<![CDATA[The large-scale deployment of 5G networks requires telecommunications providers to coordinate fiber-to-the-cell-site (FTTCS) infrastructure planning with radio access network (RAN) densification as an integrated engineering activity. However, these activities are frequently managed through separate workflows, teams, software tools, and implementation schedules, resulting in duplicated effort, inconsistent planning decisions, and limited coordination between transport infrastructure and radio deployment. This study develops and evaluates a converged Plan-Design-Build (PDB) framework that integrates FTTCS and RAN planning within a unified engineering process. The framework incorporates a common data model covering outside-plant and inside-plant fiber assets and wireless network elements; a software architecture that combines geospatial network design with radio-frequency propagation analysis; four analytical formulas for site prioritization and program performance measurement; and workflow governance mechanisms for coordinated planning, design, and construction. The framework was evaluated through an empirical assessment of five candidate 5G sites under conventional and converged planning conditions, with fiber infrastructure requirements and deployment activities compared across the two approaches. The results indicate that converged planning reduced the estimated fiber infrastructure cost by 64% while improving alignment between network design decisions and construction scheduling. The integrated process also reduced infrastructure duplication by coordinating transport requirements with radio deployment priorities before detailed design and construction began. These findings demonstrate that FTTCS and RAN integration can improve the consistency of engineering decisions and coordination across network domains. The proposed framework provides an engineering-oriented basis for telecommunications providers to operationalize integrated 5G access infrastructure planning, design, and construction through consistent data structures, analytical methods, and governance mechanisms]]>
Copyrights © 2026
