Technical Proposal for Libyana

GPRS Roaming Solution

Technical Proposal for Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution

Technical Proposal for Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution

Version

Date

V1.00

2012-3-8

Author

Approved By

Remarks
Not open to the Third Party

Technical Proposal for Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1

Preface....................................................................................................................... 1

Analysis for Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution.......................................................2

Overview of All
Libyana
Roaming 2
2.1
2012 ZTE Corporation.
rights GPRS
reserved.
3 CONFIDENTIAL:
Interconnection
of Networks....................................................................................3
ZTE
This document
contains proprietary information of ZTE and is not to be
disclosed or used without the prior written permission of ZTE.
3.1.1
One-by-One Mode3
Due to update and improvement of ZTE products and technologies, information in this document
3.1.2
GRX Mode 4
is subjected to change without notice.
4

Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution Proposal............................................................5

4.1

Roaming GGSN Mode 5

4.2

Home GGSN Mode

4.3

Proposed Home GGSN Solution 7

4.3.1

Requirement of current network 7

4.3.2

Requirement of visit operator equipment

4.4

Prepaid user in VPLMN

4.4.1

Network Topology 8

4.4.2

Call Flow9

4.5

Postpaid user in VPLMN

4.5.1

Network Topology 12

4.6

Charging and Settlement

12

4.6.1

Prepaid User in VPLMN

12

4.6.2

Postpaid User in VPLMN 13

4.7

About License

Engineering Implementation Solution...................................................................14

5.1

Protocol and Interface 14

5.2

DNS Server Integration15

12

13

Technical Proposal for Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution

5.3

GSN IP Address Modification

16

5.4

Engineering Implementation17

5.4.1

Direct Interconnecting 17

5.4.2

Full Interconnecting

5.4.3

Services Testing

5.5

Project Implementation Plan19

Glossary................................................................................................................... 20

18

18

Technical Proposal for Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution

FIGURES
Figure 1

Network topology of one-by-one mode.........................................................................

Figure 2

Topology of interconnection with GRX..........................................................................

Figure 3

Topology of Roaming GGSN Mode...............................................................................

Figure 4

Topology of Home GGSN Mode....................................................................................

Figure 5

Prepaid user in VPLMN Topology.................................................................................

Figure 6

SGSN realize prepaid fee through SCP Flow.............................................................10

Figure 7

Postpaid user in VPLMN............................................................................................. 12

Figure 8

SGSN/GGSN Supported CDR Formats......................................................................15

Figure 9

International GPRS Roaming Direct Interconnecting..................................................16

Figure 10

International GPRS Roaming Full Interconnecting......................................................17

Preface
Nowadays, people can be found everywhere in the world and want to take mobile
handsets with their own country mobile number. This brings the international roaming
issues including voice short message and internet services over GPRS/EVDO/HSDP. To
solve these questions, almost all operators are preparing or have prepared to provide
international roaming services, such as Libyana, China Mobile, Germany Vodafone,
Spain Telefonica, USA AT&T, Saudi STC and so on.
At present, Libyana want to provide GPRS roaming solution for the subscribers. ZTE
present the proposal for the solution.
Chapter 1 gives a brief analysis of Libyana GPRS roaming requirement.
Chapter 2 gives a deep analysis of interconnection mode and suggests Libyana
adopting GRX mode.
Chapter 3 gives a deep analysis of roaming GPRS service providing and charging
solution for Libyana, and suggests Libyana adopting home GGSN mode.

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Analysis for Libyana GPRS Roaming

Solution

2.1

Overview of Libyana GPRS Roaming

With the development of mobile communication technologies, communicating at
anywhere has turned into reality. But since the operators networks are regional, the
subscribers mobile terminals are limited. Once they leave the coverage of the signed
operator, they cannot communicate with each other.
Now, by inter-connecting with each other and signing related roaming agreements the
operators are sharing the network resources, it makes the signed users have the related
services in the agreed operators networks, so it avoids the regional limitation.
Nowadays the globalization is becoming much faster than ever, it raises the
requirements and ratio of roaming, the current trend towards networks roaming among
the operators; most operators have signed the roaming agreements to support voice
services. The developments of mobile packet services, such as GPRS/PS, also make
the operator co-operate not only voice service but also both voice and data services.
This document intends to introduce the roaming of GPRS/PS service.
The existing key issues and solutions:

How to realize a secure and reliable interconnection between networks

How to deploy the roaming service among networks

How to charge and settle the roaming service among networks

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Interconnection of Networks
To realize the roaming among networks, the first issue is interconnection among
networks. The interconnection of GPRS/PS network is divided into two parts;
Gr interface: the interconnection of Gr interface is to ensure the HLR and SGSN of two
networks can interconnect with each other. The interconnection of Gr interface is based
on the No.7 signaling interconnection.
Gn interface: The interconnection of Gn interface has two modes, one is one-by-one, the
other is interconnected by GRX (GPRS Roaming Exchange).

One-by-One Mode
The one-by-one mode need Libyana to sign an agreement with every visit operator, and
configure network information of other operators. This mode is not suitable for current
Libyana situation because of too much agreement and configured work.

Figure 1

Network topology of one-by-one mode

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GRX Mode
Interconnection with GRX can solve one-by-one mode disadvantages and Libyana only
need to connect with GRX. Libyana sign an agreement with GRX and configure
information of GRX, which largely decrease the complexity of interconnection.

Figure 2

Topology of interconnection with GRX

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Libyana GPRS Roaming Solution

Proposal
Before the subscriber use GPRS/PS services, a data channel should be established,
which is called PDP activation. In the PDP activation, SGSN will choose corresponding
GGSN to provide GPRS/PS service to subscribers based on the APN configuration.
According to the servicing GGSN, there are two access mode of service, one is
Roaming GGSN mode, and the other is Home GGSN mode.

6.1

Roaming GGSN Mode

When the roaming subscriber configures the APN as the roaming APN, the roaming
SGSN will translate the roaming GGSNs IP based on the roaming APN in the PDP
activation. The roaming GGSN will provide the GPRS/PS services. This mode will
reduce route redundancy and improve the real time of service. However, it is not
convenient for subscribers to change APN configuration. Moreover, the charging
collection is all located in the roaming network, and the home network has no charging
information of the service, which will sacrifice the transparency of charging CDR
information. In conclusion, this mode is not suitable for home network.
The topology of roaming GGSN mode is as follows:

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Figure 3

6.2

Topology of Roaming GGSN Mode

Home GGSN Mode

Another mode for service providing is home GGSN mode. As shown in Figure 4
when the subscriber use home APN to connect in roaming GPRS/PS network, the
roaming SGSN will get the home GGSN IP from the home DNS, and establish the GTP
tunnel between roaming SGSN and home GGSN to transfer service data.

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Figure 4

Topology of Home GGSN Mode

The home GGSN mode will increase the route, not suitable for high Qos service.
However, this mode is benefit for charging. As a result, this mode is widely used by the
majority of operators. ZTE suggest Libyana adopting this mode to realize GPRS
roaming.

6.3

Proposed Home GGSN Solution

Requirement of current network

7.1.1.1

SCP
No need transform, but has to test with other operators SGSN with CAMEL3 protocol.

7.1.1.2

SGSN and GGSN

No need transform, but the GGSN need IOT with other operators SGSN.

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7.1.1.3

OTA
The existing name for Libyana GPRS service is "web", which is simple and cannot
distinguish Libyana brand, moreover, it will cause problem in case that the other
operators share the same APN name. We suggest Libyana changing APN name from
"web" to "libyanaweb" by OTA to avoid the affection of the existing subscribers
experience.

7.1.1.4

IP Reconstruction
The existing Libyana SGSN and GGSN use private IP, which cannot work in GPRS
roaming. ZTE suggest Libyana reconstructing Libyana IP address and configure SGSN
and GGSN as public IP.

7.1.1.5

CCB Support TAP3.11 Internet Roaming

The existing CCB should support TAP3.11 to GPRS roaming TAP files.

Requirement of visit operator equipment

8.1.1.1

SGSN

Support CAMLE3 protocol standards.

3GPP TS 29.078 V4.2.0 (2001-09) 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical

Specification Group Core Network; Customized Applications for Mobile network
Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) Phase 3; CAMEL Application Part (CAP) specification
(Release 4)

Support MAP command between roaming SGSN and home HLR

Roaming SGSN can get MS information from home HLR through Gr interface, and
record GPRS user information and router information in home HLR.

8.2

Prepaid user in VPLMN

Network Topology

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Figure 5

Prepaid user in VPLMN Topology

Roaming SGSN supports CAMEL3 protocol and triggers CAMEL3 service in home SCP.
GPRS will interconnect to ISP network through home GGSN.
GPRS PS network can realize prepaid fee services through IN system. The Ge is
standard interface between SGSN and SCP using CAMEL3 protocol. BOSS systems
interfaces are decided by manufacturers and operators.

10

Call Flow
The following figure shows normal flows when Libyan subscribers roam to other country.

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Figure 6

SGSN realize prepaid fee through SCP Flow

Active PDP Req.Libyana roaming subscriber initiates active requests to roaming

place SGSN.

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10

Initial DP GPRS: roaming place SGSN requests SCP to create CAMEL dialog
when received the requests.

Request Report GPRS: SCP sends dynamic test messages to SGSN.

Continue GPRSSCP lets SGSN continuing GPRS dialog at the same time.

Create PDP Req.roaming place SGSN requests local place GGSN of subscribers
creating PDP context.

Create PDP Accep.local place SGSN of subscribers sends successful messages

to roaming place SGSN if creating successfully.

Event Report GPRSSGSN reports the events messages to SCP.

Event Report GPRS AckSCP allows the events messages of SGSN.

Apply Charging GPRS SCP sends charging request to SGSN and continues
GPRS dialog.

10 Active PDP Accep.SGSN informs successful active message to MS.

11

DataSubscribers can send and receive data when active successfully

12 Apply Charging Report GPRSApply Charging (as the 12-14 steps show in the
figure 2): Send the subscribers charging information timely or quantity as the
setting of SCP. And deduct fee from the account balance of subscriber.
13 PDP De-active Req. SCP notifies SGSN if the subscribers account balance is
over. And SGSN sends stop message at the same time.
14 Del PDP Req.SGSN sends stop PDP context messages to GGSN.
15 Del PDP Res.GGSN answers the stop PDP context messages to SGSN.
16 Apply Charging Report GPRSApply Charging (as the 18-22 show in the figure 2):
SGSN sends charging information to SCP and reports event message, let SGSN to
stop GPRS services.
17 De-active PDP Accep.SGSN sends the PDP stop successful messages to MS.
18 SGSN will check account balance from SCP and SCP will reject the request if this
subscriber wants to active the data services. And realize charging control timely.
ZTE suggests Libyana continuing providing date services to subscriber when SGSN
communicates with SCP failing. And use the post-paid fee as the prepared solution. But
in the roaming place SGSN, it needs save the bill which is signed with abnormality as
the reference point, because the local GGSN of subscriber has no way to know about
the abnormality.

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10.1

Postpaid user in VPLMN

11

Network Topology

Figure 7

Postpaid user in VPLMN

For postpaid user, roaming SGSN will not trigger CAMEL3 service in home SCP. SGSN
and GGSN will generate CDRs, billing system takes through FTP.

11.1

Charging and Settlement

12

Prepaid User in VPLMN

Libyana SCP has GPRS CDRs. And roaming GGSN or SGSN also generate CDRs.
There are five kinds of CDRs, S CDR, MCDR, G-CDR, S SMO CDR and S
SMT CDR. For settlement, ZTE proposes using S CDR of SGSN or G-CDR of
GGSN.

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12

13

Postpaid User in VPLMN

The charging depends on roaming SGSN or GGSN CDRs. For settlement, ZTE
proposes using SCDR of SGSN or G-CDR of GGSN.

13.1

About License
As for HLR/SGSN/GGSN, they are ready to open international roaming, and no need
software license.
As for CC&B, the existing CC&B need software upgrade to support TAP 3.11 for GPRS
roaming.
AS for IN, the existing In support CAMEL 3, and no need software license and hardware.

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13

14

Engineering Implementation Solution

14.1

Protocol and Interface

The protocol and interface is as follows:

NE

Interface

Protocol

SGSN Home HLR

Gr

MAP

SGSN Home SCP

CAMEL 3

CAP

Visited SGSN Visited GGSN

Gn

GTP

Visited / Home GGSN GRX

Gi

IP

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14

Figure 8

14.2

SGSN/GGSN Supported CDR Formats

DNS Server Integration

Usually, there are two kinds of DNS Server in PS network:

DNS(i): internal DNS for APN resolution, this DNS works in Gn/Gp interface.

DNS(e): external DNS for internet resolution, this DNS works in Gi interface.

The following steps describe the internal DNS work flows:

1)

The VSGSN device queries the VPLMN DNS server with a specific APN.

2)

The VPLMN DNS queries Internet/GRX Root DNS server for the APN.

3)

The Internet/GRX Root DNS server returns the IP address of the HPLMN

4)

DNS server that knows the answer of the APN query.

5)

The VPLMN DNS server then sends direct query to the HPLMN DNS server and
asking for the corresponding GGSN IP address of the requested APN.

6)

The HPLMN DNS server retrieves the HGGSN IP address and returns it to the
VPLMN DNS.

7)

The VPLMN DNS sends the HGGSN IP address back to the VSGSN.

8)

The VSGSN establishes GTP tunnel to the HGGSN.

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15

14.3

GSN IP Address Modification

To realize the communication between visited SGSN and Home GGSN, reconfiguration
of visited SGSN from private IP address to public IP address is necessary.
Several main steps have been listed as following:
Step1: Deploy new fiber cables for the new Switches for Gn interface.
Step 2: Backup the IP stack data including IP address , static route, etc.
Step3: Delete the Gn private IP address & route tables of GSN(SGSN/GGSN).
Step4: Add the new Gn public IP address and create the new Gn route tables in GSN.
Step5: Service test, if fails, rollback all configuration.

14.4

Engineering Implementation
There are three main engineering implementation steps:
Step 1: Direct Interconnecting

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16

Step 2: Full Interconnecting

Step 3: Services Testing

15

Direct Interconnecting

Figure 9

International GPRS Roaming Direct Interconnecting

Firstly, Libyana SGSN, GGSN, SCP/CCB should connect with GRX and billing system
for GRX to test the service connection and CDR format for settlement.

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17

16

Full Interconnecting

Figure 10 International GPRS Roaming Full Interconnecting

In this step, Libyana should test with operator H (Visit PLMN) SGSN/GGSN/SCP for
protocols and interfaces and also CDR format.

17

Services Testing
As for the services testing, the following contents should be included:
i

International Signaling Interconnecting Testing

ii

International GPRS Service Testing

iii

Multi-Time-Zone Testing

iv

Multi-Language Testing

Intl Number Analysis Testing

vi

International CDR Testing

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18

17.1

Project Implementation Plan

The whole project will last two months, which include CCB software customization, IP
reconstruction, APN name modification, DNS construction, SGSN&GGSN&HLR
configuration, GRX interconnection, SCP CAMEL IOT.
Note:
1. The APN modification should be done by Libyana;
2. GRX interconnection and SCP CAMEL IOT time is based on full cooperation among
Libyana, Roaming operator, GRX provider, and ZTE.

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19

18

Glossary
Abbreviation

Full Characteristics

GRX

GPRS roaming exchange

SGSN

Servicing GPRS Support Node

GGSN

Gateway GPRS Support Node

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20