Bandwidth Optimization and Cost Reduction in the Radio Access Network

Chapter 5 combines techniques on bandwidth management described in Chapter 3 and techniques from cost reduction in Chapter 4 and applies them to the specific case of radio access networks (RANs). These provide for a set of techniques that allow for reducing the cost of RANs and managing with the demands of growing traffic usage. Both technical and nontechnical approaches that can be applicable to RANs are considered. Nontechnical approaches target adjusting user behavior to extend the life of current networks, while technical approaches provide adjustments to the network to adapt to user demand for additional bandwidth. Technical approaches include upgrading the network infrastructure, augmenting the network bandwidth, traffic offload, rate control, and service differentiation. The use of high-density RANs where spatial redundancy is used to provide additional bandwidth is discussed. Femtocells and the use of Wi-Fi networks provide alternative approaches for traffic offload. Nontechnical approaches include different pricing plans, incentives against bandwidth hogs, and prompting users to switch over to Wi-Fi networks when appropriate.