Network optimization

Network optimization

Meet coverage, quality and service performance objectives

The rollout of 5G NR and other new technologies, including NB-IoT and LTE-M, has initiated a surge in network optimization and troubleshooting. To ensure end-user quality of experience (QoE) and network performance, use case-targeted testing solutions need to offer reliable data collection and extensive drill-down functions in data analytics.

Data and intelligence enable operators to assess and identify network QoE and performance-critical factors effectively and systematically. Intelligent insights, generated from reliable and accurate data, help operators take well-informed and fact-based decisions for strategic investments.

Initial optimization

Network optimization consists of two main parts: initial and continuous optimization. Initial optimization occurs during network implementation to prepare the network for the launch. The aim is to ensure that the agreed objectives for coverage, quality and service performance are met. These objectives are often defined as target values for sets of key performance indicators (KPI) that measure network performance and the quality of end-to-end services.

Continuous optimization

Continuous optimization is an integral part of network operations, particularly in today’s technology-driven times where networks are constantly changing:

  • The network capacity has to continuously increase due to an ever-growing traffic demand
  • New network elements are regularly put into operation
  • New services are introduced, and coverage is extended

Continuous optimization can be seen as a cyclic two-step process involving data collection and data analytics.

Step 1 data collection: The performance of both the network and the end-to-end services is assessed, and the necessary data is collected. The input data sets are collected from various sources ranging from statistical counters generated in the network elements to measurement data obtained during drive and walk tests.

Step 2 data analytics: This process needs to provide automatic data processing and accurate analysis, resulting in intelligent insights into the network. Finally, corrections and network changes are proposed, decided and implemented.

The Smart platform

The modular Smart platform offers particular testing components for network optimization and troubleshooting. These components can be easily configured for specific use cases and effectively tailored to meet customer needs. For more information, please refer to the product pages below or contact our sales experts via the contact form.

Products for network optimization

R&S®ROMES4

Universal network engineering software platform

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R&S®TSMx

Network scanner family for drive and walk tests

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QualiPoc Android

Software for smartphone-based QoE testing

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SmartAnalytics

Software suite for QoE data analytics

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R&S®Freerider 4 Backpack

State-of-the art portable test solution

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Expertise in network optimization

Educational Note: Machine learning based network optimization

Machine learning use cases like network utilization rating and call stability score extract insights from network data analytics enabling network optimization.

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Appcard: Crowdsourcing versus mobile network testing

This application card describes the structure of the crowdsourcing space and analyzes the pros and cons of both approaches.

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Webinar: Modernization of test methods for 5G network performance

Webinar: Modernization of test methods for 5G network performance

If you are interested in transparent test methods for mobile network quality, do not miss our webinar - secure your spot by registering today.

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Webinar: Four phases of the holistic 5G network optimization

Webinar: Four phases of the holistic 5G network optimization

Join this webinar to learn about the four phases of the holistic 5G network optimization approach with solutions from Rohde & Schwarz.

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Solution guide: mobile network testing

Discover the right test solution for your needs – maximize network quality and performance.

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White paper: LTE mobile network optimization – a definitive guide

This white paper provides an engineer’s reference by describing radio access network optimization challenges and how to address them. It identifies key performance indicators (KPIs), their associated performance indicators (PIs) and field measurement metrics.

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MIMO 4x4 testing

Operators are counting on the LTE feature 4x4 MIMO to meet the incessant need for more capacity that subscribers demand because they are jamming networks with data traffic. With the increasing commercial availability of 4x4 MIMO capable smartphones, operators can now exploit the higher spectral efficiency and capacity of this antenna technology.

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How to test a mobile network

How to test a mobile network

The mobile network consists of the radio access network (RAN) and the core network; in LTE networks, it is eNodeBs and the enhanced packet core (ePC) respectively. User equipment (UE), such as smartphones, connects to the operator’s mobile network. The mobile network operator controls the servers for own voice and video services. Via the same infrastructure, subscribers also massively enjoy applications from third parties, so-called over-the-top (OTT) media services. Typically, an application client that is located on the smartphone connects to an application server that is out of the MNO’s reach. Consequently, MNOs have no direct control over third-party apps such as YouTube, Spotify, etc. We recommend using different tests to test either network quality or quality of experience.

Related videos

Data analytics drill-down – concept and benefits

Learn more about the new network performance drill-down capabilities in the Mobile Network Testing data analytics SW suite, the concept and benefits of the newest features.

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Data analytics drill-down – voice

Learn more about voice service measurement results and root causes for potential problems in the Mobile Network Testing data analytics SW suite.

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Data analytics drill-down – data

Learn more about data service measurement results and root causes for potential problems in the Mobile Network Testing data analytics SW suite.

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Blog posts

Macro network enhancements: carrier aggregation

The popularity of app services among smartphone users poses a serious challenge to mobile operators: data consumption is soaring; and with an expected 10-fold increase in the next 5 years, investments to merely transfer the sheer amount of data are inevitable. So, how can network operators best address these increasing network capacity and performance demands? Carrier aggregation is one option.

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Macro network enhancement: cell sectorization

The various macro network enhancements available today offer a cost-efficient and smart approach to increase the capacity in mobile networks. The blog post looks at yet another antenna approach to optimize mobile network capacity: higher-order sectorization of base stations, commonly referred to as 6-sector sites.

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Macro network enhancement: antenna tilt optimization

Antenna tilt optimization is a cost-efficient and smart approach to increase the capacity in mobile networks. Today, operators have to focus more and more on data capacity and network densification. Also, particularly in urban and dense urban environments, macro cells need to be smaller and coverage needs to be limited. One important method to achieve this is antenna downtilting.

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Macro network enhancements: 4x4 MIMO

The various macro network enhancements available today offer a cost-efficient and smart approach for capacity increase in mobile networks. This blog post discusses higher order MIMO antenna configurations, particularly 4×4 MIMO.

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HetNets and small cells

The series “HetNets/small cells” explains how indoor deployments help operators meet the exponentially growing data demands in mobile networks in the coming years. In this overview, we’ll deliberate the pros and cons of different types of indoor deployments, such as distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells, and outline the indoor deployment process as the basis of the series’ next posts.

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