SELECTION OF SITES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BASE TRANSCEIVER

STATIONS

ATAGUBA, JOSEPH O.1; ATAGUBA, CLEMENT O.2; ADEJOH, OMERA3

1
Department of Estate Management, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah
Email: josnovo_obaje@yahoo.com Tel: 08054836207
2
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah
3
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
The Federal Polytechnic, Idah

ABSTRACT

Business plans of Mobile telecommunication companies with budgetary constraints include

achieving multiple objectives of selection of cell sites in a region yet to be served with a
particular network at the initial flag-off of operation and achieving optimal network coverage
while rolling out plans to acquire more sites in the future. This paper examines the application of
integer linear programming technique in selecting optimal combination of cell sites for the
development of base transceiver stations capable of meeting objectives of a network provider.
Besides providing decision support in a computerized application environment, this paper
gained insight into the role of linear programming, common sense and professional networking
in mobile and ubiquitous telecommunications industry.

Key words: Cell site, GSM, Mobile telecommunications, set covering algorithm, site
selection.

1. INTRODUCTION
Advances in communications technology Although other names for antennas in cell
has enhanced mobile communication sites include "mobile phone mast" or "base
services (e-mails, phone calls, multimedia station" the technically correct term for cell
messaging, etc.), mobile banking and sites is Base Transceiver Station (BTS).
electronic commerce. These arrays of Confronted with budgetary constraints,
services are supported by cell sites. Mobile telecommunication companies could
plan towards selection of cell sites in a
A cell site is a site where antennas and region yet to be served with a particular
electronic communications equipment are network at the initial flag-off of operation
placed to create a mobile telecommunication with the aim of achieving optimal network
network. It comprises a tower, one or more coverage while rolling out plans to acquire
sets of transmitter/receivers, digital signal more sites in the future. This thought forms
processors, control electronics, Global the basis for this paper and is tagged
Positioning System (GPS) receiver for "Antenna placement problem (APP)". This
timing (Drane et. al., 1998:47), regular and paper examines selection of BTS or cell site
backup electrical power sources, and shelter. locations from a set of available sites within

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the framework of Integer linear telecommunications technology provides
programming. Besides enhancing services of comprehensive Internet Protocol (IP)
experts in the employ of mobile including voice, data and streamed
telecommunication industry, inferences from multimedia to subscribers in ubiquitous
this paper will enable ubiquitous and mobile setting and at higher data transfer rates.
telecommunications companies yet to However, this technology is expensive to
achieve network coverage in a given region implement and operate. Having examined
to optimize profit at initial flag off of their the history of GSM networks the next
operations should they decide to select and section will examine in brief the technology
acquire cell sites. of ubiquitous and mobile telecommunication
networks.
2. BRIEF HISTORY OF MOBILE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 3. TECHNOLOGY OF MOBILE
The first trans-border messages began in TELECOMMUNICATIONS
1800 via telephones and telegraphs. Maha NETWORKS
(2005:3) reiterated that during the World 3.1 Technical Descriptions and Structure
War II (1914-1918), wireless telegraph of mobile networks
communication allowed military personnel GSM comprise cellular network with
to communicate instantly with troops in four varying bands. These include the 900
remote locations. The Groupe Spécial MHz - 1800 MHz band, 850 MHz - 1900
Mobile (GSM) developed a standard for MHz band, 900 MHz - 1800 MHz and the
mobile telephone systems capable of being 400/450 MHz frequency bands. Cell sizes in
accessed across Europe in 1982. In 1987, 13 a GSM network comprise macro-, micro-,
countries agreed to develop a common pico-, femto- and umbrella cells. The
cellular telephone system across Europe. coverage area of each cell varies according
The first phase of GSM specifications were to the implementation environment and band
published in 1990 (Wikipedia, 2008) thus width allotted. Macro cells are base station
paving way for the launching of the first antenna installed on a mast as distinct from
GSM network in 1991 by Radiolinja in Micro cell which comprises cell sites with
Finland. Global System for Mobile antenna height below average roof top level.
communications (GSM) was christened While Pico cells are small cells
from the original name Groupe Spécial characterized by coverage of about a few
Mobile and used by over 3 billion people dozen metres and are mainly used indoors,
across more than 212 countries and femto cells utilize broadband internet
territories. Its ubiquity accounts for connection. Umbrella cells are used to cover
international interconnectivity between shadowed regions of smaller cells thereby
mobile phone operators, enabling filling in coverage gaps between those cells.
subscribers to use their phones in many parts Variation of each cell’s horizontal radius
of the world. depends on antenna height, antenna gain and
There are five generational frameworks for propagation conditions from a couple of
GSM comprising 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, and 4G. hundred metres to several tens of kilometres.
The suffix “G” connotes “generation”. Scourias (1995:1) provided an analogy of
Among these technologies, the 1G functions the functional architecture of GSM network
with analogue circuits while the others are by categorizing it into the mobile station, the
based on digital technology. However, the base station subsystem, and the network
Fourth-Generation (4G) of mobile subsystem in which each subsystem is

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comprised of functional entities that
communicate through diversity of interfaces (2) Base Station Subsystem
aided by specified protocols as depicted in It comprises two parts- Base Transceiver
Fig. 1. Station (BTS) and the Base Station
Controller (BSC). BTS encloses radio
(1) Mobile Station transceivers that define a cell and handles
The mobile station (MS) or handset radio-link protocols with Mobile stations
comprises mobile equipment (the terminal) and are required to be rugged, reliable,
and a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) portable, and cheap. BSC is the connection
which enables mobility and access to between mobile station and the Mobile
subscribed services irrespective of specific service switching centre (MSC) and
terminal. By inserting the SIM card into manages the radio resources for one or more
another GSM terminal, the user is able to BTSs. It performs radio-channel setup,
make and receive calls at that terminal and frequency hopping, and handovers.
enjoy other subscribed services such as
internet connectivity.

Fig. 1. Structure of GSM Network showing key elements

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM

(3) Network Subsystem Visitor Location Register (VLR) together

The Mobile Services Switching Centre with MSC provide call-routing and roaming
(MSC) is the central network subsystem capabilities of GSM. The Equipment
which acts like a normal switching node of Identity Register (EIR) is a database that
public switched telephone network (PSTN) contains a list of all valid mobile equipment
or integrated services digital networks on the network and gives each mobile
(ISDN) and equally provides mobile station its International Mobile Equipment
subscribers with authentication, handovers, Identity (IMEI). The Authentication Centre
and call routing. Signalling System Number (AuC) is a protected database that stores a
7 (SS7) performs trunk signalling in ISDN, copy of secret key stored in each
while Home Location Register (HLR) and subscriber's SIM card and enables

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authentication and encryption. The General The overall goal of cell planning is to
Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a packet- select a sufficient subset of base station sites
switched data transmission protocol which at the appropriate spatial density from a set
forms the backbone for Internet protocols of candidate sites to meet network design
and supports internet connectivity on objectives, and to configure settings at base
computers as well as cellular phones when stations to meet subscribers' needs and
configured. The Serving GPRS Support minimize an operator's financial outlay.
Node (SGSN) and gateway GPRS support
node (GGSN) in conjunction with GPRS 3.3 Factors influencing cell site selection
radio network controller handles wide and range of network coverage
diverse multi-media messaging and internet Firstly, factors influencing cell site
service. Among the network subsystem is selection will be addressed. The nature of
the cellular phone switch which enable interest to be acquired may come to the fore
phone connections, roaming and call- in site selection decision as some service
routing. As a user moves towards a mast it providers may opt for purchasing a right of
picks the strongest signal and releases the occupancy in land or accept to occupy and
mast from which signal has become weaker; develop land as tenants. Lichfield (1969:68-
the channel on that preceding mast becomes 71) discussed the factors that influence
available to another user. securing of sites for property development to
3.2 Antenna placement- and Antenna include area, physical characteristics,
Configuration Problems environmental factors, legal right to
According to Raisanen (2005:2), antenna develop, public restrictions on use, and price
placement problem (APP) is engendered by of landed property. Behrens and Hawrenek
the proliferation of cellular wireless services (1991:149-151) provided a summary of site
for mobile communication. He defines requirements for industrial projects among
antenna placement problem (APP) as which is mobile telecommunications
involving the selection of base station from infrastructures. They suggested a survey of
a set of available sites, which are dispersed soil conditions, subsoil water levels, and
irregularly with the aim of achieving varying risks of environmental hazards such as
qualities of signal propagation taking into dangerous “archaeological relics” (Ecless et
cognizance surrounding terrain, buildings, al, 1999:181). Secondly, they stressed the
antenna heights, and other determining importance of considering factors like
factors. The configuration of selected sites topography, access to target market and
enables regionally constrained areas to ancillary urban infrastructure. The third and
benefit from network coverage dissipated by fourth factors include cost of land and the
multiple antennas. quest for future construction and installation
An adjunct to antenna placement problem is works respectively. It simply suggests that
antenna configuration problem (ACP), selection of site should consider future
which is defined as the orientation of expansion to cater for dynamics in
antennas at selected sites in a bid to meet technology and demand for services. As a
service demands. ACP involves a wide panacea to rational decision-making, site
range of potential configurations at each selection should not be implemented without
site, commencing with the type and number considering alternative sites for an intended
of antennas and ending with choosing the project.
best transmission powers, azimuths, and tilts Signals received by mobile
of transmitting drums. communication devices are not reliably

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static but depends on a number of factors (d) promoting infrastructure sharing
among which include: the type of signal in amongst licensees and providing regulatory
use (that is the underlying technology of guidelines thereon;
broadcast), which could be Amplitude
Modulation (AM) or Frequency Modulation Section 31(1) of NCC Act restrained persons
(FM) radio waves; the rated power of and corporate bodies from operating or
transmitter; size of transmitters; directional providing communications service in
or omni-directional panel engendered by Nigeria without authorization from the
setup of transmitter; limitations posed by Commission. Besides prescribing
topography; limitations posed by regulatory punishment of fine not exceeding 10 (ten)
factors; and weather conditions. For optimal times the initial fee for the relevant licence,
network coverage in a wide area it is Section 31(2) of same Act provided for
required that the range of each cell site punitive measures of imprisonment for a
should overlap at larger circumference while term not exceeding one year or both fine and
maintaining minimal interference between imprisonment. Consequently, a convicted
sites. person or corporate body shall forfeit to the
NCC all property and equipment utilized in
4. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE providing the unlicensed service. A
LOCATION OF GSM MASTS IN corollary is section 133(1) which prohibits
NIGERIA an individual from selling or installing any
Besides understanding the technology and communications equipment without first
management acumen involved in site obtaining the Commission’s type approval
selection and acquisition for GSM masts, test certificate thus attracting the
site acquisition officers and aforementioned punishments when
telecommunication engineers in GSM convicted. To protect adjoining land users,
companies must be conversant with the legal section 136(2) mandated a licensee to
framework associated with the restore land (whether corporate- or leased
telecommunications industry. land) to a condition prior to operation in the
Section 3(1) of the Nigerian event of any injurious affection or
Communications Commissions (NCC) Act relocation.
established the Nigerian Communications While it is obvious that professionals in the
Commissions (NCC) and charged it with the built environment have numerous roles to
responsibility of regulating communications play in the telecoms sector, those who
sector in Nigeria. Among the functions of drafted the Act did not consider this fact
NCC mentioned in Section 4(1) of the Act, before hurriedly approving such legislation.
those relevant to this paper include: Section 7(1) of the Act made provision for
(a) publishing and enforcing technical nine commissioners with qualifications
specifications of communications equipment ranging from accountancy, law, public
and systems; administration, engineering, and information
(b) facilitating trade and investments in technology but ignored the inclusion of
communications services, equipment and professionals in the built environment (geo-
facilities; informatics surveyors, estate surveyors and
(c) assignment and administration of valuers, and urban and regional planners,
national numbering and electronic addresses etc.) among these commissioners. Bringing
to licensees; and this and other emerging deficiencies to bear,
an amendment of this Act is imperative.

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5. INTEGER LINEAR simulations were carried out to determine
PROGRAMMING (ILP) FOR CELL other combination of cell sites with the aid
SITE SELECTION of branch and bound (B&B) trees. While
5.1 Methodology decision of site selection with B&B trees
Taha (2007:349) defines integer linear can theoretically guarantee optimal integer
programming as linear programs solution, the practical effectiveness of a
characterized with restriction of all or some B&B algorithm depends crucially on
of the variables to integer/discrete values. reasonable heuristics on the part of the
Optimal solution to ILP problem posed in decision maker (Guéret et al, 2000:32).
our case study was arrived at using TORA®, 5.2 Case Study
an operations research software in-built with GNet® Nigeria intends acquiring nine
NP-hard (nondeterministic polynomial-time sites for the development of its mast to cover
hard) optimization in resolving set covering fifteen communities as shown in Figure 2,
algorithm and lies in the region which is NP- and has made a budgetary provision for the
complete, that is a non empty subset that project to the tune of N38.6 Million.
adds up to zero. Maps were equally used to Summary of preliminary cost-benefit
analyze the empirical nature of network analysis in Table 1 reveals information
coverage per location of GSM mast. Besides about transmitter coverage and cost of site
determining best combination of cell sites, acquisition:

Table 1: Communities to be covered by each transmitter and the budgeted site development
costs
Cost of site acquisition and development in N
Mast/Site Covered communities
Million
1 1,6 5.48
2 2,3,5 6.84
3 1,7,9,10 7.37
4 4,6,8,9 7.39
5 6,7,9,11 5.73
6 5,7,10,12,14 5.99
7 12,13,14,15 7.11
8 5,7,9,10,11,12,14 6.04
9 3,5,10,11 6.51

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 M7

M6
M8
M4
M8
M2
M5 M9

M1
M3
River

SYMBOLS DESCRIPTION
M1 to M9: Proposed Sites for GSM mast location

Extent of GSM Network coverage per mast installed

River GSM Mast

Fig. 2: Fifteen communities and sites to be Required binary variables: Buildj are 1 if
acquired for GSM mast and only if a site is to be selected and
Exercises to be performed include transmitter built at site j.
ascertaining minimum combination of sites The constraint for coverage of communities
to be selected in order to initially achieve is first formulated: Translating the
reasonable network coverage and equivalence of ‘community’ c receives a
profitability within given budgetary GSM signal ⇔ at least at one cell site
constraint; and determining other possible covering this community if a transmitter is
combination of sites that could be acquired ‘built’, or ‘Coveredc’ = 1, there is at least
within budgetary constraints. one j with ‘COVERjc · build = 1’. This
Solution equivalence cannot be translated directly
(a) Optimal combination of sites to be into linear form. Since a community may be
selected and acquired for initial take off covered by more than one transmitter, the
of project constraints (1) express one direction of
Let COMj = set of communities, equivalence by specifying that the sum
Sj = potential sites for constructing COVERjc · buildj is greater than or equal to
transmitters coveredc.
B = budget allocated by the
management of GNet® ∀c ∈ COM : ∑ COVER jc ⋅ build j ≥ cov ered c
CSj = the cost of site development j ∈ Site

and erection of a transmitter at SITE j (1)

COVERjc = binary constant that The constraint (2) bounds the total
indicates whether a transmitter placed at j construction cost for transmitters with the
covers given maximum budget.
community c (COVERjc = 1) or
not (COVERjc = 0). ∑ COST
j ∈ SITES
j ⋅ build j ≤ BUDGET

Objective (2)
Finally, the constraints (3) and (4) define all
variables to be binaries.

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 ∀c ∈ COM : cov ered c ∈ {0,1} Given that x1, x2, x3, x4, x5, x6 , x7 , x8 , and x9
(3) implies Sites 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and 9
∀j ∈ SITES : build j ∈ {0,1} respectively, ∀j ∈ SITES : build j ∈ {0,1} can
(4) be transformed into the objective function
Let xj be defined as site to be selected for the for site to be selected within budget
development of GSM transmitting mast. constraint as: Minimize z = x1 + x2 + x3 + x4
+ x5 + x6 + x7 + x8 + x9
Subject to

x1 + x3 ≥ 1 (Community 1)
x2 ≥ 1 (Community 2)
x2 + x9 ≥ 1 (Community 3)
x4 ≥ 1 (Community 4)
x2 + x6 + x8 + x9 ≥ 1 (Community 5)
x1 + x4 + x5 ≥ 1 (Community 6)
x3 + x5 + x6 + x8 ≥ 1 (Community 7)
x4 ≥ 1 (Community 8)
x3 + x4 + x5 + x8 ≥ 1 (Community 9)
x3 + x6 + x8 + x9 ≥ 1 (Community 10)
x5 + x8 + x9 ≥ 1 (Community 11)
x6 + x7 + x8 ≥ 1 (Community 12)
x7 ≥ 1 (Community 13)
x6 + x7 + x8 ≥ 1 (Community 14)
x7 ≥ 1 (Community 15)

Table 2: Best optimal combination of sites to be selected and acquired by GNet®

Subproblem ObjVal, z x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 x6 x7 x8 x9
Site Site Site Site Site Site Site Site Site
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2 5 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
Branch and Bound (B &B) Search Completed
TORA Optimization System, Windows®-version 1.00
Copyright © 2000-2002 Hamdy A. Taha. All Rights Reserved

127
From the computation, GNet® Nigeria is Reasonable network coverage will be
advised to build transmitters at site M2, M3, achieved in the fifteen communities except
M4, M5, and M7 (Fig. 3) and still achieve in parts of Communities 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11,
optimal network coverage in the 15 12 and 14 earmarked for future coverage
communities at initial flag off of operations when sites M1, M6, M8, and M9 will be
costing a total of N34.44 million which is acquired for the erection of BTS.
within the budgetary limit of N38.6 million.

COM 15

. M7COM 13
M7
COM 14
COM 12
COM 4
COM 8
M4 COM 5
. . M2
COM 2
M4
M2
COM 9
M5 COM 11
COM 3
COM 6
.
M5

COM 10
COM 3
COM 7

COM 1
. M3 River
M3

SYMBOLS DESCRIPTION
M1 to M9: Proposed Sites for GSM mast location

Extent of GSM Network coverage per mast installed

River GSM Mast

Fig 3: Optimal combination of sites to be selected and acquired for the development
of GSM masts

(b) Other Possible combination of sites problem posed by site selection plan of
based on B&B search tree GNet®. These combinations of sites are
TORA® optimization reveals that found from the iteration of those sites
there are four possible combinations of sites showing Left Hand Side Value of 0.50 as
for the initial commencement of GSM against objective {0,1} defined bound for set
operations at the 10th node of the branch covering algorithms in integer
and bound (B&B) tree for the cover set programming.

Table 3: Framework for branching and bonding tree search

Variable x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 x6 x7 x8 x9
Var. Name Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site 8 Site 9
Value 0.50 1 0.50 1 0.50 0 1 0 0.50
Integer(y/n)? y y y y y y y y y
TORA Optimization System, Windows®-version 1.00
Copyright © 2000-2002 Hamdy A. Taha. All Rights Reserved

There are two optimal and non-optimal combinations of sites from the B&B tree respectively in
Table 4.

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 Table 4: Other combination of sites for GSM transmitters
B&B tree Site Combination of sites Optimal/Non- Cost
10 1 M1, M2, M4, M7 and M8 Non-optimal N32.86
21 3 M2, M3, M4, M7 and M9 Optimal N35.22
21 5 M2, M3, M4, M5 and M7 Optimal N34.44
21 9 M1, M2, M4, M7 and M8 Non-optimal N32.86

Optimal combination of cell sites M2, M3, diverse professions ranging from
M4, M7 and M9 costing a total of N35.22 engineering, computing sciences,
Million would have been selected; howbeit, information and communications
intensive commercial activities inland as technology, the built environment and
against those along the waterways warrants management sciences.
advising GNet® to initially select cell sites
M2, M3, M4, M5, and M7 in lieu of M2, 7. CONCLUSION AND
M3, M4, M7 and M9. Likewise, network RECOMMENDATIONS
coverage which hits the river is capable of This paper commenced by examining
being propagated long distances on the technology of mobile
waterways and underscores the relevance of telecommunications and cell sites with
rational qualitative decision-making. The emphasis on selection of sites for base
21st node on B&B tree for site M5 yields transceiver stations. A critical review of the
similar results of best combination of legal framework for the telecom industry in
optimal cell sites M2, M3, M4, M5 and M7 Nigeria as it affects the selection of cell sites
as solved in Table 2. revealed regulatory powers of the NCC and
6. FINDINGS punitive measures for offences under the
The following can be deduced from site NCC Act. Besides providing decision
selection for development of base support in a computerized application
transceiver stations: environment, this paper has succeeded in
(1) In locations yet to be served by a providing insights into the role of linear
particular network service provider, integer programming and common sense in cell site
programming techniques can aid GSM selection. Finally, it should be appreciated
operators to select optimal combination of that cell site selection is a multidisciplinary
cell sites that will ensure near-total network activity calling for networking among
coverage while enabling them to role out professionals, operators and users of
plans for future acquisition of sites for telecommunications and information
effective network coverage; technology worldwide.
(2) With the sensitivity test tools of Branch
and Bound trees, alternative combination of REFERENCES
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