Infonetics Research released excerpts from its 2013 SON and Optimization Strategies: Global Service Provider Survey, for which Infonetics interviewed wireless, incumbent, and competitive operators around the world about their network optimization strategies and self-organizing network (SON) deployment plans.

SON AND OPTIMIZATION SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS:
.    87% of operators participating in Infonetics’ survey have deployed SON in their networks, up 27% from a year ago
.    SON is building momentum in 3.5G network optimization: A few large incumbents have already deployed SON as the key optimization tool for their 3.5G networks, and this trend appears unstoppable
.    A large majority of operator respondents view “overall implementation” as the #1 technical challenge when implementing SON
.    Two-thirds of respondents are evaluating centralized SON (C-SON) vendors Celcite and InfoVista to manage their distributed SON (D SON) LTE networks
.    By 2015, 100% of those surveyed plan to use network- and handset/subscriber-based tools for mobile network optimization, reflecting the growing influence of SON on network self-learning

ANALYST NOTE:
“Mobile operators know they need to keep network operating expenses under control, and they’re placing a big bet on SON while acknowledging the complexity of and their unease with automation that minimizes human intervention and maximizes computerization,” notes Stéphane Téral, principal analyst for mobile infrastructure and carrier economics at Infonetics Research.

“Nonetheless, the ultimate goal is to use cell planning and field testing for zero-touch, self-healing networks,” Téral continues, “But it’ll take some time to get there. SON’s just started, after all.”

SON SURVEY SYNOPSIS:
For its 28-page SON and optimization survey, Infonetics interviewed independent wireless, incumbent, and competitive operators in EMEA, North America, Asia, and Latin America about their network optimization strategies and SON deployment plans. The study provides insights into SON features, drivers, implementation barriers, technical challenges, and vendors. Operators surveyed together represent 1/3 of the world’s telecom capex and carrier revenue and 25% of all mobile subscribers.

To buy the report, contact Infonetics: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp

A related Infonetcs report – 2013 Self-Organizing Networks (SON) and Optimization Software – tracks SON software by generation (3G, 4G) and by architecture (centralized, distributed) as well as 2G and 3G optimization software for the mobile network optimization market.

SON AND OPTIMIZATION SOFTWARE MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
.    Following 17% growth in 2012 driven by major deployments at AT&T and KDDI and many smaller deals, the global mobile network optimization and self-organizing network (SON) market is on track to grow 13% in 2013
.    In a large majority of cases, 3G network optimization, rather than LTE alone, is a key driver for using SON mobile network optimization and self-organizing network (SON) market is on track to grow 13% in 2013
.    Over 80% of mobile operators worldwide are using SON for 3G/HSPA/HSPA+ optimization mobile network optimization and self-organizing network (SON) market is on track to grow 13% in 2013
.    Centralized SON (C-SON) is predominant in optimization schemes
.    The burgeoning SON segment of the market tripled in 2012
.    Infonetics forecasts optimization and SON software to grow to nearly $5 billion by 2017

ANALYST NOTE:
“Self-organizing networks (SON) remain baked in LTE, but as an evolutionary 3GGP technology, SON will continue to evolve, offering more and more advanced features. So deploying SON for 3G optimization – with the zero-touch network as the long-term goal – is something that’s natural and logical for many operators,” notes Stéphane Téral, principal analyst for mobile infrastructure and carrier economics at Infonetics Research.

Téral adds: “There is at least one cumbersome task, however, that can’t be easily automated and will require human intervention for quite a long time: drive testing. Our discussions with large mobile operators confirm there’s no way to replace today’s rudimentary technique of having a crew cruising a neighborhood in a truck to measure what’s going on.”

SON AND OPTIMIZATION SOFTWARE REPORT SYNOPSIS:
Infonetics’ annual SON and optimization software report provides worldwide and regional market size, forecasts through 2017, analysis, and trends for the mobile network optimization market, including 2G and 3G optimization software and self-organizing network software by generation (3G, 4G) and by architecture (centralized, distributed). The report includes a mobile subscriber forecast (2G/3G/4G subscribers), a specialist vendor snapshot, and SON use cases from the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance.

The report tracks Tier 1 mobile infrastructure vendors with mobile network optimization tools, including Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, NSN, Samsung, and ZTE, as well as specialist vendors: Actix/Amdocs, Aircom International, Airhop Communications, Aricent, Ascom, Astellia, Axis Technologies, Celcite, Cellwize, Celtro, Centri, Cisco (Intucell, Ubiquisys), Commsquare, Eden Rock Communications, Forsk, Infovista, InterDigital, JDSU/Arieso, Newfield Wireless, Optulink, P.I.Works, Plano Engineering, Reverb Networks, Schema, Teoco/Schema, Theta Networks, TTG International, Tulinx, Vector, and Xceed Technologies.

To buy the report, contact Infonetics: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp