Modeling and Characterization of Next Generation Network in a Developing Economy: From Data Collection to Estimation of Traffic Parameters

Abstract

The accurate estimation of the traffic parameters, especially traffic intensity that the network must support is a key criterion in the development of an effective Next Generation Network (NGN) model. In this paper, starting from data collection involving users of telecommunication services in Benue State, Nigeria, the call rate, data transaction rate, call holding times/data transaction time and traffic intensity have been estimated at the 23 local government headquarters of the State. The existing network in Benue State is GSM based and the services provided are Voice, SMS and Internet. A marketing research was first conducted to determine the level of services usage by the amount of money spent by the high, middle and low income earners. Then using the prevailing tariff rates, the amount of data transferred in bits for the three classes of services were determined. The traffic model used is based on a probabilistic model of events initiated by calls and transactions of NGN services. The model is used to estimate the symmetrical and asymmetrical traffic intensities separately at each of the 23 headquarters representing the network nodes. Generally, the results of the study show that a developing country is characterized by a prevalence of voice and SMS services, and limited Internet services; large number of low income earners; and low rates of call/data transactions and traffic intensities. The study demonstrates a method to estimate traffic parameters at different network nodes starting from subscriber field studies. The use of the method will facilitate the preparation of both business and technical plans for effective and efficient planning and dimensioning of NGN networks in a developing economy.