Arieso, the wireless network planning and optimisation provider, has completed research for UK industry regulator Ofcom's report on "Application of spectrum liberalisation and trading to the mobile sector". Using its automated cell planner tool ariesoACP, Arieso was asked to evaluate a representation of a typical network at a number of different radio frequencies to ascertain whether or not operators will need more sites to maintain standards at higher frequency bands.
Arieso produced a standardised configuration model of a 3G network and analysed its performance over three different frequencies: 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz. The company was asked to determine the minimum number of sites and the minimum investment necessary to design a network to satisfy specific key performance indicators.
Arieso analysed 3G network performance across the three frequency bands and against four different capacity loads, from light to heavy. In each case Arieso was challenged with identifying what could be done in order to best achieve the required level of performance.
The results of Arieso's research highlighted that, by switching to the lower frequency band, operators could deploy with significantly fewer base-stations and still serve the same volume of traffic over the same geographical area. The research provided important background information for the development of Ofcom's policy proposals on the liberalisation of 2G spectrum.
Francesco Saffioti EMEA Sales Manager Arieso commented, "It was imperative that the representations used in the research were in line with best practise." Saffioti continued, "Working with Ofcom is obviously a huge compliment to Arieso and further demonstrates the competency and intelligence of our products."