Our experience with Optimi xACP and xAFP
By Dr. Dieter Marger, Head of Radio Planning Principles, Parameters and Frequencies, T-Mobile Germany
In 2005, we adopted Optimi xACP as our automated RF planning and optimization solution for 2G and 3G networks. The main purpose of this solution is the optimization of sector antenna settings, such as azimuth, electrical tilt and mechanical tilt. In our production environment, such solution needs to work in close cooperation with T-Mobile’s RF planning tool, PegaPlan, which Optimi successfully integrated with xACP by means of a single-click data transfer process that minimizes user intervention in the data exchange.
Furthermore, in 2007 we selected Optimi’s xAFP solution with the purpose to optimize periodically our frequency plan and to simulate future scenarios as well as different frequency planning strategies. By leveraging the optimization technology embedded in Optimi’s xAFP we have conducted a smooth transition towards frequency planning techniques based on mobile measurements that are directly available in the OSS. The use of these measurements
allows a more complete and accurate representation of the network status than any other analysis based on propagation models or drive testing campaigns. Moreover, the combination of the most accurate input data with a really sophisticated modelling and optimization engine leads to designs with better quality and reduced dropped call rate.
Also, it is worth to mention here that we introduced Optimi’s new EBS (Extended Blind Spot) and UQB (User Quality Booster) functions to participate on the advantages of these leading technologies with our 2G network.
During the integration of xAFP and xACP in our daily engineering processes and solutions landscape, we were assisted by a highly qualified, knowledgeable and responsive team of Optimi engineers who contributed to a seamless adoption of these innovative solutions. In our opinion, this integration was a big success and both xAFP and xACP are now being used continuously across the entire Germany with impressive field results. The application of xAFP yielded a significant dropped call rate reduction over the already very low dropping levels that had been achieved after years of careful optimization. Similarly, the application of xACP for the antenna tilt optimisation in our UMTS network provided improvements either in coverage or in capturing up to 15% more traffic at the same quality level.
Therefore, we truly recommend Optimi xAFP and xACP for automated optimization of cellular networks. Furthermore, if we look on the past and future roadmaps of both modules we appreciate Optimi’s willingness to implement a lot of TMobile’s requests and ideas in addition to their plans quite soon. Hence, we are convinced to achieve also in the future further success with Optimi’s solutions in our network.
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