and the SCF works closely with GSMA, 3GPP, ETSI, 5G Americas and NGMN, and it is critical that the industry avoids work duplication and fragmentation.

Filmed at: SCWS World, London, 2017