Expansion of the network of the future – 5G
The 5G mobile radio standard is a key technology for the future of the industry in Germany and Europe
With the network expansion, our team combines know-how from many years of consulting and project experience with expertise in the expansion of mobile communications, GIS (geo-information systems) and data visualisation. Due to the high growth targets of the network operators and the increasing complexity of network expansion, efficient project management designed for high volumes is an essential prerequisite. For this purpose, MEC has operationally implemented the processes, databases and GIS system, and adapted them for each client. Due to a high degree of digitalisation in the individual process steps, a significant reduction in lead times can be achieved. Because secure and efficient project management is only possible with a secure and relational data foundation.
Consulting services in network expansion
Our long-standing cooperation with leading telecommunications companies is based on the high quality of our consulting services and on dealing with each other in a spirit of partnership. In this respect, our functional consulting offer includes all components of strategy development, transformation of organisational structures and processes, as well as company-wide digitalisation measures.
Digitalisation of acquisition processes
When the leading telecommunications companies expand their 5G networks, the 5G installations are constructed on both existing sites and so-called greenfield sites (free rooftop sites). The site acquisition is the step most difficult to plan in the network development process because of the depleting resource of free roofs. The shared use of existing installations on rooftop sites is technically complex due to the required clearance area and negotiations with institutional owners are extremely complicated and lengthy. To ensure that the scarce resource of acquisition staff is not burdened by the identification of potential locations, we have already implemented and operationally tested a highly digitalised system for identification. Consequently, the tense situation with the resources can be eased, and there is a high degree of automation. Here we rely on geo-information systems in which different geo-layers are superimposed to provide site-specific information, such as the protection of historical monuments, schools, nursery schools, roof heights and much more.
Digitalisation of acquisition processes
When the leading telecommunications companies expand their 5G networks, the 5G installations are constructed on both existing sites and so-called greenfield sites (free rooftop sites). The site acquisition is the step most difficult to plan in the network development process because of the depleting resource of free roofs. The shared use of existing installations on rooftop sites is technically complex due to the required clearance area and negotiations with institutional owners are extremely complicated and lengthy. To ensure that the scarce resource of acquisition staff is not burdened by the identification of potential locations, we have already implemented and operationally tested a highly digitalised system for identification. Consequently, the tense situation with the resources can be eased, and there is a high degree of automation. Here we rely on geo-information systems in which different geo-layers are superimposed to provide site-specific information, such as the protection of historical monuments, schools, nursery schools, roof heights and much more.
Contract Management
The renegotiation of contracts and the creation of contracts with existing contractual clauses is a laborious task in the acquisition process. Firstly, qualified personnel and established systems that facilitate the handling of contracts are essential requirements for the effective processing of contracts. Due to the high volumes, systematic and reliable processing is necessary to be able to secure the scope in terms of time and quality. In this respect, we rely on established systems used by large law firms, which significantly support version tracking and contract drafting.
Roll-out management
For a network roll-out at the scale of several thousand sites, professional and effective roll-out management is necessary.
In this respect, we rely on sound experience from previous network expansion projects and thus in-depth process knowledge from the areas of site acquisition, site planning and implementation, fixed network connection and system technology roll-out. Only when all process steps are synchronised with each other and function smoothly like a gearbox can a roll-out be carried out quickly and with quality assurance.
Processes often collapse due to details; therefore it is all the more important to identify and deal with these details at an early stage.
Otherwise, errors (e.g. not all data is recorded) in a mass process can quickly lead to the need to carry on additional work at thousands of sites. This should be avoided where resources are stretched.
Interim management
In network construction projects, especially when no established organisations exist yet, the start of such projects is fraught with conflicts. These conflicts usually lead to the need for budget increases and a late return on investments. Our interim managers all have years of professional experience on a managerial level in various industry sectors. The proven successful implementation of major projects is essential to becoming an interim manager at MEC. Sound experience in the sector and established networks are a prerequisite for achieving high customer acceptance and satisfaction. The ultimate goal is to steer a project to a safe haven.
