Digis Squared Open RAN projects and capabilities | Mohamed Hamdy shares details of Digis Squared’s Open RAN capabilities and describes the types of projects the team are currently working on.
This is the second in a series of blogs focussing on Open RAN, where Mohamed Hamdy, Chief Commercial Officer at Digis Squared, and AbdelRahman Fady, CTO, share their insights.
“The Digis Squared team believe that 100% of mobile operators and CSPs will move to Open RAN models sooner or later. Each MNO will deploy Open RAN according to their strategy, either in rural areas or in urban areas, and that’s why we’re giving strategic and operational focus to this.”
Mohamed Hamdy, CCO at Digis Squared
Digis Squared’s Open RAN expertise, solutions & capabilities
Mohamed, what insights can you share with us on the Open RAN work being undertaken at Digis Squared?
“The Digis Squared team believe that 100% of mobile operators and CSPs will move to Open RAN models sooner or later. Each MNO will deploy Open RAN according to their strategy, either in rural areas or in urban areas, and that’s why we’re giving strategic and operational focus to this.
The Digis Squared team started very early to build their competencies, expertise, tools and portfolio for Open RAN, as well as building a dedicated service portfolio to help MNOs to adapt their network architecture to the Open RAN model. Today, we provide insight-led multi-system and multi-vendor expertise across the entire network lifecycle.”
Digis Squared OpenRAN expertise, solutions and capabilities
“Our work tries to address five key challenges we frequently see when working with clients,
Lack of confidence in OpenRAN solutions
Sub-optimal performance with a limited vendor feature set
Delayed operator & vendor deployment
Duplicated operator & vendor interoperability testing for HW & SW
Lack of SI expertise for successful deployment
To address these issues we,
Provide independent, interoperability and performance benchmarking, for example, by working with EANTC
Undertake advanced E2E troubleshooting
Deliver extensive system release validation
Provide direct access to Open RAN expertise and experience in design, integration and deployment
And thereby deliver,
Minimised deployment costs
Accelerated time to value
Richer vendor feature set through roadmap alignment
High performing Open RAN solutions
And, successful Open RAN deployments.”
In conversation with Mohamed Hamdy, Digis Squared Chief Commercial Officer.
How can Digis Squared help you with Open RAN?
The Digis Squared team are here to help, and can provide their experience, AI-led tools, and capabilities to help operators and CSPs with all aspects of Open RAN strategy, testing and deployment optimisation.
We provide the industry with a range of OpenRAN related services including integration, performance benchmarking and systemisation.
Collaborate with operators, vendors, system integrators and research institutes to promote and accelerate OpenRAN ecosystem development, focused on,
System Integration
Interoperability between vendor components
Release validation
End to end performance benchmarking
Trials and PoCs.
Showcase and promote OpenRAN within the industry (TIP, O-RAN, GSMA)
This Digis Squared Open RAN blog reveals some of the capabilities we have, and if you or your team would like to discover more about our OpenRAN capability, or other elements of the work we do, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com .
Open RAN features and vendor flexibility | Digis Squared CTO AbdelRahman Fady shares his insights.
In this series of blogs focussing on Open RAN, AbdelRahman Fady, Digis Squared CTO, and Mohamed Hamdy, Chief Commercial Officer, share their insights.
In this first blog, AbdelRahman considers traditional, legacy RAN implementations, why Open RAN is needed, and the benefits and options it brings. He looks at technical features and vendor selection considerations, and how to balance features, flexibility and efficiency.
Open RAN features and vendor flexibility: a technical overview
AbdelRahman talks us through traditional legacy RAN implementations, and the new architectures and benefits of Open RAN.
“Mobile networks comprise two domains: the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the Core Network (Core).
RAN: the final link between the phone and network. Includes the antennas and towers we see on top of buildings, as well as base stations. The RAN base station digitises the signal to and from devices. One of the most expensive parts of the network.
Core: Provides access controls, authentications of users, routes calls, handles charging and billing, manages interconnect to other networks and internet. Ensures continuity of connection as a user moves and travels from one RAN tower to another.
Traditional, legacy RAN: hardware and software are very closely linked; selecting a vendor for the traditional RAN implementation guarantees performance, however it also constrains feature roadmap. A lack of interoperability means that there is little choice in where equipment is sourced, or the ability to influence innovation; however, identifying the vendor responsible for any fault resolution is simple.
In legacy RAN implementations each single site has its own hardware, however there is no concept of pooling sites’ baseband processing, and this leads to inefficient utilisation of hardware resources.
Legacy sites still need a sufficient space for all the equipment, plus an excellent and reliable power source, and these requirements and limitations have a big impact on the MNO or CSP’s OPEX.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) of Radio sites is still very high, and this impacts the scale and pace of CSPs expansion plans, especially in city outskirts and rural areas; any expansions is completely locked into the current vendor’s equipment.
The drive for new RAN architecture has been powered by better resources utilisation through pooling, and more powerful processing through centralisation. Additionally, the introduction of machine learning (ML) concepts in handling radio resources, as well as reducing sites TCO. The new RAN model should provide CSPs with implementations that need far less space and power, thereby significantly reducing the OPEX.
Before addressing the new RAN architectures, we will first consider the main RAN components we have and how can we split them.
RAN solutions typically have three key components,
Radio Unit (RU): radio frequency signals are transmitted, received, amplified and processed
Baseband processing: all the digital processing over the signals, along with all the interfaces needed to the transport network, and the CPU functions of the site. Today we can split this function into,
Distributed Unit (DU): handling all real time processing over the signal
Centralised Unit (CU): non-real-time processing over the signals plus the main computational function for the signal.
3GPP has defined models to split the functions between DU and CU, and provide the CSP/MNOs with a high degree of freedom to deploy the most suitable split model according to their network readiness. With new RAN architectures, away from legacy solutions, there are different implementation options based on the location of DU and CU,
Distributed Cloud RAN
DU: co-located with RU on the same site, where the remote Radio Unit (RRU) is connected to the DU through fronthaul interface (eCPRI)
CU: co-located near(er) the Core, and connected to DU through mid-haul transport network with specific transport network requirements, and connected to the central network (CN) through the backhaul
Dual split Cloud RAN
DU: is located away from RU, within Edge Cloud. More than cell site could be connected to the same DU, however, the fronthaul requirements should be achieved by the transport network.
CU: co-located near(er) the Core, and connected to DU through the mid-haul transport network, with specific transport network requirements, and connected to CN through the backhaul
Centralised RAN DU & CU: centralised in the same location, near to the CN
The selection of the architecture to be deployed, and the functional split model should be carefully considered, with particular awareness of the transport network readiness and capabilities.
DU and CU concepts are introduced along with the concept of virtualisation; now the HW and SW are not locked to a specific vendor and from here we can jump to the ORAN concept.
Open RAN aims to ensure that the interfaces between these components are standardised, interoperable and open – expanding the ecosystem of solutions and vendors, driving speed and diversity of innovation and opening up greater flexibility in deployment.”
Benefits: Open RAN features and vendor flexibility
“Open RAN aims to deliver greater flexibility and vendor choice. When this is implemented as vRAN, the open and flexible architecture virtualizes network functions in software platforms based on general purpose processors.”
Together Open RAN as vRAN can deliver,
Cost savings: virtualised network, with containerised components – true scalability and cost management.
Sharing vianetwork function virtualisation – one or more virtual machines run different software and processes, on standard high-volume servers, without the need for custom hardware appliances for each network function – enables multiple operators to securely run segregated networks, side by side on the same platform. In the future, this will also enable network sharing through software.
Vendor choice: contractual flexibility to balance features, cost, and adjust future decisions; opening up and standardising interfaces gives a greater choice of vendor solutions.
Third-party testing: plug-fests and independent testing will give MNOs and CSPs greater clarity on capability and interoperability, enable benchmarked KPIs, and test-labs will develop deep knowledge of quirks and capabilities of different systems.
Open RAN architecture
“The model above shows the new open interfaces available as part of Open RAN. These have been introduced between fully virtualised nodes with the newly standardised concept of RIC (RAN intelligent controller, with near RT RIC and non real time RIC options) for controlling the radio resources and features. They enable huge opportunities for new vendors to innovate new algorithms and features to enhance the overall performance of the new system supported with Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms.”
Challenges for the new RAN evolution
AbdelRahman, you have shared a lot of technical insights into the changes in RAN technology, and the benefits the new standards and architecture OpenRAN will bring. But let’s balance that out, it can’t all be good news!
AbdelRahman, what do you consider to be the three greatest challenges currently?
“Performance: For sure, comparing the performance of very mature solutions from vendors who deployed very early, against the very latest ORAN vendors solution is not very fair! There is still a long way to go to reach good maturity for ORAN solutions
Real interoperability: Actually, one of the big issues of the ORAN nowadays is the full interoperability between OS, SW, HW and orchestrators vendors. In reality, today, not all vendors are compatible for the time being, and that’s why, before deployment, CSPs still need to do IOT interoperability testing of the solution
Infrastructure readiness: In ORAN the fronthaul interface is mostly conveying real time data and signalling. That’s why we need to adopt very strict performance requirements between sites and EDGE clouds or Central clouds according to the selected split options.”
Is cloud RAN the same as Open RAN? And what about vRAN?
Cloud RAN / C-RAN: centralised, consolidating the baseband functionality across a smaller number of sites in the telco’s network and cloud.
Virtualised, vRAN: more open and flexible architecture which virtualizes network functions in software platforms based on general purpose processors.
Open-RAN (notice the hyphen!): uses new open standards to replace legacy, proprietary interfaces between the baseband unit (BBU) at the foot of the cell tower and the remote radio unit (RU) at the top of the tower.
What is the difference between O-RAN, OpenRAN, Open-RAN and Open RAN?
O-RAN: an organisation, the O-RAN Alliance. Work to support open standards.
OpenRAN: a standard written by TIP, Telecom Infra Project.
Open-RAN (notice the hyphen!): uses new open standards to replace legacy, proprietary interfaces between the baseband unit (BBU) at the foot of the cell tower and the remote radio unit (RU) at the top of the tower.
Open RAN: industry-wide interface standards that enable RAN equipment and software from different vendors to communicate.
How can Digis Squared help you with Open RAN?
The Digis Squared team are here to help, and can provide their experience, AI-led tools, and capabilities to help operators and CSPs with all aspects of Open RAN strategy, testing and deployment optimisation.
We provide the industry with a range of OpenRAN related services including integration, performance benchmarking and systemisation.
Collaborate with operators, vendors, system integrators and research institutes to promote and accelerate OpenRAN ecosystem development, focused on,
System Integration
Interoperability between vendor components
Release validation
End to end performance benchmarking
Trials and PoCs.
Showcase and promote OpenRAN within the industry (TIP, O-RAN, GSMA)
If you or your team would like to discover more about our OpenRAN capability, or other elements of the work we do, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com .
As mobile data usage continues to increase globally, it becomes ever more vital to ensure that mobile network infrastructure is optimised to maximise data throughput efficiently and continue to deliver excellent customer Quality of Experience. This case study looks at some recent System Integration work Digis Squared delivered to a Tier One Operator in the Middle East, which achieved over 30% improvement in mobile data downlink throughput.
Data growth – why optimisation will always be vital
Forecasts of mobile data growth are based on difficult to imagine numbers: exabytes. 1EB = 1 exabyte = 1000000000000000000 bytes = 1,000 petabytes = 1 million terabytes = 1 billion gigabytes
Digis Squared comparison of global mobile data traffic forecasts, source data [1] and [2]
Whilst mobile data forecasts vary significantly – in the data set shown above, Ericsson and Cisco have a 75% variance in their 2026 forecasts – it is clear that mobile data traffic will increase significantly in the next 5 years.
With over 106 5G network launches so far globally [5], 5G is forecast to account for as many as 1.2 billion connections by 2025 [6], and the GSMA estimate over 20% of these mobile connections – a substantial amount of this mobile data traffic – will be carried over new 5G networks by 2026.
Global 5G network rollout, [5] [7]
Data varies by source, but today video traffic is estimated to account for over 60% of all mobile data traffic, and some forecasts project it will increase to 77% by 2026 [1]. Therefore, the ability to optimise mobile data traffic, particularly for video usage, is of great importance to Communication Service Providers (ComSPs), and this is primarily achieved via the optimisation of TCP.
Video & TCP optimisation: vital for delivering excellent customer QoE
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), is the key transport protocol for all internet traffic; it drives video streaming, file transfers, web browsing, and communications. Additionally, it establishes and manages traffic connections and congestion, handles transmission errors, and enables us to share resources with billions of connected devices, globally, simultaneously.
TCP is ever-evolving, to address new issues and continually improve optimisation as new technologies are deployed. Without efficient tuning, TCP can cause more optimisation issues than it solves. An optimised TCP implementation delivers increased goodput (lower error rate in data throughput), improved network efficiency, high TCP transfer speeds, lower retransmission rates, and more consistent TCP round-trip times – and who doesn’t want all of that?! All of this translates into improved Quality of Experience for customers, and as our expectations of device experience continue to rise, TCP becomes ever more vital.
With mobile data traffic rising exponentially, the increasing pace of 5G deployment, and growth in data-intensive video calls, video content and online gaming, the need for CSPs to optimise their network has never been greater.
Intel case study | Video & TCP optimisation for a Tier One Operator in the Middle East
In 2020 Digis Squared was selected by a Tier One Operator in the Middle East to manage the entire System Integration of end-to-end services and implementation for video and TCP optimisation on top of the packet core, over 3 core sites.
Yasser ElSabrouty, Digis Squared Co-Founder and System Integration Business Unit Director, explained that “Selecting Intel processors ensured we could confidently deliver the performance and reliable scalability that is vital for efficient and demanding TCP optimisation. Customers’ expectations of QoE continue to escalate. The pandemic has normalised video interactions far faster than any forecast. We are all experiencing more video calls for communication to mitigate lack of in-person interactions with friends, family, clients and colleagues due to lockdowns and changed working practices. Plus, there is far greater use of video on social media and content platforms as we try to alleviate boredom and entertain each other. As 5G rolls out, people will expect continued improvements – buffering, patchy connectivity, dropped video calls all immediately impact network reputation. Maintaining efficient and optimised TCP requires solutions built on expertise, investment and the right equipment.”
“Working for this Tier One client, the Digis Squared team project managed the integration of this solution, selecting and managing vendors, implementing all elements of hardware and software, and optimising the solution to deliver the maximum efficiencies across the data network.”
“The project delivered considerable benefits to the client, and end customers. The Digis Squared project team benchmark data measured,
a 27% increase in processing cores [3]
50% increase in bandwidth over previous generation Xeon processors [3]
30% down link throughput enhancement, thanks to the data traffic optimisation achieved. [4]
We’re really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve for this client, knowing that their end-users will benefit from improved QoE that they can really see.”
In conversation with Yasser ElSabrouty, Digis Squared Co-Founder and System Integration Business Unit Director.
Additionally, it is available as a stand-alone white paper here.
If you or your team would like to discover more about our System Integration capability, video and TCP optimisation, or other elements of mobile network optimisation, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com .
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Technology sunset & spectrum refarming | Navigating a path from legacy technologies to the future.
Amr Maged, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Digis Squared, considers the benefits and issues of refarming spectrum, and the scope and timelines of such projects. This blog post follows on from CTO Abdelrahman’s previous Technology Sunset blog, and was first published here as a downloadable short, graphic-rich document on LinkedIn.
The background
As 5G rollouts gather pace globally, and new technology deployments continue their unstoppable march, many networks are also grappling with what to do about legacy technologies. In 1991 Radiolinja launched 2G in Finland, and 2001 brought the first 3G launch, achieved by NTT DoCoMo in Japan – both network technologies are still in active commercial use around the world, but for how much longer? Technology sunset strategies consider how to re-allocate and optimise finite spectrum resources, efficiently, whilst taking care of customer impact.
Pro’s & con’s of re-farming 2G and or 3G spectrum
2G & 3G (Keep one of them, but arguments apply to both)
Why keep it?
When VoLTE not available, voice calls fall back to 2G or 3G network (CSFB, circuit-switched fall back).
Calls from a VoLTE handset to a 2G/3G handset use CSFB over 2G /3G.
Early implementations of eCall service in Europe use 2G/3G for the voice call element of the mandatory service – no plans were made to be able to replace the equipment in these vehicles.
Most IoT devices don’t need the high bandwidth 4G and 5G deliver, and can make service cost-prohibitive.
Why switch it off?
Re-allocate spectrum: new 4G and 5G technologies are more efficient and more capable, delivering enhanced speed, bandwidth and security.
Operational cost optimisation.
IoT: LPWA-LTE, NB-IoT and other new technologies maximise battery life and battery cost, data usage, indoor coverage, and have lower cost modules.
Regulatory driven spectrum reallocation and or harmonisation.
2G
Why keep it?
3G devices can “roll down” to 2G connectivity.
Support 2G-only consumer handsets –typically low income, or elderly seeking simpler devices.
Support 2G-only M2M devices
Early M2M devices in tricky to reach geographies, or deep within long-life equipment (cars) and never designed for replacement.
Early implementations of eCall service in Europe (uses 2G/3G for the voice call element of the mandatory service.)
IoT devices deep inside buildings (indoor coverage).
2G base stations can be installed further apart – robust voice services over a large territory, more efficiently than 3G.
Smaller carrier bandwidth spare, enables more bandwidth for 4G and 5G.
Why switch it off?
Generally, lower number of 2G-only users than 3G, and lower ARPU.
2G delivers lower spectral efficiency than 3G.
2G voice calls are lower quality than 3G.
Very limited data services in areas with no 4G coverage.
3G
Why keep it?
Some MNOs: 3G network costs not yet amortised.
3G & HSPA provide far better data experience than 2G.
Multi-RAB concept gives 3G users the option of having both voice and data services simultaneously.
Performance of 3G interoperability with 4G + 5G is far better than 2G interoperability with 4G + 5G.
Why switch it off?
3G devices can “roll down” to 2G connectivity.
Re-use 3G spectrum to add more capacity to LTE networks + expand 5G networks.
3G is not operating in band 3 (1800 MHZ band), the most famous 4G band – this is a significant limitation from the point of view of technology combination.
Technology sunset timeline
Whilst all projects vary, this indicative timeline highlights key milestones on the path from legacy technologies to the future.
1. Assess status
License end dates and regulatory requirements
Assess spectrum availability
Re-farm existing spectrum
Options/ timeline to acquire
Government expectations around new technology deployment
Competitor activity & plans
Infrastructure contract status incl backhaul, transmission and towers
Subscriber network stats and forecasts (incl roaming and coverage)
Other market constraints (MVNO contracts, M2M installed base and limitations….)
Assess the RRUs & BBUs used, and their current configuration
2. Identify options
Agree governance and scope
Migration impacts, risks and mitigations, including,
Coverage and infrastructure forecasts
Brand perception
Contracts: new and revised infrastructure and support contracts, extra fibre backbone services, additional project resource, lower energy consumption
Savings delivered and investments needed
Roaming contracts
Timescale: lights out on one day, or slower decommissioning cells and degrading network over 6 months to 2 years?
3. Gain agreement
Telecom Regulatory approval needed? Co-ordinated sunset activity and communication across sector? Is a shared legacy network required?
M2M: complex customer migration plans (may involve Energy Regulator), consider how to recognise costs
Elderly groups: address concerns and sell simple handsets
Board sign-off
4. Detailed plans
Date to stop selling new 2G / 3G subscriptions
Consumer: campaign to churn and recycle legacy handsets, maintain affordable and simple option
Extend coverage address gaps
Work with M2M partners and customers (many are international, and may have experience in other territories)
IoT /all contracts: ensure provision for future technology sunsets
Procurement & legal contracts
Training: ops, retail and customer-facing staff
Return to 3, and repeat as needed
5. Implement
Maintain quality of service and extend coverage, handle increased data demand, and continue to optimise networks as balance changes
IoT: don’t underestimate complexity + some old implementations may be undocumented
Learn lessons: will need to switch off other networks in future
NB-IoT: Narrowband Internet of Things. One of two data networking technologies available on 4G (the other is LTE-M, aka CAT-M1). Intended for narrow band (250 kbps) low power data applications and does not support voice communications.
LTE-M: LTE Machine Type Communication. Also known as Cat-M1. One of two data networking technologies available on 4G (the other is NB-IoT). Provides considerably higher bandwidth (1Mbps), supports voice and full mobility.
How do you test and optimise LTE 450MHz, when there are no handsets on the market?
In December, Amr Ashraf, RAN and Software Solution Architect and Trainer at Digis Squared, gave us his insights into LTE 600MHz band and network optimisation. In this blog, he provides an update on the LTE 450MHz band, the commercial opportunities it enables, and how to overcome the impact on testing and network optimisation when there are no handsets available on the market.
The background: why use 400-450 MHz for telecoms?
Amr explains, “Communications in the 400-450 MHz band – also called ‘LTE 450MHz’ – have a longer wavelength, lower frequency, and lower energy than the frequencies used by 5G. They have favourable propagation characteristics, and deliver good coverage (and therefore lower infrastructure costs), along with better in-building penetration.”
Electromagnetic Spectrum, and LTE 400-450 MHz [1]
“Let’s think about how the characteristics of this band can be best commercially used in the telecom sector,
Coverage and capacity: Due to the physical properties of the frequencies involved, very good indoor penetration and coverage can be achieved with a small number of sites. Compared with higher bands, it requires a smaller number of base stations to give a broad reach, achieving significant economic benefits in covering large areas with a dispersed population. However, standardised equipment does not support channel bandwidths greater than 5 MHz. As a result, the 400 – 450 MHz band is ideal for networks with high coverage requirements but low to moderate capacity requirements – for example, it enables some very efficient commercial opportunities for low volumes of data sent by IoT devices in rural areas. Mainstream consumer devices do not include LTE 450MHz support (and are unlikely to do so at any point soon), so this band is also largely free of congestion. It, therefore, has the potential to be used to offload M2M traffic away from premium frequency bands – leaving more capacity for lucrative, higher-margin consumer services on those premium bands.
High security of radio sites is economically feasible due to the small number of sites needed. As a result, LTE 450 MHz networks can be designed to deliver far higher reliability levels than higher frequency networks. Example application: as fewer sites can be more economically physically secured, a long-lasting battery backup can be deployed.
Private Networks: With its high coverage, but modest capacity capabilities, LTE 450MHz is not suitable for mass-market communication. Instead, we expect this band to be mostly used for essential services by PAMR (Public Access Mobile Radio) networks in the B2B and B2G segments.
Security: Since sensitive applications have high-security requirements, stand-alone networks that run independently and have no direct links to public networks or the internet are essential.”
History of 400MHz & telecoms
“Use of the 400-470 MHz band varies widely globally. Even within one Regulatory geography, its use is fragmented, being allocated to many different users and technologies in non-contiguous blocks – often including civil and military applications across business, maritime, amateur, aeronautical, fixed link and public sector radio.”
Illustrating diversity and fragmentation of current UK 420-470MHz spectrum, by user (frequency/bandwidth not to scale), March 2021 [2]
“Between neighbouring regulatory regions, historically there has been little alignment across borders, which can lead to interference issues. This is starting to change! Within Europe for example, CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications) manages recommendations on how frequencies are used, and supports coordination agreements with neighbouring countries. Lack of alignment on frequency use adds to the complexity of developing equipment compliant with the needs of divergent territories, for example, UK and EU.”
“Historically, some parts of the world assigned 450 MHz band to analog mobile, and then later adopted for CDMA. Once widely used around the world, a mature ecosystem still exists for CDMA technology, but it is now heading towards the end of its lifecycle.”
“Since 2019, these very low frequencies have gained interest in Europe especially around their use in 4G-based LTE networks for IoT and critical communications, including PMR, thanks to their excellent propagation characteristics, making them particularly useful for delivering coverage over long distances in rural areas.”
“Standardisation and operationalisation of this technology has been a focal point for the 450 MHz Alliance for years, with LTE becoming the natural and future-proof successor, particularly for IoT. The members of the 450 MHz Alliance are driving the creation of a new mobile ecosystem and bringing together carriers, spectrum owners as well as equipment, terminal and solution vendors to drive the development of mobile networks in the 450 MHz frequency band worldwide.”
Standardisation has been progressed by the international telecoms standards body, 3GPP RAN, which approved two new bands in the 400 MHz+ frequency range at its 84th Plenary Meeting (3rd-6th June, 2019 in Newport Beach, California),
Band 87, uplink 410-415 MHz and downlink 420-425 MHz
Band 88, uplink 412-417 MHz and downlink 422-427 MHz
“This was a significant step forward in the 400 MHz band’s harmonized production of chipsets, modules, devices, and network equipment. Bands 31, 72, and 73, which are located between 450 and 470 MHz, were also specified by 3GPP RAN in previous years,” Amr explained.
A complete picture of the 400 MHz frequency range [3]
“Band 450MHz is limited to a maximum 5 MHz channel size, the maximum practical due to the 450 MHz band’s large wavelength. The band supports up to a 5 MHz carrier in 2×2, providing up to 37 Mb/s of total channel capacity and connectivity beyond 100 kilometres.”
At the end of 2020, the 450 MHz Alliance reported that there were 125 devices supporting 450 MHz (Band 31, 0% of which were phones). Network deployment stats were reported for 380MHz, 410MHz and 450MHz combined: 74 countries globally, with consultations underway in a further 13 countries. [4]
“The 400MHz spectrums have a low frequency and wide coverage range, making them commercially suitable for SCADA, LV tracking, smart grids, water monitoring, and remote installations in substations for many IoT/M2M applications.”
“An example of such a commercial use case is found in the four German electricity transmission system operators, who have recently made a case for the energy sector to be allocated 450 MHz LTE mobile radio bands. To address the challenge of incorporating millions of new decentralised producers and users into the grid, such as electric cars and heat pumps, while retaining network reliability, they propose using 450 MHz LTE bands, and compare it the implementation already in place for emergency services who use LTE-capable frequency bands (eg, 700 MHz).” [6]
“In Ireland, ESB Networks have already successfully acquired the rights for 2x 4MHz of spectrum in Band 87 of 410MHz, to facilitate “transformation to a low carbon electricity system through smart technologies” and help it “deliver a more secure, reliable and sustainable electricity network.” [7]
“Additionally, 2020 saw the launch of the first LTE 450MHz Cat1 NB-IoT smart meters, utilizing the in-building penetration, lower network operating communication costs that 450MHz LTE brings to address this large commercial opportunity.” [8]
“For the first time, M2M applications for PMR/PAMR use cases, such as those for operators of critical infrastructure in electricity, transportation, and health, presented a forecast on volumes in the millions, if not tens of millions. This has provided the catalyst the major chipset and module vendors needed to commit to 450 MHz. Additionally, dedicated 450 MHz push-to-talk phones enable voice and community communication, providing a highly resilient solution for emergency communications.”
Virtual Access GW2300 Series [9]. Industrial routers like this deliver LTE throughput speeds over the B87 410MHz frequency spectrum.
Several European countries have recently allocated spectrum in the 410–430 MHz range to essential communications by Electricity Grid Operators or PPDR (Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic).
As Amr explains, “These ongoing actions at standardisation bodies, in tandem with the work of commercial companies such as the power transmission businesses in Germany, and device manufacturers, will definitely boost ecosystem development in this frequency range. We are seeing more and more interest in this technology to efficiently and reliably deliver IoT communications, both in-buildings and rural areas.”
How do you test in the LTE 400MHz-450MHz band?
“Given the absence of mobile handset support for this band currently, traditional network testing and optimisation solutions will struggle to be able to test in this band,” explains Amr. “However, at Digis Squared, the INOS IoT kits already support LTE 450MHz, as they utilise Quectel BG95-M4 chipsets.”
Developed in-house by Digis Squared, INOS is an intelligent, automated testing, benchmarking and analysis platform for network operators and service providers, delivering drive testing (DT), in-building solution (IBS) capability, end to end IoT system testing, and much more, whilst decreasing both the time taken to complete the work and opex cost.
“We are therefore able to immediately support clients who wish to test and optimise LTE 450MHz IoT implementations, as well as CSPs who wish to ensure their network is fully optimised, or want to include this frequency in their drive testing and IBS assessments.”
In conversation with Amr Ashraf, Digis Squared 5G & LTE RAN & Software Solution Architect, and Trainer.
LTE 450MHz optimisation & INOS
Our team can help yours with,
Support or consultation on how to deploy, test or re-farm LTE 450 MHz frequencies
LTE 450MHz optimisation
Using INOS in your network deployment or benchmarking
CEPT: European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications
DT: drive testing
IBS: in-building solution
INOS: Intelligent Network Optimisation Solution, a Digis Squared tool
LV: low voltage
M2M: machine to machine communications
PAMR: Public Access Mobile Radio
PMR: Private Mobile Radio
PPDR: Public Protection and Disaster Relief radio
SCADA: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition, system of software and hardware elements that measure and monitor data in real-time, and control equipment, usually automatically, remotely.
Image credits: Karsten Würth, windmills at Biedesheim, Germany.
Yasser Elsabrouty, Digis Squared Co-Founder and System Integration Business Unit Director announced, “We are delighted to collaborate with Intel, and become a Partner within the Intel Network Builders ecosystem program, as we work together to deliver optimised world-class telecom network solutions.”
“Digis Squared joins Intel Network Builders ecosystem program and brings with it the deep experience and expertise of the Digis Squared team in ultra-reliable network configuration and optimisation. In addition to our commercial work on virtual network enhancements, our system integration capabilities are a great fit with Intel’s objective to create world-changing technology that enriches the lives of every person on earth. As the pandemic has brought into sharp focus, our ability to collaborate internationally, and nurture the health and well-being of colleagues, friends and family, relies on strong and reliable mobile network communications.”
To learn more about how the Digis Squared team can help you with multi-vendor network optimisation, reliable infrastructure configuration and more, please use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com.
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Digis Squared, independent telecoms expertise.
About Intel® Network Builders
The Intel® Network Builders ecosystem program accelerates network transformation by connecting all of the players that are driving new solutions to the market, including service providers, end users, infrastructure, software and technology vendor.
The ecosystem offers members technical support technology training, technology matchmaking, co-marketing opportunities and more. These programs help companies to optimally utilize Intel technologies in their solutions, and facilitate joint collaboration.
Amr Ashraf, RAN and Software Solution Architect at Digis Squared, describes this new network technology, enabling LTE and 5G to be used in tandem, in the same frequency band, for the first time. Amr shares his insights into DSS, the benefits to both 4G LTE and 5G NR deployments, and the disadvantages.
The background: what is Dynamic Spectrum Sharing?
“Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, DSS, is a new network technology that enables LTE and 5G to be used in tandem, in the same frequency band, for the first time. The DSS technology decides in real-time the need for 5G and LTE; the network then separates the available spectrum and dynamically determines which mobile communications system to preferentially use the available frequencies.”
“Let’s imagine a network operator, without DSS, that has 20 MHz of mid-band spectrum for both 4G and 5G – they would have to split that spectrum in two to launch both technologies to their customers. In other words, they would have to allocate 10 MHz of spectrum to 4G LTE and cram all their LTE users into that 10 MHz of spectrum. Then the remaining 10 MHz of AWS spectrum could be used for 5G, even though initially there will only be a minimal number of 5G users. Now let’s consider their approach if they do have DSS: now the operator doesn’t have to split that mid-band spectrum or have a dedicated spectrum for either 4G LTE or 5G; instead, they can share that 20 MHz of spectrum between the two technologies.”
“So how is this experienced by the end-user? Let’s imagine you are surfing with a 5G device, and you’re connected to the mobile network via a transmitter equipped with this DSS technology; in this case you’ll be connected via 5G, surfing within the 5G standard. Now, let’s imagine a second scenario: let’s imagine you are in exactly the same place, connected to exactly the same transmitter and DSS equipment, but this time with you have a slightly older handset that only supports 4G – now, you’ll be surfing with 4G. To summarise: one transceiver, two networks.“
Why use DSS?
“As the global rollout of 5G networks progresses, dynamic spectrum sharing between 4G and 5G is becoming a focal point for mobile operators. DSS is an important enabler for the rapid and cost-effective construction of efficient 5G networks, with large coverage areas, using the current mid- and low-band spectrum. In the same 4G band, base stations can concurrently transmit LTE and 5G New Radio (NR) services, and distribute resources dynamically based on traffic demand.”
“The 5G NR standard provides the ability to adapt to existing LTE deployments and to share the spectrum now (and previously) used exclusively by LTE. The enabling mechanism is DSS, which facilitates the co-existence of 5G NR and 4G LTE by using the same spectrum. In the long term, DSS enables network providers to use the lower frequency bands to provide a coverage layer for 5G. Some network operators are already using DSS, and a large-scale rollout is expected to occur between late 2020 and early 2022.”
4G LTE & 5G NR Dynamic Spectrum Sharing [1]
What are the impacts on 4G LTE and 5G NR?
“For a smooth, uninterrupted transition to 5G, DSS provides a unique solution. This innovative technology can be leveraged to implement 5G networks in LTE spectrum bands to minimise the impact on existing services. Mobile network operators will re-use their current LTE hardware and infrastructure with DSS and deliver 5G via software updates.”
“However, when two separate systems need to share limited resources and overhead from 4G LTE, and 5G NR signal transmission impacts overall network capability, spectrum resource constraints may be introduced. To address this, based on the traffic requirements for each technology, DSS dynamically allocates resources to 4G LTE and 5G NR, enabling efficient use of resources.”
Techniques to avoid the collision of pilot signals: MBSFN [2]
“Today, LTE is mostly dominated by low-spectrum bands. Therefore, operators deploying 5G in low spectrum bands are looking for solutions which minimise the impact on their existing LTE networks, and ensure a smooth migration, and 4G LTE – 5G NR dynamic spectrum sharing is one way to deliver this is. Service providers can deploy 4G LTE and 5G NR in the same bands by using DSS: LTE users access the network using LTE cells within one carrier network, while 5G users are linked using 5G cells.”
“Network coverage is enhanced by introducing 5G in low spectrum bands, which in turn typically have greater coverage than high-spectrum bands. As a result, new low-band 5G NR bands need to be reserved by mobile network operators; the alternative approach is to deploy coverage densification solutions. However, coverage can be extended at a faster rate by deploying 5G in low spectrum bands. Furthermore, the control and signalling message can be passed to the low-frequency band when 5G carrier aggregation (CA) is used to aggregate the low- and mid-bands, and the data rate can be improved with extended mid-band coverage. This directly increases the overall efficiency of the cell.”
Existing deployments
According to GSMA Intelligence, [3], at least sixteen mobile operators in 10 countries have already launched 5G using DSS, including Claro Brazil, China Unicom and China Telecom in China, and Verizon in the USA. These deployments can be classified into two groups:
Operators that want to deploy 5G but do not have access to ‘new’ 5G spectrum.
Operators with access to 5G spectrum but want to achieve greater coverage (by deploying DSS in low or mid bands).
Are there any disadvantages with DSS?
“Yes, let’s be realistic here, it’s not all good news! Using DSS results in a loss of 4G LTE and 5G NR capacity in the order of 10-20%. The amount of capacity lost depends on the mode and implementation technique of the equipment vendor. So when selecting vendors, a key differentiator to consider is how to minimise this capacity loss.”
In conversation with Amr Ashraf, Digis Squared 5G & LTE RAN & Software Solution Architect, and Trainer.
DSS optimisation and INOS
If you or your team would like to discover more about DSS optimisation, or how INOS can help you in your network deployment or benchmarkings, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com .
Keep up to speed with company updates, product launches and our quarterly newsletter, sign up here.
Why do telecom networks need a Unified Fault Management solution?
Digis-One is a Unified Fault Management (UFM) solution, delivering multi-vendor and multi-technology carrier-grade capability for telecom SOC (Service Operations Centres) and NOC (Network Operations Centres). But why is it needed?
Mobile networks today are a patchwork of systems, with solutions from multiple-vendors, becoming more complex as layers of IoT and 5G capability are added – the result of decades of commercial decisions, technology availability, and technical strategies. As the telecom sector is inherently defined by international standards, this mix-and-match approach should deliver a coherent system, but there are some critical elements which struggle to work together.
Network Operations Centre (NOC) engineers need to undertake fault and performance management activities, in addition to routine, repetitive tasks: fault detection, events enrichment, impact analysis and trouble ticketing creation – and all of this is undertaken manually.
A smart Unified Fault Management solution (UFM) is crucial to unify and automate all fault management activities.
Finding and resolving sub-optimal performance issues is often more complex than fault resolution. Improving performance in one system may create a knock-on consequence to another, which may not appear immediately, and may slowly creep before it triggers an alarm. When NOC teams have to log in to multiple, discrete NMS to view each component, it is impossible for them to assess the full picture.
“AI, 5G and automation are the key technologies driving digital transformation”
Source: EY (1)
Digis-One – UFM
A multi-vendor and multi-technology carrier-grade solution, used by Service or Network Operations Centers (SOC/NOC), focusing on fault management unification across all network and IT nodes.
The Digis Squared team have combined their knowledge of network failure occurrence mechanisms and resolution procedures, and our AI and automation skills, to develop Digis-One – a single consistent interface into all the Network and IT nodes in your network, with intelligent troubleshooting and optimisation.
“Digis-One intelligently assesses the data from all the Network and IT nodes it’s connected to. Using automated rules, root cause is identified against a library of recommended actions and troubleshooting steps, thereby overcoming native compatibility issues.”
Yasser ElSabrouty, Co-Founder, and Director of Sales & Business Development ME & Africa
See the full picture
Digis-One delivers,
One platform: rich, intuitive web interface, with a fully customisable single view.
Technology: all system components are Cloud Native Computing Foundation certified with a mesh of micro-services components.
Agility: setup can be changed on the fly, no loss of service with its static predefined load balancing rules.
Automation: fully-fledged library of “Generic / Vendor-specific” correlation and automation rules, network alarms, plus their recommended actions, and all troubleshooting steps pre-loaded. RPA ensures faults are consistently identified and swiftly resolved, minimising failure recovery time. Additionally, stable services outside standard working hours can be achieved by automating network operations and monitoring.
Cost efficiency: efficient system architecture and a single interface = simplified operations, administration and maintenance. Efficiency also increases customer satisfaction due to prompt network failure response, which in turn helps retain customers and improve brand image.
Additional Digis-One benefits include,
Rapid integration, and elastic scalability: as components continue to be added to your network, the additional NMS they come with can be easily integrated into Digis-One.
Alarm grouping and pivoting
AutoPilot: the first step towards zero-touch operation
Commercially deployed: now.
Ensuring your network works
As mobile networks are enhanced with IoT, edge-computing and 5G, the ever-increasing complexity of fault management, demands that AI and automation are used to swiftly help your teams identify and resolve faults, and optimise network performance. Now more than ever, ensure your network works.
To discuss how Digis-One can help your business, please use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com to arrange a convenient time for an informal conversation.
Keep up to speed with company updates, product launches and our quarterly newsletter, sign up here.
The background: why is the 600MHz band being used for LTE?
Mobile data usage continues to grow throughout the world, and the pandemic has massively impacted forecasts and expectations, causing telecom operators and CSPs to bring forward their deployment decisions.
“The limited amount of spectrum available below 1 GHz will ultimately run out of capacity. This puts mobile broadband at risk in emerging markets, rural areas and inside buildings. Therefore, long-term planning is key to enable countries to offer great mobile services for everyone.”
GSMA, October 2019
So what can be done to identify more spectrum for mobile broadband? Countries working on the digital TV switchover can consider including 600MHz for mobile broadband. North America is leading the way – USA auctions were completed in April 2017, Canada in April 2019, and Mexico in 2020!
GSMA [1]
600MHz LTE benefits
We asked Amr Ashraf, RAN and Software Solution Architect and Trainer at Digis Squared, to give us his insights into LTE 600MHz band.
“Over the last couple of years we’ve been starting to hear about the deployment of very low band for mobile communication. Now, we have commercial networks working on one of the most important low bands, 600MHz.”
Halberd Bastion [2]: Band 71 600 MHz LTE coverage prediction
“600MHz is likely to need about 0.8 cells to cover the same area as a 700MHz cell. So 600MHz will be excellent for providing coverage over a given area. And, as an added bonus, the 600MHz signal is likely to penetrate most buildings – great for indoor coverage.”
“Ideally, an operator will have a selection of low band (600MHz, 700MHz and 90MHz) spectrum to provide wide coverage and in-building coverage together with higher bands (1.8GHz, 2.1/2.6GHz, etc.) to provide capacity at specific locations with small cells, including in-building distributed antenna systems. The trick is in deploying the bands efficiently and economically to meet the market needs.”
… and issues
“On other hand, I don’t think that the 600MHz band will be that useful for 5G implementation, as we can’t use all the new transmission techniques with a low band like Massive MIMO.”
“In order for MIMO to work effectively, the antennas need to be spatially separated such that they are uncorrelated. And, the lower the band, the larger the antenna and the required separation between them. At the 600MHz band, it would be incredibly difficult to physically fit more than two uncorrelated antennas inside handsets, given their current sizing. Our calculations therefore assume that 5G and 4G in the 600MHz band will only make use of 2×2 MIMO.”
“There will be some problems to be faced in the reallocation of systems currently utilising this band, like DTV, and also some wireless devices like MICs. However, 600MHz LTE will be one of the most important bands during the next 10 years for full 4G coverage, particularly for rural areas.”
What problems are encountered deploying the 600MHZ band?
With any new network deployment, testing and optimisation are vital to ensure network performance, and also address any inadvertent impacts on existing networks. Whilst a limited number of activities can be undertaken centrally, drive testing, and in-building testing are critical to understanding the real customer experience in the field.
Developed in-house by Digis Squared, INOS is an intelligent, automated testing, benchmarking and analysis platform for network operators and service providers, delivering drive testing (DT), in-building solution (IBS) capability, and much more, whilst decreasing both the time taken to complete the work and opex cost.
Using cloud-controlled mobiles mounted in cars or taken around buildings, INOS collects and uploads data to the cloud, and eliminates the need for a laptop or engineers in the car, or out and about inside buildings. INOS can receive updated test scripts in the field to instantly re-analyse live network configuration changes, avoiding expensive follow-up field trips. It minimises the sometimes chaotic nature of drive tests, and ensures your staff can work alone at Covid-19 safe distances.
One of the key issues with any drive testing tool, such as INOS, is that there are very few mobile phones available for drive testing in this 600MHz LTE frequency, and where there are, drive test solutions don’t use them.
The good news: uniquely, INOS supports LTE 600MHz band
The Digis Squared team have extensively tested a large range of mobile phones, and the best-performing mobile in the LTE 600MHz band that we have found so far is the Google Pixel 5.
After detailed testing in specific locations where 600MHz LTE is in the live network, our teams have found a significant enhancement in capability using this device in our testing portfolio.
We’ve already started drive testing this capability with live networks. If you or your team would like to discover more about LTE 600MHz optimisation, or how INOS can help you in your network deployment or benchmarking, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com to arrange an informal chat.
In conversation with Amr Ashraf, Digis Squared 5G & LTE RAN & Software Solution Architect, and Trainer.
Digis Squared, independent telecoms expertise.
Keep up to speed with company updates, product launches and our quarterly newsletter, sign up here.
INOS: Intelligent Network Optimisation Solution, a Digis Squared tool
MICs: wireless microphones
MIMO: multiple-input and multiple-output. A method for multiplying the capacity of a radio link using multiple transmission and receiving antennas to exploit multipath propagation.
In conversation with CEO Ziad Khalil, and CCO Mohamed Hamdy, we discuss the new Dubai office.
This latest expansion comes as part of a year of solid business growth at Digis Squared, despite the difficult circumstances 2020 has brought with it. Digis Squared’s London HQ, and Technology & Customer Support Centre in Cairo now have over 150 staff, with additional staff in-country working alongside clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Ziad and Mohamed share insights into this new investment, and how this milestone fits into our business expansion plans.
“Thanks to the confidence clients in the Middle East have shown in us, we are pleased to announce that we have opened offices in Dubai.”
Ziad Khalil, Digis Squared Co-Founder & CEO
With business continuing to expand in the Middle East, the new office space in Dubai will be a regional hub, and ensure that the growing Digis Squared UAE team has a Covid-19 secure space to meet clients, and collaborate in-person safely.
“2020 has been a very busy year for the Digis Squared team,” Ziad explains. “We have worked with our clients to address massive changes in mobile network demand caused by the pandemic, re-dimensioning and optimising network performance. Our staff have worked incredibly flexibly, adapting swiftly to remote working and finding new ways to collaborate virtually with our clients. Now our teams are increasingly addressing 5G technology deployment projects, vendor changes and O-RAN introductions, particularly in the Middle East.”
“This has been a tough year – difficult, busy, but for our business, ultimately successful”, Mohamed shared with us. “Our team has restlessly supported customers during this difficult time to ensure the demand for mobile communications could be met. In parallel, we have invested heavily in our in-house AI tools and new innovations this year, especially in 5G and VoLTE, and extended the expertise we have in these fields. Now, here comes the harvest, with more clients entrusting us to be their telecom services partner of choice, resulting in the opening of our new Regional Office in Dubai.”
“With this investment in our new office in Dubai, Digis Squared is reinforcing its commitments to clients in the city and across the region. It will ensure excellent facilities for our local team who are busy supporting new and extended contracts, particularly in the Gulf Region,” Ziad added. “Looking forward to 2021, this location is well situated to support our business expansion and growing presence in the region. This investment strengthens the local support and capabilities we can deliver to our clients and staff, and demonstrates our commitment to them.”
“2020 has reinforced for all of us the value of communication and collaboration. Thank you to our customers and partners, for the trust you have placed in us, from all at the Digis Squared team.”
