How to improve Mobile Radio Network Planning based on a new Big Data structure analysis Vianney Martinez Alcantara December 3 rd , 2015
Jan 20, 2016
How to improve Mobile Radio Network
Planning based on a new Big Data structure
analysis
Vianney Martinez Alcantara
December 3rd, 2015
Evolution
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Smartphones & Users
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Competition between Operators
Soure: telecoms.com 4
The Radio Access Network Planning Effective network planning requires:
- Measurement of correct network traffic & the network performance itself.
- Prediction of the future network demand.
- Determination of the optimal allocation of capacity sources.
- Validation.
- Implementation.
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Go beyond traditional RAN Upgrade
Leverage customer data to know details such as:
- Subscriber distribution in the network
- Device mix penetration
- Impact that capacity limitations have on subscribers
- Affected revenue in each Base Station (BS)
RAN: Radio Access Network 6
Data Complexity and its benefitThis new approach requires
working with Big DataThe overall network upgrade
efficiency is improved by revealing new customer and device insights
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Example3G Base Stations that reported
high levels of blocking rate
3G BS
Blocking RRC&RAB
Upgrade
A 5% 4
B 8% 1
C 6% 3
D 7% 2
Perform Radio network planning
BS: Base Station RRC: Radio Resource Control
RAB: Radio Access Bearer8
Example (cont...)Adding more customer information will bring more value to the analysis.
- Customer’s revenue
- Market segment
- Contract type
- …
3GBS
Blocking RRC&RAB
Upgrade (a)
Nr. Customers
*Upgrade (b)
A 5% 4 600 4B 8% 1 800 3C 6% 3 1400 1D 7% 2 1100 2
* Considering customer dataBS: Base Station
RRC: Radio Resource Control RAB: Radio Access Bearer
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Adoption of LTE
Improved
UMTS
LTE: Long Term Evolution UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
- High speed
- High capacity
- IP based services
- …
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Network operator dilemma
Which site should we upgrade?
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Network operator dilemma
Should we add a carrier frequency or implement a
4G site?
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Network operator dilemma
Which NodeBs have higher priority for
implementing an upgrade?
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Methodology to upgrade a 3G Network
We want to save costs and time
- Limited budget
- Internal regulations of the country
- It is not feasible to have a BS with 4G up and running in 18 months
Pop-coverage was analyzed
3G 3G,4G
2G,3G 2G,3G,4G
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Options towards network upgrade
1.Capacity upgrade* of a 3G BS, decision based on the smartphone penetration
2.Technology upgrade* from 3G to 4G, based on the availability of the 4G Smartphone penetration in the BS
3.Keep the BS without changes
* Upgrade taking into account the affected revenue 15
Options towards network upgrade (A)
3 global groups
- Service measurements
- System resource measurements
- Traffic measurement
- Defined thresholds
- Frequency thresholds
Perform our well defined and established processes for the Traditional Network Planning
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Options towards network upgrade (B)Analyze the device distribution to
understand your smartphone penetration
Example of a particular 3G BS, for one month of study
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Options towards network upgrade (B)Analyze the device distribution to
understand your smartphone penetration
Example of a particular 3G BS, for one month of study
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Smartphone penetration in all 3G BSs
Perform analysis of your saturation point
Focus on the 3G BSs with lower smartphone penetration and high traffic.
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Smartphone penetration in all 3G BSs
+300 BS with 81% smartphone penetration
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Smartphone penetration in all 3G BSs
Low number of BS, between 58% - 60% smartphone penetration
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Smartphone penetration in all 3G BSs
+ 3000 BS have 87% smartphone penetration
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Smartphone penetration in all 3G BSs
Saturation point, 87% Smartphone penetrationLow Smartphone
penetration
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Example 1: in 3 months 15% of Legacy users change to Smartphones
BS with 78% Smartphone penetration (60% + 18%)
Saturation point
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
Example 1: 3G BS identified with capacity limitations
Capacity upgrade
Current carrier frequencies = 2
Max Carrier frequencies = 3
Carrier frequencies after upgrade = 3
in 3 months 15% of Legacy users change to Smartphones
Now
BS with 78% Smartphone penetration
(60% - SP 3G 18%
- SP 4G) 25
Options towards network upgrade (B)Example: 3G BS identified with capacity
limitations and in 3 months 15% of Legacy users change to Smartphones
Technology upgrade
Current carrier frequencies = 2
Max Carrier frequencies = 3
Carrier frequencies after upgrade = 2
Technologies after upgrade = 3G & 4G
Now
BS with 78% Smartphone penetration
(60% - SP 3G 18%
- SP 4G)
Offload 3G by moving 18% of 4G Smartphones
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Options towards network upgrade (B)
BS with 85% Smartphone penetration
Saturation point
Example 2: 3G BS identified with capacity limitations. 85% Smartphone Penetration
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Simplified Flowchart 1. Capacity upgrade* of a 3G BS,
decision based on the smartphone penetration
Capacity upgrade is the fastest option to perform in order to overcome the bottlenecks that the BS presents.
Operator’s spectrum defines the maximum number of available carrier frequencies per BS.
* Upgrade taking into account the affected revenue
Radio Network Planning
Smartphone Penetration Analysis
For all 3G BSs
Identify BSs that require an upgrade
Analyze the number of current carrier frequencies
Add one carrier frequency. Verify if it is enough
end
1st phase
2nd phase
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Simplified Flowchart2. Technology upgrade* from 3G to 4G,
based on the availability of the 4G Smartphone penetration in the BS
Since the investment to deploy 4G in a site is high, it is important to check whether the need for 4G is justified. For that reason, the customers that are connected to the 3G BSs are evaluated.
* Upgrade taking into account the affected revenue
Radio Network Planning
Smartphone Penetration Analysis
For all 3G BSs
Identify BSs that require an upgrade
3GBS reached max carrier freq. Check if there is 4G on Site
Analyze customer data to identify if it is feasible to implement 4G
end
Technology upgrade
1st phase
3rd phase
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Analysis of the Affected Revenue
At this point it is necessary to analyze the affected revenue in order to create priorities among the 3G BSs that require either a 3G capacity upgrade or 4G technology upgrade
A
B
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Conclusions The inclusion of the customer data to the classical mobile radio network planning
marked a new start for the Radio Network Planning.
The customer data adds value to the mobile radio network planning providing depth views and new structures, in terms of subscriber’s information of the network operator.
If you want different results, you need to start doing things in a different way:
This new approach requires the use of data belonging to different departments (Radio Access data, Core Network data, Customer data). New data flows have to be in place.
Two of the objectives of this methodology are to reduce any capacity and performance problems, while avoiding unjustified investments in 4G BS. It is desirable to avoid having 4G BSs that are underutilized. 31
Thank you for your attention