RF&WirelessBlog

Celcite adds self-organising network capability to COPS platform

An intelligent and dynamic closed-loop system for self-organising networks (SON) has been launched by Celcite Management Solutions. COPS-SON, which introduces a dynamic SON capability to Celcite’s COPS optimisation platform, is designed to continuously configure, optimise and self-heal mobile networks. It uses network-proven optimisation techniques to ensure that radio performance always remains at the optimum level.

WLAN tools offer real-time remote Wi-Fi troubleshooting and spectrum analysis

A new capability for Fluke Networks’ portable wireless LAN tools makes them the first to enable both real-time troubleshooting and spectrum analysis of remote wireless networks, according to the company. This allows organisations with remote sites that do not need WIDS/WIPS 24/7 monitoring to resolve connectivity and interference problems, identify rogue devices, and detect security violations without having to make site visits.

Second US Tier-1 contract for Celcite’s network optimisation tools

A second Tier-1 mobile operator in the USA is using Celcite Management Solutions’ COPS network optimisation platform. Celcite says it has received an order for nationwide deployment of its COPS (Customised Optimisation and Self-Performing Solutions) Enterprise platform for configuration and parameter management. This news follows the announcement of the first Tier-1 mobile operator to use Celcite’s solution back in 2010.

Actix agreement with Livingston adds network optimisation tool for rental

Mobile network analytics and optimisation software developer Actix is now working with test equipment distributor Livingston. As part of their agreement, Livingston will be able to provide licences for the Actix Analyzer multi-vendor post-processing tool on a rental basis. Actix’ solutions allow mobile operators to address performance concerns by offering software analytics for faster, more incisive network optimisation. This means they can ensure their available network resources are used to full effect.

Celcite reveals latest operator contract for its multi-technology SON solution

Celcite has received an order from a Latin America mobile operator for its COPS-Enterprise multi-technology SON software and COPS-VIPCare customer experience management software. The company will also provide managed services for all of the operator’s networks, spread across several countries in Latin America. This new business takes the number of cells COPS will be managing to over one million, which Celcite says is the largest number currently being managed by any single management and optimisation enterprise platform.

Industrial wireless network planning tool allows engineers to visualise the network

SoftDEL has launched Aerodel Designer, a multi-vendor multi-protocol industrial wireless network planning tool. SoftDEL says that Aerodel Designer is aimed at providing SI and OEM planning and field engineers with a solution to make wireless site surveys easy and efficient. The tool allows OEM and SI sales force engineers to visualise the network, plan heterogeneous networks, model multiple scenarios, customise device parameters and quickly estimate requirements.

Cell planning and optimisation in the spotlight for Mobile World Congress

With the growing pressure on operators to manage their networks effectively to improve efficiency and capacity, automatic tools for cell planning and optimisation are becoming increasingly important. A number of vendors have made recent announcements both about products and about partnerships with operators and vendors, and among others they are expected to make their mark at next week's Mobile World Congress. LTE has brought new design challenges, which include features such as MIMO, multiple frequency bands, variable bandwidths and adaptive coding and modulation, which all have a significant impact on the business case for LTE deployment.

Basestation market up 10% in 2009, says In-Stat

The number of newly deployed macro cellular basestations worldwide has grown by over 10% during 2009, according to a newly published report by analysts In-Stat. The basestation market is thriving despite the poor state of the worldwide economy, and is being driven by demand for mobile phones, especially smartphones, and wireless broadband services. macro cellular basestations will grow over 10% in 2009.

Operators turn to CEM software to help reduce churn

With the market for cellular customers now saturated across most of the developed world, minimising churn and retaining existing customers is becoming even more of a major priority for wireless operators. This is because it is demonstrably more cost-effective to retain existing customers than to attempt to win new ones from their competitors.

Cherrypiq Telecom launches customised planning and optimisation services for WiMAX, LTE and other networks

Cherrypiq Telecom, a telecommunications consultancy based in Bristol, UK, has announced the launch of a portfolio of network planning and management capabilities that enable designers of networks worldwide to meet technical requirements such as data rate, coverage, capacity and quality of service (QoS) while still satisfying or exceeding business objectives.

The range of wireless consulting services offered by Cherrypiq Telecom is independent of any equipment vendor, and includes: network design; site selection; planning and optimisation; engineering process automation; and end to end project management. Cherrypiq also has a number of strategic technical and distribution agreements in place for relevant state-of-the-art software tools.

Although currently finding themselves busiest in helping to design new WiMAX networks around the world, Cherrypiq's technical capabilities are equally strong in LTE, UMTS/HSPA, CDMA, GSM(-R), VoIP, WiFi and TETRA.

"Many existing consultancies have their main expertise either in the engineering aspects of designing networks or in putting together a financial and business case for the network," said Leon Hardwick, Managing Director of Cherrypiq Telecom. "At Cherrypiq Telecom we believe in a holistic approach, and it is our view that an effective network can only be realised by making sound engineering decisions that are informed by a clear understanding of the business constraints."

"As air interface access technologies become more complex, it is increasingly important to make sure all the parameters are right before roll-out," commented Alberto Loreto, Director of Services Delivery at Cherrypiq Telecom. "A number of the early WiMAX operators failed to optimise their networks adequately, and this has resulted in some bad press for the technology. Applying rigorous and robust planning and optimisation techniques at the earliest stage could have avoided costly reworks further down the line, and the complexity of the technology even means that some weaknesses may be impossible to eliminate after roll-out."

"The recession has forced some telecom equipment vendors to rationalise their in-house design teams," added Leon Hardwick. "This means that they need to outsource their network engineering function to a consultancy they can trust, and this is exactly where Cherrypiq can help. We provide a full service that includes optimisation of network roll-outs, and also assisting with the delivery of automation for ongoing optimisation of both radio and core networks. We can equally help operators with design and planning of networks, vendor selection and pre- and post-launch optimisation."

Started in 2008, Cherrypiq Telecom has recently moved into new premises in the Aztec Park business district of Bristol, one of the UK's hotspot areas for wireless innovation. It has also just launched a new Website to present the full extent of its consultancy service to network operators, telecom vendors, system integrators and Government and enterprise customers.