Like most European operators Dutch telecom operator KPN is working on the roll out of its UMTS network. KPN has a number of advantages built in its network that enables the company to make their design of the UMTS network very cost efficient given the performance they want to offer to future customers. This conclusion of professor Erik Fledderus, professor in Wireless Communication of the Technische Universiteit (technical university) of Eindhoven is based on the way KPN has rolled out its UMTS network. In an interview with Telecom.paper professor Fledderus pointed out that KPN has included a so called advanced dynamic analysis of its network instead of a more static way of analyzing done by other operators.
"One of the ways to look at the quality of a network is by using a performance analysis. You investigate where base stations can be built best and how to configure the software on these stations. You investigate the way base stations are constructed and how the software on these stations is installed. Together with TNO Telecom KPN is evaluating several network scenarios and has developed dynamic simulation tools to have a better understanding of their performance. Other operators very often need to rely on just off-the-shelf static simulators. They have used a so called commercial tool that investigates just a number of services. As a result the future UMTS network of KPN is performing better because an assessment can be made between the cost of the network and its performance. Thanks to this KPN can not only reduce costs but can put quality at a higher level."
The project in which the UMTS network of KPN was tested was an initiative of former KPN Research, now TNO Telecom. According to professor Fledderus it is not yet clear, apart from the more general studies performed for example by investigation bureau Forrester, which typical services will be used by future customers. "One thing is clear, the UMTS network will be used for multimedia purposes thanks to its bandwidth performance." Professor Fledderus is certain that the high quality of KPN's UMTS network is an advantage in competition. "KPN can deliver a very good quality at a competing price although we don't know yet for what kind of services customers are willing to pay."
