UMTS/HSPA and LTE-A Radio Network Performance Analysis & Optimization, Case of Jimma Town

It is mightily envisaged that cellular networks have often been deployed ensuring seamless accommodation of users growing demand with deep valuation of felicitous usability and feasibly aspects. In this regard, several mobile network operators (MNOs) in low income countries often fall through unabated implementation that imperiled the business due to limitations while evaluating socio-economic status, information communication technology (ICT) literacy status, device eco system, traffic usage trend & other essential technical preempts that are needed to be addressed in pre-deployment stages. This work has brought an allusive and attestation guideline for mobile network operators while executing radio frequency (RF) signal performance evaluation, optimization and upgrading. Moreover, it tips-off economical and an apt RF solutions where the applicability & feasibility are pragmatically justified in addressing existing network problem. An indispensable field reliant drive testing is incorporated to collect real time data of RF environment & logs are analyzed for both third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) cellular networks of Jimma town. The analysis & evaluation of both test scenarios depicts that poor coverage, quality and throughput distributions that are observed in numerous parts of the town that are associated with capacity limitations & RF optimization setbacks. Post optimization RF performance and HSDPA peak rate are visualized using Atoll and WinProp simulation tools; a far-reaching optimization & an apt Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) release 9 upgrading is adapted & simulated in purpose of picturing improvements in coverage, capacity and quality of the network. Thus, an application of 46 RF adjustments & changes has improved RSCP & ${{E}_{c}}{{I}_{o}}$ over 39.84% & 27.31% of coverage area respectively.