The Services and Network in the NGN Environment

What is NGN and Why NGN ? What we see toady in the telecom environment is a steady migratory path towards data services hosted over packet switched networks or any service (voice/data) finally managed and harnessed over packet/IP switched platforms. GSM/GPRS from its early developmental stages like (1) HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) which fell short of becoming a high speed band wagon to support bandwidth-hungry applications (2) EDGE or EGPRS which on physical layer gives 3 times more data rate as compared to GPRS on GSM modulation, single-handedly can not cope with the growing demands of high-speed data services industry. But thats not at all, the increasingly developing trends of niche markets and high speed internet access while on the move demands hot spots with in the urban hubs which not only provide anytime, anywhere connected high speed dedicated access but a centralized stable platform to manage users mobility, QoS/CoS assignment, service demands, variable billing and authorization. The services converge and the networks integrate to give way to NGN (Next Generation Network) also known as evolution of 3G networks or beyond 3G. The NGNs bring along with them a more complex telecom business model an eco-system connecting more stake holders from service providers, operators, VMOs and vendors to 3rd Party content providers. The NGNs are based on IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) which works over application and control layer independent of the underlying transport technology. A service engine to support triple play, quadruple play as well. NGNs have a central core transport network based on IP/MPLS over DWDM (IP over glass). Diverse Access Network nodes terminating on central IP/MPLS core. In the case of UMTS, UTRAN is the access network. 3GPP UMTS release 5 and onwards provide specifications on IMS for UMTS. UTRAN (WCDMA) in the access and IMS enabled core together make the NGN of UMTS aka 3GSM. Services Triple play is the term used for a bundled offer of voice, broadband internet and multimedia/television over one subscriber line; in the case of cellular networks over the radio path (last mile connection) with SIM based subscription (Voice, Internet, Mobile TV). Quadruple play goes on one step further with the inclusion of FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence). Where a mobile call can be transferred over to fixed network from cellular network while roaming into the building to facilitate indoor coverage limitations or vice versa for mobility. NGNs create a wide open field for service creation and control. Countless value-added services can be launched with extreme simplicity by adding a single node in the application layer. IMS provides OSA/Parlay APIs for 3rd Party content and services inclusion in the operators network without causing much CAPEX and OPEX but rather

adding more revenue streams and making increase in ARPU possible. Furthermore NGN tends to make the telecom operator network more and more flat and mesh structured contrary to legacy hierarchical networks (the analogy of mesh network can be a traditional IP network where same device router with variable capacity is deployed all over the network). Is Ufone on a steady path to NGN Environment? Following indicators point to the matter of fact that Ufone is the prospective candidate. Ufone PTML 3rd Vendor Huawei has been deploying IP/MPLS backbone. 3GPP Release 4 architecture has been rolled out in Phase 5 for MSC/Core. CTI (Computer Telephony Integration), IP-PBX based Call Centers. UMTS voice codec AMR already tested and deployed. Dense micro cell sites deployment in the urban hubs. Testing of Mobile TV over EDGE-enabled PTML Network. Clear and distant vision of the higher management to strategically define servicetechnology business model. Conclusion: Deployment and implementation of NGN is not like an over the night cut over. Its an evolutionary road-map which must be incorporated through out the operators processes. Overheads associated with NGNs include excessive signaling, synchronization issues, new signaling stack SIP replacing SS7, complete weed out of PDH from backhaul, replacement of circuit switched TDM nodes with IP/RTP soft switches e.t.c.