by David Reeder
With the rollout of 5G, the Radio Access Network (RAN) is undergoing remarkable changes: new architecture with open interfaces, major densification of both capacity and spectral efficiency (massive MIMO), as well as larger implementations of automation, are just a few that come to mind. Not to mention enhancements to the Self-Organizing Network platforms (SON) in 4G networks and early deployments of the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) in new open/virtual RAN deployments.
Why is the RAN undergoing these significant investments?
Operators’ margins are getting squeezed. The wallet share for mobile service is shrinking while the demand for more bandwidth and coverage is as fierce as ever. Operators have to manage a combination of aging legacy and new infrastructure with significant pressure on Operating Expenses. Recognizing business as usual won’t suffice. Operators are investing in machine learning, real-time decisioning and closed-loop automation in order to meet ever-expanding network demands while managing OpEx pressure.
Protecting their greatest assets – subscribers and spectrum – is paramount. To this end, Operators require visibility and predictability of network performance, and not just of a cell or sector, but from an individual subscriber view. High-volume data ingestion from the RAN including session, call traffic, performance and configuration management counters, combined with automated microsecond analysis and automated decisioning improves the end users’ quality of experience. The KX Telco platform can also combines these functions, along with ML-driven real-time capacity planning leveraging third party data sets (weather, traffic, transport events). Joining data sets creates a more predictable quality of service score for subscriber analysis.
Consider this: a European Mobile operator recently deployed KX Telco in partnership with their existing SON vendor to improve real-time RAN performance through closed-loop automation. The results show the clear benefits of bringing real-time analytics and automation into the network:
- an 80% increase in throughput for their worse performing subscribers; and
- a 20% increase in average throughput for all subscribers on cells modified using closed-loop automation via KX.
It’s important to note that the improved network experience through KX’s microsecond automation functions was accomplished with no new hardware resources added due to the small footprint of the KX platform. KX Telco is able to run in a fraction of the available compute resources compared to legacy platforms, freeing up valuable compute investment for other applications.
At KX, we have been promoting the microsecond mindset – leveraging real-time data analytics to harness the value of continuous intelligence. KX is excited to be a catalyst for improved network performance by leveraging ultra-fast microsecond decisioning to improve Operator economics.
To learn more about KX Telco or to schedule a demo, visit our website or contact us on sales@kx.com.
