SCF (Small Cell Forum) today set out its perspective on the small cell market in 2026, highlighting why the coming year is critical in determining how effectively the industry capitalizes on the next phase of deployment growth.
Analysis published by SCF in its Market forecast report 2025 identified 2027 as a pivotal point for the global small cell market, with a potential difference of almost 700,000 deployed small cell units between best- and worst-case market outcomes depending on how effectively industry-wide deployment barriers are addressed.
The forecast also points to a 9.4 percent CAGR (compound annual growth rate) to 2030, underlining that the long-term opportunity for small cells remains strong. From SCF’s perspective, the challenge for the industry in 2026 is not validating demand, but ensuring that deployment models, frameworks and processes are ready to support growth at scale.
SCF Chief Strategy Officer, Simon Fletcher, elaborates: “The industry has an opportunity during 2026 to address deployment complexity, strengthening neutral host and enterprise models, and accelerating adoption of 5G Standalone and AI enabled automation. Small cells are now carrying a meaningful share of traffic in major cities. The priority this year is to ensure deployment frameworks and technical enablers can support the next phase of growth.”
In response, SCF will focus its activity during 2026 on lowering barriers to deployment, expanding its work across private networks and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), and strengthening regional guidance and support to reflect differences in market maturity, policy and deployment models, for example with its Local Authority Connectivity Group.
SCF Chair, Dr. Prabhakar Chitrapu, adds: “The next 12 months will be critical for organizations preparing for wider adoption of small cell solutions. SCF will focus on providing the practical guidance and open interface specifications required to support members across the ecosystem. Collaboration remains essential if the sector is to realize the long-term growth we anticipate.”
Enterprise indoor and neutral hosts remain central
Enterprise indoor environments will continue to represent the largest share of small cell deployments, driven by demand for reliable indoor coverage and capacity. Neutral host models are also becoming increasingly important, particularly in enterprise settings where shared infrastructure can help manage cost and complexity.
For SCF, the priority in 2026 is to support more predictable and repeatable deployment approaches and to encourage adoption of neutral host models in regions that have not currently embraced the approach. This includes ongoing work on in-building and neutral host frameworks, including JOTS, MOCN and MORAN, and closer engagement with local authorities and building owners to understand and respond to requirements.
From technology progress to operational delivery
The transition toward 5G Standalone and more software-driven network architectures is accelerating. At the same time, infrastructure cost and operational complexity remain the most persistent constraints on deployment.
SCF sees 2026 as the year when automation and AI-assisted planning and optimization need to move from early adoption to wider use, particularly in enterprise and venue environments.
To support this shift, SCF will continue advancing work on open interfaces and specifications to encourage choice, innovation and flexibility; including 5G FAPI and nFAPI specifications, alongside activity related to NTN and emerging AI-driven architectures.
Andrei Radulescu, Engineer, Principal, at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., an SCF Board member company, said: “As SCF continues to advance open interfaces, the work on the FAPI roadmap during 2026 will be central to enabling new capabilities, including NTN support, the foundations for future Fronthaul evolution and 6G readiness. Preparing these specifications now will help ensure consistent and interoperable small cell platforms as the market enters its next phase.”
Kyle Allen, SVP, Strategic Operations, Airspan Networks, an SCF member company, added: “Operators and enterprises demand continues to rise as organizations seek better indoor and outdoor performance, and greater flexibility. Small cells are well suited to this requirement and offer a practical foundation for early adoption of 5G Standalone and AI-enhanced optimization across diverse environments. Engagement through SCF helps ensure that vendor and operator perspectives are reflected in open specifications and best practice guidance.”
Clarifying definitions as the market evolves
As small cell architectures evolve, distinctions between small cells, mini macro solutions, DAS and other radio technologies are becoming blurred. This lack of clarity can create uncertainty for regulators, planners and building owners, and slow deployment decisions.
During 2026, SCF will convene members to agree a concise and inclusive definition that reflects modern deployments across products, solutions and networks, providing clearer reference points for the wider ecosystem.
A year that matters
From SCF’s perspective, 2026 is a year for practical progress and coordination. The opportunity for small cells is well established. How effectively the industry aligns around deployment frameworks, automation and shared models in the coming months will shape how successfully it enters the pivotal years ahead.
SCF’s Market forecast report 2025 is available to download here: https://www.smallcellforum.org/docs/scf-market-forecast-report/ – initial 2026 forecast figures will be announced during Small Cells World Summit in London 2-3 June this year.
Organizations interested in contributing to SCF’s work program can find out more about becoming a member here: www.smallcellforum.org
