Telcos provide communication services that are spread across multiple networks. This means that each network needs to be fully functional, and therefore, constant monitoring and optimization are necessary. These networks also function as sources of important data related to clients, industry conditions, and the health of the systems. This data needs to be processed and analyzed, and this is where the implementation of AIOps (Artificial intelligence for IT operations) becomes crucial. Apart from optimization and automation, AIOps also assist in network capacity planning. This is usually to monitor and determine the performance levels of the networks. It helps to determine if the networks are performing at the highest level at all times so that the services provided to the customers are not delayed or that there is no lagging in the communications operations.

What is Network Capacity Planning?

Network capacity planning is a technological process that is involved in the constant assessment and monitoring of networks, and related processes. Network capacity planning assists in monitoring traffic volumes within specific channels, network utilization, and also the determination of the type of traffic that is being directed towards the networks. Through network capacity planning that involves all these aspects, it is possible to determine what may affect performance levels. There are often choke points that lead to issues with the services provided, and these can be effectively eliminated through the use of network capacity planning.

Network capacity planning is essential for several industries. Every company with a digital presence has to deal with IT infrastructures. But extensive networks are often a part of or related to these systems. Therefore, the management of both is crucial. While most rely on IT operations management software, there is a need to check the reliability of services. Network capacity planning helps to provide this reliability, which also ensures business continuity and constant availability of services.

The IT infrastructure of any company evolves continuously as more data is collected and stored. Therefore, networks are likely to be enhanced after a thorough analysis of this data. This will lead to a change in the traffic that goes through the networks in terms of both volume and type. So, network capacity planning will become even more important. Once the networks start undergoing transformation, there will be scope for more bottlenecks, especially if the existing infrastructures are not updated. To avoid this, companies will need to implement network capacity planning. It will be able to ensure that the quality of services is not compromised and a certain standard of user experience is being maintained.

AIOps Optimization of Network Capacity Planning for Telcos

Networks exist across industries. But the Telcos may need to deal with more complex ones, particularly because almost all services are reliant on these networks and various communications channels. The networks that are essential for the provision of services by Telco companies are important data sources. Therefore, the transformation of networks due to the current client demands can lead to different types of data that are primarily sourced from the traffic that is generated. To assess this, network capacity planning is vital.

AIOps solutions are instrumental in the optimization of processes. When they are used for network capacity planning, these solutions help to create processes that are scalable, prompt, and highly flexible. Network capacity planning with the assistance of AIOps solutions can automate various processes like data collection, forecasting, aggregation, and dimensioning triggers. The best AIOps platform software can also assist network capacity planning processes in prioritization. This is necessary for the analysis of real-time planning situations where the analysis period is significantly reduced without compromising the accuracy of the analysis.

Another aspect where AIOps can optimize network capacity planning for the Telco companies is in the planning strategy phase. This phase involves the examination of network performance, monitoring of business strategy and market segmentation, as well as the assessment of user experience, and whether the standards for it are being met.

Network capacity planning is not novel technology, and there are traditional processes for it. AIOps in Telco businesses help to enhance the existing network capacity planning technologies and help to create more efficient and transformative processes. AIOps solutions like machine learning are combined with data science systems to ensure operational wisdom within the company. Telco companies that utilize network capacity planning can benefit from AIOps solutions that enable agile decision-making and help to provide better customer service through improved user experience. This is particularly essential in the Telcos as the entire revenue depends on the availability of optimized communications services. In such a situation, AIOps also helps relate application performance with network performance. This helps to improve network capacity planning and determine which conditions are affecting the performance of the network and if they have any impact on the applications within the Telco.

When AIOps is implemented on network capacity planning for the Telcos, the solutions help to determine the accurate demand estimates for each network node. There may be certain intertemporal trends in the network traffic, and that needs to be detected. Machine learning algorithms can help in this, and can also assist in demand forecasting and improvement of traffic within the communication networks. This will help to improve the overall performance of networks. In Telcos, network capacity planning helps to determine the nature and condition of traffic. Therefore, the implementation of AIOps tools for network capacity planning can lead to proactive approaches within a company.

Conclusion

Similar to companies in other industries, Telcos are shifting from traditional systems to enhanced and optimized infrastructure. Thus, there is a need for AIOps digital transformation solutions. AIOps also play an important role in network capacity planning, as the traditional methods are changing with digital transformation. Therefore, the Telcos need to invest in proper AIOps tools for the optimization of network capacity planning. This can be done through the availability of sophisticated models that are mainly created for predictive analysis. When these are used with simulation, the performance of networks will improve and thus services provided by the Telcos will become better as well.