Success stories
Applying Optimi’s solution for 3G spectrum re-farming
By Pedro Pazos, RF Planning Supervisor at Telefónica Ecuador
As part of our initiative to cope with the increasing demand for mobile broadband data services in 3G/UMTS, we have carried out a 3G spectrum re-farming project in order to leave room for UMTS roll-out in the 850 MHz band.
To achieve this challenging objective, we have used Optimi’s 3G spectrum re-farming solution, which involves the application of several modules in a coordinated manner in order to guarantee a smooth and efficient transition towards a high-performing 2G network design that maintains previous quality indicators unaffected while at the same time using less spectrum. In short, the applied methodology uses three Optimi solutions: (i) xAFP, an OSS-based spectrum management solution that determines the best frequency planning strategy for the new situation, calculates the amount of 2G traffic to be offloaded to other 2G frequency bands and produces the frequency plans that yield optimal performance in the new situation; (ii) xACP, an OSS-based automated cell planning solution that controls the antenna tilt changes that are required in order to control the traffic absorption between different 2G network layers; and (iii) xParameters, an OSS-based automated parameters optimization solution that automatically offloads traffic between different 2G bands in order to accommodate all the 2G traffic within the existing resources, while at the same time minimizing the addition of unnecessary TRXs during the interim steps of the process.
Our conclusion is that Optimi’s unique portfolio managed to obtain something that in principle looks counterintuitive. Working in a tightly integrated manner, the sequenced application of the different solutions managed to release enough 2G spectrum to deploy UMTS while maintaining network quality. Spectrum re-farming is not only about deploying superb frequency plans, but also involves other key activities, such as careful traffic offloading between bands and antenna optimization, and it is important that all processes and tools are tightly integrated.
