Overall Architecture for Mobile Broadband
The network architecture consists of the service delivery platform, backbone network, packet core network, mobile backhaul network, mobile broadband access network, and the network management system. The following describes the core solutions in the architecture of Huawei's intelligent Mobile Broadband network:
Mobile Broadband Access Solutions
Huawei's "Two Clouds" (high-speed cloud & continuous cloud)
Given the increase in site resource acquisition and operating costs, the explosive growth of mobile network traffic in the future, and the data service volume increase, Huawei believes that a merged mapping of a high-speed cloud and continuous cloud offer the best network design for providing DSL-level bandwidth to users in
any area and, in turn, helping operators offer a positive user experience by the most economical means possible.
In this topography, a high-speed cloud uses Pico micro base stations and Femto home base stations in hot spots and dense metropolitan areas to provide an average of 2-Mb/s or higher user bandwidth. In complementary fashion, a continuous cloud provides constant coverage to support a ubiquitous Mobile Broadband connection for mobile users. The continuous cloud employs macro base stations to provide 256-kb/s or higher bandwidth for users in other scenarios. The resulting resilient network architecture integrates intelligent network management concepts and forms an availability system capable of guaranteeing uninterrupted network coverage; coupled with the use of Mobile Broadband in any scenario to provide extensive broadband services.
Huawei's SingleRAN
In coming years, mobile voice subscribers and Mobile Broadband subscribers will grow simultaneously. Even in developed markets, where voice subscribers have reached a ceiling, Huawei expects multimode networks (GSM, Edge, UMTS, HSPA, and LTE) to coexist until at least 2019. Technology can be revolutionized, but networks must evolve over time. This is especially true for mobile networks. A fixed network is a dot network that can be replaced, dot by dot, but a mobile network is a surface network that cannot be completely replaced overnight and must smoothly evolve over time. In this case, what operators need is not a vertically stacked standard tower, but a horizontally converged network in which voice and data demand from users can be converged into one network element and evolved separately into LTE. The "one network" concept, pioneered and now widely deployed by Huawei, is called SingleRAN. Rapidly adopted by leading operators on several continents, this concept is leading an important trend in mobile network development. The key advantages of SingleRAN are:
SingleRAN involves a functionally powerful controller platform and base station platform on which all modes are unified. RF units can be modularized and standardized. RF modules on GSM, UMTS, LTE, and even other modes can be placed in the same base station. The unified base station platform ensures such modules can be randomly combined and they can share the same baseband unit. In the event of a change in market demand and a service increase or decrease, the operator can adjust RF module types as needed to change service capacity in a flexible way.
In multipath evolution, each path must be smooth. An operator always hopes to provide LTE services with minimum CAPEX. In multipath evolution, UMTS or HSPA must evolve to the LTE and GSM network without requiring any hardware modifications. In this case, UMTS or HSPA must also be capable of smooth evolution. When a Huawei 4th generation base station is upgraded from GSM and UMTS to LTE, 100% of the RF components can be reused.
A carrier operating multiple networks has to maintain smooth service across the board. A combination of multimode RF units allows for a smooth module-level evolution solution and Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology can enable smooth carrier-level micro transition all the way to LTE. Later, when the operator is ready to launch LTE there are abundant RF resources available, making it possible to also accommodate legacy GSM or UMTS services. According to fluctuating market demands, the operator can dynamically adjust carrier level resource dispatching and the LTE service capability allowing switchover to be smoothly achieved from this point forward.
The IPTime Mobile Backhaul Solution provides a resilient Backhaul network
Traditionally, high mobile backhaul network costs, poor availability, and limited bandwidth resources, as well as maintenance and fault location problems, have restricted Mobile Broadband development. Operators urgently need to build mobile backhaul networks with full-scenario support capabilities, carrier-level capabilities, ease of maintenance, and scalability to meet Mobile Broadband demand and boost Mobile Broadband availability.
Huawei's IPTime mobile backhaul solution, including the IP microwave RTN series, metro router CX series, and packet transmission equipment PTN series, has overcome Mobile Broadband bottlenecks and provides end-to-end IP mobile transmission.
Mobile Broadband needs a smarter core network
Deployments of Mobile Broadband networks have resulted in vastly different behaviors by subscribers, particularly with respect to the use of the data network. For instance, the 3G "dongles" for laptops and smart phones with integrated Internet connections have resulted in mobile data usage 10 to 15 times prior volume. To stimulate demand, many operators have moved to flat-rate plans with large monthly allocations of data capability. If operators simply expand capacity to keep up with demand, particularly demand including everything from streaming video to P2P downloads, they will never be able to achieve profitable operations.
To assist operators in solving this problem and help meet the demands of their subscribers, Huawei has created the Intelligent Packet Network (IPN), an enhanced mobile packet core allowing operators to successfully monitor and manage Mobile Broadband networks while providing opportunities to profit from the creation of new services.
IPTime Backbone Solution
Huawei has rich experience in the IP and optical fields. In the IP field, Huawei was the first to commercially deploy a 2+4 Cluster Router and router supporting 40 G/port, 400 G/slot, 10 T/node, and ISHE (In-Service Hardware Expansion). In the optical field, Huawei provides the 5.12-Tb OTN platform, the most comprehensive 40G solutions, and implemented a 100 G/2000 KM prototype in the lab in 2008.
Based on Huawei's deep understanding of IP and optical fields, Huawei introduced a flat backbone solution with synergized IP and optical:
Technologies for Mobile Broadband
For multiple reasons, operators must seek the earliest possible unique vantage points in their respective markets. MBB technologies answer many of these needs.
HSPA+ accelerates the pace of Mobile Broadband
HSPA has become established as the Mobile Broadband access method most commonly used today. It relies on the traditional UMTS network and uses new technology to increase transmission rates. Looking ahead, the industry continues to examine the potential of higher transmission rates. This is enhanced HSPA, also known as HSPA+.
Benefiting from parent HSPA technology, HSPA+ inherits the advantages of established wireless resource management, mobility management, and industry chain maturity. In addition, HSPA+ concentrates attention on technological improvement in the areas of L2 enhancement, MIMO, high-order modulation, and fast access, As a result, HSPA+ affords greatly increased system throughput. Single-cell throughput, with the combined use of 64QAM and 2x2 MIMO, has now reached 42 Mb/s downstream and, by using upstream 16QAM high-order modulation, throughput has reached 11 Mb/s upstream. Service setup time has also been shortened while improving the user experience. With upstream, intermittent sending and downstream, intermittent receiving, and user equipment battery life has been extended with call duration increasing significantly. 3GPP R8 and its future iterations will introduce multicarrier HSPA and the combination of multicarrier HSPA and MIMO. These technologies will further enhance user experiences during peak periods.
LTE/SAE leads the way for Mobile Broadband development
The next step in communications technology evolution has been to seize multiple initiatives and utilize globally unified technology standards. Many operators address technology convergence, according to maximization of their unique specific business interests and those of their precisely defined user segments and markets. Considered as a global whole, this convergence technology is LTE/SAE, the industry's first technology standard intended to cover Europe, America, and Asia. This standard has been recognized, planned, and deployed by mainstream operators. It is universally accepted that LTE/SAE is the preferred choice for next generation Mobile Broadband technology. The deployment of the world's first LTE/SAE commercial network in December 2008 subsequently achieved landmark status in the early history of LTE/SAE commercialization. The network, deployed by Huawei for TeliaSonera in Oslo, Norway, is an example of the positive contributions made by Huawei to LTE development. Huawei commenced LTE research and development in 2004 and by 2Q09 had contributed 15% of all LTE patents. Huawei has continuously participated in LTE standardization and organization activities. Huawei also fills an important role in NGMN and has made extensive contributions to research on SON, system architecture, and network performance.
Femto provides a Home Convergence Network
With Huawei's help, the Singapore-based telecom operator, StarHub, launched the world's first 3G-based femtocell service, Home Zone, at the end of 2008. By installing a portable wireless access device indoors (femtocell base station provided), StarHub users now enjoy superior 3G services and indoor broadband services with a download rate of up to 7.2 Mb/s. Broadband services include Mobile Broadband access such as IPTV, entertainment downloads, cyber surfing, and remote video conferencing. The femtocell is a home and SMB-oriented client product that can be easily and quickly installed by individual end users. 3G and 2G communications are enabled only by moving ADSL or LAN from the computer to the femtocell. The operator can change the market landscape through differentiated competition by leveraging the opportunity to offer femtocell services.
Given the increase in diversity of in home user equipment, including mobile phones, fixed phones, notebook computers, and television sets, users' demand for unified access, unified billing, UE interconnectivity, and multiservice play, has become extremely strong. Femtocells provide an effective solution for fixed-mobile convergence platforms. By installing a femtocell at home, users can achieve superior signal coverage for the entire home and can receive economical convergence services with more extensive content. In the home, the user can access it via the Internet and outside the home, users can switch to the mobile network. This reduces mobile charges. Use of a femtocell means one number and one bill for each family and enables interconnection between multiple mobile devices. In the short term, because of its innate Internet access and mobile features, femtocells will offer operators an effective way of bundling the sale of broadband access service and mobile phone services with the promise of enhanced end-user experiences.
Femtocell services, especially indoor, high-speed data and outstanding voice, have equal relevance for small and medium enterprises, adding considerable revenue potential and subscriber allure for operators.
Precision Control enables fine granularity operation
The ability to exercise Precision Control, allows Mobile Broadband operators to leverage existing network resources and segment customer demand based on network characteristics to provide differentiated and competitive data services, optimize network utilization, and improve profitability.
Precision Control of Services
The identification and management of services utilizing large amounts of bandwidth is becoming a key requirement for Mobile Broadband operators. Many P2P protocols use dynamic ports and private/proprietary protocols to evade detection and even use encryption and disguise themselves as normal web protocols, making it very difficult for the traditional firewall and ACL to protect and monitor P2P traffic.
An intelligent packet core network should be able to identify protocol tag words, application layer messages, and service modes; determine the use of P2P/VoIP technology and behavior; and use the relevant service policy to manage and control this traffic. These same capabilities can also be used to optimize P2P/VoIP services to offer new services to users while preventing such applications from causing an impact on the network and other services.
Precision Control of User Policy
The rapid growth of mobile data usage will eventually translate into insufficient bandwidth. In this scenario, it will become impossible for operators to obtain an adequate return on their investment. It will become essential for operators to conduct in-depth segmentation of user demand, and this will provide an opportunity to offer differentiated services. This is key for operators to increase the value of their Mobile Broadband offering and be able to simultaneously offer new business models.
Building an intelligent packet core network capable of generating and managing user-level policy is a prerequisite for an operator to achieve precision control. With user-level policy generation and control, the operator can implement different billing modes for different users, such as monthly fixed traffic, bundled service, and content billing. The operator can also allow users to change their service packages online, helping the operator boost market share and revenue.
Precision Control of new Business Models
Advertising is one of the most important business models of Internet services. With the spread of Mobile Broadband, advertising will become an important new source of revenue. For mobile users, advertising can more precisely and effectively target customers.
With the capabilities of an intelligent packet core network, mobile operators can precisely market mobile advertising. The intelligent packet core network can also extract information on user preferences, interests, and habits left by users in the service utilization process. Through Intelligent system analysis, it can derive the precise target audience for advertisement and meet advertiser demands for precision. In addition, advertisement splicing and WAP PUSH can be used to bring beneficial, trustworthy, and valuable advertisement information to mobile users.
Precision Control of the Value Chain
In coming years, the new value-added mobile industry chain may no longer be dominated by operators alone. The addition of intelligent terminals and SP/CP has extended the industry chain. Intelligent terminals and SP/CP occupy an increasingly important position in the industry chain.
To maintain control over the industry chain and retain or boost their right of discourse, operators must forge mutually beneficial relationships between all members in the industry chain. This is essential, especially at a time when users have changed from passive service consumers into active service creators, creating a new profit-sharing model.
An operator may use the intelligent packet core network to identify and count SP/CP content and traffic. The operator can set up a reasonable revenue-sharing model and carry out the transition from a traditional collection model to a direct billing model. By providing a more convenient and user-friendly application interface (API), the operator can reduce service creation and risks, stimulate the content provider and user enthusiasm, and encourage a virtually endless stream of innovative wireless services.
