Bridge the 5G Technology Gap Today

As new and complex architectures drive the rapid introduction of next-generation elements and 5G-enabled handsets, traditional network equipment manufacturers are falling short when it comes to delivering 5G functionality operational efficiencies. For service providers, this technology lag is generating crossroad conversations about the automation tools needed to support growing subscriber demands, pilot complex services, exceed revenue-generation targets, and take advantage of cloud-ready 5G architectures.

And, with 2021 spectrum auctions and assignments up 250 percent year over year, according to Global Mobile Suppliers Association, the need for future-proof, carrier-grade tools to resolve and fine-tune capacity, coverage, and quality issues is magnified by monetary investments over $140 billion.

What’s Behind the Changing Needs?

New and higher-bandwidth frequencies introduced to support capacity and latency requirements translate into the deployment of small cells exceeding traditional LTE cells fivefold, making traditional radio access network (RAN) optimization methods (manual tuning) cost-prohibitive.

To offer subscribers high-bandwidth applications and superior services with low latency, mobile operators are looking for new, comprehensive workflows that can analyze information quickly and confidently guide next actions when addressing 5G capacity, interference, and coverage objectives. Furthermore, specialized and problem-specific artificial intelligence datasets are needed to address subscriber challenges originating in the RAN.

• Traditional RAN problems intensify with 5G: Coverage, radio frequency (RF) overshooting, user equipment (UE) capability, neighbor cell relations, antenna cabling errors
• New problems surface with new standards: Carrier aggregation, ultra-low latency, distributed RAN components

Innovative RAN Offering Enables Informed Evolution

With the introduction of a RAN analytics application suite and problem-specific datasets, NETSCOUT delivers a customizable and holistic approach for network growth, business transformation, and 5G profitability.

Comprised of distinct, challenge-specific modules, the RAN automation and optimization solution offers mobile service providers the following benefits:

• Highly scalable standalone offerings designed to support existing automation systems and feed third-party data lakes 
• Seamless integration and drill-through capabilities from deployed NETSCOUT tools for advanced troubleshooting of RAN issues
• Improved geolocation accuracy for superior service quality and monetization studies

Although it’s clear that 5G success relies heavily on the performance and interoperability of the RAN and technology-enabled subscriber handsets, service providers know they will need an industry-leading solution from a technology leader.

NETSCOUT answers this call with decades of experience and an evolution-ready approach to support leading-edge technology throughout the deployment lifecycle.

Learn more about NETSCOUT’s RAN optimization and automation solutions and the benefits realized by more than 4,000 unique daily users with complete RAN-to-core visibility and unique datasets for identification, improvement, and resolution of challenging 5G business use cases.