4G LTE Evolved Packet Core Planning and Deployment Research: A Case Study in Freetown, Sierra Leone

The number of wireless broadband subscribers has more than tripled in the past decade. As a result, it increases network traffic and puts more pressure on existing 2G / 3G wireless network infrastructures in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The current 2G/3G network infrastructure in Freetown provides limited resources with download and upload speed being 12.54Mbps and 2.59Mbps, respectively, to the active subscribers. The country's population growth has led to a high increment in the subscriber database. It has compelled both private and Government-owned telecommunication operators in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to bring onboard more advanced and efficient technologies. Three active private mobile network operators (Operator X, Y, & Z) and one Government-owned (operator W) in the country. Operator X is the only operator that can reach in every part of the country with the highest number of subscribers. Long Term Evolution (LTE) rollout has just started in Sierra Leone by a private operator, even though operating in some parts of the world for years now.