Optimising Telecom Networks With Network Intelligence

Telecom networks are complex, dynamic and expensive assets; they need to be actively managed to optimise capacity utilisation. In today’s competitive environment, Communication Service Providers (CSPs) must strive to optimise the most significant components of their OPEX and CAPEX, namely the network. Every percentage point a CSP can shave off their network Opex represents a significant saving and goes straight to their bottom line.

Network Intelligence (NI) provides communication service providers critical network information and analysis capabilities. This is vital in ensuring efficient operations in existing networks and in planning for next-generation network investments. In emerging markets, such as India, which are planning to invest in 3G networks, this provides added value. 3G networks are typically overlaid on GPRS or CDMA-2000 networks and as such it is critical to understand existing utilisation levels so as to optimise the additional core, access and radio network investments needed for the 3G upgrade. Network Intelligence is designed to provide precisely this kind of guidance.

It is not as though Network Intelligence does not exist in CSP environments today. However, there are crucial differences in the way this important function is handled and how it could be managed. Today, CSPs invariably use a variety of in-house tools and point applications to perform their network planning and optimisation functions. While these may achieve their objectives in due course, it is always a gargantuan task to plan for network additions, entirely new networks and capacity modifications. Modifications to key capacity parameters often mean returning to the drawing board and spending several days or weeks in re-configuring the planned network. The problem is further aggravated by the multiple, fragmented repositories of the source information (network inventory) on which the analysis and planning are expected to be based.

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Network Intelligence provides a quantum leap in the automation of network capacity planning and optimisation by providing purpose-built applications that are meant to address the shortcomings explained above. In the process, Network Intelligence provides avenues for OPEX and CAPEX reduction, network optimisation and thereby, a ‘greener’ network infrastructure and society.

Let us analyse a few ways in which Network Intelligence helps optimise network operations:

Just-in-time Capacity Planning

Network Intelligence builds optimised routing plans for future capacity demand forecasts (short to medium term, 6-18 months) against existing and already planned network capacity. Determine the minimum new capacity required, where it is needed, and how much it will cost to deploy. CSPs can narrow the gap between capacity supply and demand to enhance profitability and eliminate unnecessary CAPEX.

Optimise capacity utilisation

A CSP can re-route all, or part, of a network more efficiently to free up capacity that can be used elsewhere. Capacity utilised in multi-hop routes can now be routed over shorter hops. Consolidation of traffic using leased lines can be effected to free up some of the more expensive lines.

Node consolidation

Many networks grow by acquisition and end up with too many nodes in or around one location. CSPs may also have nodes located in expensive real estate sites in city centres that can be capitalised upon by moving to a less expensive location. Network Intelligence migrates traffic from full topologies, individual sites or nodes. An engineering plan specifying what is to be de-commissioned is produced, followed by a traffic migration re-routing plan. Significant savings can be realised from node consolidation or re-location.

Predict network resource exhaustion in a timely manner

Network Intelligence will identify likely capacity stress points in a network in advance by intelligently trending capacity take-up out into the future. This allows the CSP to take pre-emptive action to address potential capacity bottlenecks before they become an actual problem, possibly resulting in a network failure leading to customer service disruption and potential customer churn.

Bid pricing support

When CSPs bid to supply capacity to a customer (e.g. a VPN), they need accurate information on how much can be accommodated within the existing network and how much new build is required, together with the associated cost. Network Intelligence will accurately model the bid and estimate the network costs for the bid. As the bid is modeled, changes can be incorporated quickly and revised costs calculated. Experience shows that CSPs can reduce their bid price, win more business and with increased confidence with regard to profitability.

Outage analysis and restoration

Outages may be planned or unplanned, but in either case CSPs need to know which customers and services are affected. For unplanned outages, they need that information quickly, together with a re-routing plan to effect rapid restoration. Once the node, optical circuit or device is identified as the cause, Network Intelligence rapidly identifies all customers and services that are affected and publishes the information on a webpage to allow customer account managers to inform their clients. A restoration plan is then produced to re-route all affected circuits. Revenue loss due to network failure is minimised and customer satisfaction is maintained.

Model ‘what if’ scenarios

CSPs need to model many scenarios in advance to assess their likely impact on the network. If a new marketing campaign for a particular service is expected to cause that service to grow by 20 percent in the next 12 months, what will the impact on the network be? What will the impact be if it grows 50 percent? These scenarios and many more can be modeled simultaneously within Network Intelligence and can allow informed decisions to be made. Going forward with a marketing campaign that will overload the network is likely to be a publicity disaster and result in customer churn.

Common view across multiple networks

For a CSP in acquisition mode or a CSP that has multiple inventory sources – obtaining a single ‘federated view’ of the network (its nodes, connections and capacity) can be a real barrier to efficient network management and planning. Network Intelligence can load data from multiple inventory systems, or other sources, and model the data to give a single view across the network via an intuitive GUI.

Comprehensive management and KPI reporting

A Web-based reporting tool delivers a wide range of valuable reports to the manager’s desk. It is based upon the premise that busy mangers require ‘Need to Know’ data and that too at the appropriate time. Each manager can create his own set of reports from the list and set conditions on each report to trigger an e-mail alert when a condition is fulfilled. Summary data on all key activities in the network is initially presented but full drilldown capability to detailed information is also provided.

Conclusion

Network Intelligence enables accurate forecasting and planning, allowing CSPs to optimise new CAPEX and OPEX spend and reduce costs. It should deliver tangible CAPEX and OPEX savings and improved network efficiencies. It should enable better-informed and timely decision-making and deliver a rapid RoI. It should also be a low risk, quickly deployable solution that can be easily implemented by third parties. In the process, it should allow tangible reduction in disruptive network incidents and contribute towards a ‘green’ environment.

_Prasad is senior director, Technology and Business Transformation, Oracle Communications.
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