InternationalJournalofCommunications(IJC)Volume1Issue1,December2012www.seipub.
org/ijc
APracticalApproachofPlanningand
OptimizationforEfficientUsageofGSM
Network
USRahman1,M.A.Matin2,MRRahman1
1 DepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputerScience,NorthSouthUniversity,Bangladesh
2 DepartmentofElectricalandElectronicEngineering,InstitutTeknologiBrunei,BruneiDarussalam
*1 rashedur@northsouth.edu;2m.a.matin@ieee.org
Abstract
Planning of wireless networks is vital if operators wish to
make full use of the existing investments. This paper deals
withapracticalapproachofradionetworkplanningprocess
for efficient usage of GSM network. The key performance
indicator (KPI) and drive test report of a Bangladeshi
operator Teletalk Bangladesh Limited are used to make
proposalsonhowoperatorscanoptimizeradioresourcesas
well as provide the required QoS to the subscribers. This
study would help to plan operators to enhance coverage,
improvequalityandincreasecapacityinthedaystocome.
Keywords
RadioNetworkPlanning;Qos;OptimizationTools;KPI
Introduction
Global system for mobile communication (GSM)
standard for digital cellular communication was
introduced in 1982 to create a common European
mobile telephone standard that would formulate
specificationsforapanEuropeanmobilecellularradio
system. GSM Network is comprised of a mobile
Station (MS) which is connected to the Base
TransceiverStation(BTS)viaairinterface.Inaddition
tootherhardware,BTScontainstheequipmentcalled
Transceiver (TRx), which is responsible for the
transmissionandreceptionofseveralradiofrequency
(RF) signals to/from the end user. BTS is then
connectedtothebasestationcontroller(BSC)viaabis
interface. BSC usually handles radio resource
managementandhandoversofthecallsfromoneBTS
(or cell/sector) to the other BTS (or cell/sector)
equipped in it. BSC is then connected to Mobile
SwitchingCentre(MSC)[1].
TheperformanceofGSMnetworkismainlybasedon
radio network planning and optimization. Due to
increasing subscribers, the changing environments,
rapidnetworkexpansionexceedinginitialprojections,
capacitylimitationsduetolackoffrequencyresources
and subscribers mobility profile changing, we need a
continuous radio network planning (RNP) and
Optimization process that is required as the network
evolves. The RNP procedure involves among others
coverageandinterferenceanalysis,trafficcalculations,
frequencyplanning,andcellparameterdefinitions.
Network optimization is a tradeoff between quality,
traffic/revenues and investments. Without finetuned
network the customer complaints and work load are
increased and marketing becomes inefficient. The
planningandoptimizationtoolswillassisttheplanner.
However,allGSMoperatorsfindproblemswhichare
solvedthroughKPIanddrivetestanalysis.Thispaper
addressesfewproblemsandprovidesthesolutionsof
these problems. The following parameters such as
coverage, capacity, quality and cost for planning are
consideredduringplanningandoptimizationprocess.
Radio Network Planning and Optimization
The radio network planning and optimization is
usually a comparative process and requires an initial
baselineofKPIsandobjectives.Thesecanbederived
from operators individual design guidelines, service
requirements, customer expectation, market
benchmarks and others. Networks must be
dimensionedtosupportuserdemands.
RNPand optimization process playa verysignificant
andvitalroleinoptimizinganoperationalnetworkto
meettheeverincreasingdemandsfromthecustomers.
Coverage is the most important quality determining
parameter in a radio network. A system with good
coveragewillalwaysbesuperiortoasystemwithless
goodcoverage.Anareaisreferredtoasbeingcovered
ifthesignalstrengthreceivedbyanMSinthatareais
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www.seipub.org/ijcInternationalJournalofCommunications(IJC)Volume1Issue1,December2012

higherthanacertainminimumvalue.Atypicalvalue volume of traffic received determines the number of

inthiscaseisaround95dBm.However,coverageina nodes used and capacity provisioned between nodes,
twoway radio communication system is determined whilstthenatureoftraffichasabearingonthetypeof
bytheweakestlink. nodes deployed as well as allowing the planner to
forecasttraffictrends.
A link budget must be compiled before start of the
dimensioningoftheradionetwork.Inthelinkbudget, RadioNetworkOptimizationProcess
different design criteria for coverage (e.g. outdoor,
indoor, incar) is determined. In addition to this, Pre analysis:
factors such as receiver sensitivity and different General Network
marginsareconsidered.Powerbudgetimpliesthatthe Check
Traffic statistics
coverage of the downlink is equal to the coverage of
the uplink. The power budget shows whether the
uplink or the downlink is the weak link. When the
downlinkis stronger, theEIRP used in the prediction
Optimisation
should be based on the balanced BTS output power. Drive test
When the uplink is stronger, the maximum BTS
outputpowerisusedinstead.Practiceindicatesthatin
cases where the downlink is the stronger it is
advantageous to have a somewhat (23 dB) higher
Proposal and Customer
baseEIRPthantheonestrictlycalculatedfrompower
Implementation Complaints
balanceconsiderations[5],[6].
Definingtheradionetworkparametersisthefinalstep
in the design ofa radio network. Thereare a number
ofparametersthathastobespecifiedforeachcell.The
parameters could be divided into four different
categories,whichare: Repeat the
Commoncelldata process until
agreed QoS
Example:CellIdentity,Powersetting,Channel
numbers
FIG. 1 RN OPTIMIZATION PROCESS
Neighboringcellrelationdata
To determine projected growth in traffic, several
Example:NeighboringCellrelation,Hysteresis, factorsareinvolvedsuchaspopulationtypes,incomes,
Offset distribution of wealth, taxation and spending habits.
Thereisalsoaneedforstatisticsdepictingtheexisting
Locatingandidlemodebehavior
penetration of mobile voice services and average
Example: Paging properties, Signal strength Internetusageinthemarket.
criteria,Qualitythresholds
Preanalysis: General Network Check Steps to be
Featurecontrolparameters carriedout:
Example:Settingstocontrolthebehaviorofe.g. Determine original network planning
Frequency Hopping and Dynamic Power objectivesandoperatorsplanninggoals
Control[7].
Collectinformationaboutnetworkstatus
Under normal circumstances, careful planning of
wireless networks is vital if operators wish to make Determinefunctionalnetworkstructure,e.g.
full use of existing investments. The optimization BTS/BSClocations.Antenna
process has to produce alternative designs that fit direction/azimuth,tiltingetc.
according tothe operators planning goals depending
servicesandfeaturesused
onparametersettings.Thetrafficprojectionfiguresare
vital for planners as it is used to denote the volume Network structure (macro cell,
andnatureoftrafficprocessedbynetworknodes.The microcelletc.)

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InternationalJournalofCommunications(IJC)Volume1Issue1,December2012www.seipub.org/ijc

Determinethenetworkelementconfiguration, Signal and power levels of

e.g. neighboringcells
numberofTRXpercell Propose/ImplementChanges
sector/Omniconfiguration Changesrequestedusingstandardforms
Visitselectedsites Properapprovalnecessary(signatures)
KPIanalysis Physicalchangerequests
CustomerComplaintsAnalysis Change antenna direction, tilt, height
Qualitytargets: etc.

The customers quality expectations are very Databasechangerequests

simple:
Changefrequency,addneighbouretc.
Availability of the service anywhere,
Allinvolvedpartiesmustbeinformed[8].
anytime
Callsetuptimewithinlimits Drive Test for Finding Problem and Solution
(PracticalCases)
Goodspeechqualityduringthecall
1) Case01:
Normalterminationofthecall
Reporttype:Customercomplain
Qualityproblemsareindicatedby:
Poorsignallevels Customer Address: House# B 57, Lalkuthi, Mazar
Road,Mirpur1
Highblockingrates
CBLalkuthi4,Cell:01552302440
Highbiterrorrates
SiteID:Lalkhuti
Droppedcalls/handoverfailures
Area:Mirpur
Collect/AnalyzeOMCStatisticsorKPIAnalysis
BSC:DK06
OMCMeasurement
Complaintype:Badnoise,calldroppingcontinuously,
Handled traffic (congestion on TCH,
poorsoundquality.
SDCCH)
droppedcalls Wegotallgreensignalswithoutoneredsignalinthe
houseitmeansithadgoodRXlevel.InFig.2,itisseen
Interference intheredcircleareaMirpur_1E3createdinterference
Handover reason (due to UL_QUAL, with 14 ARFCN when at the same time other site
Powerbudget,distance) Bagbari _1 was serving to the customer house with
sameARFCN14.Rightsideofthesnapshotwecansee
Collect/AnalyzeDriveTestMeasurements CI is 3.40 dB which is under 10dB and RXQuality is
TestMeasurement alsobad.

Collect MS measurement report data Problem: Fig. 2 shows that interference creating
(Downlinkonly!!) between Bagbari_1 TCH (14)and Mirpur1E_3 BCCH
(14). Mirpur 1E situated at the 3rd circle and it GSM
BER(RXQUAL)
height is 32m. Due to excess height of Mirpur 1E
Servingsignallevel overshootingbetweenBagbari_1TCH(14)andMirpur
ChannelNumber 1E_3BCCH(14)whichcreatinginterferenceatencircle
area.
CIandLAI
Recommendation: Work order is issued to reduce
TimingAdvance GSM height of Mirpur 1E so no need to change
BSICs frequencyatMirpur1E_3BCCH(14).

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www.seipub.org/ijcInternationalJournalofCommunications(IJC)Volume1Issue1,December2012

Fig.3shows3BTSofwhichtheBTSofTajmahalRoad
isclosertotheredcircleservingzonethantheBTSof
SalimullahRoad_4.Asaresultofovershooting,itgave
poorRXLevel
Problem: Salimullah Road 1/4 is overshooting at both
encircleareaofTajmahalroadwithpoorRXLevel.
Recommendation:NeedtochangetiltSalimullahroad
1/4,from6to7degreewhichsolveourproblem.
3) Case03:
Reporttype:TrafficStatisticandOMC

FIG.2SNAPSHOTOFDT

2) Case02:

Reporttype:Customercomplains. Fig.4:snapshotofDT

Complaintype:Badnoise,calldroppingcontinuously, Fig.4showsthatBanasreeBLKE3wasservinginstead
poorsoundquality ofBansreeBLKE2thoughBanasreeBLKE2wasnear
about the serving zone. It didnt give poor RXLevel
butitcreatedhandoverproblem.Becauseofswapping,
itmessedupwithneighborcellrelationship.
In900Band,BanasreeBlkE2&BanasreeBlkE3are
swappedwithoneanotherwhichcanberectifiedthis.

FIG.5IN900BANDBANASREEBLKE2&BANASREEBLKE3
FIG.3SNAPSHOTOFDT ARESWAPPEDWITHONEANOTHER

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InternationalJournalofCommunications(IJC)Volume1Issue1,December2012www.seipub.org/ijc

TRx of each of these sectors might be solution but

setupanewBTSwouldbebettersolutiontosolvethis
problem.
TABLEIKPIDATA

Region Traffic TCH HOSuccess

congestion Rate
rate

BograEx1 2.34 2.365 92.36

BograEx1 4.93 2.012 90.36

FIG.6TRYINGTOFINDOUTIN900BANDBANASREEBLKE BograEx1 3.21 3.123 89.45
2&BANASREEBLKE3SWAPPEDCONNECTION

In Fig. 6, we can see a swapping was occurred for BograEx2 16.63 73.328 49.36
wrongconnectionbetweenfeedercableandcombiner
port and a faulty connection point of ant2 cable and BograEx2 15.23 68.176 48.62
comberportwasseen.
BograEx2 23.36 74.04 47.65
Recommendation: It is offered to change the
connection between feeder and combiner and placed BograEx3 18.34 52.3 68.264
ant2 cable to right combiner that was installed for
sector2andalsochangedant3cabletothecombiner, BograEx3 24.45 51.65 68.576
whichwasinstalledforsector3.
BograEx3 24.95 52.97 65.08
ProposalofNewBTSSetUpDuetoHighCongestion
Bogra 23.56 72.816 52.816
Date:November,2011
Medical1
Area:Bogra
Bogra 18.98 74.816 64.816
Customer complain type: Noise, call dropping
Medical1
continuously,badsoundquality
ThesoftwareTornedoNassetmoduleisusedforRF Bogra 24.67 68.164 63.264
Planning. First we have accumulated the KPI data Medical1
from NSN (Nokia Siemens Network) server which is
shown in the table 1. The orange marked regions Bogra 24.56 41.32 69.456
where this problem occurred are Bogra exchange, Medical2
Sutrapur, Jalesharitola, Bogra Medical, NuraniMor,
Bogra 23.56 50.132 68.465
Tinmatha,Subgram,BograMW.
Medical2
FromthefollowingtableI,wecanseethattherangeof
traffic of this specific area was (1530), which is very Bogra 23.97 49.698 57.659
high. For this reason, handover success rate was very Medical2
poor(2870)fromthetable1andthecalldropratewas
high.FromtheaboveKPIdata,therangeis2545. Bogra 2.032 2.013 97.62
Medical3
Through this KPI analysis, we got the reason behind
call drop. Call drop rate was high because of high 7.328 92.653
Bogra 5.84
congestion and poor handover success rate. Then a
Medical3
drive test has been attempted in Bogra Staff Quarter
for checking the receiving power of signal. We Bogra 4.67 6.264 91.62s.
observedthatthereceivinglevelofsignalinthatarea Medical3
is poor. To reduce the congestion and traffic adding

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www.seipub.org/ijcInternationalJournalofCommunications(IJC)Volume1Issue1,December2012
Conclusions
Increased services and subscriber numbers are
pushing service providers to acquire new planning
strategies. The aim of these strategies is to maintain
network efficiently. In this paper, it has been
analytically proved that we can optimize an existing
cellular network using optimization tools and fine
parameter tuning. We need some input for planning
and optimization we can get these information from
traffic statistic, customer complain and drive test.
After analyzing all required data we can know what
stepsweneedtodo.
EachoperatorhastheirownKPI.Operatorwantsto
fulfilltheirtargetaccordingtotheirKPIandtheymust
think about it within their bandwidth limitation. This
study would help to plan operators to enhance
coverage,improvequalityandincreasecapacityinthe
days to come. Every mobile operator should give
attention towards better network dimensioning &
topology, allocated bandwidth, traffic prediction &
modeling, network operational expense, and setting
fine tuning about network parameter settings during
radio network planning. Secondly, operator must
ensure better quality of service to customers which
compel cellular operators to optimize network
performance to meet revenue and commercial targets
aswell.
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