ADVANTAGE

Part of the Enterprise Suite

Integrated OSS, Planning & Optimisation Solutions

Automatic Cell Planning and Optimisation Tool
ADVANTAGE was launched as a new innovative approach to planning and optimisation. ADVANTAGE
is an Automated Network Cell Planning & Optimisation tool that fulfils the planning and optimisation
needs of operators in today's multi-technology, multi-vendor mobile communications networks.
ADVANTAGE has achieved, in network trials, the reduction of site numbers and typical increases in
deployed network service capacity by up to 10%.

• Automatically optimise the number of sites required to meet coverage and service objectives during
regional network roll out.
• Automatically optimise the physical network configuration to maximise capacity for the range of services
and traffic demands.
• Automatically optimise design parameters like antenna and power settings for multi-technology networks
• Avoid trial and error drive test
optimisation approach based
survey measurements and
significantly reduce levels of
drive survey activities and
antenna re-rigging resources.
• Support full integration between
interacting optimisation
mechanisms
• Utilise an extensive range of
survey measurement and
network statistics data to tune
the modelled network and
Network Performance after Antenna & Power Optimisation
facilitate area performance
optimisation
• Automate and improve the efficiency of the iterative process of ongoing planning and optimisation
• Support 'real world' performance targets and network configuration constraints
• Integrate with planning and optimisation tools to avoid data integration, interfacing issues and
overheads.

With the third generation of mobile networks becoming a reality there has never been a more pressing need
for a new innovative approach in planning and optimisation. The automation of many of the processes,
which are still carried out manually by many operators, will cause an instant increase in Planning and
Optimisation efficiency as well as a significant decrease in network costs. In addition, when integrated with
the ENTERPRISE Suite's Planning and Optimisation Tools, ASSET3G and RANOPT, the benefit of
ADVANTAGE grows even further through the quick and easy data sharing that is enabled by the Suite's
core Oracle database.
 Integrated OSS, Planning & Optimisation Solutions
ADVANTAGE and the User:
ADVANTAGE can operate as a stand
alone solution or as an integrated part of
AIRCOM International's ENTERPRISE
system. ENTERPRISE is a fully
integrated, PC-based, network
engineering solution for network
operators, cellular equipment
manufacturers and system integrators.
ADVANTAGE operates as a single
network design optimisation tool
environment in which a wide range of data
sources used to quantify the performance
of the real networks are analysed. It can
facilitate integration and joint manipulation
of a variety of data sources including OSS
generated performance statistics,
planning predictions and drive test
measurements with ease.
Highly flexible interfaces result in easy
access to third party tools and databases
creating a clear complete picture of the
network status. ADVANTAGE utilises a
series of intelligent proprietary AIRCOM
analysis algorithms, resulting in an easier
identification of problem areas, simplifying
detection and remedy of design problems,
service performance and capacity
limitations dramatically.
A series of specialist automatic design
assessment algorithms enable automatic
planning of the radio subsystems
alleviating the complexity of both the
optimisation and planning process. The
intelligent use of real life constraints and
validation using real network statistics
ensures that the concluded network
design results in real improvement
compared with dated manual planning
approaches.
ADVANTAGE
Before Optimisation
Why ADVANTAGE?
The increased complexity of mobile
communication networks is the key driver
behind the development of ADVANTAGE.
The automation of complex design
algorithms responds to the need for
advanced tools for the design and
optimisation of today's complex multi-
technology networks. At the same time it is
essential to ensure the validity of the
solution by incorporating both practical
design constraints and calibration of the
model network through a selection of
performance statistics and measured
data.
ADVANTAGE empowers optimisation and
planning engineers through the creation of
an intelligent comprehensive analysis
environment, integrating the existing
available information sources. A series of
advanced optimisation algorithms
incorporating understanding of 'real world'
issues assist the user by identifying
changes that improve the performance of
the network. Powerful analysis
mechanisms allow the validation of the
improvements against live network
performance data.
Unique Analysis Platform
The unique analysis platform that
ADVANTAGE delivers supports an
efficient cycle for optimisation and
planning by allowing engineers to
diagnose faults through an improved
availability of both key measured and
predicted data. Solutions can be
immediately analysed, assessed, and
even implemented in the network
(depending on the degree of integration
implemented and capabilities of the
supporting products).
After Optimisation
Understanding of the Real World
Environment
A comprehensive list of constraints based
on practical understanding of mobile
communication networks ensures that the
solutions the optimiser presents are
practical. The understanding of the real
world environment is validated through the
extensive range of measured data that
can be incorporated in the analysis.
Ensuring the accuracy of the model
network is vital in achieving
implementation ready and reliable
improvements through the optimiser.
Extensive Action Costs Analysis
The cost of the actions that are
recommended is assessed not only in
terms of the performance improvement
but also for their impact on the overall
fiscal and resource budgets leading to
commercially feasible optimisation
programmes. The 'risk' associated by
individual optimisation actions may also
be quantified, resulting in an improved
distribution of measured optimisation
outcomes.
Clearer Insight into Network The ENTERPRISE Suite
Performance
The diagram below gives an outline of the AIRCOM Enterprise Suite of Network
The ADVANTAGE platform is based on a Engineering tools and how they fit in the Planning, Operations and Optimisation
specifically developed open process of a mobile network.
environment supporting interfaces to
third party data sources. The great As becomes clear from the diagram, ADVANTAGE is closely integrated with
openness and flexibility of the platform ENTERPRISE's Radio Planning and Post Processing tools, ASSET3G and RANOPT.
provides easy access to the existing ADVANTAGE, as with all the tools within the suite, operates from ENTERPRISE's
design and optimisation tools without single Universal Core Oracle Database. This enables results to be obtained that give
limiting the efficiency of the the most accurate picture of network performance possible, through utilisation of the
ADVANTAGE optimisation cycle. There key information available within the single database.
is a clear recognition that the advantage
of ADVANTAGE lies in offering the user The common PC Platform look and feel of each tool within the suite also adds to the
a much clearer insight into the network ease of use as users can seamlessly switch from tool to tool to create an excellent
performance and transparent continuous window on the network.
mechanisms for achieving
improvements rather than a black box Every tool within the suite is multi-vendor and multi-technology capable and can be fully
that churns results. integrated into many other engineering tools such as fault management and billing.

Further information regarding ENTERPRISE Tools can be obtained by visiting our

website or by contacting your nearest AIRCOM Office.

ADVANTAGE Support and

Training
ADVANTAGE is delivered to you as a
solution. AIRCOM will work with you to
ensure that the hardware and software
elements of the tool are delivered in the
most efficient and cost effective way.
Once ADVANTAGE is live you have the
comfort of knowing that you will be
supported by AIRCOM's dedicated
support team. In addition, you will be
able to take advantage of the latest
software updates as they are released,
ensuring that your Automatic Cell
Planning system remains state-of-the-
art.

Despite ADVANTAGE's power, it is both

user-friendly and intuitive. Furthermore,
the product is supported by an
ADVANTAGE Tool User course
developed and delivered by AIRCOM's
professional Competence Development
Team. It is absolutely in our interests to
make sure that you use ADVANTAGE to
best effect.

www.aircom.co.uk
AIRCOM International are industry leaders in Mobile Network Planning, Optimisation and OSS
solutions, providing Software, Consultancy and Training services to nearly 250 mobile operators, vendors
and system integrators worldwide.
For more information about AIRCOM, please visit www.aircom.co.uk or request a brochure pack from one
of our offices.
With offices around the world, AIRCOM supports its customers in all regions with a high level of efficiency
and professionalism. Please contact your local office for more information about our products and
services.

UK BRAZIL
AIRCOM International Ltd AIRCOM International América Latina Ltda
Grosvenor House Rua das Arraias, 80 sls.52/54/56
65 -71 London Road São José dos Campos - SP - Brasil CEP 12246-330
Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1LQ Tel: +55 12 3941-2199
UK Fax: +55 12 3911-3727
Tel: +44 (0) 1737 775 700 Email: sales@aircom.com.br
Fax: +44 (0) 1737 775 770 www.aircom.com.br
Email: enquiries@aircom.co.uk
www.aircom.co.uk UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
AIRCOM Middle East & Africa
USA PO Box 500134
AIRCOM International Inc. Office No. 209, Building 2, Second Floor
8150 North Central Expressway Dubai Internet City
Suite 650 Dubai
Dallas TX 75206 UAE
USA Tel: +971 4 391 2640
Tel: +1 214 360 7240 Fax: +971 4 391 8660
Fax: +1 214 360 7241 Email: mea@aircom.co.uk
Email: sales@aircominc.com www.aircom.co.uk
www.aircominc.com
SWEDEN
SINGAPORE AIRCOM International Scandinavia AB
AIRCOM International Pte Ltd Vasagatan 46
143 Cecil Street #19-03/04 SE - 111 20 Stockholm
GB Building Sweden
Singapore 069542 Tel: +46 8 556 194 55
Tel: +65 372 0548 Fax: +46 8 566 194 65
Fax: +65 372 0350 Email: scandinavia@aircom.co.uk
Email: enquiries@aircom.com.sg www.aircom.co.uk
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CHINA
INDIA AIRCOM International Pte Ltd
AIRCOM International (india) Private Limited Shanghai Representative office
Plot no.579 Udyog Vihar Suite 1707
Phase V No. 841, Yan’An Road (M)
Gurgaon 122 016, OOCL Plaza
Haryana, India Shanghai, 200040, PRC
Tel: +91 124 5102445 Tel: +86 21 6279 2779
Fax: +91 124 5102450 Fax: +86 21 6279 2855
Email: aircomindia@aircom.co.uk Email: enquiries@aircom.com.sg
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SOUTH AFRICA FRANCE

AIRCOM International South Africa (pty) Ltd AIRCOM International SAS
1st Floor, 68 Grayston Drive La Grande Arche – Paroi Nord
Grayston Place 92044
Sandton, 2196 Paris La Defense Cedex
South Africa France
Tel: +27 11 3243600 Tel: +33 1 40 90 34 10
Fax: +27 11 7848027 Fax: +33 1 40 90 34 09
Email: sales@aircom.co.za Email: france@aircominternational.com
www.aircom.co.uk www.aircominternational.com

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