NSN boosts GSM operators’ spectrum with DFCA

GSM operators worldwide will now be able to get more from limited spectrum and improve their overall Quality of Service (QoS) as Nokia Siemens Networks launched a unique Dynamic Frequency and Channel Allocation (DFCA) feature that can double GSM network capacity within existing spectrum. The feature supports growth, while maintaining service quality and controlling costs, reports CHARLES OKOH.

A press statement from the global body said GSM operators in emerging markets are adding millions of subscribers every month, but spectrum limitations prevent operators from adding new subscribers to their existing networks without building more base stations sites.

Head, GSM/EDGE product management, Nokia Siemens Networks, Prashant Agnihotri, said DFCA has immense potential to help operators address the challenge of ever increasing voice and data traffic.

“It helps operators squeeze voice calls into less bandwidth, so it can be alternatively used for data, either through Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or by re-farming the spectrum to Wideband Code Division Multiple Access/Long Term Evolution (WCDMA/LTE). It brings a substantial increase for operators in terms of potential earnings per base station site,” Agnihotri said.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ DFCA feature helps operators to continue acquiring new subscribers while overcoming current spectrum bottlenecks. Using a combination of software features, it increases the traffic carrying capacity of existing sites, while improving network quality. This, in turn, minimizes the immediate investment in additional sites, reducing the total cost of ownership. An added benefit is a huge increase in energy efficiency per subscriber.

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