A Framework for Planning a Unified Wired and Wireless ICT Infrastructure

The increase in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) has pushed the existing access networks to their limits. Whole new access networks are currently being deployed and are expected to fully support the already started synergy of services converging on to one network. Through a brief survey of synergy and technology trends, it is concluded that a future network will use wired and wireless as complementary technologies. In this context the paper proposes a framework for planning of unified wired and wireless ICT infrastructures. The framework includes different input parameters of relevance for the planning and implementation, which also include a step-wise implementation plan. Planning methods for wired and wireless planning is presented and a simplified large-scale case study is conducted to verify and illustrate the use of the framework. The framework is concluded to be useful and the discussion lists some areas for further consideration.