After successful pilots with operators in both developed and emerging markets, Ericsson has launched Accelerated Network Build, a new solution to accelerate and streamline the network build process for operators to deliver a faster time to market with a quicker return on investment.
The new solution delivers the increased speed by cutting build time 50 percent, improved quality by reducing the number of site visits by 70 percent and better predictability with 99 percent first-time-right delivery. It provides minimal impact to operators’ customers during the build out or introducing new technologies while improving coverage and capacity.
Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Business Unit Network Services, Ericsson, says: "Results from the pilots show that Accelerated Network Build makes a difference to our customers. By combining technology innovation, cloud-based tools with streamlined processes, our solution will revolutionise how networks are built and set a new standard in the industry."
Michael Sullivan-Trainor, Executive Analyst at Technology Business Research (TBR) Telecom Practice, says: “Fast time to revenue and reduced cost is a must have right now – it’s a pain point for operators that needs to be solved with innovation. New technologies are going to make things even more complex and it’s very timely that Ericsson is addressing how to fix the infrastructure deployment model now, both for today and for tomorrow when 5G and the Internet of Things will come.”
According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, 5G subscription uptake is projected to be faster than previous generations with over half a billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2022. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are also set to skyrocket, passing mobile phones as the largest category of connected devices as early as 2018.
This provides operators with the need to build the networks of the future quicker than ever before, with minimal impact to the business operations during the build. Current solutions and traditional methods of network build have multiple handovers between activities and parties resulting in lengthy deployments.
Based on a proprietary cloud-based toolkit that delivers streamlined process improvements and a host of technical innovations, Ericsson Accelerated Network Build delivers a solution that meets the ever-growing demands of both operators and their customers.
Part of the solution is Ericsson’s Network Deployment Delivery Platform, an industry-first cloud-based delivery platform for build services that was released in September 2016. Building on the delivery platform is a more streamlined two-phased deployment approach, including an offsite preparation phase and a single execution phase where activities are conducted concurrently on site.
Optimised supply flow reduces the time needed on site and remote tools and activities can take real-time control of the rollout. This facilitates a faster build and removes the need for additional site visits to meet quality compliance.