Performance/capacity gains from QoS differentiation in HSDPA networks: An operator perspective

Mobile network operators are currently preparing the introduction of QoS differentiation mechanisms in their 3G networks, as a means to support service-specific quality requirements, to enable the offering of distinct subscription forms and/or to enhance the resource efficiency and hence network capacity. In this paper we quantify the attainable performance and/or capacity gains from introducing QoS differentiation in an HSDPA network, considering distinct scenarios of subscription- and service-based differentiation. We demonstrate how the significance of the achievable performance impact and capacity gains depends on the applied differentiation weight, the traffic characteristics, the service mix and the class-specific performance requirements. For scenarios with reasonable traffic mixes and performance requirements, capacity gains of 20%-30% appear very well possible.