Mobile Network Optimization

SON, DPI, Policy, Web/Video Optimization, and Monitoring

Research Report

Mobile networks are expanding more rapidly now than ever before. There are several drivers for this network expansion. The number of mobile subscribers worldwide continues to increase, with many countries over 100% penetration. The percentage of mobile subscribers using mobile broadband data is increasing, primarily due to the popularity of smartphones. And the volume of data traffic per subscriber is increasing, enabled by the higher data rates offered by 3.5G and 4G technologies. Meanwhile, operators are also upgrading their network infrastructure to support the capabilities of these 3.5G and 4G technologies and replacing existing infrastructure with new platforms that support multiple technologies and provide flexibility for future network evolution. Faced with rising operating costs, declining ARPU, and a need to invest in next-generation networks, operators are looking for optimization solutions to make their networks more efficient. This report describes the tools and technologies used for mobile network optimization, the current trends, and future directions. It also looks at the companies that provide mobile network optimization solutions. In addition to the major network equipment vendors and the traditional optimization tool vendors, there are many start-up companies offering new technologies for optimization of mobile broadband data. There are also managed services providers who offer optimization as part of their service solutions. The company and product information in this report will be valuable information for mobile network operators who buy optimization solutions as well as the vendors who sell optimization products and services.

Table of Contents

  • Top Line Forecast
  • Drivers
  • Inhibitors
  • Summary and Strategic Recommendations
  • 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
    • 1.1. Introduction
    • 1.2. Market Drivers
    • 1.3. Evolution of Mobile Optimization
    • 1.4. Technology
    • 1.5. Outlook
    • 1.6. Recommendations
    • 1.7. Conclusions
  • 2. OPTIMIZATION OVERVIEW
    • 2.1. Network Optimization
    • 2.2. Mobile Network Optimization
    • 2.3. Quality
    • 2.4. End-to-end
    • 2.5. Key Performance Indicators
    • 2.6. Service Quality Management
    • 2.7. Quality of Experience
    • 2.8. Optimizing Performance
    • 2.9. Cost Reductions
    • 2.10. CAPEX Reduction
    • 2.11. OPEX Reduction
    • 2.12. Quality Improvement
    • 2.13. Optimizing Revenue
    • 2.14. Mobile Networks Evolve into Optimization
  • 3. OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES
    • 3.1. Stages of Mobile Network Optimization
    • 3.2. Monitoring and Optimization Tools
    • 3.3. RF Optimization
    • 3.4. Drive Test Equipment
    • 3.5. RF Test Equipment
    • 3.6. Probes
    • 3.7. Network Probes
    • 3.8. Signaling and Protocol Analyzers
    • 3.9. Protocol Analyzers
    • 3.10. DPI Probes and Analytics
    • 3.11. Backhaul Optimization
    • 3.12. Mobile Offloading
    • 3.13. Policy
    • 3.14. Video and Web Optimization Techniques
    • 3.15. Content Delivery Networks
    • 3.16. Operations Support Systems
    • 3.17. Smartphone Clients
    • 3.18. Optimization Services
    • 3.19. Multi-vendor Network Optimization
  • 4. DEEP PACKET INSPECTION
    • 4.1. Packet Inspection
    • 4.2. DPI and Net Neutrality
    • 4.3. Embedded Versus Standalone DPI
  • 5. SELF-ORGANIZING NETWORKS (SON)
    • 5.1. Next Generation Mobile Networks Recommendation
    • 5.2. 3GPP Self-organizing Networks
    • 5.3. Self-configuring Networks
    • 5.4. Self-optimizing Networks
    • 5.5. Self-operating Networks
    • 5.6. Self-healing Networks
    • 5.7. Trends in Self-organizing Networks
    • 5.8. Centralized Versus Distributed Optimization
    • 5.9. Interoperability for Multiple Optimizing Algorithms
    • 5.10. SOCRATES
  • 6. KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS
    • 6.1. Mobile Network Operators
    • 6.2. Mobile Network Infrastructure Vendors
    • 6.3. Optimization Services Vendors
    • 6.4. UE Client Vendors
    • 6.5. RF Test Equipment Vendors
    • 6.6. Network Test Equipment Vendors
    • 6.7. Protocol Analyzers
    • 6.8. Network Planning Vendors
    • 6.9. Backhaul Optimization
    • 6.10. Network Offloading Vendors
    • 6.11. Routing/Transport Monitoring/Optimization Vendors
    • 6.12. DPI Bandwidth Management Vendors
    • 6.13. Video Optimization and Web Optimization Vendors
    • 6.14. Content Delivery Network Vendors
    • 6.15. Policy Vendors
    • 6.16. OSS Vendors
    • 6.17. Network Monitoring Vendors
    • 6.18. SON Vendors
  • 7. MARKET FORECASTS
    • 7.1. Regional Outlook
    • 7.2. Sales to Operators and Manufacturers
    • 7.3. Outlook by Network Generation (2G/3G/4G)
    • 7.4. Smartphone Client Outlook
    • 7.5. Radio Test Equipment Outlook
    • 7.6. Outlook for Probes in the RAN
    • 7.7. Outlook for Transport Monitoring/Optimization
    • 7.8. Mobile OSS Outlook
    • 7.9. DPI Outlook
    • 7.10. Mobile Web Optimization Outlook
    • 7.11. Mobile Video Optimization Outlook
    • 7.12. Policy Server Outlook
  • 8. RECOMMENDATIONS
    • 8.1. For Network Operators
    • 8.2. For Monitoring/Optimization Solution Vendors
    • 8.3. For Network Equipment Vendors
    • 8.4. For Managed Services Vendors
  • 9. COMPANY DIRECTORY
  • 10. ACRONYMS
  • 11. LINKS TO RELATED RESEARCH
    • 11.1. Scope of Study
    • 11.2. Sources and Methodology
    • 11.3. Notes

Tables

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  1. Mobile Network Monitoring & Optimization Equipment, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  2. Total Mobile Network Data Traffic, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  3. Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  4. Mobile Network Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  5. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, by Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  6. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  7. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, 2G/3G/4G, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  8. Mobile UE Clients for Network Monitoring, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  9. RAN Portable Test Equipment, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  10. RAN Monitoring Probes, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  11. Transport Monitoring/Optimization Equipment, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  12. OSS Monitoring/Optimization, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  13. Mobile Network Standalone DPI, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016
  14. Mobile Web Optimization, World Market, Forecast: 2012 to 2016
  15. Mobile Video Optimization, World Market, Forecast: 2012 to 2016
  16. Mobile Policy Market, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016

Charts

  1. Total Mobile Network Data Traffic
  2. Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type
  3. Mobile Network Monitoring and Optimization Equipment
  4. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, by Segment
  5. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, by Region
  6. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment, 2G/3G/4G
  7. Mobile UE Clients for Network Monitoring, by Region
  8. RAN Portable Test Equipment, by Region
  9. RAN Monitoring Probes, by Region
  10. Transport Monitoring/Optimization Equipment, by Region
  11. OSS Monitoring/Optimization, by Region
  12. Mobile Network Standalone DPI
  13. Mobile Web Optimization
  14. Mobile Video Optimization
  15. Mobile Policy Market
  16. Mobile Monitoring and Optimization Equipment Revenue by Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2016

Figures

  1. Typical Timeline for Mobile Network Optimization
  2. An Example of a Portable Spectrum Analyzer
  3. An Example of a Network Probe Analysis Report
  4. An Example of an ATCA Rack-Mounted Network Probe
  5. Probe Locations in a Typical LTE Network
  6. Use of a Protocol Analyzer to Monitor Network Messaging
  7. Depiction of How Wi-Fi Offloading Works on Towerstream's Manhattan Network
  8. OSS Architecture and Applications
  9. Self-organizing Network Features
  10. Centralized SON vs. Distributed SON Architectures
  11. Stoke Session Exchange (SSX)