Dense Deployments and DAS in 5G: A Techno-Economic Comparison

5G wireless telecommunications require rapid data traffic and high network speed. Thus, it is important to focus on technologies that are capable of meeting these high demands. On the other hand, the cost calculation of installing, maintaining and operating a network deployment, plays an important role for its adoption by an enterprise or a network provider. In this paper, there is a presentation of cost models for distributed antenna systems and small cells, because these two technologies offer significant benefits and meet the needs of the next generation of mobile networking. A sensitivity analysis of several network components, such as the allocated bandwidth, the running costs, the periodical interest rate, the base station, the equipment, the power consumption, the backhauling, the implementation costs and throughput density is analyzed. Throughput density and several important information are listed and calculated, according to public data. All these components are tested, using parameters and variables to represent them in mathematical equations model resulting in a cost provision for the next 5 years. Then, the overall and the individual costs are computed, namely the total cost of ownership, the Capital (CAPEX) and the Operational (OPEX) expenditures for several throughput density prices according to the suggested pricing models. The paper concludes by drawing fundamental conclusions for the expenses and as a result, for the viability of each technological suggestion and it ends up offering ideas for future research activity in the field.