Strategic Planning of Spectrum and Services

This chapter enumerates the various steps involved in the strategic planning of a wireless
broadband network. The assumption at this point is that the network operator has already
performed a market and logistical study of the geographical area in which service is to be
offered and has determined the following:
• A considerable unmet demand exists for competitively priced broadband services, and
the challenge posed by incumbents is not overwhelming.
• The local political climate is such that obtaining right of way, permitting, and spectrum
itself will not pose insurmountable obstacles.
• The basic topography of the region and distribution of potential customers is such that
a wireless solution is both feasible and desirable.
• A decisive “first-mover” advantage will accrue to the network operator, rendering effective
competition from other wireless service providers unlikely.
• The network will enjoy good long-term growth prospects.
• Adequate backhaul facilities can be secured for both the immediate and future needs of
the network.
• Adequate peering relationships with long-distance service providers can be negotiated
so that quality of service (QoS) can be maintained in local area network (LAN) extensions,
Voice-over IP (VoIP), conferencing, and other low latency or low error rate
applications.
• The network can truly own its own infrastructure and not be beholden to competitive
incumbent carriers.
• The network will be positioned to adopt foreseeable enhancements in wireless technology
without having to resort to “forklift upgrades.”
• The organization will be in a position to forge relationships with third-party providers of
content, applications, and value-added services.
• A roadmap will be in place for modifying the network over time to support such
converged services.
Basically, the network operator will have done everything possible to assess the full market
potential of the locale in which the network is to be situated and the logistical requirements for
launching the network and will leave as little as possible to chance. Only when such assessments
are complete should the operator proceed with the actual planning stage of the rollout.