Actix, a network status management specialist, has called UK Government to make a centralised planning database for mobile operators and contractors for effective 4G services roll out in the country.
According to Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), mobile network operators anticipate only 30-40% of existing sites that need to be revamped to facilitate rolling out of 4G will be covered under the current development rights, meaning that 6,000-7,000 sites would still require planning permission in the short time.
Actix Global Marketing director, Neil Coleman, said that facilitating planning regulations will help operators deliver faster and more robust networks to subscribers who already exhibit an unparallelled demand for mobile data.
"But the reality of planning controls and regulations will always impact on the perfect network scenario," Coleman said.
The network status management specialist revealed that mobile operators have been facing increasing operational challenges when planning and rolling out complex 4G networks that require a blend of macro and numerous small cell installations.
Further, the open access to zoned planning regulations, which can be immediately mapped in real time against subscriber hotspots or network holes with less or no coverage, would assist in accelerating network planning and resolve issues related to connections.
According to Actix, requests to establish infrastructure in protected locations would be directly avoided, which would further shorten the approval processes when locating major new infrastructure for the launch of 4G network.
In addition, the firm suggests that précised planning for the launch would accelerate the process and make it more cost effective, while ensuring the subscriber experience of the network for both voice and data is of the highest quality.
DCMS is pressing the rapid deployment of 4G services as it accounts for 8% of the UK’s GDP and would be a major contribution to the growth of the internet economy.
"With this data to hand mobile operators can avoid delays and boost the roll-out of a more effective mobile broadband, which is essential if they are to support the growth of UK business and jobs, which for the Government is a key goal to be derived from the auction of 4G spectrum," Coleman said.
