Traffic Profiles and Licensed Spectrum Sharing in Cellular Networks

Abstract

This paper quantifies the effects of sharing spectrum between two cellular network operators and its impact on the number of base stations required to meet capacity targets. In particular, it shows the effects of traffic profiles with asymmetric loads on the spectrum sharing dividends. The traffic profiles presented use actual time-of-day data from two different cellular operators using two shared 1800 MHz LTE sites, one urban and one rural. The data is used to illustrate that if the two operators shared spectrum across the operators' networks a spectrum sharing gain of 25% would result. This means that 25% fewer base stations would be required to meet the forecasted capacity load at the cell edge. The analysis is useful to both cellular operators and to spectrum regulators. To operators, this paper presents methods and examples using measured data to calculate the benefits of sharing spectrum. To regulators, this paper offers data to show that sharing licensed spectrum between operators can reduce the total number of cell sites that are required to meet forecasted increases in capacity demand.