Last week, we discussed creative spectrum re-farming strategies that operators can employ to help move to LTE. But what about tier 2 and 3 service providers that do not have not enough spectrum to even get creative with reallocation?
Because of limited spectrum availability, tier 2 and 3 operators must choose whether to have a GSM or UMTS or LTE network. They must choose one, because they cannot afford to run multiple technologies.
Generally, when an operator re-farms spectrum, it is a good thing because it phases out technology. When operators buy new spectrum, it can add trouble to a network, not due to the addition of a new technology as much as the requirement to manage another network, thereby increasing OPEX and demands on human resources to manage multiple networks.
Since tier 2 and 3 operators cannot sustain GSM, 3G, and LTE technologies over the next five to ten years, they will be compelled to make difficult decisions about phasing out one of them (probably 3G before GSM). Also, like it or not, tier 2 and 3 operators will be forced to consider network-sharing options to perform medium- to large-scale LTE deployments.
AIRCOM's consultancy services can help operators evaluate their networks to determine the right strategy.