Operators can use SuperDSS to fast track their 5G network deployments

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The persistent growth in mobile data traffic during the last 10 years has incentivised mobile network operators (MNOs) to continuously innovate and improve their network coverage and capacity by investing in new sites and spectrum. However, both are scarce resources. MNOs must invest in new 5G mobile technology to increase spectrum efficiency and avoid a drop in customer satisfaction due to network congestion. Tools such as super dynamic spectrum sharing (SuperDSS) will facilitate the early introduction of 5G networks by enabling spectrum sharing and will futureproof network designs by simplifying the operations and maintenance (O&M) of legacy 2G, 3G and 4G networks. Analysys Mason forecasts that mobile data traffic worldwide will grow at a CAGR of 30% in the 7 years to 2024 to reach 1632EB. We also forecast that mobile data traffic will grow at a CAGR of 31% in China and 25% in Western Europe during the same time period.

However, there are challenges to MNOs’ 5G business cases, despite the benefits outlined above, because mobile ARPU has been flat or declining in the last 5 years in many countries. In fact, mobile ARPU fell by 20% worldwide between 2015 and 2020, which puts pressure on MNOs’ abilities to invest in new networks. Operators will deploy 5G networks to not only offset declining revenue, but also to ensure that new revenue-generating services from consumer- and industry-based use cases (such as gaming and smart factories, respectively) can be realised.