NSN Mobile Soft Switching Brochure

Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitching Taking voice to the next level

Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitching – Taking voice to the next level2

Providing an answer for today and tomorrow

Mobile softswitches are today’s most efficient way to handle mobile voice. They offer several advantages. They lower the running costs of a network, cutting operational expenditure (OPEX) up to 70 percent by reducing the number of sites, as well as transmission bandwidth requirements. They also enable communications service providers (CSP) to invest now in systems that can be evolved easily and cost-effectively to meet changing network requirements in the future.

Efficient new radio technologies such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) are paving the way for Voice over IP (VoIP) in mobile networks, and with the arrival of Long Term Evolution (LTE), which is a full Internet Protocol (IP) technology, circuit switched voice will gradually be replaced. However, the co-existence of both technologies will be a reality for some time to come.

With Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitch, the MSC Server System (MSS), CSPs can build a platform that will support the new opportunities offered by VoIP and multimedia. They can also improve efficiency immediately, reaping the significant OPEX savings that mobile softswitching brings. And in the longer term, CSPs can eliminate the need for huge additional investments as services evolve in the future.

Evolving technologies

Nokia Siemens Networks MSS provides a solid platform for the future requirements of new radio technologies and VoIP. The diagram depicts smooth evolution paths from the pure circuit switched core network to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) controlled LTE architecture.

First phase: An R’99 network is modernized to a Rel-4 network with mobile softswitches. This reduces OPEX and prepares for future evolution by introducing an IP capable platform.

Second phase: System is expanded with Nokia Siemens Networks Mobile VoIP Server (NVS) by activating new software in MSS. This upgrade provides a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) VoIP service, together with traditional GSM and WCDMA services.

Third phase, option – One Step VoLTE: Introduce IMS to enrich voice and add multimedia services – e.g. Rich Communication Suite (RCS). NVS acts as voice application server for IMS. MSS provides interworking with legacy networks.

Third phase, option – Fast Track VoLTE: Moves voice to LTE by introducing LTE Access Controller (LAC) function and reusing MSS/NVS in LTE environment.

Fourth phase: IMS based voice and multimedia network as target architecture for VoLTE.

All steps re-use existing components and are standards compliant according 3GPP.

Value

Evolution

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Reuse IMS/MSS/NVSfor One Step VoLTE

Reuse MSS/NVSfor Fast Track VoLTE

Expand revenues

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Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitching – Taking voice to the next level 3

Proven solutions from a proven partner

Nokia Siemens Networks is the most experienced mobile softswitch vendor and a clear market leader in GSM and WCDMA networks, serving more than a billion subscribers. We support our customers every step of the way, offering a full range of consulting and integration services to complement our network hardware and software. In short, we offer end-to-end solutions, not just boxes.

We have extensive experience in providing interoperability in multi-vendor networks and securing a smooth migration from R’99 networks to Rel-4. The Nokia Siemens Networks MSC Server System is used in the networks of more than two hundred CSPs, most of which depend on multi-vendor networks. Nokia Siemens Networks has successfully integrated the MSS System into these networks as part of core modernization projects.

Built-in resilience

Our mobile softswitches offer robust performance based on state-of-the-art processing capacity that is continuously being improved, as well as scalable system architecture and well-proven smooth overload handling capability.

High capacity is not enough on its own. It must be counterbalanced with carrier grade resiliency at the element, system and network levels. We have taken all these aspects into account, playing our part in helping our customers offer the highest reliability services. With our MSS, system performance does not degrade even when all subscribers have a prepaid Intelligent Network (IN) service. It also offers high availability, as a result of multiple layers of resilience that extend from the element level right up to disaster recovery capabilities throughout the network.

Reliability proven under the most extreme conditions

The Beijing summer games National Stadium saw up to 250,000 people in 2008 conducting up to 110,000 calls per minute. The Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitching system ensured a 99.95 percent successful call rate with no failures.


Although mobile CSPs make most of their revenues from circuit switched voice, VoIP is beginning to become an important element within mobile networks. Nokia Siemens Networks is the only vendor to integrate VoIP as part of the existing mobile softswitch, while simultaneously supporting circuit switched traffic that shares the same system resources. The solution, called Nokia Siemens Networks Mobile VoIP Server (NVS), is the key component in providing a smooth evolution from circuit switched voice to VoIP and supports IMS and LTE architectures.

The CSP simply needs to activate the NVS software in the MSC Server System (MSS) to start offering VoIP services from its existing core and thus securing the lowest OPEX. NVS also re-uses the entire existing OSS and BSS infrastructure, bringing further gains to existing Nokia Siemens Networks MSS customers.

Growth through simplicity

NVS provides a uniform environment for the CSP by enabling the same mobile features across different access networks and devices. PC-based VoIP clients, dual-mode mobile phones and even traditional fixed-line phones are simply registered as SIP subscribers on the mobile network. This allows all these devices to access similar services to those enjoyed by conventional GSM subscribers, such as prepaid, mobility, messaging and IN-based services.

MSS/NVS is a flexible system that allows for full migration or step-by-step evolution to a unified core network with the same service experience across VoIP and cellular voice telephony – one number, one provider, and one bill – bringing subscribers the simplicity that helps to increase service usage by subscribers.

Address the fixed broadband market

With NVS, mobile CSPs can grow their subscriber base and raise Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by addressing the fixed domain with compelling broadband services such as VoIP, bundled with presence and instant messaging services. The most efficient way of doing this is by offering broadband services bundled with VoIP.

With NVS a CSP can expand rapidly into fixed markets and offer seamless services across fixed and mobile domains. Becoming the all-in-one service provider also helps glue customers to the CSP, reducing churn and raising ARPU. NVS fits perfectly into the IMS architecture, which is the most efficient way to deal with fixed and mobile cross-domain multimedia services.

Common core for mobile and fixed

Software activation NVS

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Offer VoIP services now through a simple NVS software activation in MSS.


Communication Key and Communication Suite

Nokia Siemens Networks Communication Suite (NCS) is a PC-based user application that provides powerful communications features, ranging from traditional telephone services to advanced rich multimedia communications such as VoIP, video sharing, video calling, messaging and presence functionalities.

CSPs enjoy a strong and trusted relationship with subscribers, which they can make best use of with the Nokia Siemens Networks Communication Key. This is a USB device with built-in SIM authentication that lets subscribers carry VoIP and other rich communications with them.

The Communication Key is an integral part of the MSS/NVS portfolio. The Communication Suite is hosted on the Communication Key and tied via a SIP interface to the MSS/NVS platform. This unique capability enables users to connect via the Communication Key and become reachable via their mobile phone number. This allows CSPs to launch the most flexible parallel ringing service ever – across mobile and IP domains.

Cut subscribers’ costs

Subscribers simply plug the key into any Internet-connected PC to make voice calls independent of the local mobile network, avoiding roaming charges.

Hybrid CSP uses VoIP to boost ARPU

A new European CSP wanted to introduce VoIP services for residential users to drive up its mobile revenues. Leveraging existing infrastructure elements, Nokia Siemens Networks helped create a fully-converged network environment for the new IP-based services, enabling the CSP to minimize its integration effort and maximize its return on investment.

By deploying IMS based NVS, the CSP is able to provide convenient and consistent IP-based voice and messaging services for end users across multiple devices and networks, significantly enhancing the value of its offering to its key target audience. As a result, the company will be able to increase monthly revenues by €10 for every subscriber that signs up to its new VoIP service.

While abroad I stay in • touch with friends and family without having to pay roaming feesI’m calling and using • SMS from any PCI can be reached via PC • with my mobile phone number

The Communication Key is pre-loaded with NCS and can be plugged into any PC via a USB interface.


Mobile broadband with LTE

LTE promises true mobile broadband and improved voice quality over all-IP networks, offering new levels of efficiency.

The LTE radio interface is more efficient than any previous technology. Radio spectrum can be used in a number of ways and current GSM and 3G frequencies can be re-farmed to LTE. Once CSPs have built an LTE network for data, they can use the same network for voice and cut costs by gradually decreasing the role of GSM and 3G networks.

Nokia Siemens Networks offers a smooth evolution from circuit switched voice to VoIP in mobile networks, even supporting the co-existence of both technologies. MSS/NVS can be used for both technologies and the capacity of this voice control system can be allocated dynamically between circuit switched and SIP calls. Furthermore, circuit switched and SIP calls are managed without any changes in the end user experience. Voice services can be the same over circuit switched and SIP accesses, as MSS/NVS ensures service parity. Furthermore, Single Radio – Voice Call Continuity (SR-VCC) ensures voice service continuation when LTE coverage becomes fragmentary.

If a CSP wants to use its LTE network for data only, the circuit switched fallback feature ensures voice calls are managed in the 2G/3G network. This ensures smooth transition for voice usage even before sufficient LTE coverage is achieved.

Enrich the customer experience

Adopting NVS and MSS is an evolutionary step towards IMS. Once CSPs have achieved OPEX savings by establishing a Rel-4 environment, they have set the scene for an IMS environment.

VoIP is already enriching the customer experience and our IMS-based Rich Communication Suite (RCS) solution will enhance this even further. Voice service is enriched by presence, content sharing and messaging services.

RCS is a presence based service engine that allows users to keep up to date with friends’ presence, picture and tag line. After an initial presence check, further communication or media sharing can be initiated via chat, voice, picture share or video share. This improves the customer experience further, generates more revenue and ties the customer more closely to the CSP and the services it offers. Connectivity, charging,

quality of service

NVSPresence

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In an IMS environment, the NVS acts as an application server for VoIP and is connected to the IMS via the open standard ISC interface. MSS is further used as a media gateway controller, ensuring interconnection with the legacy world.

NVS ensures VoIP service through any SIP access and is already prepared for future broadband access technologies, such as HSPA and LTE.

NVS as IMS application server.


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Increased radio efficiency for

voice service

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Full IMS centric multimedia service

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LTEHSPA & I-HSPA

PSAll IP

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MSS evolution / Fast Track VoLTE One Step VoLTE

Opening up

Hardware platformThe Nokia Siemens Networks mobile softswitching system is based on an open software architecture supporting a common hardware platform. This allows CSPs to achieve lower costs by taking advantage of the latest hardware developments, lower power consumption and higher density. With other related network elements based on the same hardware, operational and logistical costs can be kept as low as possible.

IT environmentMSS/NVS software enables the gluing together of the mobile softswitching system with IT environments. This allows CSPs to benefit from the wide variety of applications available in the web environment and the ability to use assets across mobile and IP domains. Open interface is based on SOAP/XML and further allows the vertical integration of the mobile softswitching system into business processes (for example a user can receive an SMS notifying when the postman is nearby and able to deliver mail).

To ensure security, the interface is based on the Secure Telecom Asset Exposure (STAE) layer which resides between network elements and third party applications.

Connecting the mobile softswitching system with IT allows CSPs to open new business fields towards third party applications and to further differentiate from their competition by offering new services and integration capabilities.

Multiple options for VoLTE

CSPs have different rollout strategies, therefore Nokia Siemens Networks provides flexible ways to deploy services – Fast Track VoLTE and One Step VoLTE.

Fast Track allows VoLTE introduction without IMS deployment, while One Step supports IMS based VoLTE. Subsequently, Fast Track deployments can also be turned into IMS based VoLTE deployments. With either option CSPs gain smooth evolution paths that re-use their entire investment. Fast Track and One Step VoLTE are both standards compliant according 3GPP and support QoS, supplementary services according to MMTel specification, SR-VCC, LI and emergency call.

Fast Track VoLTEThe main benefits of Nokia Siemens Networks Fast Track VoLTE solution are VoLTE introduction without needing to change the entire architecture and a seamless experience for end users where 2G/3G and LTE networks are used in parallel and handovers are common.

This solution is based on current mobile voice core network elements; MSS/NVS, MGW and Home Location Register (HLR) with existing network connections. Standard 3GPP SIP terminals are supported and existing interfaces to other network elements are open and specified. This means

that even the existing circuit switched voice roaming ecosystem is fully re-usable for LTE voice and can ensure smooth service continuity in any network environment.

The new functionality is LTE Access Controller (LAC), which is part of MSS/NVS system. LAC provides policy control and Quality of Service (QoS) to LTE access, which are needed for carrier grade voice services. Investments in Fast Track VoLTE are fully re-usable when upgrading network architecture to IMS, thus reducing capital expenditure (CAPEX) in the long term. The transition from Fast Track to IMS based VoLTE architecture is supported, meaning the entire investment in the Fast Track solution is re-used and transferred into the IMS architecture.

One Step VoLTEFor CSPs with existing IMS deployment, the Nokia Siemens Networks One Step VoLTE solution is the most beneficial network architecture, allowing IMS and MSS/NVS to complement each other in the network. Moving to LTE from an existing IMS deployment, CSPs can smoothly introduce One Step VoLTE by adding VoIP to existing mobile user base.

Furthermore, CSPs with no IMS environment can immediately introduce One Step VoLTE by introducing IMS and VoLTE at the same time.

Nokia Siemens Networks VoLTE evolution paths.

www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Nokia Siemens Networks CorporationP.O. Box 1FI-02022 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKSFinland

Visiting address:Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland

Switchboard +358 71 400 4000

Product code D501-00433-B-200906-1-ENIndivisual

Copyright © 2009 Nokia Siemens Networks. All rights reserved.

Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation, Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG. The wave logo is a trademark of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy. Other company and product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respective owners, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only.

NSN Mobile Soft Switching Brochure

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