The Next Generation Mobile Network (NGMN) Alliance has released a document that outlines the requirements for self-optimising networks (SON). In order to provide overall guidance on solutions supporting SONs for the future, the new document provides several use cases and identifies requirements of operators aiming to implement SONs.
SONs offer key operational and financial benefits for operators thinking of investing in next generation networks. Future networks must be dynamic and have the ability to adapt to user requirements. Self-optimising networks are capable of reconfiguring themselves for maximum operational efficiency, which in turn significantly reduces the total cost of ownership of a network.
Self-optimising networks are seen as having a key role in the future proofing of network reliability and operational efficiency. In order to set out a framework for achieving these objectives the NGMN document focuses on the key issues such as SON enablers, self-configuration, self-optimisation, fault management and fault correction and O&M related SON.