Time to re-think network design

Traditional network design

The network design has been the same for generations. Operators achieve network coverage with traditional indoor base stations consisting of an antenna system, transceiver, base station controller, power supply and a battery backup system. All components are typically doubled to provide maximum availability for mission and business critical users.

The drawback of this solution is complexity and unnecessary high costs. The complexity of different components in a base station requires a lot of space and therefore a shelter is a requisite to host all the equipment. Often an air conditioning unit is then required to create a comfortable environment for the equipment. Further, spare part management becomes a challenge as every single component must be locally available so in case of a failure the component can be replaced immediately to maintain the availability of the radio network.

How to improve - glancing at commercial networks

1G and 2G commercial networks were built in a very similar way to traditional PMR networks. However, with the 3G networks the amount and size of the equipment were significantly reduced, reduced to a point were indoor base stations and shelters were replaced by outdoor base stations. Obviously the requirements for commercial networks are quite different from narrowband networks but key for both is to provide 24/7 availability.

A network built with outdoor base stations

But how can PMR networks leverage from the developments happening in commercial networks? Very simple: Build your network with outdoor base stations. A network with outdoor base stations like the DAMM Outdoor MultiTech base stations will not only significantly reduce the amount of equipment and require very little spare parts stock, it also reduces the footprint. 

Cost-efficiency with geo-redundancy and cell overlap

Obtaining availability with indoor base stations is not the ideal solution, and it comes at a very high price both in terms of costs, but also in terms of availability and user satisfaction.

Besides the high costs of installation, more complex management and spare parts stock, the indoor base station solution often requires high masts, construction work on-site for shelters etc., and it provides, unstable field strength.

Choosing a geo-redundant solution with cell-overlapping outdoor base stations significantly reduces costs, and equally important, it meets the user demand for the network to be available at all times.

With cell-overlapping there is no single point of failure. In case of a cell failure, coverage will remain, and most of the time a failure will not even be noticed by the users. And for the operator there are great savings on maintenance and operation.

Proven solution

So next time you are planning a PMR network we recommend to built it with outdoor base stations and benefit from the advantages this brings. It is time to re-think network design.

A variety of different outdoor systems have been developed by different vendors and they have been successfully proven under various conditions in hot, in cold, under salt spray etc. to name but a few. So next time you are planning a voice and data communications network you ought to consider an outdoor approach and benefit from the advantages this brings, a.o. a breakthrough TCO.

If you would like to learn more please contact us at sales@damm.dk