Europe : WFI Business Solutions, based in Guildford, UK is pleased to announce availability of the latest version of its Access Network Optimisation Service.

The access or backhaul network constitutes a significant part of the costs of any mobile network. Despite careful planning the necessary compromises made during build and expansion often result in a configuration that is far from optimal. As a result both equipment and operating costs are often far higher than they need be – typically 10-20%. Identifying the necessary changes can be a difficult and time consuming process.

The WFI Access Network Optimiser service has three prime areas of application:
- Greenfield operators that need to deploy an optimum access network
- Existing operators deploying upgraded radio networks, such as the addition of EDGE or 3G UTRAN to an existing 2/2.5G infrastructure
- Optimisation of existing 2/2.5/3G infrastructures to ensure economic operation.

Features and Benefits
WFI is a global leader in telecommunications outsourcing and the Business Solutions Group has extensive experience in the dimensioning, design and deployment of 2G and 3G mobile systems. The WFI Access Network Optimiser service is based around a toolset originally developed in-house to aid in these projects and has been used on more than 15 networks across Europe and the U.S. The service is available on a project or outsourced basis for a fixed price per base-station.
The Access Network Optimiser tool allows us to:
• Model all key elements in the network including link and multiplexer / DXC costs
• Optimise the deployment of up to six technology types with up to eight link speeds for each technology
• Readily assess the cost differences between the actual and optimum configurations
• Take account of practical constraints in location of equipment or routing of links
• Compare the cost impact of individual changes using a ‘drag and drop’ interface
• Set planning rules such as concentrator gain and the maximum number of microwave hops
• Assess the impact of new services and/or subscriber growth
• Use proprietary heuristic techniques to ensure the solution proposed is as near economically optimal as possible
• Plan and help implement agreed changes.