What are the most cost-effective ways to deploy 3G networks?

2 Network sharing and cooperation

Another way to lower the cost of deploying 3G networks is to share and cooperate with other network operators or service providers, who may have existing infrastructure, spectrum, or customers in the same area. Network sharing and cooperation can take different forms, such as passive sharing, where only the physical infrastructure is shared, active sharing, where the radio access network (RAN) is shared, or core network sharing, where the network functions and services are shared. Network sharing and cooperation can reduce the capital and operational expenditures, as well as improve the network performance and coverage, of the involved parties.

3 Network virtualization and cloudification

A third way to cut the cost of deploying 3G networks is to virtualize and cloudify the network functions and services, using software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) technologies. Network virtualization and cloudification can enable the network operators or service providers to decouple the network functions and services from the underlying hardware, and run them on virtual machines or containers in the cloud. This can increase the flexibility, scalability, and efficiency of the network management and operation, as well as reduce the hardware and maintenance costs.

4 Network upgrading and migration

A fourth way to save the cost of deploying 3G networks is to upgrade and migrate the existing 2G or 3G networks to higher-generation technologies, such as 4G or 5G, using various techniques and solutions. Network upgrading and migration can enhance the network capacity, speed, and quality, as well as offer new services and applications, to the customers. Some of the techniques and solutions for network upgrading and migration include spectrum refarming, where the existing spectrum is reused for higher-generation technologies, carrier aggregation, where multiple spectrum bands are combined for higher bandwidth, and dual connectivity, where the customers are simultaneously connected to two different networks.

5 Network innovation and experimentation

A fifth way to lower the cost of deploying 3G networks is to innovate and experiment with new technologies, architectures, and business models, that can improve the network performance, reliability, and sustainability, as well as create new value and opportunities for the network operators or service providers. Some of the examples of network innovation and experimentation include using renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, to power the network equipment, using drones or balloons to provide temporary or emergency network coverage, and using blockchain or smart contracts to enable secure and transparent network transactions and agreements.

6 Network monitoring and evaluation

A sixth way to reduce the cost of deploying 3G networks is to monitor and evaluate the network performance, quality, and customer satisfaction, using various metrics, indicators, and feedback mechanisms. Network monitoring and evaluation can help the network operators or service providers to identify and resolve any network issues, problems, or complaints, as well as to measure and improve the network efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability. Network monitoring and evaluation can be done using various tools and methods, such as network probes, sensors, analyzers, dashboards, reports, surveys, and ratings.