Ten Steps to Maximize Your Investment in Digital Networks

Step 1: Getting The Right Information From Your System Audit

Realizing the potential of the equipment you have is the first step in maximizing your current investment or planning for its evolution. A system audit will give you an inventory of your equipment from switch to base station. This information will allow you to identify any current issues that need to be addressed before planning to move forward. An edited system audit can also serve as a foundation document to provide to vendors during evolution discussions.

Step 2: Market-Driven RF Design Evaluation

The RF design of your current network should be reviewed periodically as your market plans change. The design that worked three years ago for analog voice systems may not meet the requirements of the digital and data offerings you now seek to deploy. Optimization of your current network can be achieved in many ways, among them antenna changes, sectorization, and other configuration changes. The design and placement of future sites is also critical to the evolution of the network.

Step 3: Performance Drive Tests

A Performance Drive test is especially critical when considering the deployment of an additional technology within a market. This test will ensure that the existing network is operating to its fullest potential and also provide validation of the theoretical calculations used to develop transition plans. In addition any existing issues with path balance, software settings, or equipment failure can be identified and corrected.

Step 4: Network Audits Can Reduce Operating Costs!

The operation and cost basis of your network are key elements in operating a cost effective, revenue positive service offering. The network would include all trunking, backhaul, both leased and microwave elements, and all special services line E911, SS7, operator, and directory assistance services. Total network optimization will help reduce overall network costs and maintain a high quality customer experience.

Step 5: Switch Audits and Evolution Planning

The software settings within a switch can have a major impact on the existing network and the planning for the evolution of the system. Items such as handoffs, power control, page and repage settings, registration areas and timing, and other factors can impact network performance. At the same time, a hardware audit should be completed to ensure that all existing hardware is being used to its fullest potential to eliminate any unneeded capital expenditures.

Step 6: Market Forces and Technology Migration

It is imperative to identify what forces exist in your market that will force you to migrate to a different technology.
• What are your customers saying about new services?
• What are your neighbors and partners doing?
• Are capacity constraints the main factor in migration?
• What other market factors are applying pressure?

Step 7: Choosing Data Offerings

Establish what data offerings make sense in your market area. Will you see enough revenue to justify deployment now or in future years? How important is data to your future?

Step 8: Evaluating Vendors

When deciding on the evolution of your network, offerings from all vendors should be considered. A comprehensive scope of current system capabilities and future goals should be prepared to send out to vendors to quote on your system. The vendor responses should then evaluated against each other from a cost and capability standpoint.

Step 9: Purchasing the Right Equipment

In many cases, with the right advice, you can save lot of capital in the deployment of gray market equipment. Using a reputable reseller and having knowledge of what equipment is available is important. Another option is a combined equipment purchase of new and gray market equipment. This option ensures that all software-licensing issues are addressed with major vendor support and ensures lower cost capital model.

Step 10: Migration Planning and Implementation

Once you decide on your strategy, it is important to have an implementation plan in place. Everything from RF design to equipment installation to drive testing should be included with target dates established. Large network deployments require a single point of control to ensure all milestones of the project are completed on time and within budget guidelines.