LTE Deployment-Getting It Right First Time Report AD-105943

8/14/2019 LTE Deployment-Getting It Right First Time Report AD-105943

1/6

Sponsored by:

LTE deployment:Getting it right the rst timeBy Allie Winter


2/6

Launching a behemoth wireless networklike LTE requires the consideration ofmany factors. It is not only about meetinga deadline, getting it going quickly or beingthe rst to market even though carrierswould have you think so. Deploymentmust be done right and within budget.Not only is evolving technology makingnetwork installations more dif cult,

carriers must also balance costs and risksagainst the long-term bene ts associatedwith adopting new technology. As partof this equation, would-be adopters needto understand available best practicesfor mitigating the risks that accompanythe process of maximizing capacity andbandwidth. Being proactive, ensuringaccuracy and taking the initiative willhelp you future-proof your networkinvestment for predictable and exceptionallong-term performance.

LTE Not a question of why, but when

As LTE adoption accelerates, North American carriers are following suit.They are being extremely aggressive inthe implementation of this new, dynam -ic network, but they have no choice. Aswireless data usage expands, operatorsneed to continue meeting customer de-mands. LTE is the inevitable solution.The new technology not only makes thewireless experiences better, it allows allmajor carriers to survive.

Although we hear much about advance -ments in HSPA technology, as smartphonesand associated data usage proliferate thefact is that LTE, and LTE-Advanced willbe must-deploy technologies for wirelessnetwork operators as they seek to dealwith the multitude of challenges that are

coming, said Jason Marcheck, ManagingDirector of Insight and Analysis at RCRWireless News. That said, the challengesassociated with deploying LTE can be, insome cases, as big as the problems theyare intended to solve.

For commercial deployment, many fac -tors must be considered. Years of techni-cal research informs the process. Carriers

must build out an extensive network andexecute the proper tests. Before any ofthese activities transpire, carriers need toacquire the appropriate space. With yearsof wireless service and countless networksdeployed, space begins to run out.

Challenges

The lack of spectrum availability isonly one of the many challenges thataccompany rolling out a new network,especially an LTE network. Beyondspectrum, there is an entire categoryof challenges surround zoning and thephysical nature of additional towerplacement. How will operators continueto add layers of capacity while runningsimultaneous neighboring technologiessuch as 3G? Adding new sites is ex -tremely expensive and geographicallydif cult. As time passes, the amount ofspace available for wireless networksshrinks and operators are driven by theneed to balance coverage capabilities ina smooth, cohesive fashion so that thou -sands of subscribers are not affected.

This dilemma, coupled with data-hungry wireless customers, makesinstalling a new network not onlynecessary, but downright nerve-wracking.While carriers tackle the challenge ofdeploying in limited space, the pressure

is on to launch a network that can handlemassive amounts of data usage.

Emily Edmonds, Director of AT&T Corporate Communications, described thisstruggle, Were managing many complexmoving parts, including adding equipmentto existing towers and facilities, keepingaggressive rollout schedules on track, assigning resources and staff to complete the

upgrades, and maintaining the highestquality standards at every step.

Consumers are adopting smartphonesin droves, creating an insatiable demandfor bandwidth. Michael Fabbri, VP andGM of Site Solutions and Services atCommScope, helps carriers solve network build-out challenges. He recognizesthat keeping the customer happy is theNo. 1 goal. Requirements are growingby 100% over very short periods of time,he explained. The challenge for operators is to continue to invest in additionaltechnology that will meet and exceed theneeds of their customers.

That is often much easier said thandone. Marcheck noted that, Carriersneed to pay particular attention to howthey deploy capacity in an LTE environment. With the emergence of small cellarchitectures, an improper deploymentcan actually degrade capacity within acell. For this reason, sophisticated software and advanced antenna placementsare necessary. This is where sectorizationand sophisticated tower deployment scenarios become very important.

One step ahead

This is not wireless operators firstrodeo. Luckily, this is not the wirelessoperator communitys first rodeo. Not

F E A T U R E R E P O R T


3/6

only are these challenges expected,they are built into deployment plans.Carriers are addressing issues head-on and executing processes moreefficiently. To optimize the radiofrequency in use today, operators arefinding creative ways to reuse andrepurpose existing frequency andspectrum for high-speed data.

Companies like CommScope step into provide the interconnection and sub -systems operators need to successfullylaunch a network. CommScope providesguidance at different stages duringnetwork evolution with solutions fordeveloping high-performing wired andwireless networks. About four yearsago, CommScope recognized the mar -ketplace need for these services andpurchased Andrew Solutions, allowingthe company to provide radio frequencysubsystem solutions for wireless net-works. Whether a client requires an-tennas, cables, connectors, jumpersand everything from outside the basestation all the way up the tower, Com -mScope has positioned itself as the RFPath expert.

When it comes to direct involvement,CommScope provides a host of servicesand solutions that assist with LTE de-ployment, whether that means tradi -tional coaxial solutions or newer hybrid

ber-based solutions. CommScope alsomaintains a services arm to help custom -ers solve speci c problems with consult -ing, design, installation and other issuesoperators may face when attempting toachieve a full migration or complete aspeci c project.

There are multiple ways these solutions


Today, they can utilize newer technologyto remove and replace an antenna fromone sector with a similar sized antennathat virtually doubles the capacity.

Typically sector splitting involvesan antenna that is radiating a certaintechnology, Fabbri noted. We can takethat antenna and replace it with a newone, virtually doubling the capacity in

that sector by splitting it. The conceptof sector splitting has been around forever, but this method is relatively new.Executing sector splitting in this formathas not been widely practiced before,since aligning and optimizing antennaswas dif cult. This method is now mucheasier to implement. It provides operators with a way to use existing technology to improve ef ciency.

Every operator is challenged by thefrequency or spectrum they have available, Fabbri continued. With geography[challenges], leveraging sector splittingcan dramatically increase technology.Until recently, it was dif cult to make[these new methods] work. Going fromone to three antennas is very commonand adopted, but moving from three tosix antennas was challenging.

Small cells

Another way to add capacity is the incorporation of the aforementioned smallcells. These cells are low-powered radioaccess nodes that act as mini base sta-tions with a range of 10 meters to 200meters. Small cells are used to providein-building and outdoor wireless serviceby extending existing coverage, allowingoperators to of oad 3G data traf c.

Small cells are also vital to the build-out

can be delivered and customized. Wework directly with the operator or anyoneelse in the supply chain to understandwhat they want to do, then create aspeci c solution to meet their needs,Fabbri said. For example, in order tohelp some customers prepare their LTEnetwork, we created pre-con gured, pre-tested capacity expansion solutions that

can be dropped right into an existingcustomers network infrastructure.

Fabbri explained that CommScopecan also be recruited to help withproblems in the middle of a project.If an operator is having trouble withdeployment in later stages, CommScopeprovides performance metrics, siteauditing, and remediation you nameit. In North America, most of thework we are doing comes in the earlystages, with early development andconfiguring of LTE sites. For the mostpart, carriers are focused on recruitingcompanies like CommScope to helprepurpose existing architecture. Oncethat decision is made, there are avariety of methods we use to accomplishthis type of network recycling.

Sector splitting

There are two ways to add capacity:operators can add more sites, or improvetheir existing technology. Sector splittingis a way to add capacity to existing sites.Operators and carriers use sector split -ting as a less expensive way to build a net -work. Although this method has existedfor some time, it is now being performedin more dynamic, effective ways. Early on,operators would split each tower into threedifferent sectors to deploy a new network.


4/6


DAS

Another tried-and-true way to extendyour network without physically buildinga new one is the use of Distributed

Antenna Systems. At its core, DAStakes capacity from a base station anddistributes it over ber to a systemof remote antenna placements. Thissolution was developed about 15 years

ago when base stations were extremelylarge. The cables coming out of the basestation would lose service and power asthey exited. DAS products converted thebase station signal into ber to eliminatethe loss of power. Tony Lefebvre, Directorof Product Management for Wireless atTE Connectivity, explained that initially,DAS products were mainly used inareas that would not accommodate gianttowers, such as subways, canyons ordense downtown areas. Fiber extendedinto areas where a tower could notreach, Lefebvre continued. Then, overtime, everybody started using more andmore cell phones. As capacity increased,coverage from the tower shrank.

Consumers began to hoard power atthose base stations. As this trend increased, it became more dif cult for carriers to extend that power over a widerarea. As capacity grew and coverage areasdecreased, in-building systems grew morepopular. Now, with the in ux of data usage, cells are shrinking even more. Smallcells like microcells, picocells and femtocells build on existing infrastructure.DAS builds on top of that. If you createa small cell that will utilize DAS, you canoverlay multiple mobile services withmultiple frequencies, Lefebvre said.

Adding DAS to a small-cell situation

of LTE. Similar to sector splitting, theyoffer a way to layer on capacity withoutphysically building new infrastructure.This saves money and provides theadded bene t of individual, targetedcoverage. The most commonly usedsmall cells are microcells, femtocells andindoor picocells.

A microcell is a base station used in

situations where a macrocell is super -uous, even though it is basically the

same design in a smaller form factor.For example, in a large building requir -ing a capacity of 100 or 200 callers, in -stalling a macrocell would be a waste ofmoney. Operators provide the backhauland manage microcell base stations justlike macrocells. Microcell base stationsrequire the same maintenance as mac-rocells and installation costs are simi -lar but microcells are limited in theirexpansion capabilities and are typicallyinstalled indoors.

A femtocell is another small basestation utilized indoors. It is designedfor the home and resembles a Wi-Fiaccess point. These cells are mainlyused by families who need bettercoverage within their homes. Femtocellsare very common today VerizonWireless and Sprint Nextel haveprovided them as coverage solutionsfor years. Subscribers purchase orlease femtocells themselves and placethem in their home. Because femtocellsbroadcast on spectrum owned by thecellular operator, where and how theyare broadcast is tightly controlled. Forexample, to make sure that femtocellsonly broadcast when they are physicallylocated in an area where the wireless

operator is licensed to operate, mostfemtocells use some form of GPSto verify their location. Wirelessoperators also remotely administertheir femtocells. Should a customer notpay their bill or discontinue wirelessservice, the operator will remotelydeactivate the femtocell.

Picocells are typically used to add ca -

pacity for a small business or anotherlocal solution. Smaller than a microcell,but bigger than a femtocell, picocellstypically handle anywhere from 10 to60 simultaneous callers, but they canservice up to a 100 callers if need be.They are most frequently found in ho-tels, hospitals, office buildings or oth -er scenarios where adding coverage isdifficult. Indoor picocells are used inlocations that are sheltered from theweather where a small boost in call-ing capacity is required. Operators usethem when a site is isolated due to poorlocation or RF penetration, or where itis not cost-effective to deploy a micro -cell or macrocell. Like microcells, wire-less operators typically lease space forindoor picocells from building owners.

Both carriers and original equipmentmanufacturers have widely adopted smallcell use. As part of its continual process ofupdating, investing in and optimizing itsnetwork infrastructure, AT&T has turnedto small cells as well. We proactively re -search creative technology solutions thathelps us better manage the growing traf -

c load, Edmonds explained. We haveadvocated small cells for several yearsand weve been working closely with ven -dors to develop small-cell solutions thatmeet this growing traf c need.


5/6

provides the same results, but in a moreef cient way. For example, lets say you in -stall small-cell infrastructure in an of cebuilding and want to spread that coverageout, across the entire building. WithoutDAS, antennas must be installed in vari -ous areas throughout the space connectedto a small, xed frequency in order to sup -port one or two services like a hot spot.

If you then put that infrastructure inwith a DAS, you put that capacity in acentral location and shift the distributionof the capacity, Lefebvre noted. Insteadof having little access points, you haveindependent DAS remotes. They take thesignal and amplify it. If you transitionto a new protocol, you can do that at onecentral location instead of addressing allaccess points. This gives you greater con -trol over how capacity is utilized.

While DAS doesnt create capacity, itpiggybacks onto existing coverage to ex -tend its utility. It allows you to ef cientlyexecute multiple services over a singleantenna system. You can also continue toadd small cells without experiencing anybackhaul issues. This proactively solves aslow, yet lurking problem. Capacity stillneeds to be generated by small-cell man-ufacturers, Lefebvre explained. Ratherthan put base stations everywhere, weaggregate them for easier management.For DAS providers such as CommScopeand TE Connectivity, the most commoncustomer is a carrier. Often, they seekout DAS to deliver existing legacy servic -es or move into public spaces. They cantconsolidate networks, so carriers look forways to share some of the access thusthe DAS solution.

Along these lines, another way to

improve network ef ciency both interms of deployment and integration,as well as overall system performance

is through better coordination of thehardware and software that compose aDAS system.

One key trend in making DAS solu -tions faster and easier to deploy, operate,upgrade and maintain is to integrate the

components and embedded intelligence,said Matt Melester, GM and SVP of Dis -tributed Coverage and Capacity Solu -tions at Commscope.

Overall, DAS has recently gained mo -mentum in these types of business ap -plications. Whether a wireless providerfaces space or power extension challeng -es, it all boils down to more coverage andcapacity. DAS provides that little extrapush that enables these methods to reachtheir full potential.

So why have carriers not always turnedto DAS in times of trouble? DAS wasnt al -ways easy to nd. In the past, ber avail -ability was the most common challenge.In order to transport radio frequency, adark ber was required. Today, this typeof ber is much easier to access. DAShas always been this niche application,but it was dif cult to acquire [because oflimited ber], Lefebvre explained. Now,as the need for small cells grows, we arecoming into our own.

This small-cell market is mainly whereTE Connectivity focuses its efforts. Whilethey have the ability to assist with cov -erage solutions for larger sites, it makesmore sense to stay in the small-cell mar-ket for now especially when industrygiants like Verizon Wireless and AT&Tare embracing DAS.

A bright forecast

Despite current challenges and theopinions of industry skeptics, many telecom veterans still believe LTE will be asuccess for the wireless industry. This re-inforces just how important it is for operators and carriers to promptly resolve thechallenges that accompany LTE deployment. It is better to take every proactive

precaution; carriers simply cant afford tosee LTE fail. Thankfully, LTE is makingheadway every day. With each new deployment, operators discover new waysto enhance the network and it shows.Fabbri noted that consumer responsehas been mainly positive. If you look atlarger network deployments, expectations have been met, he said. [Carriers]are trying to stay ahead of a curve thatsdoubling and tripling rapidly.

Lefebvre has similar expectations.Though LTE was no overnight discovery,it has and will continue to improve thewireless data usage experience. Years ofresearch, building and testing have led usto this point and were barely scratching the surface.

The con dence level for LTE is quitehigh, Lefebvre said. People like theirmobile data. LTE is much more effec-tive than HSPA. Were seeing strongdeployment. We see it working in con

junction with Wi-Fi networks. Operatorsare building out in a way that sets upLTE as solid, xed coverage, but it canalso rely on Wi-Fi in areas where LTEis not yet established. Overall, theresno doubt that the quality of service willcontinue to rise as the deployment andmanagement of LTE networks continuesto ourish.



6/6

Documents

LTE Deployment-Getting It Right First Time Report AD-105943