NTT Docomo is enhancing efficiency of the roll out of its 5G network and to speed up radio frequency planning by the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Radio Frequency (RF) capacity planning  software from Nokia.

The AI RF capacity planning solution, part of Nokia’s AVA software offering, delivers “intelligence everywhere.” Nokia customized the solution based on Docomo’s requirements. It can predict RF capacity of 4G cells from BTS performance data; and simulate the best candidate locations of 5G cell and RAN hardware to meet required area capacity.

The software supports Docomo’s work to achieve a clearer understanding of where its network is starting to get congested and where to plan network upgrades to prevent capacity bottlenecks, says Yoshitaka Hiramoto, Director of RAN department at NTT Docomo.

John Lancaster-Lennox, Head of Market Unit Japan at Nokia, said: “Placing a 5G cell in the best location can be just as important as the technology itself. AVA’s AI driven capacity planning software gives DOCOMO a critical tool for better understanding network capacity levels in order to give its customers an even better 5G experience.”

AVA (Automation Visualization Analytics) is the brand name for Nokia’s OSS, BSS and security software offering.