Expand existing cellsite capacity: Operators can expand cellsite capacity in a number of ways, including optimizing and tuning the radio network, installing extra baseband processors to achieve full capacity from each radio carrier, upgrading to HSPA+, sectorization, installing additional carries per cellsite, or rolling out additional macro cellsites.

Roll out LTE: Long Term Evolution (LTE), which promises greater spectral efficiency and higher data rates than its predecessors, should lead to lower costs in the long term because it requires fewer cellsites to deliver the same payload – however, this is certainly not a quick fix. Spectrum may not be available in some regions, and can be very expensive to buy. Furthermore, a wide range of devices supported by LTE are not expected to be available until at least 2013.

Buy more spectrum: Governments in some countries are continuing to make new spectrum available, but this is not an option everywhere. Additional spectrum allows wireless operators to install extra equipment at each cellsite, increasing capacity without impacting the existing network. However, this option can be very expensive as spectrum is a finite resource.

Offload data to Wi-Fi and femtocells:

Many providers are trialing or launching femtocell services with a view to solving both coverage and capacity problems.

 

Sideload content: Sideloading can be used for content bought on mobile devices. For example, if a customer makes a mobile purchase, the transaction is carried out over mobile network, but larger data files transferred by computer or through your home Wi-Fi or femtocell. AT&T currently does this with the iPhone – requiring purchases from the iTunes Store over 20MB to be downloaded via Wi-FI.

Optimize, compress data content: With video taking up a large proportion of mobile network data capacity, it makes sense to reduce the amount sent, especially where it is wasted.