WCDMA+Frequency+Refarming+SoDe

8/13/2019 WCDMA+Frequency+Refarming+SoDe

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Nokia Siemens NetworksWCDMA Frequency

Refarming

Solution Description



Copyright 2007 Nokia Siemens Networks. All rights reserved.

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Table of contents

Table of contents................................................................................................2 1. Executive summary..............................................................................4 2. Introduction to WCDMA frequency refarming......................................6 2.1 What is WCDMA frequency refarming ............................................................................6 2.2 Market trends .................................................................................................................6 2.3 WCDMA frequency refarming scenarios.........................................................................7 2.4 Operator challenges.......................................................................................................8 3.

Value of WCDMA frequency refarming ............................................ 10

3.1 Benefits of WCDMA in lower frequencies .....................................................................10 3.2 HSPA Evolution and I-HSPA ........................................................................................11 3.3 Cost-efficient 3G coverage for rural areas ....................................................................12 3.4 WCDMA frequency refarming business case example .......... ....................................... 13 3.5 Environmental benefits .................................................................................................14 4. WCDMA frequency refarming solution overview.............................. 15 4.1 General solution overview ............................................................................................15 4.2 Key functionalities.........................................................................................................16 4.2.1 WCDMA functionalities.................................................................................................16 4.2.2 GSM/WCDMA interworking ..........................................................................................17 4.2.3 GSM functionalities.......................................................................................................18 4.3 Base station site system...............................................................................................19 4.3.1 Base stations................................................................................................................19 4.3.2 Antenna lines.............. ......................................... ......................................... ................21 4.3.3 Transport for WCDMA frequency refarming..................................................................22 4.3.4 Power feed systems .....................................................................................................23 4.4 Network management system (OSS)............................................................................24 4.4.1 Measurement based network management....................... ........................................ ...24 4.4.2 Network optimization ....................................................................................................24 4.4.3 Feature rollout ..............................................................................................................24 4.4.4 Multi-technology network management system ..................... ....................................... 25 4.5 Nokia Siemens Networks Services ...............................................................................25 4.5.1 Consulting and Systems Integration .............................................................................25 4.5.2 Network Implementation...............................................................................................25 4.5.3 Network Design Service ...............................................................................................25 4.5.4 Managed Services........................................................................................................26 4.5.5 Maintenance.................................................................................................................26 4.5.6 Spare Part Management...............................................................................................26 5. Field experience................................................................................ 27 6. References........................................................................................ 28




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This document describes the product(s) defined in the introduction of this document andis subject to change without notice. This document is intended for the internal use ofNokia Siemens Networks’ only and not to be given to customers. Nokia Siemens

Networks has used reasonable efforts to ensure that the instructions contained in thedocument are adequate and free of material errors and omissions. However, theinformation or statements contained in this document concerning the suitability,capacity or performance of the product(s) concerned are not binding, except as mayexplicitly be agreed to by Nokia Siemens Networks in the agreement under which thisdocument is submitted.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ liability for any errors in the document is limited to thedocumentary correction of errors. IN NO EVENT SHALL NOKIA SIEMENSNETWORKS HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES OF WHATEVER NATURE,WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, ECONOMIC ORCONSEQUENTIAL, that might arise from the use of or inability to use this document oranything contained herein.

This document and the product it describes are protected by copyright according toapplicable laws. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any formor by any means without the prior written permission of Nokia Siemens Networks.

Nokia Siemens are registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Other product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respectivecompanies, and are mentioned for identification purposes only.




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1. Executive summary

3G networks based on WCDMA technology have been in operation for several years.From the launch of the first WCDMA networks the demand for additional 3G coveragehas been growing continuously. Operators are looking to expand the initial 3G coverage

to rural areas. At the same time in urban and some suburban locations the indoorcoverage is not optimized for 3G and data speeds can be relatively low. There is clearlya need for a cost efficient solution for 3G coverage expansion.

Use of lower frequencies for radio access coverage building is beneficial due to bettersignal propagation. This leads to remarkably less base station sites and thereby tosignificantly reduced OPEX and CAPEX for an operator. Comparing WCDMA 2100MHz to 900 MHz or 850 MHz the 3G coverage can be built with 65% less sites leadingto 60% reduction in network total cost of ownership. HSPA in 900 and 850 MHz enablebetter 3G indoor coverage that boosts the data rates by 65-130%. For these reasonsthe use of 900 and 850 MHz frequency bands is highly interesting option for improving3G network efficiency and coverage.

Today the 900 and 850 MHz spectrum is very often already used by GSM or in somecases by TDMA or CDMA networks. This makes the WCDMA deployment to thesebands challenging. As operators naturally want to serve also their existing GSMsubscribers the available spectrum needs to be divided between GSM and WCDMAnetworks. The challenge is how to successfully accommodate WCDMA into frequencyband that is currently used by GSM, and at the same time keep the GSM capacity andquality unchanged. Regardless of the challenges already several operators aredeploying WCDMA in 900 and 850 MHz frequencies together with Nokia SiemensNetworks.

In some countries there are tight restrictions on radio spectrum usage. In number ofcountries these restrictions have been removed or there are actions ongoing to repealthe limitations. Regulators are moving towards technology neutral licenses and start to

allow WCDMA in 900 or 850 MHz frequency bands. Additionally in several countries theregulators are rearranging the frequencies to enable WCDMA deployment to lowerfrequency bands.

Terminal availability and penetration are important for refarming feasibility. First devicefor WCDMA 900 MHz is already available and more are coming during 2008 fromvarious vendors. The penetration of WCDMA 900 MHz starts to grow from second halfof 2007 and can be further supported by operators’ active push of these devices.

Nokia Siemens Networks offers a complete end-to-end solution taking into account allneeded aspects for easy and successful WCDMA frequency refarming. In addition toproducts and functionalities for WCDMA in 900 and 850 MHz we provide wide set oftools to squeeze spectrum need in order to allocate WCDMA into the same bandwidthwith GSM and manage the co-existence of these technologies.

With Nokia Siemens Networks’ WCDMA Frequency Refarming Solution the GSMnetwork capacity can be maintained and quality unchanged while rolling the WCDMAnetwork into same frequency band. Our unique 4.2 MHz carrier bandwi dthfunct ionality fo r WCDMA enables WCDMA 900 MHz network deployment with lessspectrum leaving as many frequencies as possible left for GSM usage. In addition ourmarket leading GSM spectrum efficiency features like Adaptive Multi Rate (AMR) andDynamic Frequency and Channel Allocation (DFCA) secure adequate capacity andservice for GSM users.




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Also a comprehensive set of Radio Resource Management functionalities to ensureoptimal multiradio interworking capability and traffic sharing between GSM and WCDMAnetworks are included in our WCDMA Frequency Refarming Solution.

Naturally every WCDMA network delivered by us, including WCDMA 900 or 850 MHz,

is HSDPA and HSUPA capable, with software download only. HSPA Evolution will takeWCDMA carrier capacity up to 42Mbps in downlink and 11Mbps in uplink, and alsosupports flat architecture with I-HSPA. This evolution is available also on 900 and 850MHz frequencies.

Nokia Siemens Networks offers state-of-the-art site systems for co-existence of GSMand WCDMA equipment in same location, including Flexi WCDMA Base Station for 900and 850 MHz frequencies. Cost-efficiency of WCDMA frequency refarming to existingGSM spectrum is improved by maximized usage of existing site equipment.

The planning and optimization of WCDMA and GSM networks in frequency refarmingcases is simplified with Nokia Siemens Networks NetAct™ network management tools.The measurement based network optimization of NetAct ensures best possible network

performance. As a multi-technology network management system NetAct supportsseamless management of both GSM and WCDMA technologies as well as 2G/3Ginterworking.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ operator services secure the successful introduction ofWCDMA into 900 or 850 MHz frequencies and help to optimize the GSM and WCDMAnetwork coexistence in the same frequency band.

Nokia Siemens Networks is the most experienced vendor in WCDMA Refarming andwas the first network vendor to showcase HSDPA data call in commercial network using900HMz as well as supplier in world’s first commercial WCDMA network in 900 MHzfrequency.

Refarming currently used 900 or 850 MHz frequencies into WCDMA and HSPAtogether with Nokia Siemens Networks makes pure business sense; it offers immediatebusiness opportunity for broadband high speed wireless access reusing operators’current spectrum assets.




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2. Introduction to WCDMA frequency refarming

2.1 What is WCDMA frequency refarming

The term frequency refarming refers to activity where operator introduces new

technology into the same frequency spectrum allocation currently used by anothertechnology. In other words frequencies are taken out from older technology to be usedby a newer technology. Frequencies are thus refarmed.

Typically if there is still significant amount of traffic and subscribers on the oldertechnology, the existing bandwidth needs to be divided between newer and oldertechnologies so that enough capacity is left for the older.

The figure below depicts a situation where current GSM bandwidth of an operator isrefarmed with WCDMA. In this case enough bandwidth needs to be carved out fromexisting GSM frequency block in order to accommodate WCDMA carrier into the sameblock of frequencies.

900/850 MHz band

2100/1900 MHz band

= WCDMA= GSM after refarming

WCDMA/HSPA

Operators current GSM bandwidth

900/850 MHz band

2100/1900 MHz band


WCDMA/HSPA



WCDMA/HSPA


Figure 1 WCDMA refarming to GSM frequencies

2.2 Market trends

While the 3G terminal penetration is growing and usage of 3G services globally isincreasing heavily, also the requirement for coverage to rural areas is increasing. Inaddition to people living in rural areas also the subscribers who are used to wirelessbroadband services at home or office in the cities want to use similar services also inweek-end cottage or holiday resort, for example.

Following the global success of HSDPA, the high speed data services are often

operators’ key assets and their main differentiators. Some subscribers prefer theoperator who provides the best HSPA coverage and highest data rates. Since majorityof HSPA users are located indoors the importance of indoor HSPA data rates issignificant.

The demand for improved WCDMA coverage together with challenges to turn thedownward trend of ARPU development leads to challenge of how to expand theWCDMA coverage as well as operate the WCDMA network in cost-efficient way.




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900 MHz frequency band has been available for GSM over 15 years. Even though thebenefits of lower frequency are well known, the band has not been available forWCDMA. Only recently have authorities opened up the possibility to use 900 MHz forWCDMA in addition to GSM. Local authorities in e.g. Finland, France and Switzerlandhave already given the operators the permit to use WCDMA on the band and multiple

deployments are on-going. Same trend is picking up in many parts of Asia. World’s fi rstWCDMA 900 MHz network with HSPA capability was opened for commercial use inNovember 2007 in Finland.

For 850 MHz frequency band there have already been multiple WCDMA deploymentsespecially in the Americas, but also in some parts of Asia. Typically in these locationsthe band has had either no GSM deployments prior to WCDMA or relatively new GSMentries. This has allowed more freedom in regulation early on.

In regulatory area the trend seems to be that existing WCDMA operators will be given acontinuous block of lower frequencies to enable WCDMA deployment in that spectrumas well. In countries where every operator doesn’t have 900 or 850 MHz spectrum at allthe operators are often given possibility to get the frequency e.g. by auction.

Terminal availability for WCDMA 900 MHz is rapidly getting better and e.g. Nokia hasdelivered WCDMA 900 MHz terminal since autumn 2007. More WCDMA 900 MHzterminals including PC-cards are arriving to markets, also from multiple other terminalmanufacturers. The chipsets for WCDMA 900 MHz have been available for testingsince 2006. For 850 MHz band there are over 100 WCDMA handset models alreadyavailable.

2.3 WCDMA frequency refarming scenarios

There are three key different deployment approaches while refarming WCDMA to abandwidth that is already used for a mobile network. WCDMA in 900 or 850 MHznetworks can be build to expand 3G coverage to rural areas, to expand urban coverage

or for initial 3G rollout.

High

band cell

Scenario 1:

Rural 3G coverage

Scenario 2:

Urban 3G expansion

Scenario 3:

Initial 3G rollout

Low

band cell

High

band cell

Scenario 1:

Rural 3G coverage

Scenario 2:

Urban 3G expansion

Scenario 3:

Initial 3G rollout

Low

band cell

Figure 2 Typical WCDMA frequency refarming deployment scenarios

In scenario 1, rural 3G coverage building, the WCDMA 900 or 850 MHz network isdeployed to expand operators 3G coverage. The initial WCDMA coverage to urban andprobably also to sub-urban areas was deployed using higher frequency band, e.g. 2100MHz. In these cases moving part of the frequencies from GSM to WCDMA network can




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be relatively easy since in rural areas the GSM traffic is often significantly lower than inurban and sub-urban areas.

In scenario 2, urban 3G coverage expansion, the WCDMA 900 or 850 MHz network isbuild to complete the 3G coverage by providing fill in coverage to gaps and by

improving indoor coverage. Similar coverage building can happen also in suburbanenvironments, especially to provide wireless broadband services to residential areas. Inurban and suburban areas frequency refarming from GSM to WCDMA can be morechallenging since typically GSM capacity requirements in these areas are high.

In scenario 3 the initial WCDMA rollout is done with WCDMA in 900 or 850 MHz. Inpractice all 3G rollouts start from urban areas where also the GSM capacity is typicallyquite high. That is the case also here and the challenges are similar to challenges ofscenario 2, i.e. getting frequencies from GSM to WCDMA can be difficult.

2.4 Operator challenges

Regardless of the used technology or frequency the deployment of new radio network is

always significant investment. Typically operators today operate several networks inmultiple bandwidths, which increase the OPEX. Increasing the spectrum efficiency, i.e.the return of investment into the frequency assets is always the goal to any operator inimproving their efficiency.

Rural WCDMA coverage could be provided with currently used high frequency bands(typically 2100 MHz) but it would lead to high number of base station sites and therebyto relatively high deployment and operation costs. This is not proper solution becausethe operator’s OPEX/CAPEX pressure is typically high.

With high frequencies the deployment of good 3G coverage for indoors by usingoutdoor sites is difficult due to the signal attenuation caused by the building walls.Typical building penetration loss is 10-20 dB depending on how “deep” in the building

the subscriber is. Operators need to guarantee high speed data services also for indoorlocations with low delivery costs. Dedicated indoor solutions are effective for specificlocations, such as shopping malls, but in order to provide better indoor HSPA coveragewithin the larger service area they might be too expensive. Using WCDMA in 900 MHzis viable option here.

One of the biggest challenges on using 900 and 850 MHz for WCDMA is that thosefrequencies are already used by other radio networks, typically by GSM networks. SinceGSM networks are an important revenue source for operators and large amount ofsubscribers are still using single mode GSM terminals, operators naturally don’t want torisk the business by lowering GSM performance to enable WCDMA deployment to 900or 850 MHz band. Therefore the available spectrum needs to be divided effectivelybetween GSM and WCDMA networks and the capacity and quality of GSM networks

must remain unchanged while introducing WCDMA into the same band.

WCDMA implementation requires a continuous 5 MHz frequency block. In some areasor countries current frequency allocation is too fragmented for WCDMA deployment,leading to a need of frequency reallocation. In several countries regulators are alreadyrearranging the frequencies to wider blocks or at least planning these actions.

WCDMA frequency refarming to spectrum currently used by other technologies, likeGSM, always leads to frequency re-planning in some level. Part of the frequencies mustbe moved from GSM to WCDMA and therefore better spectrum efficiency and new




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frequency plan is needed for the GSM network. This introduces frequency planning andoptimization needs.

Sufficient terminal penetration is needed for any feasible refarming scenario. WCDMAat 900 MHz is no exception. Operators can and should ensure sufficient WCDMA 900

MHz device penetration before network is commercially launched in order toimmediately obtain maximum benefit from WCDMA 900 MHz once the service islaunched. This is done by pushing the devices into the market and requiring these fromdevice vendors.

Increasing race regarding Long Term Evolution (LTE) commercial availability amonginfrastructure vendors have led to aggressive time schedules where first LTE productsare planned to be introduced already 2010. This has raised some concern aboutfeasibility of WCDMA frequency refarming compared to LTE frequency refarming.

Nokia Siemens Networks sees that there is plenty of time for WCDMA refarming to 900MHz and 850 MHz before operators move to offer LTE services. This is due to strongdevice availability in multiple price categories, spectrum efficiency and performance of

the HSPA evolution (that naturally works also in 900 MHz spectrum) as well as thepositive momentum currently existing for WCDMA and HSPA services globally.




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3. Value of WCDMA frequency refarming

The biggest pain for operators in building rural WCDMA coverage has been the amountof needed base station sites. This leads to high CAPEX and OPEX in areas where the3G service usage and thereby revenue would be relatively modest in the beginning.

Thereby one of the most effective options to reduce the network total cost of ownershipis to reduce amount of those sites and this can be achieved by using lower frequenciesfor 3G network deployment.

3.1 Benefits of WCDMA in lower frequencies

The better radio signal propagation characteristics of 900 and 850 MHz spectrumenable WCDMA network deployment with one third of the base station sites whencompared to higher frequencies. Therefore deploying WCDMA network in 900 or 850MHz frequency band is one of the best solutions for 3G coverage enhancement.

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0

GSM900Voice

WCDMA900Voice

WCDMA9001Mbps

GSM1800Voice

WCDMA2100Voice

WCDMA21001Mbps

Cell area [km2]

14.0

Cell area increases 2.8x fromWCDMA2100 to WCDMA900

= 65% reduction i n sites

Cell area increases 1.5x fromGSM900 to WCDMA900


Suburban indoor

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0

GSM900Voice

WCDMA900Voice

WCDMA9001Mbps

GSM1800Voice

WCDMA2100Voice

WCDMA21001Mbps

GSM900Voice

WCDMA900Voice

WCDMA9001Mbps

GSM1800Voice

WCDMA2100Voice

WCDMA21001Mbps

Cell area [km2]

14.0

Cell area increases 2.8x fromWCDMA2100 to WCDMA900


Cell area increases 1.5x fromGSM900 to WCDMA900


Suburban indoor

Figure 3 Voice and data coverage comparison

Due to better signal propagation the use of lower frequencies for WCDMA enablesbetter indoor coverage as well as higher data rates. While the building penetrationlosses grow the benefits of using 900 and 850 MHz for WCDMA network deploymentincreases. When comparing HSPA in 900 MHz to HSPA in 2100 MHz the data rates areboosted by 60-130% depending on the user’s location inside the building. With HSPA in900 and 850 MHz the average data rates are boosted above 1 Mbps also in very “deep”indoor locations.




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0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Outdoor In doo r, -10dBpenetration lo ss

kbps

HSPA900

HSPA2100

+60%

+130%

Indoor, -20dBpenetration loss

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Outdoor In doo r, -10dBpenetration lo ss

kbps

HSPA900

HSPA2100

HSPA900

HSPA2100

+60%

+130%

+60%

+130%

Indoor, -20dBpenetration loss

Figure 4 HSPA data rates with 900 and 2100 MHz spectrum

Indoor data services are really important for operators since most wireless broadbandusage comes from indoor locations. Improved HSPA indoor performance bringspotential for data revenue growth. Better 3G service availability naturally increases theusage. However, the increased data rates probably attract the users even more andboost the wireless broadband usage indoors.

Naturally WCDMA in 900 MHz supports also the HSPA Evolution improvements fordata speeds and coverage. Here up to 42Mbps in downlink and 11Mbps in uplink arestandardized. Nokia Siemens Networks will also implement market leading base stationreceiver, Frequency Domain Equalizer, for superb coverage and uplink performance.

3.2 HSPA Evolution and I-HSPA

Refarming part of the current GSM 900 or 850 MHz bandwidth to WCDMA together withNokia Siemens Networks opens the possibility for an operator also to take advantage ofHSPA evolution (3GPP rel’7 and 8) for both radio and architecture. All this is availablealso on 900 and 850 MHz.

14 Mbps

0.4 Mbps

14 Mbps

5.7 Mbps

28 Mbps

11 Mbps

42 Mbps

11 Mbps

3GPP R5 3GPP R83GPP R6 3GPP R7

Do wn l in k pea k ra te

Up l in k pea k ra te

14 Mbps

0.4 Mbps

14 Mbps

5.7 Mbps

28 Mbps

11 Mbps

42 Mbps

11 Mbps

3GPP R5 3GPP R83GPP R6 3GPP R7

Do wn l in k pea k ra te

Up l in k pea k ra te

Figure 5 HSPA peak data rate evolution on 900 and 850MHz

The HSPA data rate evolution depicted in the Figure 5 means massive capacity forbroadband wireless services following data tornado launched by HSDPA introduction,and support for high speed peak data rates per user following terminal capabilities.Bringing this evolution also into 900 and 850 MHz bandwidth delivers this performancewith superior coverage capabilities e.g. to expand current mobile broadband offeringinto new areas.




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Since the launch of HSDPA, the rapidly growing network traffic and terminal speedsrequire optimization of costs of the delivered data services. Also in most marketsoperators are offering broadband mobile services with aggressive flat monthly fee,which increases the pressure on margins.

Nokia Siemens Networks have innovated a solution for this, called Internet-HSPA. InI-HSPA, fully standardized in Rel’7 together with HSPA Evolution, we direct the user-plane traffic directly to core network from the base station. This offers tremendoussavings opportunity for operators offering very high traffic data services. NaturallyI-HSPA is also available on WCDMA 900 or 850MHz bands.

Figure 6 I-HSPA simplified network architecture for 900 and 850MHz bands

3.3 Cost-efficient 3G coverage for rural areas

In rural areas WCDMA in 900 MHz band triples the cell coverage area when comparedto 2100 MHz leading to reduced amount of needed base station sites by 65%. Thisleads to significant CAPEX and OPEX savings and in many cases even to 60%reduction in total cost of ownership. Potential sources for CAPEX and OPEX savingsare shown in figure below.

• Equipment

• Site acquisition

• Implementation

• Logistic

• …

• Power consumption

• Transmission

• Operation & management

• Site rental

• …

Sources for CAPEX sav ings Sources for OPEX sav ings

• Equipment

• Site acquisition

• Implementation

• Logistic

• …

• Power consumption

• Transmission

• Operation & management

• Site rental

• …

Sources for CAPEX sav ings Sources for OPEX sav ings

Figure 7 Cost saving sources

In addition to reduced costs WCDMA frequency refarming provides option for revenuegrowth. New subscribers are in the service area and can start to use wireless




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broadband services when the rural 3G coverage extends. Secondly existing users canenjoy 3G services also in new locations, like holiday resorts or summer houses.

WCDMA in lower frequencies makes 3G coverage affordable also for rural areas.

3.4 WCDMA frequency refarming business case exampleOutcome of business modeling depend heavily on used data and made assumptions.Following example is a cost comparison from real WCDMA frequency refarming casewith country and operators specific details. To get a realistic view of operator specificbusiness case a customized modeling has to be done.

Following business case is done to find out the cost difference between WCDMA in 900MHz and 2100 MHz. It compares total cost of ownership over 5 years and includescosts of both WCDMA and GSM networks.

This operator is currently operating a country wide GSM network and a WCDMAnetwork with very small coverage. The target is to deploy country wide WCDMA

coverage in addition to the GSM networks. The GSM network capacity and quality aswell as base station site locations will remain unchanged.

Assumptions:

WCDMA site costs are same in both cases

WCDMA BTSs are installed to GSM BTS sites

GSM sites costs are same in both cases

GSM spectrum efficiency SW costs come from implementation of AMR andDFCA

o AMR is used country wide

o DFCA is used only in city areas (LMU equipment costs are included inGSM spectrum efficiency SW)

WCDMA2100 WCDMA900

WCDMA900

WCDMA2100

GSM spectru mefficiency SW

GSM

-63%

WCDMA2100 WCDMA900WCDMA2100 WCDMA900

WCDMA900

WCDMA2100


GSM

WCDMA900

WCDMA2100


GSM

WCDMA900

WCDMA2100


GSM

-63%

Figure 8 Cost comparison of rural WCDMA coverage

In this example the use of 900 MHz frequency band for WCDMA coverage deploymentleads to 63% savings in total cost of ownership when compared to WCDMA in 2100MHz. Both CAPEX and OPEX differences are similar.




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3.5 Environmental benefits

Significant reduction on base station site amount leads to benefits in environmentalpoint of view as well. One of the most important topics is the energy usage, deploymentof 65% less sites leads to remarkable reduction in power consumption. The huge

reduction in needed site equipment leads to reduced material consumption andtransport needs, for example. With fewer sites also the visual impact of WCDMAnetwork deployment is lower.




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BTS sitesolutions

Services

OSS tools &functionalities

GSM &WCDMA

functionalities

BTS sitesolutions

Services

OSS tools &functionalities

GSM &WCDMA

functionalities

Figure 9 WCDMA Frequency Refarming Solution from Nokia Siemens Networks

4.2 Key functionalities

In most cases WCDMA 900/850 MHz network will be operated in parallel with anexisting cellular network, typically that is GSM and/or WCDMA at another frequencylayer. High spectrum efficiency in both WCDMA and GSM networks is mandatory toenable successful frequency refarming. In addition a proper system level support isneeded to optimize the interoperability between different systems and/or frequencylayers.

4.2.1 WCDMA functionalities

All existing Nokia Siemens Networks’ WCDMA features are available also to WCDMA900/850 MHz, including HSDPA and HSUPA functionalities. In addition spectrumefficiency and WCDMA dual band functionalities are useful in WCDMA frequencyrefarming cases.

4.2.1.1 4.2 MHz carrier bandwidth

In frequency refarming cases it is vitally important to be able to operate the new radiosystem in as narrow spectrum slot as possible. To support this, Nokia SiemensNetworks has developed a Flexi BTS based functionality which enables WCDMAoperation at only 4.2 MHz spectrum allocation without a need to sacrifice systemperformance.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ 4.2 MHz carrier bandwidth feature can be used incoordinated network deployment, meaning in practice that GSM and WCDMA basestations are co-located at the same site. In this case the power control functionality inGSM and WCDMA terminals and correspondingly at base stations is used to preventinter-system interference. With advanced RF filtering in the Flexi BTS, a frequency

arrangement illustrated in following figure can be used.




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2.2 MHz2.8 MHz

Uncoordinated case Coordinated case

BCCHno power

control

non-BCCHwith power

control

WCDMA/HSPA

2.2 MHz2.8 MHz

Uncoordinated case Coordinated case

BCCHno power

control

non-BCCHwith power

control

WCDMA/HSPA

Figure 10 Nokia Siemens Networks’ 4.2 MHz WCDMA carrier bandwidth functionality

Uncoordinated case in the figure left side refers to case planned according to 3GPPspecification. In that case GSM and WCDMA base station antennas can be installed indifferent locations and power control is not used. Coordinated case in the figure refersto deployment with Nokia Siemens Networks Solution. In this case the deployment is

done in coordinated way and with power control on. In case the Nokia SiemensNetworks’ equipment is used in uncoordinated installation the required spacing betweenWCDMA and GSM is 2.6 MHz leading to 5.0 MHz carrier bandwidth.

In other words, with Nokia Siemens Networks’ Solution the WCDMA layer can bedeployed to frequencies currently used for GSM with 1.2 MHz less spectrum. Thissolution leaves much more frequencies to be used in the existing GSM networks.

4.2.1.2 Interoperability between WCDMA frequency layers

In WCDMA frequency refarming cases all Nokia Siemens Networks intra-systeminterworking functionality like Load and Service Based Handover can be used tobalance the traffic between frequency layers. This applies also to providing servicecontinuity in cases where one of the frequency layers has discontinuities in coverage.

In a multilayer network, most of the terminals would camp in idle mode in a cell with thehighest signal level. In practice this would be the 900/850 layer, which might becomeoverloaded in some cases. This could prevent system access from the terminalslocated at the outer boundary of 900/850 cell. This kind of situation can be avoidedusing Nokia Siemens Networks Hierarchical Cell Structure (HCS), feature which movesthe slow moving terminals to higher frequency layer whenever it is accessible.

4.2.2 GSM/WCDMA interworking

In addition to intra-system interoperability also the inter-system interworking is veryimportant in frequency refarming. With Nokia Siemens Networks’ solutions the systemload can effectively be balanced between multiple GSM and WCDMA network layers.

4.2.2.1 Continuous coverage

GSM/WCDMA interworking support includes coverage based handover for voice inactive mode. Same applies also for cell re-selections in idle and in packet data mode.By using these functionalities subscriber will not notice possible discontinuities in cellcoverage.




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4.2.2.2 Load balancing and end-user service performance

With Nokia Siemens Networks’ Load and Service Based Handover feature the operatorcan balance the system load between GSM and WCDMA networks in an optimal way. Itis possible to prefer one of the networks or frequency layers for voice traffic and otherfor data. Load and service based triggers and neighboring cell parameters are operator

adjustable.

4.2.3 GSM functionalities

In most cases the GSM voice and data traffic needs to be allocated to a very narrowfrequency band to serve current GSM traffic and enable WCDMA frequency refarmingto 900/850 MHz spectrum. Nokia Siemens Networks offers comprehensive GSMspectrum efficiency feature portfolio and by selecting most suitable features for differentgeographical areas high quality and capacity GSM service can be maintained even ifpart of the earlier used frequencies are allocated from GSM to WCDMA.

4.2.3.1 GSM spectrum efficiency feature portfolio

GSM spectrum efficiency functionalities consist of basic mature solutions such asdifferent frequency hopping techniques, dynamic power control and discontinuoustransmission. Interference cancellation in urban environment can be improvedsignificantly with advanced techniques that jointly detect both the wanted signal and theinterfering signals to estimate the channel. Such techniques are Single AntennaInterference Cancellation (SAIC/DARP) and Space Time Interference RejectionCombining (STIRC) and both of the features give maximum performance in asynchronous GSM network.

AMR and DFCA are state-of-the-art techniques for maximizing the frequency efficiencyand capacity in the GSM network.

Small Configurations2 dB30 % Antenna Hopping

40 Gain % with 100%

AMR MS40 -100 %

Dynamic Frequency and

Channel Allocation (DFCA)

Better than IRC4-10 dBSpace Time IRC (STIRC)

MS algorithm8 dB50 - 80 %Single Antenna InterferenceCancellation (SAIC)

LMU needed0.5 dB<20%BSS Synchronization

3 dB practical (algorithm)4.5-5 dB120 - 150 % Adaptive Multi Rate (AMR)

MS Battery savings3 dB30 %Discontinuous

Transmission (DTX)

Traffic distribution

dependenceMax 1.5 dB50 %Power Control (PC)

Full gains with slow MSMax 7 dB30 %Frequency Hopping (FH)

NotesLink GainCapacity Gain

Small Configurations2 dB30 % Antenna Hopping

40 Gain % with 100%

AMR MS40 -100 %

Dynamic Frequency and

Channel Allocation (DFCA)

Better than IRC4-10 dBSpace Time IRC (STIRC)

MS algorithm8 dB50 - 80 %Single Antenna InterferenceCancellation (SAIC)

LMU needed0.5 dB<20%BSS Synchronization

3 dB practical (algorithm)4.5-5 dB120 - 150 % Adaptive Multi Rate (AMR)

MS Battery savings3 dB30 %Discontinuous

Transmission (DTX)

Traffic distribution

dependenceMax 1.5 dB50 %Power Control (PC)

Full gains with slow MSMax 7 dB30 %Frequency Hopping (FH)

NotesLink GainCapacity Gain

Table 1 Benefits of GSM spectral efficiency features




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4.2.3.2 Adaptive Multi Rate (AMR)

AMR speech codec is one of the most important functionalities when building spectrumefficient GSM network. Extensively used it has potential to increase the spectrumefficiency up to 150% thus supporting carving out frequencies in challenging scenariosof WCDMA frequency refarming into current GSM bandwidth.

AMR system exploits implied performance compromises by adapting the speech andchannel coding rates according to the quality of the radio channel. This gives improvedchannel quality and better robustness to errors.

4.2.3.3 Dynamic Frequency and Channel Allocation (DFCA)

Nokia Siemens Networks’ unique DFCA functionality allocates dynamically the mostsuitable radio channel for any connection.

DFCA is a BSS radio resource management functionality that selects the radio channelindividually for each connection from a dedicated channel pool and minimizes theinterference also to existing connections. It is based on connection-specific interference

criteria. DFCA algorithm has real time information of the radio environment and channelallocations in the whole BSS area where the functionality is in use. Different degrees ofinterference tolerance of various connection types like EFR, FR, HR, AMR FR and AMRHR are taken into account in the channel selection process. With DFCA the networkcapacity can be further increased remarkably.

4.3 Base station site system

Fastest and most economical way to build WCDMA 900 or 850 MHz network is to useexisting GSM base station sites. Therefore it is important that existing site locations aswell as site equipment such as cabinets, power and backup systems, antenna lines andtransmission can be shared between GSM and WCDMA.

4.3.1 Base stationsFlexi WCDMA BTS platform is optimal for WCDMA frequency refarming cases. Thebasic Flexi BTS for 900 and 850 MHz consist of System Module and RF Module andthere is RF Module available with single and dual carrier capacity.

In urban and suburban areas there will be need to provide WCDMA capacity in both2100 and 900 MHz frequencies when the need for WCDMA capacity further grows. Thedual band capability of Flexi WCDMA BTS is extremely useful in these cases. Followingpicture shows smooth evolution from WCDMA 900 to 900/2100 dual band system withFlexi WCDMA BTS. The evolution path to 850/2100 dual band system is similar.




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Typical WCDMA 900configuration

2 x 40W

1 x 40W

2 x 40W

1 x 40W

3 x 60W 2100 MHz

WCDMA 900 and 2100dual band configuration

900 MHz

System Module fordual band processing

Typical WCDMA 900configuration

2 x 40W

1 x 40W

2 x 40W

1 x 40W

3 x 60W 2100 MHz

WCDMA 900 and 2100dual band configuration

900 MHz

System Module fordual band processing

Figure 11 Evolution path to WCDMA dual band configuration

4.3.1.1 Flexi Base Station installation options

Flexi BTS modules, including WCDMA 900/850 MHz, fit practically everywhere.

Flexi modules can be installed inside cabinets that are specially designed for Flexi andin addition into any cabinet where the Flexi space and thermal requirements arefulfilled. UltraSite EDGE BTS cabinet can be converted into multimode base station by

inserting Flexi WCDMA modules at the lower part of the cabinet. Flexi modules can behoused inside macro power and backup cabinet or Flexi indoor or outdoor cabinets withor without integrated power and backup system

In case there is no space inside any cabinet or special need to use cabinet the Fleximodules can be installed next to any base station barely stacked, covered withinstallation shield. If there are not other options the Flexi modules can always bemounted on the wall.

Inside

BBU

cabinet

LEGEND

Flexi WCDMA module

Battery string 155 Ah

Rectifiers 16 kW

Next to

GSM BTS

cabinet

Inside

GSM BTScabinet

GSM 2+2+2 GSM 2+2+2WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4 GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4 GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1

Inside

BBU

cabinet

LEGEND

Flexi WCDMA module

Battery string 155 Ah

Rectifiers 16 kW

Next to

GSM BTS

cabinet

Inside

GSM BTScabinet

GSM 2+2+2 GSM 2+2+2WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4 GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4 GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1

Figure 12 UltraSite EDGE BTS site evolution to WCDMA 900

When the GSM network is build with CityTalk BTSs the network can be modernized tosupport EDGE and WCDMA at the same time by housing Flexi WCDMA 900 or 850MHz and Flexi EDGE modules inside the CityTalk cabinet.




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GSM 2+2+2 GSM 2+2+2WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4

GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1WCDMA 2100 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1WCDMA 2100 1+1+1(later SW release)

LEGEND

Flexi WCDMA module

Flexi EDGE module

GSM 2+2+2 GSM 2+2+2WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4

GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1WCDMA 2100 1+1+1

GSM 4+4+4WCDMA 900 1+1+1WCDMA 2100 1+1+1(later SW release)

LEGEND

Flexi WCDMA module

Flexi EDGE module

Figure 13 CityTalk BTS site evolution to WCDMA 900

4.3.1.2 Flexi feederless site facilitates WCDMA 900/850 deployment

In feederless site installation the Flexi Radio Modules can be installed next to antennas

and System Module next to transmission and power and backup interfaces. Theconnection between Radio Modules and System Module is based on optical fiber. Thistype of installation leads to improved WCDMA system performance since the lossesintroduced by long feeders are avoided.

Typically the GSM 900/850 MHz support structures are very strong because they mustcarry big antennas. These structures can easily carry also the Flexi Radio Moduleswhich are multiple times smaller than the antennas. This makes Flexi feederless sitevery attractive approach especially while co-siting with GSM 900/850 MHz base station.

Figure 14 Flexi WCDMA 900/850 Radio Module installed to support structure

4.3.2 Antenna lines

There are three basic options for WCDMA 900/850 MHz antenna system deployment incases where GSM and WCDMA are installed into same site. These options are sharedantenna line with Flexi Multiradio Combiner, distributed installation with Flexi feederlesssite concept and building separate antenna systems for GSM and WCDMA.




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Provides

flexibilityfor cellplanning

Separate AntennaSystems

Flexi MultiradioCombiner

Antenna

systemremainsuntouched

Shared AntennaSystems

Highperformance

co-site

Flexi feederlesssite

Provides



Provides




Antenna




Antenna



Highperformance

co-site


Highperformance

co-site


Figure 15 Antenna system sharing options

4.3.2.1 Separate antenna systems

Using own antenna systems for GSM and WCDMA provides more flexibility for networkdesign. In this case the antennas can be positioned independently and WCDMA signalscan be directed exactly to right places. However the Minimum Coupling Lossrequirements have to be taken into account to avoid additional interference betweenGSM and WCDMA cells. This can be achieved by careful network planning.

4.3.2.2 Shared antenna system

Flexi Multiradio Combiner allows antenna line sharing between GSM and WCDMA

systems. Multiradio Combiner is used together with Mast Head Amplifier and providesgood performance for both systems. Sometimes reconfiguration of GSM base station isrequired and the final impact to system performance has to be checked.

4.3.2.3 Flexi feederless site

Maximum WCDMA performance can be achieved by mounting Flexi Radio Modulesnext to antennas. In this case an additional antenna is installed or the existing GSMantenna is replacement with a “Multimode” antenna. All other parts of the existing GSMantenna system remain untouched.

This approach is useful especially for urban roof top sites as well as suburban towersand poles.

4.3.3 Transport for WCDMA frequency refarming

Accommodating WCDMA into same bandwidth with GSM typically is done usingexisting GSM sites as basis. In this case the existing transport infrastructure ismaximally reused. Both the GSM and WCDMA traffic must be optimally carried from thesite location towards core network.

Nokia Siemens Networks offers many efficient transport systems for combinedGSM/WCDMA sites. An example is given below with our “One Pipe” approach.




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4.3.3.1 ATM aggregation over E1 leased lines (“One Pipe”)

The “One Pipe” approach targets at optimizing use of traditional E1 leased lines. 2Gand 3G traffic is converged on the ATM layer, to allow bandwidth sharing across E1boundaries. The nickname “One Pipe” relates to the approach where bundle of E1 istreated as a single ATM pipe. This enables early optimization capabilities for the 2G

and 3G networks.

Leased line domain

GSM

BTS

E1/T1

WCDMA

BTS

E1/T1

RNCSTM1Packet

SDH/PDH

BSC

E1/T1

Multi Service Aggregation Platform


Leased line domain

GSM

BTS

E1/T1

GSM

BTS

GSM

BTS

E1/T1E1/T1

WCDMA

BTS

E1/T1

WCDMA

BTS

E1/T1E1/T1

RNCRNCSTM1STM1Packet

SDH/PDH

BSC

E1/T1

BSC

E1/T1E1/T1



Figure 16 Common backhaul for GSM/WCDMA network with “One Pipe”

”One Pipe” optimizes the use of E1 lines, but as soon as HSPA peak rates offered toend users are greater than 1.8Mbit/s new backhaul media will be required. Due to theavailability of new services and applications, there will be strongly increasing demand ofbandwidth within the Radio Access Networks, which leads to additional investments intothe transport network. In order to prepare the network for the upcoming marketrequirements on one hand, and minimizing the OPEX and CAPEX on the other hand, itis important to start preparing the network for transport optimizing. As an alternative tothe TDM/SDH transport, IP/Ethernet based transport will be introduced in parallel.

This is indicated by the packet network in the figure, as a subsequent step after theimplementation of the “One Pipe” approach.

4.3.4 Power feed systems

Nokia Siemens Networks provides cost efficient systems for complete base station sitesin global scale. Power and backup equipment is integral part of these systems. Currentportfolio includes systems from “zero” footprint sites with short backup time to systemsfor high capacity sites with very long backup time.

Flexi Power Module utilizes latest lithium ion battery technology to provide maintenancefree power and backup. The system is also highly tolerant for environment and can beused without cabinets. Macro BBU can provide power feed and very long backup timefor high capacity sites. On top of this it is possible to house several Flexi modules inside

Macro BBU cabinet.




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Flexi RectifierModule 6000

Shortbackup

time

Longbackup

time

Open air Cabinet

Micro BBU:•Flexi RectifierModule 6000 inside

•Battery String 92 Ah

•Forced air cooling

Macro BBU:

• Flexi BTSinside

• Battery capacity310 Ah

• Complete heatmanagementsystem

Flexi RectifierModule 6000 part of

Flexi BTS stack

Battery box

with 310 Ah

• Rectifier capacityup to 6kW(scalable with 2kWrectifiers)

• DC connectionpoints for 3 batterystrings up to465 Ah capacity

• DC connectionpoints for 2 BTS

“Zero” footprint WCDMA900 site powered by Flexi

Power Module

Flexi RectifierModule 6000

Shortbackup

time

Longbackup

time

Open air Cabinet

Micro BBU:•Flexi RectifierModule 6000 inside

•Battery String 92 Ah

•Forced air cooling

Macro BBU:

• Flexi BTSinside

• Battery capacity310 Ah

• Complete heatmanagementsystem

Flexi RectifierModule 6000 part of

Flexi BTS stack

Battery box

with 310 Ah

• Rectifier capacityup to 6kW(scalable with 2kWrectifiers)

• DC connectionpoints for 3 batterystrings up to465 Ah capacity

• DC connectionpoints for 2 BTS

“Zero” footprint WCDMA900 site powered by Flexi

Power Module

Figure 17 Power and backup portfolio from Nokia Siemens Networks

4.4 Network management system (OSS)

Nokia Siemens Networks NetAct is a network and service management framework thataddresses the operator's challenges to handle more network elements, larger networks,greater complexity and explosive growth in traffic and data expected in future networks.

NetAct can manage both the network and services in a centralized manner, meaningthat the operator can view all network element failures, service quality indicators andtraffic from one single screen. NetAct is a total OSS package including commonnetwork functionalities as well as sophisticated tools for service assurance andoptimization.

4.4.1 Measurement based network management

The ability to collect, integrate and utilise the information about the status andperformance of all network elements and services is the cornerstone of NetAct. Fluentalarm handling, reporting capabilities as well as network optimisation functionalityminimise the network downtime and congestion, optimise the network capacity andcreate the basis for efficient network operations.

4.4.2 Network optimization

NetAct has powerful tools for network optimization. These tools will be used extensivelyto optimize the frequencies of existing GSM network to enable successful WCDMA

network deployment to same frequency area. After the needed frequencies areavailable for WCDMA network deployment NetAct Optimizer can be used to furtheroptimize the WCDMA network to meet the quality requirements.

4.4.3 Feature rollout

NetAct provides rollout support for GSM spectrum efficiency features that are used tofree up frequencies for WCDMA. These GSM features are easy to rollout to the wholenetwork either in centralized way or to part of the network by utilizing NetActfunctionalities to manage licenses and configuration management. Configurationchanges in the radio network do not require site visits and can be rolled out by using




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NetAct tools to plan the changes and provisioning the new radio network configurationplans to the affected network elements.

4.4.4 Multi-technology network management system

NetAct is also managing multiple network technologies at the same time with the sametools – providing combined management functionality for both GSM and WCDMAnetworks for example. All NetAct operations are valid for GSM and WCDMA networksand are performed using the same tools and processes. NetAct provides interworking inthe management layer and minimizes the tasks and work effort required for the complexmanagement operations performing over the different technologies.

4.5 Nokia Siemens Networks Services

The Nokia Siemens Networks Services benefits from a large base of about 600 fixedand mobile network operators. Our execution capability, our end-to-end capabilities andour comprehensive service portfolio can help operators to turn their business driversinto real competitive advantages. A wide range of services is available to support

operator’s service and network launch as well as day-to-day activities later on. Someexamples below describe the most interesting ones for the WCDMA FrequencyRefarming Solution.

4.5.1 Consulting and Systems Integration

CSI is a unique combination of consulting expertise and proven end-to-end capability todesign, integrate, customize and support solutions. WCDMA network enablessubscriber to efficiently use all interesting opportunities they may find from operator’sservice variety and we can help you to successfully launch exciting, innovative and

revenue generating end-user services, realize new opportunities and grow.

4.5.2 Network Implementation

Network Implementation offers cost-efficient implementation services (ProjectManagement, Logistics, Network Design, Site Acquisition, Construction Works andImplementation) for Nokia Siemens Networks and 3rd party equipment, deployingstandardized and advanced site systems that help our customer to optimize the life timecost of network ownership.

Network Implementation Elements are Network Build, Turnkey, Network Consolidation,Outside Plant and Managed Deployment Solutions. Each element has been tailored tomeet the needs of operators in different markets and different phases of the businesslife cycle, in accordance with the relevant national stipulations and mutually agreed

standards.

4.5.3 Network Design Service

Network Design Service provides service solution that matches operator businesssituation, enables operator to achieve CAPEX and OPEX savings through careful needanalysis and provides complete and optimum solution for WCDMA frequency refarming.Through its long experience in designing, optimizing and modernizing networks, highlydeveloped skills, processes and tools, Nokia Siemens Networks can ensure a smoothand safe rollout that is always important but especially when launching new and uniquesolutions like WCDMA frequency refarming.




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4.5.4 Managed Services

Our Managed Services portfolio helps service providers to meet today’s key challengesby improving operational performance and helping to sharpen their business focus. Inshort, we give service providers access to the tools that can help transform their

activities.

Managed services can deliver faster times to market and reduce the risk of introducinginnovative technologies and end-user services. Operational efficiency improves throughbetter service quality, the use of global best practices and a single point of contact fornetwork operations.

4.5.5 Maintenance

Service gives the operator a basis for operating and maintaining their networkequipment by providing answers to questions and handling suspected software defectsand emergency situations. Nokia Siemens Networks Advanced Network Maintenance isan expansion of the service scope and deliverables offered by the Nokia SiemensNetworks Network Maintenance Service. The service delivers personalization, moreefficient communications, operator dedicated resources and local service deliveryactivities.

4.5.6 Spare Part Management

An advanced solution for managing hardware operations with all necessary supportprocesses such as logistics and inventory management. Nokia Siemens Networks cantailor its services to meet operator’s needs.




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5. Field experience

Nokia Siemens Networks has run several WCDMA 900 MHz field trials with networkoperators. The purpose of these trials has been to verify theoretically estimated networkperformance especially for cell range, indoor coverage, HSDPA throughput, required

spectrum allocation, site solution and interoperability between different network layers.

Cell range with WCDMA 900 MHz has been as expected i.e. 3-5 times larger than withWCDMA 2100 MHz. The coverage has also been at least as good as for GSM 900MHz. Main finding in this area is that existing GSM 900 MHz network grid can be verywell be applied also for WCDMA 900 MHz network planning.

The indoor coverage has been verified to be clearly better than at 2100 MHz. ThusWCDMA in 900 MHz can be applied as one alternative to improve WCDMA coverageindoors.

HSDPA throughput was tested at cell edge. It was found to be approximately 2 timeshigher with 900 MHz band compare to 2100 MHz.

Nokia Siemens Networks solution for fitting WCDMA in 4.2 MHz spectrum slot incoordinated deployment scenario has been verified as well. Any performancedegradation could not be noticed in the performed field trials.

Use of Multiradio Combiner has been proven to a good solution for antenna line sharingbetween GSM and WCDMA operating at the same frequency band. Based on the testresults, it is recommended to use a Mast Head Amplifier to compensate uplink path losscaused by the Multiradio Combiner.

Interoperability functionality between different frequency and radio access technologylayers was working as expected in the field trial. Service continuity was reached thanksto inter-system and inter-frequency handovers.



6. References

The former Nokia Networks has been the forerunner in WCDMA 900 and 850 MHztrialing and piloting. Elisa Finland and SFR Vodafone France have introduced world’sfirst HSDPA data call and voice call (respectively) in commercial networks using Nokia

WCDMA 900 MHz solution.

Moreover, the world's first WCDMA 900 MHz contract was announced in May 2007 byNokia Siemens Networks. As stated in the press release, deliveries have started andthe service is expected to become commercial during 1st half of 2008.

Elisa Finland was first operator in the world to launch WCDMA 900 MHz network forcommercial use in November 2007. The network is HSPA capable and was deployedwith the Nokia Siemens Networks’ WCDMA Frequency Refarming Solution.

The results of WCDMA 900 MHz customer trials with Nokia Siemens Networkshave been excellent. When comparing the achieved WCDMA 900 MHzcoverage to 2100 MHz the improvement is better than expected. In addition theunique 4.2 MHz carrier bandwidth feature is working as expected i.e. ensuringhigh quality for both WCDMA and GSM networks.

WCDMA+Frequency+Refarming+SoDe

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