Huawei Technologies

2005.10

MAIN TOPIC

Mobile Softswitch 2.0

Mobile Softswitch 2.0

The All-IP-based Mobile Softswitch 2.0 is used by operators who add 1 million new subscribers to their network on a
weekly basis. Not all operators need to handle that type of growth, but there are many other reasons to have a Mobile
Softswitch 2.0 network.
By Chen Zhou

Convergence points the way

obile softswitch technology has clearly

become the preference of operators
globally for both network construction
and reconstruction, and is an
important bridge for future evolution to IMS.
The traditional TDM based Mobile Softswitch,
realizes the separation of call control and bearer
control and has improved processing ability. It helps
operators greatly reduce the CAPEX and OPEX
by distributed networking based on large capacity
and high density with centralized operation and
maintenance.
The telecommunications industry is rapidly
integrating new applications and technologies.
Fast transformation and convergence are seen in
industries such as information and communication
technologies, and even media and entertainment.
Services are also moving towards convergence, and
networks will surely be converged, presenting both
challenges and opportunities to operators.
Mobile operators are facing the following
problems: The capacity of the core network is low;
the network node resources are dedicated and
reliability is low; in addition, there are numerous
TDM-based product platforms without support for
multi-access and multi-service functions.
The problems become more obvious when
operators speed up the transformation towards AllIP, full convergence, and mobile Internet which
requires a more powerful next generation Mobile
Softswitch. The Mobile Softswitch 2.0 can help
operators capitalize on the wealth of opportunities in
this period of convergence and transformation, and
build the next generation future-oriented mobile

27 SEP 2008 . ISSUE 43

Huawei Communicate

core networks.

Five key traits

Mobile Softswitch 2.0 has complex
meanings, and a simple definition is
unlikely to depict it clearly or completely.
Likewise, Web2.0 lacks an accurate
definition, though it represents the core of
next-generation Internet development, and
incorporates such new technologies and
concepts as Social Network Service (SNS),
Blogging, and Really Simple Syndication
(RSS).
Mobile Softswitch 2.0, plays a vital role
in developing the next generation mobile
core network, and embodies as much
innovation and uniqueness as Web2.0.
Generally, Mobile Softswitch 2.0
possesses these five traits: 1) a carrierg r a d e A l l - I P n e t w o rk ; 2 ) a g e n e r i c
computing platform that supports
distributed computing; 3) high-reliability
network for resource sharing; 4) service
processing ability which supports multiaccess and convergence; 5) energy saving
characteristics for a green core network.
When a core network based on Mobile
Softswitch 2.0 is constructed, operators
can move from operating traditional single
services to mass services; develop more
convergence and value-added services to
expand service scope; and formulate more
flexible charging policies to attract more
enterprises and high-value customers.

Carrier-grade All-IP network

The three major features of modern
telecom development are mobile,
broadband, and IP with the mobile core
network transforming from the traditional
TDM network to an IP network. A mobile
network cannot support mobile Internet
service unless an All-IP mobile core
network is built and thats where Mobile
Softswitch 2.0 comes in.
Mobile Softswitch 2.0 helps operators
build a carrier-grade IP network, which
involves the complete transformation
of the access network, bearer network,
core network, service network, and even
terminals. By far, IP transformation of the
mobile core network is the most important
and most complex part of all, causes

the entire mobile network to quickly

transform from the traditional layered,
mesh connected, and complex network
to a flat and distributed network. For the
IP-based networking of the mobile core
network, reliability, economy, and Quality
of Experience (QoE) are the focus of
operators.
To ensure carrier-grade reliability for
the connectionless IP protocol, carriergrade IP networking must ensure the
reliability of signaling transmission
and bearer. It also must support fault
detection, recovery, and disaster recovery
to meet network operation requirements.
Mo b i l e S o f t s w i t c h 2 . 0 c a n d o t h e
following: 1) ensure the reliability of
signaling transmission by using the multihoming technology of Stream Control
Transmission Protocol (SCTP); 2) ensure
the transmission reliability of the IP
bearer network via DiffServ technology; 3)
ensure the continuity of services by using
millisecond class fault detection and fast
recovery technology; 4) realize service flow
control by using the IP Call Admission
Control (CAC) technology which is
similar to the traditional TDM switch flow
control mechanism.
IP technology helps to build an
economical and efficient network. Carriergrade IP networking can save over 30%
of transmission resources by subjecting
protocols such as RTP to the multiplexing
technology of IP flow transmission.
Similarly, an IP-based access network can
save over 80% of transmission resources.
Moreover, circuit multiplexing based
on the Compressed Real-Time Protocol
(CRTP) can increase the bearer capability
of the TDM network by 16 times, and
there is no need for additional TDM
investment in migrating to the IP network.
Operators using carrier-grade IP
networking can ensure the QoE in cases
of IP network packet loss, jitter, and delay
by applying Voice Quality Enhancement
technology and IP-based A interface and
lu interface technologies.
As early as in 2004, China Mobile
formulated an All-IP network development
strategy and started the construction of a
mobile tandem network based on All-IP.
As a result, the company saved over 50%
of CAPEX and OPEX. China Mobile,

since 2006, has made great progress in the

construction of All-IP end offices and endto-end All-IP mobile networks including
access networks, bearer networks, and
service networks.

Distributed generic computing

platform
Future equipment in the mobile core
network must support large capacity and
distributed networking which can be
smoothly expanded. Mobile Softswitch
2.0, which allows a new service platform
based on ICT convergence, and open and
standard softswitch architecture, is working
closely and progressing with Internet
development. The Mobile Softswitch 2.0 is
able to simultaneously process services for
ten million subscribers, while supporting
smooth capacity expansion, and saving on
original equipment investment.
The distributed generic computing
platform, based on distributed generalpurpose computing technology, enables
CDMA, GSM/UMTS, and IMS networks
to use a universal core network platform.
This enhances the service processing
capability of Mobile Softswitch, and
also enables hardware-independant
network migration by using standard
software modules. The advantages of the
universal platform are obvious in mobile
network reconstruction. At least 80%
of operator investment can be saved by
faster implementation, smooth network
upgrades and service migration.
Telenor, a well known international
o p e r a t o r, s u c c e s s f u l l y d e p l o y e d a
commercial convergent data center
based on the next generation distributed
generic computing platform at its Pakistan
subsidiary in May 2008. This simplified
network operation and maintenance and
decreased toll signaling transmission costs
by 70%.

Resource sharing and high

reliability
A traditional switch has inherent
problems such as requiring dedicated
resources and single point failure. Mobile
Softswitch 2.0 makes full use of resources
and is highly reliable when based on realtime backup for disaster recovery through
SEP 2008 . ISSUE 43

28

MAIN TOPIC

Mobile Softswitch 2.0

Pool networking such as the MSC Pool, MGW Pool,

SGSN Pool, and the future CSCF Pool.
Take the MSC Pool as an example. The traditional
mobile core network adopts a tree topology to connect with
the access network in a one-to-multiple relationship, while
the MSC Pool enables a multi-to-multi mesh topology for
the core and access networks. The core network elements
(NEs) share resources and mutually serve as backups.
Mobile Softswitch 2.0 also improves the concept of
MSC Pool with features such as:
Network load sharing: Different from the traditional
resource dedication, it supports resource sharing, saves over
30% on equipment investment by simplifying network
planning, and reduces of operational and maintenance costs.
Network real-time disaster recovery: Based on network
class disaster recovery technology, services on the faulty
NE can be switched to other NEs immediately, ensuring
service continuity and high network reliability.
Upgrading network performance: Pool networking
reduces the inter-MSC location updates and handover
messages in the call process and improves the performance
of the core network and QoE of users.
Rapid Pool deployment: By using the user loadbalancing technology, the Pool can be deployed quickly
without an upgrade of the BSS and RAN.
Seamless passive call handover: The innovative passive
call recovery mechanism ensures an immediate service
recovery in case of a node fault in the core network.
Open access ability: The loose coupling of core network
and access network allows more equipment choices for the
sake of the long-term development of operators.
Warid Telecom, a transnational telecom group, chose
the MSC Pool solution to construct its first full-disasterrecovery mobile core network based on resource sharing in
Africa. As a result, rapid deployment of the MSC Pool was
realized and the maintenance costs were reduced.

Multi-access and multi-service support

Operators who want to stay ahead in the fiercely
competitive telecom market need to build a mobile core
network that supports converged services. This raises new
requirements in terms of service support ability for the
next generation mobile core network. Mobile Softswitch 2.0
gives operators the service processing ability of multi-access
and convergence utilizing the existing mobile core network,
so that users can enjoy voice, data, multimedia and various
convergence services. This is easily done by accessing the
universal mobile core network platform through fixed line,
xDSL, GSM/UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, WLAN, HSPA/
HSPA+, and LTE.
In the growing global enterprise network market,
Mobile Softswitch 2.0 is capable of multi-access and multiservice and will assist operators to provide enterprises,

29 SEP 2008 . ISSUE 43

corporations, and key customers with various services

such as wide-area IP Centrex (Centrex based on fixed
line, mobile, and broadband), mobile or broadband
conferencing system, and instant communications at the
enterprise level.
For the utmost in flexible communications, the multiservice ability of Mobile Softswitch 2.0 can help operators
deploy various convergence services such as mobile Internet
service, ONLY, and Quadruple-Play or Triple-Play. Take
the service of one to multi terminals as an example. This
service enables several terminals such as mobile, fixed,
and Voice over Broadband (VoBB) to share one number.
The number and terminal are retained even if a fixed line
subscriber switches to the mobile network.
At their 2006 annual enterprise conference, Vodafone
promoted the Mobile Plus strategy. The core of the
strategy is to improve customers satisfaction, increase
enterprise operating revenue, and enhance enterprise
competition by supporting multi-access and multi-service.

Energy-saving green core network

The Telecom industry is not only high-tech, but
also consumes a lot of energy and with rising costs; it is
essential to go green. As network scale is expanding, the
core equipment, power system, equipment room, and base
station requirements increase exponentially as does the
energy consumption. For example, the Telecom industry
in China consumed over 20 billion kWh of electricity at
a cost of over RMB10 billion (USD1.46 billion) in 2007.
Energy conservation is critical for sustainable development,
and the next generation mobile core network must be
energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Mobile Softswitch 2.0 can help build an energy saving
green core network through various innovations in
software and hardware design and advanced energy saving
technology.
For example, chips with low energy consumption are
used to reduce the consumption of energy by the network;
new software design can adjust the operational energy
consumption of the system according to the service load;
equipment with high capacity and density can reduce floor
space and construction materials; automatic temperature
control technology can constantly adjust the equipment
temperature and reduce the energy consumption of the
air conditioner; energy consumption is reduced by 50%
by optimizing the traditional 1+1 backup of the service
function module to N+1 backup.
The Mobile Softswitch 2.0 makes saving energy easy
through a variety of measures and schemes, which not
only gives the operator a healthier bottom line, but also
demonstrates environmental responsibility and it all leads
to enhanced subscriber satisfaction and a brighter future.
Editor: Xue Hua xuehua@huawei.com