New Zealand Cellular Network Base Station Spatial Distribution Analysis by Using Alpha-stable Distribution Model

Abstract

Studying the distribution model of cellular network base station not only can optimize the user's wireless communications and Internet experience, but also reveal the patterns of the regional development and human demands for information and communications technologies (ICT). Because the needs of users motivate the deployment of base stations, and the distribution of base stations could be different in various regions with different users’ needs. In addition, different speed of regional development could lead to different populations of ICT users. Therefore, the study of the distribution of base stations can direct the way for the future ICT development. Some previous analysis results of Europe and China have shown that alpha-stable model is suitable to analyze the base station distribution in the urban areas where the population are concentrated. However, in the sparsely populated rural areas, the Weibull model and the Log-normal model are more suitable for analyzing the distribution of base stations. This project is to study the network base stations distribution in New Zealand and explore what distribution models are best fit for New Zealand cases. It could help New Zealand improving its network environment and provide research assistance for future ICT networks and industries that rely on ICT networks. This project is inspired from the adoption of the alpha-stable distribution model in financial market to study the economical phenomena, thus the alpha-stable model might be applied to study the distribution of cellular network base stations. Firstly, it introduces the alpha-stable distribution model in detail, such as its concept and formulations, as well as how the various parameters in the alpha-stable model affect its performance and shapes. Secondly, we have analyzed the distribution of cellular network base stations in New Zealand. The experimental results show that the distribution of cellular network base stations in New Zealand is presenting the alpha-stable distribution model, Weibull model or Log-normal model according to different regions. It is concluded that the distribution of New Zealand's network base stations is relatively loosely with diverse patterns. Some major cities occupy most base stations, but other places have fewer base stations, which also causes the heavy-tail effect of the distribution model. Finally, this report discusses the impact that network base station distribution may affect other industries, such as autonomous and electric vehicles, unmanned factories and 5G technology because possible ICT infrastructure sharing in the future