Cost optimal positioning of hybrid access multi-path entities

In this paper, we develop and study a model to identify cost optimized Multi-Path Entity (MPE) locations in the context of hybrid fixed and mobile access for a large German telecom operator. We consider the operator's network architecture as well as the related cost components including network elements and nodes. The objective is to support future network planning with a techno-economic sensitivity analysis of different deployment scenarios within a ten years' time frame. We found that with increasing traffic the cost optimized MPE locations move from few central locations towards all Mobile Transfer Points (MTP) in order to prevent the transport of MPE related overhead traffic. For very large traffic we suggest MPEs at even all core locations. However, there is no need to distribute the MPE locations to the Metro area level. If future structural network convergence will take place and the Mobile core network will be distributed to the Metro area this has to be analyzed further.