Network Optimization in Telecom - Driving Efficiency in the Age of 5G

What is Network Optimization?

Network optimization activities seek to enhance your network’s performance by improving its efficiency and ensuring that it meets your KPI goals – such as speed, reliability, and QoS. This involves multiple activities, spread across different teams.

Network Optimization – a Definition for Telcos

In our domain, a systematic approach to network optimization is required which pays attention to each domain, while also seeking to minimize costs. At the same time, we have to pay attention to the overall goals. So, we must individually optimize the RAN / access, transport, core, IMS, and so on – but we must also work end-to-end, as the experience delivered to customers depends on all domains functioning in harmony.

Key Components of Network Optimization:

To achieve this, we need the right tools and for network optimization activities to succeed, we need to consider.

• Network Assurance: Real-time, continuous monitoring and analysis of network performance to collect relevant data and statistics is essential. Assurance systems need to be able to detect and pinpoint issues, while enabling proactive resolution to prevent faults occurring.
• Real-time visibility: Real-time is a given. We need to understand what’s happening – in the moment – so we can respond faster. At the same time, we also need to track events, so we can draw inferences from historic records and build a proactive footing.
• Automation: Automation is now essential, as it can enable fault prevention and remedy, at reduced cost. By reducing the load on humans, people can be freed up to spend time on innovation and strategic tasks.
• Performance Management: Performance management data gives us insights to define, track and manage KPIs, so we can continuously optimize network performance and service delivery.

As networks grow increasingly complex with the integration of multiple technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and soon 6G), effective optimization becomes both more challenging and more essential. It’s not a one-time effort but an ongoing loop of monitoring, analysis, action, and validation.