Next-level quality in radio access network management: Creating better customer experiences with ViewRAN solutions and the Elastic Stack
Imagine your radio access network (RAN) running smoothly, delivering outstanding customer experiences, and minimizing your churn rate. Achieve it with near real time RAN monitoring diagnostic tools.
![139849_-_Batch_of_7_Telecommunications_blog_header_images-01.jpeg](https://static-www.elastic.co/v3/assets/bltefdd0b53724fa2ce/blt52d1adbd72b8738a/667d7aeaabc5134dae5d05c4/139849_-_Batch_of_7_Telecommunications_blog_header_images-01.jpeg)
In a world where networks expand, data demands escalate, and customer expectations rise, ViewRAN diagnostic tools, supported by Elasticsearch, stand as a must for modern telecommunication operators. Committed to delivering top-tier radio access network (RAN) monitoring and diagnostics, ViewRAN provides ongoing instant prompts and insights to mobile network operators. This enables rapid responses and minimal downtime in case of issues such as call drops, handover problems, cell overshooting, or signal degradation, to name a few.
This near real-time monitoring, built on the cutting-edge technology and algorithms of ViewRAN, ensures precise monitoring and insightful diagnostics (with an unmatched 80m resolution visualization), leading to improved customer experiences. It offers unparalleled effectiveness (with less than a second response time), combined with low entry and maintenance costs (utilizing a few servers only). By leveraging Elasticsearch, ViewRAN enhances data resolution and offers real-time analytics capabilities, transforming how telecom operators manage network health and conditions.
What benefits can telcos expect from ViewRAN’s monitoring and diagnostic solution?
1. Better customer experience and lower churn rate
High-quality RAN management significantly enhances customer experience and reduces churn rates by ensuring reliable and consistent network performance. With near real-time, 24/7 monitoring and insightful diagnostics for 4G/5G RAN, customers experience fewer disruptions and enjoy continuous connectivity. High-resolution data analytics provide detailed insights, enabling rapid identification and resolution of network issues. This proactive approach not only minimizes downtime but also empowers network operators to make more informed decisions, leading to continuous improvement in service quality.
Additionally, ViewRAN continuously monitors Quality of Service (QoS) metrics from the RAN, ensuring the network meets performance standards and adapts resource allocation to enhance service quality. Utilizing RAN data for anomaly detection, ViewRAN quickly identifies and addresses network faults, minimizing downtime and improving the overall user experience.
2. Cost-effective operations
Effective RAN management offers significant cost-effectiveness by reducing operational costs associated with maintaining and servicing the network. Network operators can identify and address issues promptly by leveraging advanced monitoring and diagnostics tools. ViewRAN reduces the need for physical field testing by leveraging Elasticsearch’s advanced analytics to remotely gather essential diagnostics, such as mobile phone location, signal strength, and RAN component performance in real time. This results in more efficient RAN maintenance, even while handling vast volumes of data. The overall operational costs are lowered, allowing for better resource allocation and financial efficiency. Customers benefit from these cost savings through lower service costs and enhanced network performance, driving greater satisfaction and loyalty.
3. Stronger security
RAN management plays a crucial role in network security by detecting anomalies. ViewRAN includes a security anomalies discovery module that detects threats in the radio network, such as fake base stations, IMSI catchers, and denial of service (DoS) attacks on the air interface. This module ensures enhanced network security by identifying and mitigating these threats promptly, all powered with Elasticsearch. By addressing these vulnerabilities in real time, network operators can prevent unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of their networks. This heightened security protects sensitive customer data, which fosters trust and confidence among users.
Key features
High-resolution network anomalies detection: Pinpoints network problems and anomalies within a 4G/5G mobile network with an unmatched 80m resolution visualization. Precise visualization of call trace and geolocation of every user.
Redefined efficiency standards: ViewRAN delivers a month of Geo & Call Flow history for millions of subscribers 24/7, with less than a second response, utilizing a few servers only.
- Comprehensive support for major 4G/5G HW vendors: Fully compatible with leading network infrastructure from Nokia, Huawe, and Ericsson, utilizing so-called traceport logical interfaces.
Use cases focusing on RAN data
Dropped sessions
![Dropped sessions](https://static-www.elastic.co/v3/assets/bltefdd0b53724fa2ce/blt58baa923487d89af/667d7b8faaed41ceeb44bd38/1-view-ran.png)
The images above show the distribution of dropped sessions as a function of distance from the antenna. On the right, dropped sessions are broken down by cause. On the left, distribution is shown on the map, and geolocated events highlight the areas of greatest suspicion.
Call trace/call flow
![Call trace/call flow](https://static-www.elastic.co/v3/assets/bltefdd0b53724fa2ce/blt5450ee959dfd634e/667d7b95abc513d5595d05d2/2-view-ran.png)
On the map above, you can see all sessions for a given customer during their 18 minutes of driving. Blue dots are places of the customer’s exact geolocation. You can click on every session and drill down into the full call flow to analyze signalization messages in the Wireshark application.
Handover analysis and cell overshooting problems
![Handover analysis and cell overshooting problems](https://static-www.elastic.co/v3/assets/bltefdd0b53724fa2ce/blt49c43d4440c57813/667d7b9af8f3cd6721c1c5d6/3-view-ran.png)
Elasticsearch processes RAN data to diagnose and resolve handover issues, enhancing connectivity by monitoring signal strength and quality metrics during transitions.
The map on the left displays locations where handovers occur to surrounding cells, along with the average signal strength and quality, enabling quick identification and correction of signal degradation areas to ensure consistent service quality. The right panel allows for an in-depth analysis of the cell's actual coverage, identifying areas where the cell range extends beyond intended boundaries. By adjusting the antenna tilt, these regions of poor network performance caused by unplanned, excessively long-range sessions can be deactivated.
These cases demonstrate how ViewRAN and Elasticsearch can effectively utilize RAN data to improve telecom network management and operations.
Generative AI and machine learning impact
Root cause analysis with the Elastic AI Assistant: By leveraging large language models for reasoning and having access to comprehensive data stored in Elasticsearch, AI significantly enhances root cause analysis in network issues.
Knowledge retrieval: Elasticsearch excels in pulling information from various sources, such as documentation, configurations, and customer case summaries. This streamlines the resolution process and helps build context for generative AI within the Elastic AI Assistant.
Elastic Stack machine learning anomaly detection: Advanced algorithms detect unusual patterns, predicting potential issues before they affect the network. Outlier detection identifies data points that deviate from normal behavior, which helps in early detection of potential disruptions or failures.
Security, access, and privacy
Scalable and secure access controls
Elasticsearch's security features include index-level, document-level, and field-level access controls, ensuring that sensitive data is protected and only accessible to authorized personnel. This layered security approach is vital for maintaining data integrity and protecting against unauthorized access.
Advanced data anonymization for GDPR compliance
Elasticsearch supports GDPR compliance by enabling robust data anonymization techniques. This ensures that all subscriber data is handled with the highest privacy standards, making ViewRAN's operations secure and trustworthy.
Certifications and compliance
Elasticsearch is certified under various standards that demonstrate its commitment to security and compliance, including certifications specifically relevant to GDPR compliance. These certifications ensure that Elasticsearch not only meets but often exceeds the stringent requirements set out by GDPR.
ViewRAN and Elasticsearch: How it works
![ViewRAN and Elasticsearch: How it works](https://static-www.elastic.co/v3/assets/bltefdd0b53724fa2ce/blt7ad03127f6871c85/667d7ba08a80d1cec1add5b0/4-view-ran.png)
ViewRAN provides various components that enable fast processing of large amounts of binary data from traceports in near real time. Input data in many formats (from different hardware vendors) is transformed into unified structure data. This data is then sent to Elasticsearch and used by ViewRAN. It can also be utilized by built-in Elastic AI and machine learning mechanisms as well as via API by any other external systems.
Advancing telecommunication network performance
ViewRAN’s cooperation with Elasticsearch not only enhances network performance but also significantly lowers operational costs and improves service reliability and safety, leading to better consumer experiences. This integration stands as a benchmark for others in the industry, showcasing the benefits of advanced data analytics in managing modern telecommunications networks. Visit viewran.com for more details.
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