Two significant objectives for mobile operators today are to optimise their network infrastructure and ensure smooth 4G deployments. There is an industry realisation that these are requirements to ensure success in addressing the challenges created by the growth in mobile data consumption and to maximise revenues from next-generation technologies.
Being involved in virtually all the world?s best communication networks give a company some distinct insights on how to reduce their running costs and to better deploy networks to capitalise on the substantial mobile data opportunity. For example, by introducing technologies that increase network efficiency and reduce operational expenditure (OPEX), it is possible to offset portions of the capital expenditure (CAPEX) required to build next-gen networks.
Operators also need to ensure a smooth 4G rollout to avoid the same issues experienced during the last major network upgrade from 2G to 3G, where many deployments were delayed, cancelled, or limited to a sparse range of hotspots for long periods of time. Not only does this create a substandard experience for users, but it also limits operators? ability to maximise their ROI.
Proven Methodologies
The quickest way for an operator to reduce OPEX is to look at proven methodologies such as energy consumption and maintenance efficiencies. For example, efficient energy consumption not only reduces carbon emissions, it also makes good financial sense. A multitude of proven, high-performance technologies exist today that can reduce base station power consumption by as much as 40 percent.
One of the biggest opportunities to reduce an operator?s energy bill is to phase-out the use of diesel back-up power generators in favour of hydrogen fuel cells. On average, the maintenance cost of fuel cells is 77 percent lower than diesel generators and the operational cost is 37 percent lower.
In addition, fuel cells take up roughly 50 percent less space on site, which can help to reduce leasing costs.
Another opportunity to improve energy efficiency is to improve base station cooling systems, which typically consume 30 per cent of all energy used by base stations. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis and proven field trials have shown that alternative cooling techniques, such as free-air cooling and hybrid cooling can reduce overall site power consumption by 20 – 25 percent.
Many other solutions can help to make incremental energy efficiency improvements, such as optimised repeater placements, more efficient power rectifiers and smooth walled cabling that provides better attenuation.
In terms of maintenance, operators should look at remote monitoring and control of base station functions as these vastly reduce their dependence on costly and inefficient physical inspections with traditional field technicians.
Technologies now exist that can monitor and control every aspect of an operator?s high-value assets widely dispersed across hundreds, or even thousands, of network sites. Remote monitoring solutions give operators an unprecedented level of control, enabling them to make remote adjustments to network sites, such as re-orientating an antenna or even altering thermostat settings, which can improve efficiency whilst completely removing the need for some site visits.
Ensuring a smooth 4G rollout
Operators understand the importance of rolling out a 4G network that meets consumers? high expectations and are all too aware of the issues that created a below par 3G deployment, making widespread 4G coverage a top priority.
One new deployment strategy showing great potential in this area is the HetNet. Short for heterogenous networks, this strategy will play an integral role in 4G deployments because it enables a diverse set of options for operators to provide a seamless 4G experience.
A HetNet is comprised of two interlinking layers designed to provide coverage (the coverage network) and capacity (the capacity network). The macro network is served by high power base stations providing wide area coverage, whereas the capacity network is made up of multiple lower power technologies, including microcells, picocells and distributed antenna systems (DAS), designed to cover limited areas, such as office blocks or shopping centres.
This approach allows operators to build up their capacity network to reinforce high-usage hotspots whilst simultaneously expanding the network to eliminate blind spots. Wireless LANs can also be incorporated into the HetNet to bring additional capacity to bear and to help relieve the core mobile network as required.
Flawless in-building coverage
A key aspect of the HetNet?s capacity network, and a key objective of operators? wider 4G deployment strategy, is to achieve flawless in-building coverage. This is because we now know that the majority of mobile data is consumed indoors, with approximately 70 per cent of mobile traffic originating or terminating inside buildings ? particularly in offices, residential buildings, dense urban areas, large public transport systems, stadia and high rise buildings.
These public buildings do present unique challenges in providing wireless connectivity, as they require a network capable of supporting the equivalent of a small city located within a single structure. The layout of buildings can also makes signal penetration very difficult, requiring a team of highly experienced engineers and designers to ensure that reception is able to flood all parts of the venue, as well as guaranteeing seamless signal handovers from section to section.
Laying the foundations
By implementing several tried and tested solutions, operators can optimise existing networks to reduce running costs and establish the blueprint upon which next-generation networks can be built. When deploying those networks, it?s vital to ensure widespread coverage and capacity to maximise 4G revenue streams, whilst ensuring a better experience for their subscribers which helps to reduce churn.
