Network testing firm InfoVista updated its Planet 6.1 RF planning and optimization software for operators that are preparing to build Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G networks.

Planet 6.1 supports low power wide area (LPWA) technologies like Sigfox and LoRa. However, it does not support narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) or LTE-M (also known as LTE Category M1).

According to Gregory Donnard, product manager at InfoVista, the company will support LTE-M and NB-IoT, which is part of the 3GPP Release 13 standard, beginning in January 2017. He added that the company initially focused on LPWA technologies because companies needed to do LPWA network planning right away.

For 5G networks, Planet 6.1 supports millimeter wave (mmWave) propagation and 3D modeling that can accommodate frequencies up to the 100 GHz range. Donnard said that operators are anxious to trial 5G, and many are currently running mmWave tests in the 28 GHz spectrum range. “They are looking at propagation for their radio network planning,” he said. “This will help them estimate their cell coverage and also how many cells are needed.”

Donnard said that because there is no 5G standard yet, InfoVista has to use the existing LTE standards to emulate what operators believe 5G will be.

“We know 5G will happen and will use mmWave,” Donnard said. “And propagation studies can be run, and they are valid regardless of the fact that there is no standard.”