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| 1 | 2 | 3 | (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) that is introduced. This new technology, in combination with signalling protocols, allows much more efficient use of cell capacity. In addition to the radio interface, LTE simplifies the access network by removing layers [Radio Network Controllers (RNC)] but at the same time increases the complexity of the enhanced NodeB by making it responsible for call handoffs between cells.
CSPs will need to extend their IP networks all the way to the cell site as these radio changes often times are isolated from the rest of the network. This will require a complex audit of every existing cell site location. This non-trivial process for thousands of sites has already begun in most of the larger operators today and it is the first true step to the technology impact assessment of LTE.
The introduction of LTE will speed up any existing migration to IP technology within the core network, but will not cause a major
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The planning and assurance processes will impact the operational systems used within CSPs today |
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Within the planning process, radio planning will need modification to support the potential volume and high frequency of optimization. The impact of Femtocells alongside LTE will require greater planning that will ultimately need to be an automated process to ensure timely network management. The current methods of drive-by radio monitoring will not scale to the number of cells and rate of change predicted.
The other main planning impact area is within the backhaul planning. There will be a greater need for any backhaul planning processes to be very closely linked to the radio planning process, as increases in cell capacity needs to be coordinated with backhaul capability. Therefore, changes in the
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restructuring of the core network, only an increase in capacity and the introduction of additional QoS policies are expected. The majority of the impact of LTE will be on the back haul network from the cell sites to the service gateways at the edge of the core network. In various situations the impact of the radio cell configuration will have a direct and immediate impact to the back haul network, and the dynamic nature of service changes will require a greater level of coordination between the radio and access networks.
Business Processes Impacting Operational Systems
The use of any new technology, including LTE, impacts every aspect of a CSPs business processes and IP in the access network in combination with new technologies will have the biggest impact in the planning and assurance processes.
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planning groups to provide better cross network technology interoperability will need to be further introduced.
Even when using leased or rented backhaul delivery, bad planning can increase the price of services between 10-20% for facilities, as seen from some of our customer’s experiences. Therefore, no matter what backhaul technology is used, ordering with lead times in mind will make a large overall impact.
The planning and assurance processes will impact the operational systems (OS) used within CSPs today. The majority of the changes within the radio planning processes will be supported by the existing platforms; however, these systems will require new algorithms and rules to support the new
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