5G RAN KPI Analysis for Mobile Operators
The evolution to 5G networks has introduced a dynamic and complex Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture that requires a meticulous approach to performance evaluation and optimization. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) play a critical role in this process, serving as measurable metrics that reflect the efficiency, reliability, and overall performance of the RAN.
Importance and Components
Proper KPI analysis is essential not only for ongoing RAN optimization but also for its planning, design, and long-term operational success.
MCNS’s major task, among other is to combine network statistics KPI metrics in order to manage the performance and optimize the network key functionality for several operator networks.
Our effort is based on vendor agnostic analysis, including some benefits from the great knowledge and background on 4G/5G network deployment, RAN planning/optimizing and signaling analysis. Among the most important KPIs are Accessibility, Retainability, Integrity, and Network Capacity, each addressing specific aspects of network performance.
Our project analysis focuses on several different Performance Indicator sections as following:
Accessibility: Ensuring Seamless Connection
Accessibility KPIs assess the network’s ability to provide successful access to users and services. Metrics such as Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR) and Registration Success Rate (RSR) are critical in evaluating how effectively the RAN connects users to services. High accessibility is vital for ensuring a positive user experience, especially in high-demand scenarios, such as urban centers or large-scale events. Accessibility KPIs influence RAN planning by identifying areas with coverage gaps or excessive interference, enabling targeted investments in site deployments or beamforming optimizations. In performance analysis, accessibility metrics help identify access failures caused by misconfigured parameters, hardware faults, or excessive load.
Retainability: Maintaining Reliable Connections
Retainability KPIs measure the network’s ability to sustain connections once established, emphasizing metrics like Call Drop Rate (CDR) and Handover Success Rate (HOSR). Retainability is particularly critical in scenarios involving mobility, where users transition between cells or gNBs. Poor retainability can disrupt critical applications, such as voice over NR (VoNR) or real-time video streaming, degrading user satisfaction. For RAN optimization, analyzing retainability KPIs helps fine-tune handover parameters, mitigate resource contention, and reduce radio link failures (RLFs). From a planning perspective, it informs decisions about site density, inter-site distance, and the deployment of additional capacity-enhancing features like carrier aggregation or dual connectivity.
Integrity: Guaranteeing Service Quality
Integrity KPIs focus on the quality of the delivered service, such as throughput, latency, and packet error rate (PER). These metrics directly influence the user experience, especially for applications requiring high-speed data or low latency, such as augmented reality (AR), remote surgery, or autonomous driving. Integrity KPIs help identify bottlenecks in the RAN, such as insufficient backhaul capacity or suboptimal scheduling algorithms. Optimization efforts often involve improving resource allocation strategies, adjusting modulation and coding schemes (MCS), or deploying advanced techniques like massive MIMO and dynamic spectrum sharing. Integrity analysis also supports RAN design by validating that planned configurations meet the expected Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for diverse traffic scenarios.
Network Capacity: Enabling Scalability and Growth
Capacity KPIs evaluate the RAN’s ability to handle high traffic loads while maintaining performance. Metrics such as spectral efficiency, resource block utilization, and maximum user throughput provide insights into the network’s scalability. Capacity KPIs are crucial for planning and design, guiding decisions on spectrum allocation, site deployments, and the adoption of features like network slicing or traffic offloading. In operational networks, capacity analysis helps detect congestion and informs strategies such as load balancing, adaptive beam management, or adding small cells in high-demand areas.
Integrating KPI Analysis in RAN Planning and Optimization
KPI analysis is a cornerstone of both RAN planning and ongoing optimization efforts. During the planning phase, KPI targets guide decisions on site placement, frequency planning, and hardware configurations to meet service-level agreements (SLAs). For example, accessibility and retainability KPIs help determine the optimal distribution of macro and small cells, while capacity KPIs inform spectrum and bandwidth decisions.
In operational networks, real-time KPI monitoring ensures the network adapts to evolving traffic patterns and addresses performance issues proactively. For instance, sudden drops in accessibility metrics might indicate coverage issues, requiring antenna realignment or increased transmit power. Meanwhile, deteriorating integrity KPIs might necessitate load redistribution or activation of advanced features like carrier aggregation.
The Holistic View: KPIs as a Systemic Tool
RAN performance is inherently multi-dimensional, and KPIs must be analyzed collectively. A single KPI, such as high accessibility, might mask issues in retainability or integrity. Thus, a holistic approach to KPI analysis enables network operators to achieve a balance across all performance dimensions. It also supports continuous improvement cycles, ensuring that the RAN evolves to meet the demands of new 5G use cases while maintaining optimal performance.
In conclusion, Accessibility, Retainability, Integrity, and Network Capacity are critical pillars of 5G RAN KPI analysis. By integrating these KPIs into RAN planning, design, and optimization workflows, operators can ensure superior network performance, drive user satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape.
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