A techno-economic comparison of 5G centralized wireless network architectures

The key drawback of 5G technology implementation is the high total cost of ownership (TCO) of the architecture design and TCO of a suitable technology that will meet the 5G base station (BS) requrement. Requirements include low latency, high capacity and dense coverage and simultaneous support for applications such as machine-to-machine communication (M2M), device-to-device communication (D2D) and the internet of things (IoT). This study designs the most economical centralized wireless network architecture by modifying the existing macrocell, picocell and femtocell technologies. A mathematical model for capital expenditure (Capex) operational expenditure (Opex) and TCO for modified macrocell, modified gNodeB picocell (mpgNodeB) and femtocell is presented. A mathematical model for centralized wireless network architecture is also presented. The model has been tested and the results show that the Opex, Capex and TCO of the modified macrocell and picocell were found to be directly proportional to the number of gNodeBs. Sensitivity analysis (SA) also shows that the TCO of the mpgNodeB is one fourth of the gNodeB. SA further shows that the interest rate variation has a significant effect on the Capex, Opex and TCO of the gNodeB and mpgNodeB.