Network Planning

Before any wireless network is rolled out, a thorough planning exercise is required to ensure that the network delivers optimal performance post deployment. The planning parameters are essentially driven by subscriber distribution within a geographical terrain, traffic handling capacity and minimizing Capex and Opex.

Each network sub system / element such as the radio network, transmission back bone and core network requires a detailed planning for capacity, configuration and location.

Sasken’s portfolio:

Sasken’s depth of expertise coupled with its breadth of offerings ensures that the network design & planning is of high quality. Sasken’s value proposition lies in its cost effective, customer centric approach and proven capability in designing and planning of complex networks.

RF Planning

Wireless Network planning involves a thorough understanding of the local terrain, clutter, and call volume predictions combined with the clarity, throughput and in-building coverage expectations. Network planning is critical due to the nature of fairly irreversible decisions taken when service providers have to zero in on the location of the sites and antenna heights to cater for superior voice and data quality experience. Following this, network optimization is prudent in ensuring the site parameters are optimally set and the orientations are right to avoid any coverage holes.

At Sasken Network Engineering Limited (SNEL), we have the know-how and the expertise to deal with complex network planning tools and run through a series of coverage prediction algorithms to arrive at an optimal network design to match with service providers’ requirements. We have the capability to work with all key Network planning tools in the market and have executed Network planning projects across all wireless technologies. SNEL commits to provide a comprehensive “first time right” network plan that complies to meet the various wireless planning indicators.

SNEL also provides RF Drive Test solutions for assessing the network such as Single site functionality tests and cluster drive tests, and we follow it up with a focused post processing solutions at site, cluster and network levels to optimize and enhance the quality of the network. We have expertise in dealing with all the network data collection and processing tools and skilled engineering talent to analyze collected data and provide solutions for an improved network.

Network Optimization is a constant process since the network quality and performance will undergo changes with pressures of expansion and a fast growing subscriber base. We can help provide drive test and optimization solutions to service providers for assessing the RF conditions of the network and suggest consultative solutions for enhancing the network quality.

SNEL operates RF design and engineering activities out of its bases in India and the United States. We have the experience of having completed large scale RF design and optimization activities for all major Tier-1 OEMs and Service providers in India and the USA across GSM, CDMA 1x, CDMA EVDO, UMTS, HSDPA technologies.

SNEL has the right experience and expertise to help plan and implement best in class networks in your region for superior customer experiences.

Site Engineering

Effective design and implementation of a network roll out requires careful site selection and accurate forecast of the site material requirements to help control the Capex and job interruptions.
Sasken’s site engineering services delivers robust plans for equipment layouts, cable routing and rack designs, power requirements calculations, tower designs and civil works planning.

Sasken’s dedicated “Site Engineering Center” takes complete ownership to provide the following;

Site Surveys

• Site Deficiency Report
• Equipment layout planning
• Cable rack/cable routing planning

 

Site Planning & Design

• Power capacity planning & calculations
• DDF & PCM cable requirements
• Infrastructure requirements (Tower, civil works designs)
• Flooring / lighting / air – conditioning etc
• Identification & Technical evaluation of required material
• IMR (Installation Material Required) document generation

 

Site Folder Generation

• As-Built Drawing using Auto CAD
• Final BOM required for Site Readiness

Sasken’s value proposition in this area stems from it’s competency in multi streams i.e. telecom, electrical, mechanical & civil and its extensive project experience.

Microwave Engineering

This includes the following services,

• Line Of Sight (LOS) survey
• Link Budget Calculation

Sasken has the experience in working on tools such as the Path Loss Tool.

System Engineering

The service offering helps in design of new network architecture or evaluation of the existing system architecture.

Sasken undertakes the following activities:

• NSS/ BSS System Engineering
• Covers BSC – MSC homing
• BTS – BSC homing
• Transmission Planning
• BSC Connectivity (OMCR – TCU – PCUSN)
• Database Engineering
• Creation of RSL. MTL, XBL, OML
• Creation of BSC / XCDR
• Creation of Cell / BTS - CIDs. TRXs, neighbor list etc.
• Integration of cell sites from OMCR

Network Deployment

Network rollouts and expansion of networks are imperative for service providers to enhance coverage and capacity, and provide an enhanced user experience for their customers. Network rollouts can be complex, constrained to tight schedules and require effective project management skills. Deployment activities also call for skillful execution with minimal interference to existing setup.

Sasken Network Engineering Limited (SNEL) has trained and experienced field technical and engineering capabilities and the management competence to drive complex network rollouts. We enable Network OEMs and Service Providers to execute the complete suite of deployment activities - Installation, Commissioning, Integration, Redeployment and In-building solutions on an end-to-end turnkey ownership model.

We provide services across technologies from the traditional wireless and transmission technologies to new-age technologies such as Wimax, 3G and IMS. We also provide network redeployment solutions that require skilful execution for minimal interruption to existing traffic on the network. Our services span the breadth of equipments across Access, Core, Packet and Transmission nodes of all Tier 1 OEMs. We are rolling out many hundreds of sites a month across India. We come with a background of having executed international assignments across various geographies in South East Asia, Africa and the Pacific regions.

With emphasis to timeline adherence, quick turnaround and quality, SNEL is rightly positioned to help our customers meet their rollout challenges.

installation & Commissioning

For any wireless network to perform efficiently, in addition to good planning, it is imperative to have high quality deployment of the various network elements and subsystems. This is an important factor in deciding the reliability and performance of the network, and therefore the experience of the subscribers at large.

Sasken is committed to providing best- in - class service at every stage of the network deployment process. It is this commitment to quality that has made leading network equipment manufacturers and service providers to look at Sasken as their preferred network engineering partner. Sasken’s expertise lies in installation & commissioning (I&C) of both core and radio access network elements like MSC’s, BSCs and BTSs. Sasken’s vendor experience spreads across almost all Tier 1 OEMs like Nokia, Nortel, Motorola, and Lucent.

Our services are aimed to deliver maximum value proposition to our customers:

• Greater equipment reliability by using best practices during I&C
• Well defined processes and quality management systems
• Trained and experienced field engineering teams ensure minimum downtime of the network
• Reduced operating expenditure by time cycle reduction
• Compliance to customer specified process and EHS standards

Network Integration

Almost all networks comprise of multi vendor hardware and network management systems, using multiple technologies which makes the task of integrating these elements even more complex and critical.

Sasken’s unique proposition lies in its “Vendor independent Technology Neutral” approach to provide a one-stop shop to integrate complex networks and make them truly functional.
Sasken provides integration of active OEMs (IN, SMSC, MMSC, WAP, Pre paid, and Roaming).

Sasken’s expertise in integrating networks includes:

• Core Network Integration
• Packet Network Integration
• Integration of BSS elements
• Integration of the VAS elements

Re-deployment

In a highly dynamic telecom environment and fiercely competitive scenario, service providers are required to continuously upgrade their networks to deliver a host of application and value added services to the customers. This drives service providers to constantly introduce latest technology equipments into their network. While doing this it is essential for service providers to minimize their Capex by effectively utilizing and redeploying legacy equipment already existing in their networks.

Upgradation / expansion of existing networks by introducing new equipment from alternate vendors entails critical re dimensioning of the network and reconfiguration of the network elements.

This task becomes even more critical when redeployment of existing equipments is done on a live network without interrupting on going traffic. A high precision coordination is required between the RF Engineering, Network dimensioning, OMCR & I&C teams since the time window available for outage is barely a few hours and generally during night time. Few critical parameters that need to be maintained

to ensure consistent delivery to customers during the redeployment activity are :

• Consistency in pre and post swap RF parameters
• No change in the traffic carrying capacity of the redeployed network
• No impact on value add services being subscribed to by the customer
• Consistency in the coverage

Sasken’s ability to take complete ownership of this activity stems from its multi vendor expertise, well defined processes for efficient trouble shooting and a highly skilled team of engineers. Sasken has successfully demonstrated its capability on redeployment of various networks.

Some of the activities carried out are:

• BSS & NSS System engineering
• RF Planning & Support
• Rip and Relocation of BSC/BTSs
• Reconfiguration & Integration of all relocated BSC / BTSs
• Integration support for all relocated BSCs / BTSs

In Building Solutions

In any cellular network the greatest challenge for the service provider is to deliver a consistent coverage and voice quality to the subscriber.. A large percentage of calls originate and terminate when the subscriber is indoors. Natural interferences and obstructions within buildings such as concrete walls, partitions inside office and dense urban layout reduce the signal strength drastically resulting in poor coverage and loss of revenue to the service provider.

Sasken’s In building solutions aim to improve coverage and signal strengths inside buildings using repeaters or Micro BTSs. Sasken’s capability to design complex in building solutions result in effective traffic management for the customer.

Sasken’s engineers conduct detailed walk through tests within the building before proposing a solution. Recommendations are then made in the form of a survey report, which is prepared in consultation with the customer taking into account the proposed sector allocations.

Activities which Sasken undertakes while proposing In Building Solutions include:

• Walk though test and cable route survey
• Link budget planning & assured signal level calculations
• Planning for the BOQ
• Installation & Commissioning of Repeaters, Micro BTS, Antenna & Cable Systems
• Post installation walk test

Network Operations Support

Service providers face numerous challenges in managing networks from both a perspective of sheer size and diversity of the network. The complexities have increased while there is pressure to keep the OPEX low. The challenge to reduce costs, and meet customer expectations in service levels has brought in a need for more and more efficient network operations.

Sasken’s portfolio:

Network Surveillance

Any network needs constant monitoring and proactive measures to identify possible failure well in advance and provide quick response. Sasken engineers’ vast deployment experience helps operators get alerts on network health ahead of time and take steps on preventive maintenance.

Sasken offers the following service.:

• Configuration management
• OMC administration
• Alarm monitoring – 24 x 7
• Performance monitoring and reporting
• Outage diagnosis and resolution

Network optimization

As part of the network operations support, Sasken provides network optimization services. Whether it is drive test and data collection for the network strength or benchmarking the network on various performance parameters, Sasken has both the expertise and experience to ensure that the operators focus on their business without the fear of back operations being inefficient.
The engineers have experience in wide number of tools such as TEMS, Neptune, Actix, LCC, SPOTS, Planet, LDAT, Grayson, Agilent, CAIT, etc.

Offerings

Remote Technical Support

Sasken provides a centralized remote support to the network equipment manufactures on a 24/7 basis.

The services include,

• 24 x 7 Remote center offering technical product support
• Fault management and customer specific process resolution
• Remote support for configuration / integration issues
• Assistance in roll out of software releases, patches
• Handling critical hardware issues
• Field engineering support
• Monitoring network performance parameters

Training Services

Sasken provides training services to service providers, NEM's, independent engineering companies on different OEM products and services to enhance their skills and capabilities. Our campus offers state of the art training facilities with existing capability to provide simulation in training rooms for hands-on network operation training classes.

Sasken’s strength in offering training services stems from the following;

• Well equipped training labs
• Experienced trainers capable of imparting training across both wireless and wireline technologies
• Customised training modules
• Flexible training delivery – at customer door-step or at Sasken facility
• Training content development capability

Network Support Service

Sasken pioneers in offering ‘backend’ network support service for wireline service providers across the globe in the areas of Subscriber provisioning, Network translations and Network capacity management. The high process management capabilities ensure efficient delivery of these services to the customers without any risk of execution or loss of control. The support services provides the customers significant savings in the operational costs both in terms of percentage and actual value.

The cost savings is the need of the hour for the telephony service providers as wireline service providers across the globe feel the increasing pressure to cut costs to protect their bottomline. Changing business needs combined with rapid technological developments make the operations very complex. Thus in a multi domain environment, consisting of various legacy infrastructure, it is becoming increasingly profitable to outsource part of the network support functions and leverage the global cost structures.

Our ODM Philosophy
Sasken offers Network Support Services using Offshore Delivery Model that adopts the philosophy of “enhanced quality and productivity with reduced cost and risk”.