How Live Data is Revolutionising Radio Network Planning for 5G
The 5G era has brought unprecedented complexity to radio network planning. With denser deployments, dynamic traffic patterns, and multi-technology networks, operators can no longer rely on static predictions alone. Live data—crowdsourced measurements, MDT, drive tests, and OSS parameters—is transforming how telcos design, optimise, and manage their networks.
In this article, we explore how live data integration in Atoll and Naos is revolutionising radio network planning, delivering cost savings, regulatory compliance, and customer-centric networks.
Why Live Data Matters for 5G Networks
Traditional radio network planning relies on predictive models to estimate coverage, capacity, and performance. While these models are essential, they often fall short in capturing real-world conditions, such as:
- Terrain and building obstructions that affect signal propagation.
- Dynamic traffic patterns that shift throughout the day.
- Network inconsistencies (e.g., antenna misalignments, overshooting cells) that degrade performance.
Live data bridges this gap by providing real-time insights into network performance. Here’s how:
1. Aligning Design with Reality
Live data allows operators to compare predicted coverage with real-world measurements, ensuring that network designs reflect actual user experience. This alignment reduces:
- Over-provisioning: Avoid deploying unnecessary sites or equipment.
- Under-coverage: Identify and address coverage gaps before they impact customers.
2. Regulatory Compliance
Many regulators require minimum coverage levels for 5G networks. Live data ensures compliance by:
- Validating coverage predictions with real measurements.
- Identifying areas where service levels fall short of regulatory thresholds.
- Providing auditable reports for regulatory submissions.
3. Customer-Centric Planning
5G networks must deliver consistent, high-quality service to meet customer expectations. Live data enables:
- Traffic-aware planning: Allocate resources based on real user demand.
- Proactive issue detection: Identify and resolve network inconsistencies before they impact customers.
- Personalised optimisation: Tailor network performance to specific user segments (e.g., urban vs. rural).
4. Cost Efficiency
Live data-driven planning reduces capital and operational expenditures by:
- Optimising site deployments: Deploy sites only where they’re needed.
- Reducing manual effort: Automate issue detection and resolution.
- Minimising downtime: Proactively address network inconsistencies.
How Atoll Live and Naos Enable Live Data Integration
Forsk’s Atoll Live and Naos Live platforms are designed to integrate, analise, and automate live data for radio network planning. Here’s how they work:
1. Atoll Live: Real-Time Network Visibility
Atoll Live injects crowdsourced data, MDT, call traces, and drive tests directly into Atoll projects, providing an up-to-date view of network performance. Key features include:
- OSS Interface: Synchronize power levels, sector configurations, and antenna parameters with OSS systems (Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei).
- Live Analytics Engine: Automatically detect network inconsistencies (e.g., coverage gaps, antenna misalignments, overshooting cells).
- Combined Path Loss: Merge predicted path loss with live measurements for accurate coverage predictions.
Example: Detecting Antenna Misalignments
Atoll Live’s live analytics can detect antenna orientation discrepancies by comparing predicted coverage with real measurements. For example:
- Issue: A cell’s predicted coverage doesn’t match user measurements, indicating a misaligned antenna.
- Solution: Atoll Live flags the issue and recommends azimuth adjustments to align coverage with user demand.
2. Naos Live: Automation for Scalability
Naos Live extends Atoll Live’s capabilities with end-to-end automation for large-scale networks. Key features include:
- Automated Path Loss Combining: Merge predicted path loss with live measurements in Naos workflows.
- Digital Twin Synchronization: Create a real-time digital twin of the network for scalable calculations.
- Cloud-Native Scalability: Run nationwide or continental-scale predictions in the cloud.
Example: Automating Coverage Accuracy Improvement
A Tier 1 operator used Naos Live to automate path loss combining for a nationwide 5G network. The workflow:
- Load network data (sites, cells, equipment) into Naos.
- Integrate live measurements (crowdsourced data, MDT) to refine path loss matrices.
- Generate combined coverage maps for planning and optimisation.
- Export results for regulatory compliance and reporting.
Result: 90% reduction in manual effort and 5x faster coverage accuracy improvement.
Business Outcomes: Cost Savings and ROI
Live data integration isn’t just about technical accuracy; it’s about business outcomes. Here’s how operators are benefiting:
Use Case | Business Impact | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Compliance | Avoid fines and penalties for under-coverage. | $500K+ annual savings per operator. |
| Cost Efficiency | Reduce over-provisioning and manual effort. | $2M+ annual savings in CapEx/OpEx. |
| Customer Satisfaction | Improve network performance and reliability. | 10% increase in NPS scores. |
| Automation | Accelerate decision-making and deployment. | 6–12x faster workflows. |
Customer Spotlight: Tier 1 Operator in Europe
A Tier 1 operator in Europe deployed Atoll Live and Naos Live to optimise its 5G network. The results:
- 90% reduction in manual effort for issue detection.
- 8x faster coverage accuracy improvement.
- $1.5M annual savings in operational costs.
The Future: Automation and AI-Driven Planning
Live data is just the beginning. The future of radio network planning lies in automation and AI-driven optimisation. Here’s what’s next:
1. AI for Predictive Analytics
AI-driven models will predict network performance based on live data, enabling:
- Proactive issue detection: Identify and resolve problems before they impact customers.
- Dynamic optimisation: Adjust network parameters in real-time to match traffic demand.
2. Closed-Loop Automation
Naos workflows will integrate with Open RAN architectures (SMO, RIC) for closed-loop automation, enabling:
- Self-healing networks: Automatically reconfigure cells to resolve coverage gaps.
- Traffic-aware planning: Dynamically allocate resources based on real-time demand.
3. Customer-Centric Networks
Live data will enable personalised network optimisation, tailoring performance to:
- User segments (e.g., urban vs. rural).
- Service types (e.g., eMBB, URLLC, mMTC).
Conclusion: Transform Your Network Planning with Live Data
Live data is no longer optional, it’s a strategic imperative for 5G operators. By integrating live data into radio network planning, telcos can achieve:
- Cost efficiency with reduced over-provisioning and manual effort.
- Regulatory compliance with auditable, real-world measurements.
- Customer-centric networks that align with real user demand.
Forsk’s Atoll Live and Naos Live platforms provide the tools you need to integrate, analise, and automate live data for 5G networks. Whether you’re looking to detect network inconsistencies, improve propagation accuracy, or automate optimisation, Forsk has the solutions to help you stay ahead.
Ready to Transform Your Network Planning?
- Contact us to see how Atoll Live and Naos Live can transform your network planning.
