Optimizing the location of base transceiver stations in mobile communication network planning: case study of the Nairobi central business district, Kenya

Optimal signal coverage has always been a fundamental issue for cellular network operators. Other issues related to capacity, quality of service and cost efficiency are also rapidly gaining prominence. In order to determine signal coverage, network engineers usually rely mainly on two dimensional (2D) terrain maps and rather simple empirical propagation-prediction models. In this study a framework which provides a more efficient and cost effective network coverage optimization for a dense urban environment was investigated. 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) of the study area was developed. The signal propagation-prediction tool based on ray-tracing coupled with the 3D geo-information was used to model the radio signal coverage for the Base Transceiver Stations for one of the mobile phone operators licensed to provide mobile phone services in Kenya. To determine the best locations of the BTSs for optimal signal coverage of the study area, spatial analysis tools in GIS were employed. Comparing the proposed methodology with classical methods demonstrates that this spatial analysis approach can be used to optimize mobile signal coverage in any dense urban environment without resorting to lengthy field measurements thus minimizing on costs of wireless network planning.