SOLUTION BRIEF Page 1 915-4104-01 Rev. A, March 2014 www.ixiacom.com Mobile Access at a Crossroads In a world gone wireless, subscribers expect applications to run smoothly, with no dropped calls, choppy video, or even slow downloads. To meet their high expectations, mobile operators worldwide are rolling out faster, higher- capacity LTE networks and compelling new services that guarantee quality. But with more devices competing for spectrum, today’s mobile access networks will still become maxed out in the not-too-distant future. Because the traditional model of deploying macrocells will no longer scale profitably, operators are employing new strategies in metro areas and commercial buildings where “spectrum scarcity” is felt most. One emerging strategy —the use of heterogeneous networks or "HetNets" — uses a mix of less costly options like small cells and carrier Wi-Fi to supplement the coverage and capacity delivered by macro cells. Experts say HetNets will be a $40 Billion market by 2017 as emerging strategies promise a powerful mix of business and technology advantages to both mobile operators and enterprise customers: • Improved spectrum efficiency • Better coverage and capacity in urban areas • Improved in-building coverage • Faster deployment of compelling new services • Increased retention, ROI, and average revenue per customer (ARPU) But not without some challenges. HetNets represent a whole new world with many competing but unproven solutions, and diverse challenges that must be overcome. HetNets: Small Cells, Big Challenge Operators can’t afford to rely solely upon vendors to assess performance, nor will the old methods—drive tests and radio planning—address the inherent complexities of rolling out HetNets. Challenges include: • Managing thousands of access devices • Mitigating interference using SON • Increased integration of 3G, LTE, and Wi-Fi • Ensuring mobility, reliability, security • Delivering a high-quality user experience Ixia: Meeting the Mobile Expectation The successful deployment of HetNets hinges on many moving parts coming together. To ensure success, mobile operators and equipment providers must validate new designs and deployments in their labs each step of the way. Ixia mobile assessment strategies and solutions maximize performance while minimizing risk. Ixia delivers the critical capabilities needed to deliver on the promise of HetNets: • Emulation recreating external conditions to realistically assess functionality and performance. Ixia emulates tens of thousands of user equipment devices (UEs) and dozens of eNodeB base stations. • Realism simulating devices, handoffs, interference management techniques. Enables intended deployments to be benchmarked under simulated peak conditions, power outages, and security threats. • Subscriber modeling defining multiple types as well as a realistic mix of applications: Internet browsing, email, voice, video, P2P, and the like. Validating HetNet Designs and Deployments