Network planning of a VoIP-cable PBX: The use of data profiling techniques for an efficient network planning

Network planning presents a number of difficulties and risks but performed in an optimal way may turn beneficial. In this work we address a new way of achieving optimal network planning for Voice over IP (VoIP) services by using historical data to profile service usage. We show how to obtain a sound set of service use clusters based on calling behaviours by applying a Simple Expectation Maximisation (EM) algorithm. We successfully evaluate this methodology with real data and extract useful knowledge that can result in an improved network planning. Finally, we discuss the application of this method to other network services.