Network Planning of Broadband Wireless Networks

Abstract

To deploy broadband networks, service providers, such as competing local exchange carriers, need robust plans for providing various types, amounts, and locations of services at competitive prices. Broadband networks generally consist of an access component (wireless access), a concentration component (a wireless aggregation point or hub), a service routing or distribution component (a central office or metro switch), and various combined or separate distribution components (a long-haul backbone data or voice network). Because access, aggregation, and routing or distribution vary greatly in requirements, we developed a method and platform for planning the components of fixed-wireless-broadband (FWB) systems for local loop access. We have helped various service providers to analyze and design many networking scenarios using our methods. The service providers have used these scenarios and their predicted financial outcomes to plan FWB access networks tailored to meet their marketing and financial goals. By implementing our method, one service provider has improved its planning process, achieved a competitive advantage in its markets, and increased its annual service revenues by tens of millions of dollars.