SON Deployments and trends 2014 to 2020

SON can stand for self-organizing networks or self-optimizing networks, and both will be critical in making the dense HetNet commercially viable. The more elements are deployed in a RAN, the more impractical it becomes to configure and manage them all manually, so automation will be a critical way to enable densification as well as free up manual resources for more complex functions that can improve quality of experience.

This module provides a clear picture of the evolution of SON from its current limited base – mainly in 3G macrocells, or in limited functions embedded in small cells – to a future in the mainstream of MNO strategy. It is analysed as a percentage of mobile operators’ investment in network software, which is broken down by the main tools and services, in terms of dollar spend and deployment numbers, and by region.

More details in the brochure (click image)