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<h2>Coverage planning strategies </h2>

<p>Depending on the requirements, there is a wide variety
of structures of Dual Band network that may be implemented. As Dual Band can
be used with other features such as micro cells, separate indoor cells, IUO,
FH and IFH (in both 800 and 1900 bands, in both 900 and 1800 bands, or in
both 800 and 1800 bands) and so on, there are numerous possible network structures.
The different coverage types can be classified into mainly two types: Continuous
or Non-Continuous coverage.</p>


<p>The coverage can be constructed by using macro, micro,
pico, or indoor cells. </p>


<a name="nov222201235" shape="rect"></a>
<div class="topic">
<h3>Non-continuous
GSM 1800 coverage</h3>
</div>


<p>Typically, the operator with a dual band licence starts
to build the GSM 1800 network on top of the GSM 900 network. The actual strategy
on how to build the coverage depends greatly on subscriber behaviour, available
bandwidth, and site availability.</p>


<a name="nov2222011536" shape="rect"></a>
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<h3>GSM
1800/1900 pico cells and micro cells</h3>
</div>


<p>One strategy to implement GSM 1800 network is to implement
it where it is really needed for hot spot capacity improvement. A GSM 1800
micro/pico cellular layer implemented with a GSM 900 macro layer (a GSM 900
micro layer could also already be implemented). </p>


<p>In this case, the GSM 1800 layer would provide, for example,
in-building coverage and an increased capacity in small high-density areas
(this is ideal, for example, for wireless office type of solutions). The advantages
here are that the 1800 cells can be planned largely independently of the 900
layer. Thus the in-building coverage can be optimised, rather than being limited
by the problems of leakage interfering with the external GSM network. This
kind of deployment can also be done where the capacity is really needed, making
it a cost-efficient solution to start the dual band deployment.</p>


<a name="dec221745102" shape="rect"></a>
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<img alt="urn:mars:dn02250257:1:en:global:cgm_fixed:data:data" border="0" src="NED?action=retrieve&amp;identifier=dn02250257&amp;edition=1&amp;language=en&amp;coverage=global&amp;encoding=gif&amp;component=data&amp;item=data" /><p class="figure-caption">Figure: Use of GSM1800 pico cells and micro cells </p>
</div>


<p>The disadvantage of this type of solution is that only
dual band users benefit from the increased coverage. This is fine where the
mobile population is static and can easily be identified for migration, for
example in the mentioned office environment. Where the mobile population is
transitory, for example at a railway station, it may be less beneficial (unless
dual band is specifically marketed as an improved coverage service). Other
disadvantages of this solution are that this strategy causes a larger number
of inter-band handovers, and the actual capacity increase in the network is
more difficult to estimate.</p>


<p>To sum up, the advantages of the solution are:</p>


<ul>
<li><p>Fast and cost-efficient roll-out (according
to the real capacity needs)</p>
</li>
<li><p>Optimised interference and coverage</p>
</li>
</ul>


<p>The disadvantages of the solution are:</p>


<ul>
<li><p>Only DB users benefit from the additional
coverage and capacity</p>
</li>
<li><p>Large number of inter-band handovers</p>
</li>
</ul>


<a name="nov22219595132" shape="rect"></a>
<div class="topic">
<h3>Co-located
sites</h3>
</div>


<p>Operators often want to utilise the existing GSM 900 sites
particularly if the sites are large enough to accommodate additional hardware.
The co-location of GSM 900/1800 equipment minimises the site acquisition costs
and usually enables a fast roll-out of the GSM 1800 service due to the obvious
benefits of having a ready site with transmission connections.</p>


<a name="dec221746193" shape="rect"></a>
<div>
<img alt="urn:mars:dn02250269:1:en:global:cgm_fixed:data:data" border="0" src="NED?action=retrieve&amp;identifier=dn02250269&amp;edition=1&amp;language=en&amp;coverage=global&amp;encoding=gif&amp;component=data&amp;item=data" /><p class="figure-caption">Figure: Co-located sites </p>
</div>


<p>This kind of strategy is often used in city centre areas
where new site availability is more limited (and where the additional capacity
is usually needed). Nokia’s integrated dual band BTS is ideally suited for
this kind of solutions, enabling the fastest possible roll-out due to the
possibility of also using the same BTS cabinet for both GSM 900 and GSM 1800
TRXs.</p>


<p>In this solution, the following points need to be considered:</p>


<ul>
<li><p>Fast roll-out</p>
</li>
<li><p>Saving in site costs and acquisition
time</p>
</li>
<li><p>Infrastructure and site support systems
are shared and can be used for GSM 900 and GSM 1800 BTSs (depending on their
capacity)</p>
</li>
<li><p>Saving on periodic maintenance visits</p>
</li>
<li><p>Saving in transmission costs</p>
</li>
<li><p>Continuous GSM 1800 coverage may not
be achieved, particularly if the GSM 900 coverage is only adequate. (If the
site density is high enough, continuous coverage can be achieved.)</p>
</li>
<li><p>If the coverage is not continuous,
other disadvantages mentioned in the previous case are also valid (for example,
an increased number of inter-band handovers)</p>
</li>
<li><p>Indoor coverage usually requires additional
GSM 1800/1900 sites due to penetration difference, as compared to GSM 900/800</p>
</li>
</ul>


<a name="nov2222001533" shape="rect"></a>
<div class="topic">
<h3>Co-located
sites and GSM 900/800 micro/pico cells</h3>
</div>


<p>In this case, the GSM 1800/1900 hardware is co-sited with
existing macro sites at capacity hot spots, with GSM 900/800 micro/pico cells
used to provide enhanced in-building coverage where needed. </p>


<p>From the capacity point of view, the aim of this strategy
is to reduce the number of micro/pico cells needed in the capacity enhancement
such that they are only used where the improved in-building coverage is needed
- rather than for capacity.  </p>


<a name="dec221747174" shape="rect"></a>
<div>
<img alt="urn:mars:dn02250272:1:en:global:cgm_fixed:data:data" border="0" src="NED?action=retrieve&amp;identifier=dn02250272&amp;edition=1&amp;language=en&amp;coverage=global&amp;encoding=gif&amp;component=data&amp;item=data" /><p class="figure-caption">Figure: Co-located sites and GSM900/800 micro/pico cells </p>
</div>


<p>The disadvantage of this approach is a more complicated
traffic management and parameterisation. </p>


<a name="nov2222003634" shape="rect"></a>
<div class="topic">
<h3>Continuous
GSM 1800/1900 coverage</h3>
</div>


<p>In order to get the maximum benefit from the dual band
system and to avoid unnecessary inter-band handovers, operators usually sooner
or later improve the GSM 1800/1900 coverage so that it is seamless in those
areas where it is needed. </p>


<p>This can be done, for example, by starting the GSM 1800/1900
roll-out by co-locating the GSM 1800/1900 macro BTSs with GSM 900/800 macro
BTSs and using the GSM 1800/1900 micro cellular solution to cover the holes
in the coverage.</p>


<p>This solution avoids most of the problems mentioned in
the previous examples and is also a preferred solution in a multivendor dual
band network if the geographical separation of the two dual band networks
is not possible. </p>


<p></p>


<p>Having a seamless GSM1 800/1900 coverage enables you to
fully utilise the additional band by keeping the dual band subscribers continuously
in the 1800/1900 band in the areas where additional capacity is needed, thus
reducing the traffic load in the GSM 900/800 cells. In this case you can also
provide an adequate service for roaming GSM 1800/1900 subscribers.</p>
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