g Network along with a detailed overview of its architecture, major aspects and features. CHAPTER 2 Self-Organizing Networks in LTE Deployment This chapter is an introduction to self-organizing networks (SON). We will start with a brief introduction to the current network, its practical limitations, and the advantages of SON in the current network. We will then proceed with a discussion of SON architecture wherein we will explain the different types of SON, such as centralized, distributed, and hybrid, along with their advantages and disadvantages. We will then briefly discuss the different phases of SON and what activities are performed in these phases, and finally we will detail some of the SON features specific to LTE like automatic eNodeB setup, automatic physical cell identification (PCID) allocation, automatic neighbor relation, random access channel (RACH) optimization, mobility robustness optimization (MRO), and intercell interference coordination (ICIC) and explain the concept, design, and implementation of these features. Introduction to Self-organizing Networks In today's network, the activity of installation, deployment, and maintenance of a radio access network involves very high costs, especially considering the number of nodes that require deployment and maintenance. Also because of the dynamics of radio and traffic conditions, it becomes a very tedious task to be able to change the network settings to cater to these dynamics. A self-organizing network is often used to categorize a cellular network for which the tasks of configuring, operating, and optimizing are largely automated. It mainly targets to reduce operational expenses, improve operational efficiency, and enhance and maintain a gratifying user experience, even under adverse conditions. SON features can markedly improve the user experience by optimizing the network automatically and rapidly mitigating outages as they occur. This is an extremely important characteristic for all network operators because time to operation and time to repair