5G Network Planner
Plan 5G network deployments with coverage predictions and capacity calculations
5G Network Planning Parameters
5G Network Requirements
Coverage Analysis
Capacity Analysis
Equipment Requirements
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Recommendations
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Network Coverage Map
Estimated coverage based on selected parameters
Understanding 5G Network Planning
Key concepts and considerations for successful 5G network deployments
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology, designed to provide significantly faster data speeds, ultra-low latency, greater capacity, and more reliable connections than previous generations. It enables a wide range of new applications and services, from enhanced mobile broadband and massive IoT deployments to mission-critical communications requiring ultra-reliable low-latency connections.
Key Benefits
5G networks deliver peak data rates up to 20 Gbps, sub-millisecond latency, massive device connectivity (up to 1 million devices per square kilometer), and 99.999% reliability. These capabilities enable new use cases in smart cities, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, and beyond.
Planning Challenges
5G network planning presents unique challenges, including higher frequency bands with limited propagation characteristics, dense small cell deployments, complex capacity planning, infrastructure requirements, and spectrum management across multiple bands with different coverage and capacity characteristics.
5G Frequency Bands and Their Impact
Low-Band (600-900 MHz)
Provides the widest coverage area and good building penetration. While offering excellent coverage, capacity is limited compared to higher bands. Typical cell radius ranges from 10-15 km in rural areas to 2-5 km in urban environments. Best suited for wide-area coverage and IoT applications requiring broad reach.
Mid-Band (2.5-3.7 GHz)
Balances coverage and capacity, making it the workhorse of most 5G networks. Offers good building penetration and reasonable cell sizes with much higher capacity than low-band. Typical cell radius ranges from 2-4 km in rural areas to 500m-1km in urban areas. Ideal for general mobile broadband services.
mmWave (24-40 GHz)
Delivers extremely high capacity and ultra-low latency but with very limited range and poor penetration through obstacles. Cell radius typically ranges from 100-300m, with minimal building penetration. Best suited for dense urban areas, venues, and fixed wireless access in line-of-sight conditions where ultra-high bandwidth is needed.
Network Architecture Options
Deployment Options
- Non-Standalone (NSA): Deploys 5G radios while utilizing existing 4G core network. Faster to deploy but cannot deliver all 5G capabilities. Uses dual connectivity between LTE and 5G networks, primarily for enhanced mobile broadband use cases.
- Standalone (SA): Uses a completely new 5G core network with 5G radios. Delivers full 5G capabilities including network slicing, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications. Requires more initial investment but enables advanced 5G features.
- Hybrid Approach: Begin with NSA for initial 5G services, then progressively migrate to SA as network evolves. Balances speed-to-market with full 5G capabilities. Most operators are following this evolutionary path.
- Small Cell vs. Macro Cell: 5G networks typically use a mix of traditional macro cells for coverage and dense small cell deployments for capacity, especially in urban areas and for mmWave deployments.
- Cell Densification: 5G requires more base stations per square kilometer than previous generations, especially for higher frequency bands. Cell densification strategies are crucial for urban and high-demand areas.
Key Planning Considerations
- Spectral Efficiency: 5G delivers up to 30 bits/s/Hz compared to 4G's 15 bits/s/Hz, increasing capacity per MHz of spectrum.
- Site Acquisition: Dense small cell deployments require new site acquisition strategies and streamlined permitting processes.
- Backhaul/Fronthaul: High-capacity fiber connections are typically required to support 5G base stations, especially for mmWave deployments.
- Indoor Coverage: Higher frequency bands have reduced building penetration, often requiring dedicated indoor solutions like small cells, distributed antenna systems, or repeaters.
- Future-Proofing: Network designs should account for traffic growth, technology evolution, and emerging use cases.
- Deployment Phasing: Most operators deploy in phases, starting with high-value areas and progressively expanding coverage and capabilities.
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