Ericsson tackles network challenges

As part of efforts to help network operators tackle the challenges of quality of service and mitigate drop calls, Ericsson has launched its SON Optimization Manager, which would automatically optimizes the performance of mobile networks.

It would also extends self-organizing network features developed for LTE to multi-standard and multi-vendor networks while also helping operators get the most out of their existing network assets as part of a future-proof hetnet strategy

According to Ericsson in a statement, “the rapid uptake of smartphones and mobile broadband has dramatically increased people’s access to information while on the go, but it has also significantly increased the complexity of operator networks, making them more difficult to manage”.

It further said that “at the same time, consumers’ expectations of operators have increased and they are unwilling to tolerate poor service quality or dropped calls”.

The self-organizing networks (SON) product automates the process of optimizing the capacity, coverage and quality of mobile networks.

The end result is that users experience fewer dropped calls and get a better internet browsing experience, while operators benefit from happier customers, reduced operating expenses, as well as increased traffic and revenue from their existing networks.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Head of Group Function Technology & Portfolio Management at Ericsson, said: “SON Optimization Manager is based on a simple idea – increasing automation to overcome increasing complexity. We call this Smart Simplicity, because it simplifies operators’ processes and makes them more efficient.”

LTE standardization introduced a range of network optimization and management features that Ericsson is now making available for automating multi-standard networks, bringing the latest self-organizing management features to existing operator networks.

This solution helps extend SON functionality to existing networks, regardless of how many vendors or standards are involved. Optimizing the use of existing network assets is a key component of any heterogeneous (hetnet) network strategy, so SON Optimization Manager is a good fit for operators that are looking to build future-proof networks.

Ericsson’s optimization solutions are already in use in more than half of the world’s major cities. SON Optimization Manager has the potential to improve the mobile broadband experience for customers the world over – and has clear business benefits for operators in the fast-moving mobile market.

Whereas optimization is traditionally a slow, complex process carried out at regular intervals by teams of network experts, SON Optimization Manager fully automates the process. Optimization can take place network-wide on a daily or hourly basis and expert staff are freed from having to perform repetitive manual tasks and able to focus instead on more strategic activities.

SON Optimization Manager is part of Ericsson’s Smart Simplicity concept, which focuses on increasing automation in today’s increasingly complex networks in order to reduce operating expenses and deliver a better Mobile Broadband experience.