2 Introduction

The future of Network Optimisation requires new capabilities, Self Optimisation Algorithms and
real-time variation in network configuration to match traffic demand and resources. The sheer
size and volume of customer usage and Network complexity results in significant revenue gains
when networks are modified to offer voice/data paths across a wide range of demand scenarios.
These new methods and capabilities lend themselves well to centralisation.

With this in mind, we developed a business path to enable powerful and efficient Optimisation,
which creates the path to centralized remote optimisation for a maximum gain in efficiency.

Across the globe, rapid pace of deployments and the introduction of new technologies are
contributing factors in the under-performance of wireless networks. In the complex environments
of established networks, the engineering tasks of planning, design and optimisation become more
and more difficult to perform, using traditional methods.

Networks subjected to rapid deployment often suffer, over the years, from inaccurate
implementation and reduced actual capacity as a result. This phenomenon is caused by the
optimizers and planners not having an accurate model of the physical configuration of the
network, and as a result their efforts are diluted. Efforts become focused on faults on a day to day
basis, and cell-by-cell basis, as opposed to addressing network quality in a proactive and holistic
fashion (that does not relocate the issue geographically).

Independent research carried out by the largest engineering company in the USA, reveals that
even small inaccuracies in database information concerning antenna tilts and azimuths, can
account for as much as a 25% reduction in the actual maximum achievable quality level in an RF
network. Add to that, the inaccuracies in recorded information concerning antenna types, antenna
heights and site position, and the typical reduction in achievable quality is increased to above
35%.

Historically, projects carried out across the U.S., and Africa have shown that 96% of sites have at
least one error between the physical configuration and the database. The impact of these
inconsistencies when using the data for planning models and resource assignments is in the
region of 6% to 17% capacity latency.
Mapping the precise physical site with the modelled performance and the call data, then allows
for guided automated design and parameter Self Optimising Algorithm implementation.

This change results in escalating revenue as a result of improved customer perception, as well as
through the carrying capacity improvement.

3 Technical capacity of field Technician/Engineer with

experience in this type of project Scope understanding
and alignment
(Include Engineer profiles as on CVs to show suitability)

The engineers in this project have been involved in several projects of this nature in various
projects across Africa, which were successfully completed. The projects include and are not
limited to:

Network modernisation:-
Network modernisation follows RFP and require change in equipment, configurations, topology
and sometimes vendor swap-out. The team participated in one such project in a network in across
Africa, which had more than 1000 sites. They participated from design to implementation and
post implementation tuning

Vendor Swap-out
Network Upgrade
These include hardware swap-outs and software upgrades. Of important, to note is the upgrade to
Software Dependent Radios for a network to improve capacity and foot print coverage. All the
engineers with CVs submitted participated at planning, implementation and optimisation in this
project. The project gave motivation for the RFP that saw the implementation of network
Modernisation after its successful implementation gave impressive results
Turn Key Projects
New Technology rollout
The networks in Africa were predominantly 2G to 2.75G until 2010 when 3G was rolled out on a
massive scale followed by 4G around 2015. It comes without any question that considering the
experience the team has, they obviously participated in different capacities in new technology
rollout. To be specific the team participated in 2.5-2.75G, 3G and 4G rollout in various projects
across the globe. Their CVs are a testimony to this experience and, it is one of the strengths the
team boasts of.

RAN Optimisation Consultancy

Majority of the engineers are in consultancy or have been in consultancy across the globe in
countries which include Nigeria, Afghanistan, Congo Republic, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana,
South Africa and Malawi to mention a few in various roles. These were big projects with strict
time lines and were successfully completed. This is also evident that the team is capable in
working in any environment and will not be affected by environmental adaptation. The specific
consultancy for the engineers are in their CVs as per addendum

Benchmarking
Benchmarking drivetests included single site verification and cluster drivestests for all
technologies (GUL). These drive tests were done prior to major projects and after the projects.
There are also drivetests done as part of continuous optimisation. Benchmarking by the team
members was done for networks in Ghana and Zimbabwe by the team in their individual
capacities and as employees of the operators where the projects were implemented. It is with no
doubt that the engineers for the proposed project have the necessary expertise on this subject.

Optimisation
The team has implemented the optimisation projects in
Routine KPI performance monitoring and worst cell optimization

LAC Splits

CE upgrades rationalisation

CU upgrades and rationalisation

PCI and Frequency Plan retune

Provisional Acceptance Testing and commissioning of new network nodes

Customer complaints handling

4 Project implementation Plan

Current Network Study- requires Topology information from the operator, Configuration dumps and KPIs
trends for at least one month period for the KPIs to be monitored for the project. (Include diagram (-
spiral, waterfall) and Gantt chart )

Network audit
Parameter audit- audit based on data retrieved from the live network’s dump files.

Topology audit- audit based on physical inspection of the network nodes and ancillary
equipment.

Network Clusters
There is going to be splitting the network into clusters for easy of management and reporting.
This also enables proper optimisation planning as parameter tuning is not a one size fits all
approach but is depended on some many environmental factors such as terrain, site density and
design coverage areas and traffic volumes. The clusters will be done in consultation with the
operator. If there are any existing clusters they can be adopted. The clusters will also be created
in performance reports as reporting will be cluster-wise and not site-wise. However problem sites
will be considered mainly on project optimisation stage. It is fair to have cluster reports
presented after completion of every cluster and then the final report when all clusters are
completed. Pilot clusters in each region may be decided before the implementation goes
regionally

Benchmarking (Pre Drivetest)

The drivetest will be conducted cluster-wise for each technology in idle mode for coverage
footprint and dedicated mode for quality of experience (QoE) and quality of services (QoS). The
drivetest will also measure technology inter-operability, which often cannot be easily monitored
from performance statistics. This explains why a dedicated drivetest team would be preferred for
the project.

Optimisation Changes and Audit Report which include

recommendations (As agreed with the Operator)
The audit reports for both parameter and topology will be presented with recommendations for
optimisation. Network performance has a direct correlation with both physical and parameter
configuration. Optimisation is meant to correct and improve performance at the same time
reducing capex and opex. The optimisation recommendations will be discussed with the operator
and if approved will be implemented to the best interest of the operator. It is at this stage that the
consultancy team may require temporary activation of some features that are not in the network
for trial to improve the network. The operate can after trails decide the way forward at the
recommendation of the consultancy team to purchase if they have any value addition

KPI monitoring and evaluation

This process will follow the implementation of the optimisation recommendations and is the
measure of success of the project. KPIs that will be monitored and optimized for all technologies
(2G/3G/4G) include but not limited to below categories:

Availability: Cell Availability, TCH/BCCH Availability, HSPA availability, Node Availability,

etc

Accessibility: Random Access Success Rate, Call setup Success rate

(Immediate_Assigment/SDCCH/TCH/RRC/RAB/ERAB/S1/IU Siganalling/CSFB, etc
Mobility: outgoing/Incoming Handover Success Rate
(Soft/softer/intrafrequency/Interfrequency/IRAT/HS mobility, etc)

Retainability: CS call drop Rate, SDDCH drops, TCH drops, R99/HS drops, ERAB drops,
drops per minute, etc

Integrity: Cell/User throughput, BLER, Speech MOS

System Utilization: SDCCH/TCH utilization, CE utilization, DL code utilization, DL power

utilization, HS/DCH user license utilization, Controller Node utilization, Transmission Interface
and license utilization, LTE connected User, PDCCH/PRB utilization, etc.

The MNO will however provide the list other KPIs to monitor and optimized, which are not part
of the list above.

Improvements and degradations will be noted and explained. The operator can evaluate the
effectiveness of this project based on the results. Further improvements and degradation
corrections will be done at this stage.

Benchmarking (Post Drivetest)

Post benchmarking drivetest are done to check and compare the coverage footprint and
performance (QoE and QoS) after optimisation interventions. This will be cluster-wise approach
and is somehow a continuous process as optimisation will be a continuous process. Single site
verification (SSV) may be done where only a single site is affected. Clusters may be redrawn
depending on what changes have been effected and what needs to be checked. Reports will be
shared after every drivetest with recommendations for the roadmap.

Key KPIs which are going to be measured in BMDT.

Voice KPI's
 CSSR
 Call Block Rate
 Drop Call Rate
 Call Setup Time
  Voice Quality
 RxQual
 EcNo
 RSRQ
 CQI-3G only
 SQI- 2G only
 SINR-3G/4G
 Coverage Samples
 RxLev
 RSCP
 RSRP
 HOSR and SHOSR(Soft handover Success Rate)

Data KPI's
 HTTP DL Throughput
 FTP DL Throughput
 FTP UL Throughput
 Latency -RTT (Using ping on stationary test)

Continuous Optimisation and Network Fine tuning

This process is a continuous process for health check and improvement. This will include
periodic benchmarking as well. New features and software upgrades come every now and then
and this process takes care of that. It is as dynamic as the network performance itself

5 Teams and Tools allocated for this project per Region

1* LTE Optimisation Engineer

1* UMTS Optimisation Engineer

1 * GSM Engineer

2 * Field Measurement Technicians

1* Rigger (With Full Rigging Kit)

1* 4 seater vehicle

1* Driver

1* Compass

1* Drivetest Kit (Laptop, Test Phone Holding Rack, Air time, SIM cards, 6 DT Test Phones
(idle and active mode measurement per technology), Car Invertor)

2* User licences Post drivetest processing tools

Google earth Professional for all Engineers for Topology data

MapInfo Professional later versions

Infovista Vista Neo and Xeus

User Accounts to Access Nodes and U2000/U2020/NetAct for configuration and Performance
data for all engineers