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Mobile Network Maintenance: Strategies for Efficiency and Cost Savings

Mobile network operators conduct regular maintenance activities to ensure their networks are reliable, secure, and prepared for future demands. More recently, the net-zero pledge has driven increased maintenance activities, with operators upgrading their hardware and software to adopt the latest, most efficient technologies.

Date July 5, 20244
Author Maarten Kippers
Read 5 Min

Mobile network operators conduct regular maintenance activities to ensure their networks are reliable, secure, and prepared for future demands. More recently, the net-zero pledge has driven increased maintenance activities, with operators upgrading their hardware and software to adopt the latest, most efficient technologies.

 

Rising Costs of Network Maintenance

The cost of maintaining mobile networks has surged due to several factors:

  • Growing Demand for Mobile Data: Increased data traffic necessitates more frequent upgrades and maintenance.
  • Deployment of New Technologies: The rollout of 5G and other advanced technologies adds complexity and cost.
  • Network Complexity: Modern networks are intricate, requiring sophisticated maintenance strategies.

Operators are replacing components with energy-efficient alternatives and reconfiguring signals (adjusting angle, range, direction, power, etc.) to minimize interference. These efforts enhance network performance and reliability.

 

Maintenance Cost Breakdown

Maintenance costs vary based on network size, complexity, geographic coverage, and service level. Typically, operators spend about 10-15% of their annual revenue on maintenance. Key cost components include:

  • Labour Costs: Engineers and technicians are essential for installing, upgrading, troubleshooting, and resolving network issues.
  • Equipment Costs: Investments in cell towers, base stations, and other infrastructure are crucial.
  • Software Costs: Software for network planning, optimization, and security is necessary for effective management.
  • Other Costs: Energy, rental, and regulatory fees also contribute to overall expenses.

 

Strategies to Reduce Maintenance Costs

Mobile operators employ several strategies to manage and reduce maintenance costs:

  • Automating Maintenance Tasks: Automation reduces labour costs and improves efficiency.
  • Cloud-Based Solutions: Leveraging cloud technologies lowers IT costs and enhances scalability.
  • Partnering with Other Operators: Resource sharing with other operators helps reduce expenses.
  • Outsourcing: Outsourcing maintenance tasks to local or international organizations can be cost-effective.

 

LIMA Maintenance and Permit Management (MPM)

LIMA MPM is a centralized network management solution designed to help mobile operators structurally reduce maintenance costs. Integrated with LIMA Network Protect Energy, it offers a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency and planned maintenance. Key features include:

  • Centralized Management: Supports multiple operators in a country or multinational operators via a single interface.
  • Shared Resources: Enables resource sharing, such as cell sites.
  • Audit Trail: Ensures activities can be traced to prevent misuse or security breaches.
  • Automation: Varies from traditional approval processes to fully automated cell site shutdowns upon maintenance engineer arrival.

LIMA MPM facilitates the entire maintenance and permit process, from permit request creation to onsite sign-off. The level of automation depends on the operator's progressivity.

 

Future-Proofing Maintenance with AI

Adopting a centralized management system like LIMA MPM brings operators closer to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in network maintenance. AI can monitor network performance, identify and troubleshoot problems, and predict future failures. This shift can free up maintenance staff to focus on complex tasks, thereby improving overall efficiency.

For mobile network operators seeking to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their maintenance permit management, LIMA MPM offers a robust solution.

By integrating advanced management systems and adopting innovative strategies, mobile operators can ensure their networks remain reliable, efficient, and ready for future challenges.

Maarten Kippers
Global Account Director