When Google retired its Network Planner tool, many radio planning teams were left with a gap to fill. For years, it has provided a simple, web-based approach to wireless network design, widely adopted by mobile operators, enterprises, and system integrators alike.
Now that it’s no longer available, how to replace it?
If you’re searching for a Google Network Planner alternative, Planet Cloud by Infovista is your tool to go, a solution built in direct collaboration with Google Cloud.
Why did Google Network Planner end?
While Google hasn’t officially announced the reason, the product is no longer publicly accessible and hasn’t been maintained or updated for a few months now.
Many users relied on its simplicity and integration with Google geodata, but without ongoing support, continuing to use it is no longer viable.
That’s where Planet Cloud comes in.
Why Planet Cloud is the natural alternative to Google Network Planner
Following the sunset of Google Network Planner, at Infovista we partnered with Google Cloud to deliver a next-generation planning solution: Planet Cloud.
Not only that, one of our top priorities when launching it was also to ensure continuity for previous Google Network Planner (GNP) users, providing:
- The same propagation engine: Planet Cloud is integrated with Google Cloud propagation API
- Seamless project creation: from a Google Network Planner export, it takes a few seconds to create the exact same project in Planet Cloud, with the exact same data (sites, antennas, network settings, etc.)
Planet Cloud builds on the strengths of Google Network Planner, but adds greater scale, automation, and accuracy in a fully cloud-native environment and SaaS experience.
Planet Cloud vs Google Network Planner
Here’s how Planet Cloud compares as a Google Network Planner alternative:
| Feature | Google Network Planner | Planet Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Access | SaaS | SaaS |
| Propagation model | Google’s propagation engine via API | Google’s propagation engine via API |
| Geodata | Google Geodata | Google Geodata |
| Calibration | Calibrated out of the box | Calibrated out of the box |
| Ease of use | High | Even simpler, with clean UI and preset parameters |
| Speed | Fast | Fast |
| Flexibility | Limited | Greater with optional custom parameters |
With Planet Cloud, you get the same features that were in Google Network Planner, but gain greater flexibility, ease of use, and conveniency, including:
- Advanced results with key network metrics and statistics.
- A highly skilled support team in different time zones with years of experience in network planning.
What sets Planet Cloud apart from other planning tools?
During our recent webinar, attendees ranked accurate propagation and speed as their top needs, and that’s exactly where Planet Cloud stands out. Here’s why:
- Developed in partnership with Google Cloud: Planet Cloud integrates Google Cloud’s Propagation Engine and high-resolution geodata, the same foundation behind Google Network Planner, into a SaaS experience designed for professional RF planning. Moreover, Google Cloud has officially recommended Planet Cloud as the alternative solution.
- No need for external data sourcing: You no longer need to manage multiple geodata providers. With Planet Cloud, rich terrain, buildings, and vegetation data are included, updated regularly, and accessible via subscription.
- Pre-calibrated propagation models: The platform includes pre-tuned models calibrated for real-world conditions, including CBRS, eliminating the time and expertise needed for manual adjustments.
- SaaS-Based, with zero installation and instant access: No setup or local installations are required. With just a login, you're in.
- Optimized UI and faster onboarding: Planet Cloud is designed with usability in mind, making it easier to get started and collaborate across teams, avoiding a steep learning curve.
By combining Google’s unparalleled geodata capabilities with our network planning expertise, we're democratizing access to sophisticated RF planning tools. This is particularly crucial as the industry expands CBRS deployments, accelerates Fixed Wireless Access rollouts, and embraces private networks.
Rick Hamilton, CEO at Infovista
Designed for today’s network planning engineers
Whether you're planning public, private, or enterprise networks, Planet Cloud gives you the tools to move faster, with more confidence:
- Built-in collaboration and sharing
- Cloud-native access from anywhere
- Proven scale and reliability from Infovista’s RF planning engine
Here's what you can do with Planet Cloud:
- Plan and simulate 4G and 5G networks
- Analyze RSRP, SINR, and throughput layers
- Run fast computations using pre-set parameters or adjust your own
- Compare multiple technologies visually, side-by-side
- Generate detailed reports and export in PDF/CSV
- Create new projects or import existing ones from GNP or CSV
How to transition from Google Network Planner to Planet Cloud
You can easily export your existing projects into ZIP files from Google Network Planner and import them into Planet Cloud in a few clicks. Antennas, sites, bands, technologies, and zones, everything is covered.
The experience is designed to feel familiar while offering more capabilities and faster performance. You’ll see matching results (like RSRP heatmaps) between both tools, giving you confidence in your migration, and consistency in your planning outcomes.
To help you with the transition, find below:
- Full webinar to help former Google Network Planner users to transition to Planet Cloud.
- The official Infovista & Google Cloud Partnership page to learn how we’ve built the next generation of cloud-based RF planning, together with Google Cloud.
- Planet Cloud’s official page
Planet Cloud is the most complete and reliable alternative to Google Network Planner, developed in partnership with Google Cloud and ready for your next-generation RF designs. Whether you're an enterprise, a mobile operator, or a system integrator, you’ll find the tools, speed, and accuracy you need to excel.
FAQs
Is Google network Planner being discontinued?
Yes. Since 31 January 2025, Google Network Planner has been deprecated.
Is Planet Cloud a replacement for Google’s radio planning tool?
Yes. Following the sunset of Google Network Planner, Infovista and Google Cloud partnered to create Planet Cloud as the go-to replacement, offering fast setup, cloud-based workflows, and pre-integrated data.
How does it compare to Google Network Planner?
Planet Cloud provides all the same features as Google Network Planner and leverages the same propagation API with the same tuned propagation models and geodata resulting in the exact same predictions as Google Network Planner. Infovista is continually investing in Planet Cloud, bringing new capabilities to tool and extending the footprint beyond the US.
Who is it for?
For any operator, enterprise, or system integrator who previously used Google Network Planner, or is looking for a simplified, scalable RF planning tool.
Ready to move forward?
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