Network complexity will explode in the next five years as the roll out of 5G accelerates and many CSPs refresh their LTE networks. Networks are expected to grow by 73% in the next five years, more than five times the rate seen in the last five years. Yet budgets remain flat and CTOs need to do more with less. AI can maximize existing assets and help plan CAPEX in the right places.

A future-proof network evolution plan must be innovative and reliable enough to support new services, business models and use cases as they arise. However, before new CAPEX investments are made, it’s important to maximize the assets on the ground and understand exactly the best areas to make investments that add the most capability to launch new 5G services and win the highest returns.

Radio Frequency (RF) optimization is the most important way to guide CSP investments in coverage and quality to deliver the highest quality of experience (QoE) for customers. To guide their investment decisions, CTOs need a more detailed view of network performance than is possible with conventional drive testing and geolocation tools.

Spectrum is one of a CSP’s most valuable resources, as well as one of its most expensive. Making use of finite spectrum is paramount and network investments that focus on the efficient use of spectrum are the most likely to achieve the biggest returns. Conventionally, CSPs have relied on analyzing cells with low average capacity performance indicators at peak traffic times. A more effective approach is the Nokia Spectral Performance Analysis. Instead of simply analyzing individual cells, the service divides cells into multiple zones with similar characteristics, measures the spectral efficiency for each zone and automatically recommends ways to improve data capacity. AI makes the analysis more granular, so CAPEX investments can be more precise and bring a higher ROI.

Optimize RF coverage by identifying coverage gaps and interference, enabling CSPs to prioritize improvement spending.

Boost spectral efficiency by using big data from devices and the network to provide detailed spectral efficiency improvement recommendations. CSPs can better understand how the increasingly complex network is performing and make improvements to create a better experience for its subscribers.