Planning Strategies & Issues for GSM network Under Multivendor Vendor Environment

for Discussion

Planning TEP under the Existing Network Context

Planning of the GSM network under a single incumbent vendor is straight forward in terms of incremental planning and controlling the performance health of the network. Operation aspects of the network are also straight foreword. While introducing a second vendor, a serious consideration has to be made in the planning strategy and the decision rules that have to be made on a benefit basis. The benefits of multi vendor strategy (as advocated in the next slides) have to be harvested in a careful manner.

Multivendor Environment
The disadvantages of using single vendor approach are: 1.Losing ability to shop around for the best deals. 2.Lack of power to negotiate lower costs. 3.Losing awareness of new technologies on the market. 4.Being too risky for a company to have all its eggs in one basket. 5.Can be forced to upgrade products according to the vendor's schedule instead of the company's own needs. The advantages of using a single vendor are: 1.It's easier, logistically, to deal with one provider. 2.When there are problems in a multi-vendor environment, one vendor tends to blame another. Single vendor approach eliminates finger pointing. 3.It alleviates support and training woes. 4.It can save you money. Spending more money with a single vendor may mean big discounts (if any ?). 5.It streamlines network management. 6.Reduced procurement effort.

Multivendor Environment (Continued)

The most interesting part from the multivendor point of view is the GSM network, where most of the investments are made. Multivendor environment in GSM provides the following advantages: For ET, the multivendor environment introduces competition in investments and independence from one supplier. For a manufacturer multivendor environment offers a possibility to be the second supplier in an existing network. However it can create a performance problem if the networks are not correctly planned and poses the following disadvantages Absence of uniform service suits across vendors; Interoperability (IOT) problems; Lack of unified network management; Management of multiple vendors (SLA, Spare parts).

Concerns Worth Considering During a Transition to MV Environment

The level of Interoperability (IOT) among the different vendor solution, and possible finger-pointing between two competing network infrastructure vendors. The risk and the inherent reliability of the infrastructure. Mixed wireless access networks pose potential performance problems. The cost and complexity of the additional network management tool required The complexity multiplier of introducing operational difficulties related to managing two-vendor or multivendor in the network. The training required and the availability of skilled talent to deal with a different vendor. This also implies increased staffing required to deal with the extra vendor in the network. Extra work involved (IOT testing, BSS segregation, end to end integration, QoS and performance improvements)

Decision Rules
The following rule applies for the decision of MV environment when it comes to the policy makers: Weather the savings of price competition can really offset the extra work involved (IOT testing, BSS segregation, end to end integration, QoS and performance improvements, Network management, training of staff..). This shall also take in to account the investment protection level and risks. The decision rule has to be applied to each of the network segments involved (Core CS, core PS, HLR, RAN, VAS, NMS & etc)

Extra Work
Interoperability Testing (IOT); Providing uniform service across all customer segments Investment protection & vendor segregation; End to End Integration Network management (Most important is uniform subscriber management and provisioning) Training

Network Management
Apart from the NEM (Network Element Management) system provide by each vendor for each network specific network block, a unified network management system is required. In this regard an industry-standard network management tool for fault, performance and configuration management is essential. It is advised that this tool should be planned only form one vendor. It is also recommended to have uniform customer management and provisioning tools too.