Telecommunication networks architectures are changing to meet new requirements for a number of services/applications (Broadband, IP, Multimedia, mobile, etc.).

New generation equipment (soft switches, databases, service controllers, new protocols and interfaces, etc.) and new call/mix traffic cases are going to be introduced in the networks.

Different solutions/network architectures can be taken into account for a smooth transition from existing network infrastructures (PSTN/PLMN) towards New Generation Network (NGN) as a result of the convergence process leading to different applications/services sharing network infrastructures.

Any real Network Planning case should be dealt with using powerful and modern tools available on the market.

The workshop has the purpose to address the countries towards the correct strategies to be chosen depending on the Network Architecture is going to be planned.

Basic reference document for the Seminar will be the ITU-BDT Manual on "Telecom Network Planning for Evolving Network Architectures":
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ties_users/Manual_Network_Planning/Draft_Version_02_14Feb05/DraftVersion02.html

List of the topics to be dealt with during the Seminar:

• New network architectures and traffic cases
• Strategic Planning and new Technologies
• Long-term Planning and Long cycle Investments
• Short/Medium term Planning and Service/Network Deployment
• Data Gathering
• Traffic characterization
• Network Design
• Network Costing and Optimization
• Q.O.S.
• Documentation (Network Plan and deployment)
• Business Oriented Needs (customer segments to address, service building, reduce capital cost, etc.)
• Network Oriented Needs (forecast of service and traffic demands, network topology and routing, evolution, protection level)
• Network Planning Tools (different problems/cases, different tools)
• Network Planning Tool Specification (NPTS) for Developing Countries: Partnership

Session 1: Opening

1.1 Welcome address (Hosting Administration)

1.2 Opening address (Seminar Chairman)

1.3 ITU/BDT Role and Activities in the Europe and CIS Region - Nenad Stankovic (ITU-BDT)

Session 2: ITU-BDT Vision and Activities on Network Planning 

2.1 ITU-BDT Approach and Activities on Network Planning - Riccardo Passerini (ITU-BDT)
      Part a - Part b

2.2 ITU-BDT Manual on Network Planning for Evolving Network Architectures: Overview - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

2.3 ITU-BDT Network Planning Tool Specifications (NPTS) for Developing Countries: Overview - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

Session 3: Role of Planning in the current Network Architecture Scenario

3.1 Structure of the Seminar and objectives per module - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

3.2 Requirements for decision making in network evolution, strategic planning and new technologies.  Solution mapping for geo-scenarios - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

Session 3: Role of Planning in the current Network Architecture Scenario
(cont'd)

3.3 Network planning at different time scales, long, medium and short term - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

3.4 Network layers for planning, architectures and technological alternatives. NGN: What and How - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

Session 4: Integrated Planning Process and related activities

4.1 Integrated planning methodology. Scenario analysis and data gathering - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

4.2 Service and traffic forecasting - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

Session 4: Integrated Planning Process and related activities
(cont'd)

4.3 Network design and dimensioning - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

4.4 Network optimization and costing - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

Session 4: Integrated Planning Process and related activities
(cont'd)

4.5 Business and investment plan - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

Session 4: Integrated Planning Process and related activities
(cont'd)

4.6 Solving the Network Planning Challenge - Stephen Davids (VPIsytems)

Session 5: Specific Network Planning per layer or multilayer

5.1 Case studies with results and benefits per layer - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

5.2 Service and applications matrix forecasting - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

Session 5: Specific Network Planning per layer or multilayer
(cont'd)

5.3 Switching/routing and Transmission planning - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

5.4 ITU Recommendations and QoS Parameters related to Signalling Network Design - Signalling Network: Computer Aided Planning and Dimensioning - Riccardo Passerini (ITU-BDT)

Session 6: Supporting Network Planning Tools

6.1 Objectives and tool categories. tools for strategic planning - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)

6.2 Features, Inputs/outputs for most frequent tools: Excel, PLANITU - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

Session 6: Supporting Network Planning Tools
(cont'd)

6.3 Features, Inputs/outputs for most frequent tools: NetWORKS, CIRCEE - Oscar Gonzalez-Soto (ITU Consultant)
      Part 1 - Part 2

6.4 Planning Tools for Frequency Coordination and Spectrum Management Tasks - Heiko Ross (LS Telcom AG)

Session 6: Supporting Network Planning Tools
(cont'd)

6.5 Radio Network Planning Tools - Basics, Practical Examples and Demonstrations on NGN Network Planning, Part I - Roland Götz (LS Telcom AG)

6.6 Case studies with traffic forecasting, optimization benefits and impact on solutions - Ignat Stanev (ITU Consultant)

Session 6: Supporting Network Planning Tools
(cont'd)

6.7 Presentation of Network Planning tools by invited Companies - Robin Bailey (Analysys)
      1) Introduction to Analysys STEM
      2) Analysys STEM Case Studies: a) Migrating separate voice and data services to an NGN platform
                                                       b) Measuring the economic potential of ADSL
                                                       c) New data revenues in transition from GSM to UMTS

Session 6: Supporting Network Planning Tools
(cont'd)

6.8 Planning of different broadband solutions in the last mile for urban and suburban areas - Case Study (VPI)

6.9 Radio Network Planning Tools - Basics, Practical Examples and Demonstrations on NGN Network      Planning, Part II - Roland Götz (LS Telcom AG)

Session 6: Supporting Network Planning Tools
(cont'd)

6.10 Ericsson TEMS tool for 3G Optimization and Planning Solutions - Ivan Stanic (Ericsson d.o.o., Serbia and Montenegro)

Session 7: ITU-BDT Tools on Network Planning

7.1 ITU-BDT Manual on Network Planning for Evolving Network Architectures - ITU-BDT Network Planning Tool Specifications (NPTS) for Developing Countries: Discussion and feedback