10.1 Introduction

The target of Self-Organizing Network (SON) features is to improve the network quality and capacity and to simplify the network operations. SON algorithms are designed to provide better end user performance, lower cost of operations and higher network utilization. The need for SON emerges especially together with LTE since LTE introduces an additional radio network on top of existing GSM and HSPA. LTE and heterogeneous networks also bring more base stations. At the same time the network operating costs should be minimized. SON is one of the solutions to achieve these targets. SON features have been introduced in 3GPP together with LTE radio starting in Release 8 and the capabilities have been enhanced in further 3GPP releases. This chapter summarizes the SON features and focuses on the latest additions in the specifications.

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