Verizon to deploy 400 small cells in San Francisco

Verizon Wireless will deploy 400 small cells in San Francisco (CA) in order to densify the company's network in anticipation of the 2016 Super Bowl that will take place in that city. According to Brian Mecum, vice president of West Coast network for Verizon, outfitting San Francisco with small cells is a big challenge because of its hills, dense population and big buildings. Plus, Mecum said the company also has to convince building owners and the city that a denser network is valuable.

"We will need a lot of small cells in areas where people congregate," he said. "Small cells deliver on the promise of the device. People can look at video content quickly and use their devices to interact on all levels," he added. Mecum added that the company is also growing its portfolio of dark fiber for small cell backhaul.