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Proposal for a PRIMEA Investment

Optimisation trial project


Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) PLC

Version 1
16 August 2021
Proposal information

Project Proposal for a PRIMEA Investment Optimisation trial project

Client Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) PLC

Proposal n. 11685

Version 1

Reference

Proposal date 16 August 2021

Valid until 31 December 2021

Authors Arnold van Holten, Head of Sales & Marketing

Reviewers Rauno Huoviala, Head of Solutions & Service Development

Omnitele point of contact

Name and Title Tuulia Haveri, Sales & Marketing Director

Phone +358 505410745

Email tuulia.haveri@omnitele.com

Omnitele company information

Phone +358 9 695 991

Email contact@omnitele.com

Website www.omnitele.com

Omnitele Ltd.
Address HQ Mäkitorpantie 3B
00620 Helsinki, Finland

Version

V Date Comment / Key changes Author

1.0 14.08.2021 First version AvH

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We design mobile networks with
sustainable business value

For over 30 years, we have been supporting Operators, Regulators, Vendors, and Users alike in
extracting the maximum value from the mobile network assets and investments.

Operators

Omnitele has been supporting leading operators for over 30 years in extracting the maximum value from
their mobile network assets and investments. We have proven experience in driving revenue and
customer experience with network design, planning and optimisation, as well as in reducing network
operating costs and making the most of the network investments.

Omnitele is also your trusted partner in strategic considerations such as spectrum acquisition, vendor
management, technical due diligence, or 5G transformation, in addition to which some operators have
outsourced their network planning and design to Omnitele.

Regulators

Mobile communication has proven to drive economic value of the country with improvements not only in
connectivity, but also in productivity and efficiency. Omnitele has supported multiple regulators in their
quest to unlock this value, from spectrum related matters to monitoring to introduction of new technologies
and services.

Vendors

Leading network vendors use Omnitele’s services for independent verification and expertise on network
benchmarking and design, planning, and optimisation. This enables the vendors to focus on their core
business, whilst not having to worry on the other activities thanks to trustworthy partner.

Users

In addition to the mobile operators, regulators, and network vendors, Omnitele supports different user
organisations on their radio network related needs. Many companies and organisations in this diverse
group use radio networks as an enabler: you might be the army, police, rail operator, IoT provider, or
perhaps a company utilising a mobile network, which would benefit from the support of a world-leading
network design company. The exact scope will be tailored for each assignment, but the principle remains
the same: Omnitele will ensure the user organisation can extract the maximum value out of the assets
and/or investments.
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www.omnitele.com
Contents
PRIMEA trial proposal ............................................................................................................................. 6
Appendix 1 - PRIMEA Trial Proposal Details ........................................................................................ 10
1.1 Trial Project Objectives ......................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Trial Project Deliverables ...................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Success Criteria of the Trial .................................................................................................. 10
1.4 General Approach ................................................................................................................. 11
1.4.1 Omnitele PRIMEA Machine Learning model .................................................................... 11
1.5 Proposed Scope of Work for Trial Project ............................................................................. 12
1.5.1 Trial Project specification .................................................................................................. 12
1.5.2 Proposed trial project flow ................................................................................................. 14
1.6 Implementation and Resourcing ........................................................................................... 17
1.6.1 Project team ...................................................................................................................... 17
1.6.2 Covid-19 travel restrictions ................................................................................................ 18
1.6.3 Estimated Workload .......................................................................................................... 18
1.6.4 Tentative Schedule............................................................................................................ 19
1.6.5 Responsibility Matrix ......................................................................................................... 19
1.6.6 Summary of Support expected from TNM PLC ................................................................ 19
1.6.7 Solution Exclusions ........................................................................................................... 20
Appendix 2 - PRIMEA Investment Optimisation Solution Description .................................................. 21
1.1 Overview of PRIMEA investment optimisation ...................................................................... 21
1.2 Omnitele PRIMEA Solution Architecture ............................................................................... 22
1.3 Operator targets and technological options .......................................................................... 23
1.4 Operator PM/CM tool export ................................................................................................. 23
1.5 Omnitele PRIMEA prediction models .................................................................................... 24
1.6 PRIMEA web-interface .......................................................................................................... 25
Appendix 3 - PRIMEA Investment Optimisation UI description ............................................................ 26
Appendix 4 - PRIMEA Investment Optimisation Technical Specification ............................................. 31
Appendix 5 - PRIMEA Investment Optimisation Data requirements .................................................... 34
1.1 QoS Targets .......................................................................................................................... 34
1.2 Allowed Expansions .............................................................................................................. 34
1.3 4G Counters .......................................................................................................................... 35
1.4 5G Counters .......................................................................................................................... 37
1.5 Database ............................................................................................................................... 38

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1.6 Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 39
1.7 TCO estimates ...................................................................................................................... 39
Appendix 6 - Omnitele and selected references ................................................................................... 40
1.1 Omnitele Introduction ............................................................................................................ 40
1.2 Services and core competence ............................................................................................. 40
1.3 Omnitele References ............................................................................................................ 41
1.4 Omnitele, a member of Finda Group .................................................................................... 41
1.5 Selected Omnitele references ............................................................................................... 42

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PRIMEA trial proposal

PRIMEA Investment Optimisation


PRIMEA Investment Optimisation is a solution that helps mobile network operators in optimising their
future RAN technology and spectrum investments. PRIMEA predicts in sector level what will be the
impact of alternative expansions to the data user experience and prioritises the allocated budget for
maximal user experience impact in the targeted timeframe.

PRIMEA Investment Optimisation provides answers to the following typical questions on RAN strategy:

• How much total capex is profitable to be allocated into the RAN, in the given time frame
• Where exactly and with what expansions should the available RAN budget be used
• When and in what extent will 5G rollout be a cost-effective way to improve user experience
• What LTE expansions will still be cost-effective in the future
• What technology expansion could locally improve poor user experience, and against what
investment
• What new spectrum license will be the most effective basis for the future RAN development
• What will happen to the user experience over time if no investments are allocated to the RAN

PRIMEA trial
Omnitele offers the implementation of a trial as introduction to the Omnitele PRIMEA Machine Learning
model as basis for smart capex planning services.

The objective of the offered PRIMEA trial project is to showcase the RAN investment optimisation
functionality of the PRIMEA platform. PRIMEA renders a machine learning approach towards the
implementation of a smart capex planning process. Hereto a geographical area of the TNM PLC
network will be selected which will be modelled in PRIMEA and for which subsequently a number of
network expansion scenarios will be predicted. With PRIMEA RAN investment optimisation TNM PLC
can compare and verify their current strategic network investment planning and smart capex procedures
and outcome for the selected part of the network.

Further details on the PRIMEA model can be found in the Appendix 2: PRIMEA Investment Optimisation
Solution Description.

Scope of Work of PRIMEA trial


The Scope of Work for the proposed PRIMEA investment optimisation trial is as follows:

• The trial is limited to the Huawei part of the RAN


• The trial area consists of 200-400 sites
• Capex optimisation includes LTE, LTE-A, and 5G NSA expansions in existing sites
• Cell level traffic and quality is predicted 4 years into the future, year on year

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More detail information on the PRIMEA trial scope of work and the user interface functionalities can be
found in the Appendix 1: Full PRIMEA Trial Proposal and Appendix 4 PRIMEA Investment Optimisation
Technical specification.

The PRIMEA investment optimisation trial is offered as a project, however one of the deliverables of
this project is a trained PRIMEA model of TNM PLC’s RAN networks for the RAN vendor Huawei. After
successful conclusion of the trial project and subsequently agreed commercial offer, the trained
PRIMEA model will remain available to the TNM PLC organisation.

Omnitele PRIMEA is a platform that is different from, but complementary to, existing network planning
and optimisation platforms, including Self-Organising and Self-Healing Network applications. Through
advanced AI methodologies, Omnitele PRIMEA’s Machine Learning models predict cell specific
network optimisation and network expansion recommendations that are required for targeted network
QoS and Customer QoE levels, while at the same time reducing the network investments required for
this. As such the deliverables of PRIMEA are network-planning, -optimisation and -expansion
strategies. Network planning and optimisation tools are subsequently used to implement the strategies
developed by the Omnitele PRIMEA tool.

Deliverables
The PRIMEA trial will render the following deliverables:

• A trained model of the TNM PLC network that will form the basis for a possible ensuing full
implementation of PRIMEA for the entire TNM PLC network,
• Access to the web-based PRIMEA UI and dashboard that has been customised to the TNM
PLC trial set up. The PRIMEA dashboard delivers the functionality to run predictions based on
selected expansion scenarios, assigned capex budget and prediction period. After trial
conclusion the provided dashboard access will remain available for free usage for the period of
1 month,
• Summary report on the results of the PRIMEA analysis in the trial area, prepared by Omnitele
RAN strategy experts. The summary report contains the achieved Capex saving levels
compared to the baseline process that is applied by the TNM PLC organisation and a list of
prioritised cell specific expansion actions for the selected trial area that may serve as an
implementation plan for the network expansion and investment strategy that was obtained with
PRIMEA.

At the conclusion of the trial project, Omnitele will deliver a workshop in which the deliverables and
further findings and insights of the trial project will be presented to TNM PLC.

Success Criteria
During the kick-off of the trial project TNM PLC and Omnitele will agree on a set of success criteria and
project targets that are related to the project deliverables.

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Project Team
Omnitele shall conduct the project with an experienced team consisting of 4 expert roles: one Project
Manager, 1 Expert Consultant roles, 1 Data scientist roles and a Project Reviewer.

Workload
The total Omnitele workload for delivering the offered trial project amounts to 22 man-days.

Tentative Trial Schedule


The duration of the proposed project modules is as follows:

1. Trial kick-off, agree trial targets, nominate contact persons, initiate data collection
2. Data collection, by TNM PLC and remote submission to Omnitele (1-2 weeks)
3. Customisation of the PRIMEA model and web-UI for TNM PLC network and execution of smart
capex/ investment optimisation consultancy (3 weeks)
4. Delivery of PRIMEA web user interface and the summary report to TNM PLC
5. Interim reporting, review of summary report and user instructions to PRIMEA UI
6. TNM PLC trial with PRIMEA, remote technical support from Omnitele (1 month)
7. Final review and feedback session, Q&A and way forward

The total duration of the project amounts to 2 months. This tentative schedule is subject to further
discussion based on availability of resources on both Omnitele and TNM PLC side.

Data requirements for the trial execution


The input data requirements for the PRIMEA trial are as follows:

• Huawei PM data export for the full Huawei LTE/5G RAN


• Site database for the full Huawei LTE/5G RAN
• Capex estimates for the alternative LTE & 5G RAN expansions
• List of alternative LTE & 5G spectrum & technology expansions

Full detail list of the data requirements can be found in Annex 5: PRIMEA Investment Optimisation Data
requirements

Covid-19 travel restrictions


Given the present Covid-19 travel restrictions, Omnitele proposes to execute all offered activities in a
remote manner from Omnitele’s HQ in Helsinki, Finland. During the last 1,5 year Omnitele has
successfully executed all of its international customer engagements in this way. Omnitele staff is
therefore now very experienced in working in a remote fashion.

All of the offered Define, Measurement, Analyse, Improve and Control activities can easily be carried
out remotely. The upload of network data into the PRIMEA platform is relatively straightforward and can
also fairly easily be carried out remotely. The PRIMEA web-based dashboard that interfaces the

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scenario deliverables is of course permanently accessible by TNM PLC staff. Daily operational and
progress meeting will be organised by means of on-line meetings, e.g. MS Teams. The Skill
Development program will also be organised in this way.

At the moment that Covid-19 travel restrictions are relaxed, the travel situation will be reconsidered and
if possible Omnitele staff will be seconded to the TNM PLC premises. In this proposal, no travel
expenses have been specified. Hence if the travel situation changes, Omnitele and TNM PLC will
discuss the new situation and agree on the expense compensation level.

Price
The offered PRIMEA trial project will be carried out free of charge. Possible travel expenses that may
arise from the execution of the trial project will be passed on the TNM PLC.

In the remainder of this document the further details of the PRIMEA solution and the offered trial project
are described.

For any further enquiries, please refer to Tuulia Haveri, Sales & Marketing Director, +358 505410745,
tuulia.haveri@omnitele.com

Yours Sincerely,

Arnold van Holten

Omnitele Ltd

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Appendix 1 - PRIMEA Trial
Proposal Details
1.1 Trial Project Objectives
The objective of the offered PRIMEA trial project is to showcase the RAN investment optimisation
functionality of the PRIMEA platform. PRIMEA renders a machine learning approach towards the
implementation of a smart capex planning process. Hereto a geographical are of the TNM PLC network
will be selected which will be modelled in PRIMEA and for which subsequently a number of network
expansion scenarios will be predicted. With PRIMEA RAN investment optimisation TNM PLC can
compare and verify their current strategic network plans and smart capex procedures and outcome for
the selected part of network with Huawei solutions.

The machine learning nature of PRIMEA offers an innovative approach to network investment planning
resulting in Capex savings whilst improving planned network performance and customer experience.
The objective of the offered trial project is to provide the evidence for these assertions as well as to
verify the value add of using the PRIMEA platform in support of TNM PLC’s RAN investment processes.

1.2 Trial Project Deliverables


The PRIMEA trial will render the following deliverables:

• A trained model of the TNM PLC network that will form the basis for a possible ensuing full
implementation of PRIMEA for the entire TNM PLC network,
• Access to the web-based PRIMEA UI and dashboard that has been customised to the TNM
PLC trial set up, including the selected network expansion scenarios. The PRIMEA dashboard
delivers the functionality to run predictions based on selected expansion scenarios, assigned
capex budget and prediction period. After trial conclusion the provided dashboard access will
remain available for free usage for the period of 1 month,
• Summary report on the results of the PRIMEA analysis in the trial area, prepared by Omnitele
RAN strategy experts. The summary report contains the achieved Capex saving levels
compared to the baseline process that is applied by the TNM PLC organisation and a list of
prioritised cell specific expansion actions for the selected trial area that may serve as an
implementation plan for the network expansion and investment strategy that was obtained with
PRIMEA.

At the conclusion of the trial project, Omnitele will deliver a workshop in which the deliverables and
further findings and insights of the trial project will be presented to TNM PLC.

1.3 Success Criteria of the Trial


During the kick-off of the trial project TNM PLC and Omnitele will agree on a set of success criteria and
project targets that are related to the project deliverables.

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1.4 General Approach
1.4.1 Omnitele PRIMEA Machine Learning model
Omnitele proposes to use the Omnitele PRIMEA Machine Learning model as basis for the offered smart
network planning services.

Omnitele PRIMEA combines modern data science with deep telecom expertise. It supports operators
in perfecting their network expansions strategies and maximising their customer experience with
existing network assets. With Omnitele PRIMEA solution operators have been achieving:

• 20-30% annual Capex savings in network expansion while sustaining their QoS targets.
• 10-30% increase in on-target customer experiences, without additional RAN investments

Omnitele offers a smart network planning project that comprises of the modelling of the TNM PLC RAN
networks by means of the PRIMEA Machine Learning platform. The trained model of the TNM PLC
RAN networks is subsequently used to execute a vast array of network expansion scenarios. These
expansion scenarios may for example include LTE, LTE-A, 5G NSA, and 4x4 MIMO expansions in
existing sites.

The aim is to always select the expansion solution with the lowest costs. If for example capacity
expansion is possible by introduction of new frequency carriers due to not all available spectrum being
used, this option would prevail over the implementation of new capacity sites.

The outcome of these various expansion scenario will then be used to determine TNM PLC’s network
evolution strategies.

The PRIMEA model facilitates a high-resolution approach towards the network evolution strategy
definition. Network expansion scenarios and strategies can be simulated and predicted on a regional
basis, but PRIMEA also allows for a sub-region or cluster approach, as small as a few sites only.

The output produced by the PRIMEA model is always cell specific, as each cell in a network has its own
characteristics and limitations concerning RF design and performance, customer, terminal and traffic
distribution and expansion options.

The output of the offered smart network planning exercise is thus a cell specific and prioritised action
lists that underlie all of the developed TNM PLC’s short term, mid-term and long-term network evolution
strategies.

The investment optimisation exercise is offered as a trial project, however one of the deliverables of
this project is a set of trained PRIMEA models of TNM PLC’s RAN networks for the indicated RAN
vendor. After conclusion of the trial project the PRIMEA platform will be made available to the TNM PLC
organisation for a period of one month. Additional or new network strategy scenarios, for example
concerning the introduction of 5G technology and 5G spectrum, including 5G spectrum valuation, may
be executed by the TNM PLC organisation using the PRIMEA platform. After the trial project the TNM
PLC organisation will have access to the PRIMEA platform through a fully customisable web-based
dashboard and user interface. Network strategy and expansion scenarios can be selected through this
interface and prediction results are depicted on the dashboard as well.

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1.5 Proposed Scope of Work for Trial Project
In this paragraph Omnitele will present the proposed trial project network flow. as well as a further
clarification on how Omnitele intends to apply the PRIMEA Machine Learning model in the execution of
the Smart Network Capex implementation.

1.5.1 Trial Project specification


The Scope of Work for the proposed PRIMEA investment optimisation trial is as follows:

• Trial is limited to the Huawei part of the RAN


• Trial area consists of 200-400 sites
• Capex optimisation includes LTE, LTE-A and 5G NSA expansions in existing sites
• Cell level traffic and quality is predicted 4 years into the future, year on year

Further specifications of the offered PRIMEA trial project are indicated in the table below:

1 SCOPE OF NETWORK TRIAL SCOPE


1.01 Network geography included 200-400 sites
1.02 Network vendors included Huawei
1.03 Technologies included LTE
LTE-A
5G NSA

2 FORECASTS & PREDICTIONS

2.01 Maximum traffic & terminal forecast 4 years

2.02 Terminal forecasts 5G migration

2.03 Granularity of predictions Sector level


2.04 Forecast methodology In-built model

3 EXPANSION OPTIONS
PREDICTED
3.01 Technologies and Bands LTE/LTE-A/5G 700 MHz FDD

LTE/LTE-A 800 MHz FDD


LTE/LTE-A 900 MHz FDD
LTE/LTE-A 1800 MHz FDD
LTE/LTE-A 2100 MHz FDD

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LTE/LTE-A 2300 MHz FDD
LTE/LTE-A 2600MHz FDD
5G NSA 3500 MHz TDD
3.02 Spectrum re-farming

3.03 Reusage & recycling of equipment

3.04 MIMO upgrades

3.05 LTE-5G DSS


3.06 3G shut down
3.07 New sites deployments

4 EXPANSION PLAN SCENARIOS

4.01 Expansion’s activation/deactivation Network level activation / deactivation of any


expansion

4.02 Number of expansions per sector One per sector (the most cost effective)

4.03 Multiple expansion plans per year One simultaneous plan (based on selected
area filter)

4.04 Cumulative expansion plans YoY Separate plans prioritised for different target
years

5 USER INTERFACE FEATURES

5.01 KPIs in dashboard Average simultaneous active users per sector

Average time below 10Mbps per user / hour

Average DL user throughput


Total Capex allocated
5.02 Map plotting granularity Sectors in LTE & 5G network

5.03 KPI options in in map plot Impact of expansions to total time <10Mbps

Total time in poor QoE


5.04 Area filtering alternative Box/lasso selection

5.05 Multiple simultaneous area filters One active area filer

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5.06 KPIs view in top sectors and layers Impact on time < target quality

Average user throughput


Total time below & above target quality

5.07 Top sectors sorting criteria Maximum cost effectiveness of expansion

5.08 Budget slider granularity Individual expansion cost level

5.09 Charts gross-filtering Area filtering to other charts

5.10 Trend analysis

1.5.2 Proposed trial project flow

Figure 1 - PRIMEA trial project flow

In the remainder of this paragraph, a short description of each project phase is given.

i. Define & Data Collection contains the following activities:

a) Define a specific geographical area in the TNM PLC network for which the trial will be
applied. Typically, this network area has mature 4G operations and will have around 200
to 400 sites.

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b) Define the network expansion scenarios and QoS/QoE targets to meet the TNM PLC
network expansion and quality requirements. Furthermore, define and agree on traffic and
customer growth models as well as 4G and/or 5G capable terminal penetration growth.
Expansion scenarios will be modelled in the Omnitele PRIMEA Machine Learning model of
the TNM PLC network.

For the QoS target one could for example select a level of 10 Mbps. The corresponding
QoE target would then be the amount of time that active users in the busy hour would spend
in a situation where they are actually receiving this bit rate level. Based on TNM PLC
requirements this QoS level may be set to a higher or lower figure.

c) Data collection from the TNM PLC network. The type of network information that is required
is given in Appenix 5 PRIMEA Investment Optimisation Data Requirements. Based on this
data the compilation and training of the TNM PLC PRIMEA model will take place.

ii. PRIMEA Customisation contains the following activities:

a) Train the PRIMEA machine learning model and develop the PRIMEA TNM PLC prediction
model which includes several components that are all predicted in cell-sector level and
year-on-year over the total prediction period of for example 5 years. Network variables that
are predicted include:

• Data traffic demand forecast, measured by simultaneous active users


• Terminal migration forecast, for LTE-A, 5G NR, and MIMO 4x4 capabilities
• Predicted impact of the traffic & terminal development on the user experience KPIs
• Predicted impact of all alternative RAN investments on the user experience KPIs

The predicted impact of an investment on the user experience is compared to the cost of
the expansion, and the cost effectiveness of all possible sector level investments are
arranged in prioritised order. When the user of the PRIMEA UI has selected the target year,
selected geographical area, as well as the allocated total budget for the investments,
PRIMEA calculates the optimal combination of expansion to the sectors that will produce
the maximal improvement to the user experience KPI.

b) Customisation of the PRIMEA dashboard. An example of a PRIMEA dashboard is given in


Appendix 3: PRIMEA Investment Optimisation UI description.

c) Execute analyses and compile the interim report. A number of network expansion
predictions will be carried out in order to compile a TNM PLC network evolution strategy
for the selected trial area and for the trial functionality specifications. The analyses will
address the aforementioned topics like:

• How much total capex is profitable to be allocated into the RAN, in the given time
frame
• Where exactly and with what expansions should the available RAN budget be used

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• When and in what extent will 5G rollout be cost effective way to improve user
experience
• What LTE expansions will still be cost effective in the future and to what extent
• What technology expansion could locally improve the poor user experience, and
how much
• What new spectrum license will be the most effective basis for the future RAN
development
• What will happen to the user experience over time if no investments are allocated
to the RAN

The optimised (short, mid-term and/or long-term) network evolution strategies for the selected
region will be described by prioritised cell specific action lists with network expansion
implementation recommendations. Omnitele will make sure that these optimised strategies will
be reported correctly in a way that will facilitate easy implementation of the recommended cell-
based actions.

Next the findings will be compiled into an interim report that will be presented to the TNM PLC
organisation in an interim reporting session. In this interim report it will be stated to which degree
the agreed targets of the PRIMEA trial project have been met and how the results compare to
the baseline smart capex process that is applied by the TNM PLC organisation.

iii. TNM PLC trialling period

The concluding phase of the proposed PRIMEA trial consist of the provision of the PRIMEA
customised dashboard to the TNM PLC organisation together with the user instructions to
PRIMEA UI. During this phase of the trial technical support will be provided by Omnitele.

Initial network expansion strategies are contained in the interim report and will be presented in
the interim reporting session. These initial strategies may form the starting point for TNM PLC
to further detail the strategies, predict alternative expansion scenarios and/or see how PRIMEA
can be applied in support of the existing TNM PLC investment planning process. For illustration
purposes, the execution of a smart capex process by means of the PRIMEA dashboard and
the trained PRIMEA network model is described on a high level in Appendix 3: PRIMEA
Investment Optimisation UI description.

After a 1-month period of dashboard access by TNM PLC, the PRIMEA trial will be concluded
with a review and final feedback session with Q&A and discussion of the way forward.

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1.6 Implementation and Resourcing
In this chapter, the project implementation timeline and resourcing are illustrated with greater detail.

1.6.1 Project team


Omnitele shall conduct the project with an experienced team consisting of 4 expert roles: one Project
Manager, 1 Expert Consultant role, 1 Data scientist role and a Project Reviewer. The proposed project
team roles are listed in the table below. In the table below the total number of staff for each expert role
for the proposed TNM PLC project dimensioning is also given.

Resource Qualifications Duties

- Qualified and trained Omnitele Senior of


principle consultant 10+ years of - Main point of contact for the client
experience with network expansion - Overall management of project tasks
projects - Lead Omnitele project team
1 Project Manager
- Profound understanding on QoS, QoE, - Responsibility of project delivery, results and
Network auditing and 3GPP Radio compliance to SLA
Technologies - Project reporting
- Experienced project manager

- Qualified and trained Omnitele senior


consultant with 5+ years’ experience in - Modelling of network expansion scenarios
various roles - Execution of scenario prediction
- Profound understanding on QoS, QoE, - Compile final reports
1 Senior Network Planning and Optimisation and - Key expertise and responsibility in analysing RAN
Consultant 3GPP Radio Technologies expansion strategies
- Profound understanding on CS and PS - Compilation of short-, mid-, and long-term network
technologies evolution strategies
- Understanding of Nokia, ZTE and Huawei - Skill development
networks

- Qualified and trained Omnitele Data - Data acquisition


Scientists - Data validation
1 Data Scientist
- 2+ years of experience from network - Training of PRIMEA models
predictive analytics projects - Customisation of PRIMEA dashboards

- Highest point of responsibility


- Omnitele Principal / Sr. Consultant 20+ - Ensure the quality of Omnitele work
1 Project Reviewer
years in telecom industry - Change management
- Contract management

The persons assigned to the project shall be defined when project timeline is agreed with Telekom
Networks Malawi (TNM) PLC. Omnitele reserves the right to change project personnel with equally
qualified consultants based on the resource availability at the time of commencing the project.

Should the number of resources allocated for the project prove to be insufficient, Omnitele shall allocate
more resources on per need basis. Such taskforce increases however 1) Shall be solely decided by
Omnitele and 2) Will not have any impact on project pricing. For the sake of clarity, Omnitele has

▪ Full delivery responsibility of agreed results within agreed timeline, and


▪ Full freedom of implementing and resourcing the project

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1.6.2 Covid-19 travel restrictions

Given the present Covid-19 travel restrictions, Omnitele proposes to execute all offered activities in a
remote manner from Omnitele’s HQ in Helsinki, Finland. During the last 1,5 year Omnitele has
successfully executed all of its international customer engagements in this way. Omnitele staff is
therefore now very experienced in working in a remote fashion.

All of the offered Define, Measurement, Analyse, Improve and Control activities can easily be carried
out remotely. The upload of network data into the PRIMEA platform is relatively straightforward and can
also fairly easy be carried out remotely. The PRIMEA web-based dashboard that interfaces the scenario
deliverables is of course permanently accessible by TNM PLC staff. Daily operational and progress
meeting will be organised by means of on-line meetings, e.g. MS Teams. The Skill Development
program will also be organised in this way.

At the moment that Covid-19 travel restrictions are relaxed, the travel situation will be reconsidered and
if possible Omnitele staff will be seconded to the TNM PLC premises. In this proposal, no travel
expenses have been specified. Hence if the travel situation changes, Omnitele and TNM PLC will
discuss the new situation and agree on the expense compensation level.

1.6.3 Estimated Workload


The proposed audit modules are dimensioned as indicated in the table below.

Project Phases Mandays


Define & Data Collection 4
PRIMEA modelling & dashboard
13
customisation
TNM PLC PRIMEA dashboard acces 5
Total 22

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1.6.4 Tentative Schedule
Task MT WT F S S MT WT F S S MT WT F S S MT WT F S S MT WT F S S MT WT F S S MT WT F S S MT WT F S S

Define & Data Collection


PRIMEA modelling & dashboard customisation
TNM PLC PRIMEA dashboard acces
Interim reporting
Final reporting

Summarising, the duration of the different project modules is as follows:

• Define, including data collection - 1 week


• PRIMEA modelling & dashboard customisation - 3 weeks
• Control: TNM PLC dashboard access - 4 weeks
• Reporting - 2 days

The total duration of the project amounts to 2 months. This tentative schedule is subject to further
discussion based on availability of resources on both Omnitele and TNM PLC side.

1.6.5 Responsibility Matrix

Activity TNM PLC Omnitele

Providing all relevant data for carrying out the work R S

Set up and train PRIMEA model with TNM PLC network data R

Nominating project steering group and contact person R

Setting of network performance and network/service quality targets R S

Delivery of current network plans, network configuration, network design


R
rules, etc.

Setup of data collection system for OSS data and/or PM databases R

Execute Scope of Work R

Acceptance of Project Deliverables R S

Implementation of recommendations R S

Liaison with network infrastructure vendors R

Install and configure PRIMEA platform for use by TNM PLC


S R
organisation
R: Responsible; S: Support

1.6.6 Summary of Support expected from TNM PLC


• Providing all relevant data for carrying out the work
• Nominating project steering group and contact person

19
• Setting of network performance and network/service quality targets
• Delivery of current network plans, network configuration, network design rules, etc.
• Setup of data collection system for OSS data and/or PM databases
• Acceptance of Project Deliverables
• Implementation of recommendations
• Liaison with network infrastructure vendors

1.6.7 Solution Exclusions


For the sake of clarity, the following tasks are not included in the offered project:

• Scheduling or managing the rollout and TNM PLC or vendor implementation teams;
• Detailed hardware configuration analysis;
• Any hardware implementation work;
• Network element configurations;
• Network element integration;
• Field work including Site Visits/Surveys, antenna configuration changes, etc.
• Execution of drive test and field measurement;
• Installation planning;
• Implement network configuration changes;
• Implementation of transmission network changes;
• Implementation of Core network changes;
• 24/7 performance monitoring;
• Tasks considered to be part of network operations;
• Radio planning activities
• Troubleshooting and third line support to operations with regards to the backhaul transmission
network faults.
• Approval of “as-built” documentation and verification of its consistency with the designed
solution.
• Support for licensing individual links by the regulator and frequency coordination with other
users in the same frequency bands.
• Request for building and/or radiation permits

If seen beneficial, Omnitele is capable to provide at least some of the aforementioned services as part
of the offered project. Rendering such services shall be subject to further technical and commercial
negotiations.

20
Appendix 2 - PRIMEA Investment
Optimisation Solution Description
1.1 Overview of PRIMEA investment optimisation

PRIMEA Investment Optimisation is a solution that helps


mobile network operators in optimising their RAN
technology and spectrum investments for the future.
PRIMEA predicts in sector level what will be the impact of
alternative expansions to the data user experience and
prioritises the allocated budget for maximal user
experience impact in the targeted timeframe.

PRIMEA Investment Optimisation can answer to the


following typical questions on RAN strategy:

• How much total capex is profitable to be allocated


into the RAN, in the given time frame
• Where exactly and with what expansions should
the available RAN budget be used Figure 2 - PRIMEA Investment Optimisation dashboard
• When and in what extent will 5G rollout be cost
effective way to improve user experience
• What LTE expansions will still be cost effective in the future and to what extent
• What technology expansion could locally improve the poor user experience, and how much
• What new spectrum license will be the most effective basis for the future RAN development
• What will happen to the user experience over time if no investments are allocated to the RAN

Position of PRIMEA Investment Optimisation in the RAN quality assurance is in any phase when RAN
technology or spectrum is considered for rollout or further expanded after the previous rollout phase.
PRIMEA Investment Optimisation can also be used to verify if a poor user experience could be cost
effectively improved through RAN capex, or if the issues need to be rather solved with RAN
optimisation.

Positions of both PRIMEA Investment Optimisation and PRIMEA Performance Optimisation is


illustrated in the below. PRIMEA gives the optimal technological choices to be taken into the detailed
planning and gives the prioritised order of sites where to initiate the rollout. As PRIMEA is producing
robust long term predictions on the optimal RAN investments even 5 years ahead, it is not designed as
real-time network planning tool but for periodical updates that provide information for the strategic
decision making.

21
Figure 3 - PRIMEA position in the RAN quality assurance process

1.2 Omnitele PRIMEA Solution Architecture


PRIMEA high-level architecture is depicted in the below. PRIMEA prediction models input operator’s
strategic targets as well as the network data from PM & CM systems, and trains the prediction models
based on the inputs. The results of the prediction models are then input to the PRIMEA user-interface,
which will also be customised to the configurations of the operator network. The updated results and
the user-interface are then available for the operator through a secured web-access. Further
descriptions of the key elements in the PRIMEA architecture are given below.

Figure 4 - PRIMEA high-level architecture

22
1.3 Operator targets and technological options
PRIMEA is designed to support operators in achieving of their RAN development targets in the most
effective way. Therefore, the key inputs to the PRIMEA model are the operator’s quality objectives in
the network as well as the technical options available today and in the future. The key input used from
the operator are:

• User experience KPI that guides the PRIMEA investment optimisation, e.g. minimising of the
user time below target throughput, maximising the relative throughput improvement per user,
or maximising the average user throughput in the network.
• Technological options which the operator wants to assess for the near- and long-term RAN
investment strategy, e.g. currently available LTE & 5G bands for expansion, expected new
spectrum licenses and corresponding technologies, MIMO upgrades, spectrum re-farming
options, and radio equipment recycling.
• Cost structure of each of the alternative technological options, and their dependency on the
underlying site configuration.

Full list of supported technological options in PRIMEA can be found in the Appendix 4: PRIMEA
Investment Optimisation Technical specification.

1.4 Operator PM/CM tool export

Inputs for the PRIMEA prediction models come


from operator’s Performance Management
and Configuration Management systems.
PRIMEA is not integrated to the operator
systems but is based on periodical off-line
upload of the required data to Omnitele server.
This approach avoids all heavy integration
projects or HW/SW installations in the operator
premise. Omnitele provides clear instruction
what data is required and supports the
operator in building the export reports for
efficient data collection.
Figure 5 - PRIMEA Performance Optimisation dashboard
The raw data is uploaded to secure server in
Omnitele premise, where the PRIMEA prediction model collects the data for clean-up and structuring.

The required data is pre-specified in detail and only includes the data that is required for the prediction
models. The data does not include any customer level information, only statistical data on the network
traffic and quality KPIs. Details on the vendor specific PM counter requirements as well as the required
site database information is given in the Appendix 5: PRIMEA Investment Optimisation Data
requirements.

23
1.5 Omnitele PRIMEA prediction models
PRIMEA predictions are largely based on advanced machine-learning models using the collected
network data, but they are also supported with technological knowledge from earlier research projects
in real-life LTE & 5G networks. The accuracy and robustness of the prediction models have been
verified through numerous real-life network environments where PRIMEA has already been applied.
Whenever PRIMEA models are customised to a new network, the accuracy of the predictions is verified
in the testing phase of the model development.

PRIMEA prediction model includes several components, listed below, which are all predicted in cell-
sector level and year-on-year over the total prediction period of 5 years:

• Data traffic demand forecast,


measured by simultaneous
active users
• Terminal migration forecast, for
LTE-A, 5G NR, and MIMO 4x4
capabilities
• Predicted impact of the traffic &
terminal development on the
user experience KPIs
• Predicted impact of all
alternative RAN investments on
the user experience KPIs

The predicted impact of an investment on the user


experience is compared to the cost of the expansion,
and the cost effectiveness of all possible sector level
investments are arranged in prioritised order. When
the user of the PRIMEA UI has selected the target
year, selected geographical area, as well as the
allocated total budget for the investments, PRIMEA
calculates the optimal combination of expansion to the
sectors that will produce the maximal improvement to Figure 6 - PRIMEA prediction model components
the user experience KPI.

24
1.6 PRIMEA web-interface
Once all the predictions have been modelled and
verified and the investment prioritisation has been
calculated, PRIMEA exports the processed result-
data into a user interface that has been designed for
visual monitoring of the predictions. The user interface
is customised to each particular network based on the
network structure, geography, and technological
options available.

PRIMEA user-interface is hosted in a web-server in


Omnitele premise, or in a secure cloud server if
applicable to the operator security policy. The
interface can be accessed through secured web-
access, allowing usage of PRIMEA through a web-
browser in the user’s computer. Figure 7 - PRIMEA Investment Optimisation dashboard

The web-interface allows the user to run different prediction scenarios, filter the geographical area for
the analysis, and observe the results in different aggregation levels.

In the we-interface, user can control the following attributes when running the scenarios

• Target year of the analysis


• Geographical area for the analysis
• Activation or deactivation of any technology expansion option from the analysis
• Allocated total budget for the RAN investments

Once the scenario is being selected and processed by PRIMEA, the dashboard provides following
results for observation:

• Traffic growth and terminal capability development on the target year


• Main KPIs and their change in comparison to today’s values
o Network loading (simultaneous active users)
o Average DL user throughput (Mbps)
o Time below target DL throughput per hour per user
• Geographical plot of the KPIs in sectors
• Aggregated result of the KPIs in each LTE and 5G layer
• Capex efficiency of different user experience levels
• Optimal budget allocation to different technological options
• Top list of sectors with the most cost-effective expansions

Finally, once a satisfied RAN investment plan has been generated, the full action list can be exported
from the we-interface in a excel format.

More information and examples on the usage of the PRIMEA web-interface is given in Appendix 3:
PRIMEA Investment Optimisation UI description.

25
Appendix 3 - PRIMEA Investment
Optimisation UI description
Omnitele PRIMEA Machine Learning model is the basis for the offered smart network capex planning
services. In this section, using screenshots of an example of a PRIMEA dashboard, the proposed
methodology is presented.

The starting point for the PRIMEA based expansion methodology is the present performance level of
the network. This level is presented by a number of KPIs. In the example depicted on the PRIMEA
dashboard below these KPIs include the number of active users per cell during the network busy hour,
the average DL throughput level in Mbps and the Quality of Experience representing by the KPI of time
spent for each active user below a set target downlink throughput level.

Figure 8 - Current network performance view

Based on provided network topology, configuration and performance management data a Machine
Learning model of the network is compiled and trained based on training sequences with known
performance outcome. The training process is aimed at reducing the error of margin between predicted
and realised performance levels. When the network model is trained to such a degree that error margins
fall within acceptable ranges, the network model can be used for predictions.

A traffic and subscriber growth model and growth figures are agreed with the network operator. The
applied traffic model has a high resolution as it predicts traffic and subscriber growth on a cell by cell
basis. The traffic growth model is based on historical cell-based performance management information

26
complemented by an operator specific market outlook. The same approach applies to the 4G capable
terminal penetration resulting in an application of a terminal penetration growth model when making the
predictions.

When applying traffic growth predictions to the network model, network performance KPIs will
deteriorate when no expansion scenarios are applied. This can be seen in the two figures below, which
respectively show a one and a four-year prediction period. The deterioration of network performance
and QoE KPIs is indicated in red.

Figure 9 - Forecasting user experience view

In order to mitigate this network performance deterioration, network expansion scenarios are selected
that provide the necessary additional network capacity. Such expansion scenarios might for example
include deployment of additional existing spectrum or new spectrum on existing sites or addition of new
coverage and/or capacity sites to the network or a combination of these.

A particular network expansion scenario is selected and subsequently the PRIMEA machine learning
model calculates a so-called Capex Efficiency curve that relates the level of QoE in terms of average
time spent below the target DL throughput level to the level of investment required for a certain QoE
level when applying the selection expansion scenario. The Capex Efficiency curve indicates how much
network investment would be required for obtaining a desired level of QoE for the predicted period.
Following the capex efficiency curve, one will directly see the level of investment for a certain QoE level,
including the amount of capex required to maintain the present level of QoE. The efficiency curve will
also indicate the investment saturation level after which further investment in the network will not result
in further increments in QoE level.

The available network investment level will be selected as part of the prediction expansion scenario,
which now includes, means of expansion (e.g. additional spectrum bands), prediction period and
available budget.

27
Figure 10 - Defining 5G investment level

Next the corresponding prediction is applying the PRIMEA network model. The results of the prediction
include the newly calculated network performance KPI levels. In the reviewed example the present
performance level has been maintained. Next, given the selected expansion, for each cell in the network
it is indicated what expansion action is required. In the example below, all cells that would require
expansion for the selected expansion method are indicated.

Figure 11 - 5G sites and impact on user experience

Predictions will be done on region and/or cluster level as well. The minimal resolution level would even
be on a site by site basis. For each cell the impact of the expansion in terms of increase in Quality of
Service and Quality of Experience is indicated. So, a business case of expansion on a cell by cell basis
can be made.

28
Figure 12 - Cluster level 5G impact on user experience

The Machine Learning aspects of the proposed methodology is manifest by the provided capex
efficiency gain. The PRIMEA ML model driven expansion plan differs from some of the more traditional
capacity planning methods, which usually prioritise the expansion based on the traffic levels that we
can measure from the sectors.

The orange line in the graph below shows how much the increased expansion investment levels impact
on the QoE level, if they are prioritsed only based on the traffic loading of the cell. In the example below
it can be seen that to achieve the same impact on QoE (the dotted line), an investment of ~500k instead
of the ~400k would be required, meaning the ML model is able to save 20% of the budget for the
predicted cluster.

This capex-efficiency stems from the fact that PRIMEA does not only look at the traffic loading, but also
knows the radio environment in the LTE bands, and predicts in every sector how the traffic balance will
change between the layers, and what user experience (DL Thput) is then provided for all users in both
the existing LTE and the new expansion layers.

Figure 13 - Machine learning vs Traffic based priorisation

29
The proposed methodology allows for the comparison of different type of expansion strategies. In the
example below, different options for LTE expansions in different bands (800, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600
MHz) are depicted. This allows for selecting the optimal expansion strategy for short, mid and long-term
in terms of acquiring optimal solutions for required capex versus obtained network performance.

Figure 14 - LTE investment plans

One of the most prominent outputs of the proposed methodology is the delivery of a prioritised action
list with all cell-by-cell based proposed expansion recommendations. Expansion recommendations are
prioritised based on the level of contribution to improved network performance.

Figure 15 - Prioritised sector specific action plan

30
Appendix 4 - PRIMEA
Investment Optimisation
Technical Specification
1 SCOPE OF NETWORK TRIAL SCOPE FULL FUNCTIONALITY
1.01 Network geography included 200-400 sites Whole network
1.02 Network vendors included Huawei Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia,
ZTE
1.03 Technologies included LTE 3G HSPA
LTE-A LTE
5G NSA LTE-A
5G NSA
5G SA

2 FORECASTS &
PREDICTIONS
2.01 Maximum traffic & terminal 4 years 10 years
forecast
2.02 Terminal forecasts 5G migration LTE CA migration
LTE 4x4 MIMO migration
5G migration
2.03 Granularity of predictions Sector level Sector level
2.04 Forecast methodology In-built model In-built model
Adjustment by operator
market forecast

3 EXPANSION OPTIONS
PREDICTED
3.01 Technologies and Bands LTE/LTE-A/5G 700 MHz Any IMT band and
FDD bandwidth for:
LTE/LTE-A 800 MHz FDD 3G HSPA
LTE/LTE-A 900 MHz FDD LTE
LTE/LTE-A 1800 MHz FDD LTE-A
LTE/LTE-A 2100 MHz FDD 5G NSA
LTE/LTE-A 2300 MHz FDD 5G SA
LTE/LTE-A 2600MHz FDD
5G NSA 3500 MHz TDD
3.02 Spectrum re-farming 3G/LTE to LTE/5G
refarming of any band, with

31
impact on 3G/LTE quality
analysed

3.03 Reusage & recycling of Fully customised, e.g. LTE


equipment RRU re-cycling
3.04 MIMO upgrades 2x2 > 4x4
Any Massive MIMO upgrade
3.05 LTE-5G DSS Included
3.06 3G shut down Included
3.07 New sites deployments Included

4 EXPANSION PLAN
SCENARIOS
4.01 Expansion’s Network level activation / Network level activation /
activation/deactivation deactivation of any deactivation of any
expansion expansion
Region level activation /
deactivation of any
expansion
4.02 Number of expansions per One per sector (the most Two per sector (with
sector cost effective) combined impact)
4.03 Multiple expansion plans per One simultaneous plan Multiple simultaneous plans
year (based on selected area (based on several region
filter) filters)
4.04 Cumulative expansion plans Separate plans prioritised Separate plans prioritised
YoY for different target years for different target years
Cumulative YoY plans to
sustain target quality
(later Target year plan
distributed to earlier years)

5 USER INTERFACE
FEATURES
5.01 KPIs in dashboard Average simultaneous Fully customised out of
active users per sector available KPIs
Average time below 10Mbps
per user / hour
Average DL user throughput
Total Capex allocated
5.02 Map plotting granularity Sectors in LTE & 5G Sectors in LTE & 5G
network network
Sites in LTE & 5G network
Regions in LTE & 5G
network
5.03 KPI options in in map plot Impact of expansions to Fully customised out of
total time <10Mbps available KPIs
Total time in poor QoE

32
5.04 Area filtering alternative Box/lasso selection Box/lasso selection
Region/city filter
5.05 Multiple simultaneous area One active area filer Multiple simultaneous area
filters filters (regions/cities)
5.06 KPIs view in top sectors and Impact on time < target Fully customised out of
layers quality available KPIs
Average user throughput
Total time below & above
target quality
5.07 Top sectors sorting criteria Maximum cost effectiveness Maximum cost effectiveness
of expansion of expansion
Any KPI in listed above
5.08 Budget slider granularity Individual expansion cost Individual expansion cost
level level
Predefined budget steps
5.09 Charts gross-filtering Area filtering to other charts Area filtering to other charts
Top sectors to other charts
5.10 Trend analysis Quality KPIs trend analysis
YoY or MtM

33
Appendix 5 - PRIMEA Investment
Optimisation Data requirements
1.1 QoS Targets
Please provide your QoS targets. The table below is an example.

QoS targets Value


% of sessions above and
5 Mbps
below
av. user throughput 10 Mbps

1.2 Allowed Expansions

Expansion cell 1 Expansion cell 2

LTE/5G Antenna LTE/5G LTE/5G Antenna


Bandwidth,
Expansion MIMO Expansion Expansion MIMO
MHz
type capability type type capability

L800 20 2x2
L900 10 2x2
L1800 20 2x2
L2100 20 2x2
L2100 20 2x2 L2100 10 2x2
L2600 20 2x2
N3500 100 64x64

34
Cell to be replaced 1 Cell to be replaced 2
Expansion Expansion
cost as cost as
LTE/5G Antenna LTE/5G Antenna
Bandwidth, Bandwidth, first 2nd or 3rd
Expansion MIMO Expansion MIMO
MHz MHz expansion expansion
type capability type capability
of the site of the site
(€) (€)

13 500 5 700
13 500 5 700
11 300 3 500
11 300 3 500
11 300 3 500
11 300 3 500
18 200 9 100

1.3 4G Counters

Huawei LTE conters Aggregation level Period


Integrity daily 1-2 months
L.CA.Traffic.bits.DL.Pcell daily 1-2 months
L.CA.Traffic.bits.DL.Scell daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.0 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.1 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.10 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.11 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.12 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.13 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.14 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.15 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.2 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.3 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.4 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.5 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.6 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.7 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.8 daily 1-2 months

35
L.ChMeas.CQI.DL.9 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.PRB.DL.Avail daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.PRB.DL.Used.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.PRB.UL.Avail daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.PRB.UL.Used.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.RRC.ConnReq.Att daily 1-2 months
L.RRC.ConnReq.Msg daily 1-2 months
L.RRC.ConnReq.Succ daily 1-2 months
L.RRC.ConnSetup daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.DL daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.DL.CAUser daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.DL.LastTTI daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.UE.UL.LastTTI daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.UE.UL.SmallPkt daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.UE.UL.SpecificTTI daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.UL daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index0 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index1 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index2 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index3 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index4 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index5 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index6 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index7 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index8 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.DL.BitRate.Samp.Index9 daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.Cell.DL daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.Cell.DL.HighPrecision daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.Cell.UL.HighPrecision daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.DL daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.DL.CAUser daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.DL.RmvLastTTI daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.UE.UL.RmvLastTTI daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.UE.UL.RmvSmallPkt daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.Time.UE.UL.RmvSpecificTTI daily 1-2 months
L.Traffic.ActiveUser.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.Traffic.ActiveUser.DL.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.Traffic.User.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.Traffic.User.PCell.DL.Avg daily 1-2 months

36
L.Traffic.User.SCell.DL.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.NsaDc.SgNB.Add.Att daily 1-2 months
L.NsaDc.Capable.User.RRC.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.Traffic.User.NsaDc.PCell.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.NsaDc.Capable.5gUser.RRC.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.DL.NsaDc.MCG daily 1-2 months
L.Thrp.bits.DL.NsaDc daily 1-2 months
L.Traffic.SUNPT.NsaDl.Avg daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.RI.Rank1 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.RI.Rank2 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.RI.Rank3 daily 1-2 months
L.ChMeas.RI.Rank4 daily 1-2 months

Huawei LTE conters Aggregation level Period


Integrity montly 6 months - 2 years
L.RRC.ConnReq.Succ montly 6 months - 2 years
L.Thrp.bits.DL montly 6 months - 2 years
L.Thrp.bits.UL montly 6 months - 2 years
L.Traffic.ActiveUser.Avg montly 6 months - 2 years
L.Traffic.ActiveUser.DL.Avg montly 6 months - 2 years
L.Traffic.User.Avg montly 6 months - 2 years

1.4 5G Counters
Huawei NR conters Aggregation level Period
Integrity daily 1-2 months
N.PRB.DL.Actual.Avail.Avg daily 1-2 months
N.PRB.DL.Used.Avg daily 1-2 months
N.PRB.UL.Actual.Avail.Avg daily 1-2 months
N.PRB.UL.Used.Avg daily 1-2 months
N.ThpTime.DL daily 1-2 months
N.ThpTime.DL.Cell daily 1-2 months
N.ThpTime.DL.RmvLastSlot daily 1-2 months
N.ThpTime.UE.UL.RmvSmallPkt daily 1-2 months
N.ThpVol.DL daily 1-2 months
N.ThpVol.DL.Cell daily 1-2 months
N.ThpVol.DL.LastSlot daily 1-2 months
N.ThpVol.UE.UL.SmallPkt daily 1-2 months
N.ThpVol.UL daily 1-2 months
N.User.RRCConn.Active.DL.Avg daily 1-2 months

37
N.User.RRCConn.Avg daily 1-2 months
N.User.NsaDc.PSCell.Avg daily 1-2 months
N.NsaDc.SgNB.Add.Att daily 1-2 months
N.NsaDc.SgNB.Add.Succ daily 1-2 months

1.5 Database

Below is site information that would be required for the analysis. The format of the table is an
example.

Cell ID Sector ID Sector Site ID Site type Longitude Latitude Municipality

Cell A Site A_1 1 Site A Indoor/Macro Town ABC


Cell B Site A_2 2 Site A Indoor/Macro Town ABC
Cell C Site A_3 3 Site A Indoor/Macro Town ABC
Cell A Site B_1 1 Site B Indoor/Macro Town XYZ
Cell B Site B_2 2 Site B Indoor/Macro Town XYZ
Cell C Site B_3 3 Site B Indoor/Macro Town XYZ

Radio Frequency
Azimuth Height EARFCN Bandwidth
technology Band
LTE FDD
LTE FDD
LTE FDD
LTE FDD
LTE FDD
LTE FDD

38
1.6 Strategy

Please provide the information on feasible technologies and spectrum expansions that are to be
considered. The table below is an example.

Allowed expansions
Expansion type Bandwidth, MHz
L1800 10
L1800 20
L1800, L1800 10+20
L2100 10
L2100 5
L2100, L2100 5+10
L2600 20
L900 5
N3500 100

1.7 TCO estimates

"Please provide the information on network expansion TCO estimates. If no information is provided,
Omnitele nominal pricing figures will be used.

The table below is an example (cost can be estimated per each site type, etc.)

Network expansion TCO estimates


Expansion type Bandwidth, MHz Cost (CAPEX, OPEX)
L1800 10
L1800 20
L2100 10
L2100 5
L2600 20
L900 5
N3500 100

39
Appendix 6 - Omnitele and
selected references
1.1 Omnitele Introduction
Omnitele is an international telecommunications consulting and engineering company. We provide
services for telecom operators and regulators in domains of network strategy, design and quality
assurance. Our mission is to maximise mobile subscriber quality of experience and minimise operator
network cost.

We have solid track record and over 30 years of experience in telecoms industry. The company was
founded in 1988 to set up world’s first GSM operator and network. Since then we have completed over
1000 projects in over 80 countries.

Our headquarters are located in Helsinki, Finland. We have local presence in the Netherlands. Our
company is owned by Finnish telecom investors and we are independent of all international operators
and telecom equipment vendors.

Our unique way of working sets us apart from the competition. We call this the Omnitele Way: being
Straightforward, Trusted and Intelligent. We deliver tangible results that support our clients’ business
objectives and ensure excellent Omnitele experience.

1.2 Services and core competence

Figure 16 - Omnitele Services and Solutions portfolio

40
1.3 Omnitele References

Figure 17 - Selected references

1.4 Omnitele, a member of Finda Group


Oy Omnitele Ab is an internationally active telecommunications industry consulting firm that plans and
designs mobile networks and offers related optimisation services and other research and development
services. Omnitele had a turnover of Euro 7 Million in 2017 and average head account of 52 persons.
Since late 2010 Omnitele has been a subsidiary of the Finda group http://finda.fi/. Finda is a privately
owned investment company and largest owner of Finland’s mobile operator DNA Plc. Finda-group is a
key player in the Finnish mobile telecommunications market with exceptionally strong financial
resources. Finda-group’s equity ratio as per 31.12.2017 was 98,6% (equity being 292,6MEUR).

Finda Group specialises in development, ownership and related investment activity in the ICT sector.
The mission of the Group's parent company Finda Oy is to increase shareholder value for its 40,000
shareholders through involvement in the ICT Business, development of current holdings and an active
dividend policy. The Group's business operations are carried out through subsidiaries and associated
companies and the parent company's tasks include the strategic management of Group companies
through close involvement in the Boards of Directors of subsidiaries. The Group objective for associated
companies is to provide high-level expertise in the telecommunications industry, financing, corporate
restructuring and Group administration. The company also monitors opportunities for new investments
in profitable and growing businesses in the ICT industry.

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1.5 Selected Omnitele references
In this paragraph an overview of selected references with a special focus on Predictive Analytics
projects is presented.

RAN Design Diagnostics & expansion optimisation, DNA Finland (part of


Telenor group)
Omnitele has been the providing planning and optimisation of DNA’s GSM, GPRS, EDGE,
UMTS/HSPA, LTE/LTE-A and 5G RAN already since 2000. The scope of work includes the complete
planning cycle from the initial nominal planning to the optimisation of implemented network and the
offered service quality.

RAN expansion optimisation, Finnish Shared Network Ltd (shared


network of Telia and DNA)
Radio Network design for a consolidation of two networks, utilising MOCN. The scope included the
whole design chain from nominal planning, field surveys, detailed design, installation design
supervision, rolling design for rollout transition, and optimisation for a final solution. The success of the
work was measured with extensive process and network quality KPI SLAs. Omnitele

Radio Network Optimisation, Operator in Africa


RAN optimisation project including Ericsson and Huawei 2G, 3G and 4G technologies in the most
important cities of the country. Recording and analysis of the radio network performance in the
beginning of the optimisation project and setting short term targets for it. Performing the optimisation
work via root cause analysis to identify causes for reduced performance and giving optimisation
recommendations for implementation. Supervising the implementation by measuring and verifying the
impact of implemented actions and consequently fine-tuning activities where necessary. Competence
transfer of RAN optimisation hands-on knowhow to customer's radio planners.

RAN Design Diagnostics & expansion optimisation, Operator in Middle


East
Omnitele performed in-depth investigation in operator´s LTE RAN design efficiency, and quantified
improvement potential from different areas such as RF design, traffic steering, MCS & rank usage, CA
usage, as well as LTE expansions and new sites. Improvement potential was quantified for two main
KPIs, average effective user data rate and session data rates below 10Mbps. Analysis was based on
Omnitele proprietary PM-data analytics, which quantifies impact of different optimisation & expansions
actions on the user experience.

Radio network planning & optimisation assistance, Operator in Southern


Europe
Project included radio network planning and optimisation support to an Operator including e.g. advise
on radio access configuration matters, like applied antenna types, cell topologies (e.g. omni, sectorised)
and co-location and interaction between 2G, 3G and 4G technology layers (e.g. CSFB from 4G to 2G
layer) and redesign of existing 2G and 3G radio network plans, including existing and new sites as well
as designing an overlaid 4G/LTE radio access network in the 800 and 2600 MHz bands.

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Radio network optimisation, Operator in South America
Omnitele was contracted to measure and optimise Telesur's 2G and 3G networks. The objective of the
offered optimisation project was to assure the compliance of Telesur’s network performance with set
KPI targets. The data collection phase consisted of both drive test measurements and investigation of
OSS statistics. In the Analyse and Improve phases each individual site was reviewed and
recommendations for individual site configuration changes were proposed to mitigate network
performance issues. As a result of the project Telesur received improved customer experience and
network performance.

Network and customer experience audit and optimisation, Operator in


Middle East
Omnitele benchmarked Operator’s end-user QoS of voice and data services against local competition
and international references. During the optimisation campaign Omnitele improved network efficiencies
by maximising service quality especially in Mobile Broadband, Advanced Services requirements for
Smartphones and the growing end-user sophistication.

RAN Expansion Optimisation, Operator in Northern Europe


From 2001 onwards Omnitele has performed continuous radio network planning support for the
Operator in Northern Europe. Project work includes coverage predictions, interference analysis,
frequency planning, neighbour definitions, radio parameter planning and optimisation. Also, ad-hoc type
of work upon customer’s request is performed e.g. field measurements, analysis and troubleshooting
activities. For example, Omnitele provided a full 2G/3G/4G radio network audit and optimisation
campaign including drive testing, parameter audit, capacity bottleneck and data QoS analysis. Network
performance statistics and counter data were used in the predictive analysis. As a result, operator LTE
network capacity was used more efficiently, 3G capacity was released and data bottlenecks were
removed without unnecessary investments in the network. Optimisation actions also resulted as
improved end-user experience regarding voice and data service.

Network optimisation, Operator in South America


GSM Network Optimization – Project focus was to improve end-user perceived quality. Key tasks
included propagation model tuning and implementation of new frequency plan. Network quality was
further improved by analyzing drive test results, PM statistics and network parameters. As a result of
these actions, number of dropped calls were significantly reduced. Omnitele provided long term
optimization recommendation for further planning strategy.

Network Optimisation and Benchmark, Operator in Western Europe


UMTS and GSM network optimization and benchmark project was carried out for a European operator.
The aim of the project was to improve the performance of UMTS and GSM networks. Main tasks of the
project were drive testing, network statistics analysis, parameter optimization, antenna configuration
optimization, recommendation for new site locations and statistics tool analysis.

Customer Experience Optimisation, Operator in Middle East


Middle Eastern Operator assigned Omnitele to improve customer experience of mobile voice and data
services. To focus the network optimisation efforts on the most important areas and to have maximum
impact on true customer experience, Omnitele started the project with detailed problem area

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prioritisation. Problem tickets, coverage plots, planned sites, churn rates, customer complaints,
population density, important landmarks and other relevant information was combined to find the areas
requiring most immediate improvement actions.

After the problem area prioritisation, network performance and end-user QoS tests of mobile voice and
data services were conducted across the country. Tests were performed where people live, work and
play: on streets, sea areas and selected indoor locations. The tests were executed with end-user centric
approach: test devices, times, locations and services were selected in “be-the-customer” fashion.

To form solid basis for the final analysis, measurement results were combined with information
extracted from operator’s performance management, configuration management and business
intelligence systems. Voice calls and internet sessions were then analysed against agreed QoS/QoE
thresholds and KQI’s.

As a result of the project, the operator received a comprehensive set of short term and long-term
network improvement recommendations. Short term recommendations alone rendered immediate and
noticeable customer experience improvement with zero capital expenditures. Post-optimisation tests
showed that the operator provides outstanding customer experience of mobile voice and data services.

RAN expansion optimisation, Operator in Southern Europe


Quantifying the impact of experienced data service quality on different customer KPIs, i.e. service
capability, net promoter score and churn risk. Planning network expansions to maximize the impact on
the customer and business KPIs.

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