ZTE 2G/3G Network Merging Strategy

Abstract
This presentation includes:

2G/3G merging strategy;

Max. use 2G resource:

2G/3G co-site

2G/3G transmission sharing;

Dual mode RNC & BTS;

Share CN, GW, BOSS & Billing Centre

2G/3G inter-operation:

Ensure 3G services feeling:

3G user prior 3G network selection

2G/3G services inter-connection

3G service continuity

Ensure 2G users network transfer

2G MNP to 3G
3G keeps the service integrity

Operators preparation to 2G/3G merging

2G/3G Merge Strategy

2G Resource Merge & Utilization

2G/3G Equipment Inter-operation

2G/3G Merge Preparation Suggestion

2G/3G Merge Tasks

2G/3G
co-site

Low cost, fast

implementation

Transmission
sharing

Dual-mode
BTS & RNC

2G/3G resource
merge & reuse
Share CN &
GW

2G/3G merge
strategy

Share OMC,
Billing & BOSS

3G user prior
3G selection

2G/3G service
inter-connection

3G user
service feeling
2G/3G equipment
inter-operation

Keep users service

experience

Service
continuity
2G user
transfer

MNP

Service
integrity

3G Prior & MNP With Potential Problems

3G user prior 3G
selection

Cell reselection

PLMN solution

2 solutions integrity &

phased construction
suggestion

Prior 3G may
affect MNP

ARD
MNP & 2G/3G
access control

Multi-PLMN HLR

MNP

2G/3G Merge Principle Suggestion

Max. utilize existing resource, reduce the initial networking cost for a fast
implementation

According to the existing network to ensure users feeling

Combining different scenarios & conditions, applying with flexible strategy

The relate functions need to upgrade to satisfy the 3G requirement

According to some difficulties, apply no network upgrade as a intergradations

2G/3G Merge Strategy

2G Resource Merge & Utilization

2G/3G Equipment Inter-operation

2G/3G Merge Preparation Suggestion

2G/3G Co-site
Study 2G sites and make a statistic of free space,

Co-room/cabin

power redundancy, transmission redundancy,

tower condition, etc.

3G
Co-feed-cable

According to the each site & 2G traffic to make a

window

reasonable and suitable planning

Co-transmission

BTS

2G
BTS
Co-tower

Shelter sharing

Battery sharing

Power sharing

AC sharing

Cable distribution
box sharing

Tower sharing

Cable tray sharing

Microwave sharing

2G/3G Transmission Sharing SDH Based

Fractional E1 Solution

In the initial stage, when 2G has redundant transmission, 3G can through 2G access to transmission
network.

When the 3G traffic expanded & 2G shrink, 2G can through 3G to transmission.

BSC

BTS
TS exchange

TS exchange

Feeder
SDH
Iub/Abis

Node B

Fractional E1 (N*64K)

RNC

Uses Fractional E1 to implement 3G ATM/IP and 2G TDM in a same physical line in order to
save E1/T1.

BTS & Node B in same room and 2G need redundant transmission resource

2G & 3G has Fractional E1 function. If does not support it, TS exchange equipment will
implement it.

2G/3G Transmission Share Shunt Transmission

IP UTRAN is the tendency of transmission development. Along with IP UTRAN mature, UTRAN will
have a transfer from SDN to IP

GERAN structure based 2G BSS IP has been the trend for the transmission development .

BTS

RNC
SDH

SGSN
BSC

GGSN
IP backbone

IP
Node B

MSC Server
MGW

Shunt transmission based network

2G A/Gb IP support, Simplify 2G/3G RAN & CN topology.

2G/3G share IP & SDH, adopts shunt transmission. signaling, real time service on
SDH. Non-real time service on IP.

2G for voice, 3G for data

SDH
IP

Unified 2G/3G CN (CS/PS)

Soft switch will save CAPEX and OPEX

CS

GPRS
3G PS

SS brings the revolution to the conventional telecom networking, saves

CAPEX
SS brings the revolution to the O&M, save OPEX

Unified 2G GPRS & 3G PS enhance data application

2G GPRS & 3G PS has unified SGSN/GGSN, reduces CAPEX

Automatic balance GPRS/3G traffic.

2G/3G Merge Strategy

2G Resource Merge & Utilization

2G/3G Equipment Inter-operation

2G/3G Merge Preparation Suggestion

3G Service Guarantee Strategy

User 3G Prior Selection

2G/3G Service Inter-connection

3G Service Continuity

3G User Prior Camping in 3G Network

Scenario 1:
Origin call in 2G
& move to 3G

2G Coverage

User start call in 2G and move to 3G. It will still

use 2G connection. After hang off, it will select 2G
to camping

Scenario 2:
User finish call
in 2G network

User power on in 3G, some of UE will select 2G to

camping

Problem:
User will only camping in 2G

3G Coverage
Camping in 2G
after power on

Solution:
1Make modification (cell reselection)
2No modification (PLMN)
3Staged construction (combine 1 & 2)

Upgrade Network Cell Reselection

Requirement

WCDMA>GSM

Suitable to 2G/3G in same or diff. MNC. But same MNC

is recommended.

Cell reselection, voice & PS HO

GSM needs to support 2G->3G cell reselection

WCDMA
GSM

Advantage

User do not change SIM & number

GSM>WCDMA

Fast action from 2G back to 3G

Cell reselection back to 3G in idle

No voice HO, only PS HO

Disadvantage

GSM should be upgraded to support 2G->3G cell reselection

Abundant upgrade task

Cell reselection is the main stream solution chosen by operators

Cell Reselection Principle

UE

BSC

2G CN

RNC

3G CN

Some UEs choose GSM network

System broadcast

Problem: overlay area, some

UEs will choose GSM and
not able to have 3G service.

Few seconds
Broadcast parameter setting makes UE is easy to trigger 2G to 3G reselection
RNC sent parameters setting to make UE keep camping in 3G
Cell reselection solution:
2G BSC sends broadcast
setting to trigger UE cell
reselection to 3G

Cell Reselection Requirement to 2G Equipment

Cell reselection solution is based on the users feeling. When they are

in the 3G coverage, they will fast access to 3G.

2G equipment needs to upgrade.

2G equipment upgrade

2G BSC

Support broadcast to re-set cell reselection

threshold

3G neighbor cells will be added.

No Network Upgrade PLMN Solution

Requirement

GSM & WCDMA should be diff. MNC

WCDMA>GSM

W Users need new USIM. USIM set W network as

Cell reselection to realize,

support CS & PS HO.

HPLMN and periodically choose HPLMN

WCDMA
GSM

Advantage

No upgrade to GSM

Less combining debugging to GSM & WCDMA

Disadvantage

GSM transfer to WCDMA need to change SIM

HPLMN reselection cost 6 minutes, degrades users feeling

GSM>WCDMA

Through HPLMN reselection to

3G when in idle

No CS HO or PS HO

PLMN selection suitable to the operators who are not capable to realize GSM to WCDMA reselection

PLMN Principle

UE

BSC

2G CN

RNC

Problem: inner overlay area,

UE will keep in GSM, can
not use 3G service
Some UEs choose GSM to register

6 minutes
Each 6 minutes will attempt to access 3G network
PLMN selection solution: 3G
needs new USIM, 3G adopts new
MNC, USIM needs to periodically
detect 3G and prior choose 3G.

3G CN

Comparison

PLMN Selection

Cell Reselection

Common

3G->2G: realize cell reselection, CS & PS HO

2G->3G: back to 3G in idle state, no CS HO

Different

In idle uses homing PLMN reselection

back to 3G. It costs 6 minutes and need
2 networks with diff. MNC

In idle 2G to 3G uses cell reselection. Fast

reaction, suitable for both same and diff.
MNC. But the same MNC is recommended.

Effects to
2G

No need upgrade 2G, less combining

debugging.

Need to upgrade 2G to 3G cell reselection,

abundant debugging tasks.

Effects to
2G User

2G transfer need new SIM. Only when

HLR supports MNP to keep the same
number.

No change card and number

User feeling

Takes a long time back to 3G

good

Scenarios

Do not want to change existing

network. Can be a temporary solution

The better users feeling cost much.

Staged Construction Introduction

Solution Description

Scenario

Aim to some areas are hard to upgrade 2G or takes long time, during the construction adopts
staged construction method

Implementation

Phase I: no sufficient condition to upgrade, can not implement cell re-selection. Through PLMN
selection to implement

Phase II: with sufficient condition to upgrade, adopts cell re-selection to implement

Advantages

This solution fully considered the ad- & disadvantage of each solution

No upgrade in the initial stage to launch the service. User just need to change SIM.

Dual mode UE will select 3G network by implement HPLMN reselection

Disadvantage

When user back to 3G, the procedure may persist 6 minutes

2G BSC need to upgrade to support 3G measuring & configure 3G neighbor cell info. to support
Cell reselection

3G Service Guarantee Strategy

User 3G Prior Selection

2G/3G Service Inter-connection

3G Service Continuity

2G/3G Inter-connection in the Belonging Network

GSM CN

WCDMA CN

2G/3G Inter-connection in the belonging

network is a basic function
2G CN & 3G CN can through the Gateway
to realize the calls forwarding. 2G/3G CN
element can be used in one CN.

BSC

RNC

GSM
GSM coverage
coverage

GSM MS

WCDMA
WCDMA coverage
coverage
WCDMA UE

Roaming Users Inter-Connection

3G roaming to GSM and
inter-connect with 3G user
through WCN

GSM CN

WCDMA CN

2G CN and 3G CN can interconnect through Gateway.

2G/3G CN element can be
used in one CN.
BSC

RNC

GSM
GSM Coverage
Coverage

WCDMA
WCDMA Coverage
Coverage
WCDMA UE1

WCDMA UE2 GSM MS

WCDMA UE3

Other Services Inter-connection

2G/3G inter-connection will also include:

Intra-system HO: voice & PS;

SMS inter-connection and even under roaming;

PS service and even under roaming, such as MMS, Java,

Internet browser;

BOSS for 3G services opening;

OMC;

Pre-paid/post-paid 3G users charging and even under roaming.

Summary to Inter-connection

Item

Description

Existing NE

3G NE

MSCVLR;HLR
;STP

MSCServer;HL
R

MSCVLR;HLR
;STP;TMSC;G
MSC

MSCServer;MG
W;HLR

MSCVLR;BSS
;SGSN;GGSN

MSCServer;MG
W;RNS;SGSN;
GGSN

1)3G roaming to 2G; (User not in 3G coverage)

Roaming

2)2G roaming to 3G; (2G MNP to 3G)

3)After local authentication, the auth. will also be
implement between multi-area/operators
1)3G user in 3G coverage to origin/terminate calls
(the other side is 2G or other network user)

Call

2)3G roaming to 2G, do the upper procedure

3)2G roaming to 3G, do the upper procedure.

Intra system
HO

1)CS accomplishes 3G to 2G voice HO

2)PS accomplishes dual direction re-selection and
HO

Summary to Inter-connection (Cont.)

Item

Description

Existing NE

3G NE

MSCVLR;ST
P;HLR;SMSC

MSCServer;
HLR;SMSC(can
share)

2) 3G roaming to 2G can process MMS

SGSN;GGSN
;WAP;MMSC

SGSN;GGSN;WA
P;MMSC(all can
share)

Other VS

CRBT, Portal, Java can be proper processed

Related NE

Related NE

Pre-paid

Proper charging in upper listed scenario

SCP;SMP

GSN;MSCServer;

Post-paid

Proper charging in upper listed scenario

Billing centre

Billing centre

OMC connects with 3G-OMC

OMC

OMC

BOSS;Java
platform

HLR;

SMS

MMS

OMC

Account
opening

1) User can proper have SMS process in 3G

2) 3G roaming to 2G can process SMS
1) User can proper have MMS process in 3G

1) Existing users can modify preference to 3G and

use 3G service
2) New users to 3G directly
3) Through OTA to broadcast PS parameters

3G Service Guarantee Strategy

User 3G Prior Selection

2G/3G Service Inter-connection

3G Service Continuity

3G Edge Coverage & Inter-operation Strategy

PS

WCDMA coverage
HO to 2G
Keep in 2G

HO to 3G
HO to 2G
CS

Idle: realize dual direction cell reselection in the edge

of coverage.
On the call: 3G to 2G HO in the edge. When back to
3G still use 2G
On the Video call: drop to the voice call
PS Connection: in the edge to realize dual direction
HO (If it is PLMN solution, 2G to 3G will keep in GPRS)
Simultaneous service: 3G to 2G only voice HO

Dual direction reselection in Idle mode

GSM coverage

Inner 3G Coverage Inter-operation Strategy

2G coverage

In the 3G initial stage, due to the limitation

of investment and others, there may be
some weak coverage area such as in the
metro, tunnel, elevator, basement etc.

3G coverage
The 3G from 2G upgraded users may meet
the call drop, worse quality etc. will affect
3G experience.

Solution 1: full & better coverage,

construct a best covered network

Solution 2: configure 2G/3G handover &

reselection, adjust the trigger parameters
to reduce Ping pong effects.

2G Success Transfer Strategy

MNP Solution

Service Integrity Solution

Number Portability Under Same Network Code - ARD

2G/3G HLR upgrade, add information tag :

HLR should add control information tag: ARD Access Restriction Data to indicate
user access preference and control the 2G/3G user access

During the position updating, ISD procedure will send ARD to MSCS/VLR

MSC Server/VLR distinguish the accessing network :

VLR will distinguish the accessing network is 2G BSS or UTRAN

VLR according the radio network preference and ISD sent ARD to define relation
between user and access network preference like:

Request

ARD

ARD value

Accessing
network

Scenario

Refused

GREAN Allowed, UTRAN Not Allowed

01

3G UTRAN

2G user want to in 3G

Accepted

GREAN Allowed, UTRAN Allowed

00

3G UTRAN

3G user uses 3G

Accepted

GREAN Allowed, UTRAN Not Allowed

01

2G BSS

2G user uses 2G

Accepted

GREAN Allowed, UTRAN Allowed

00

2G BSS

3G user want to in 2G

Dual-Mode UE Smooth Transfer No Change of SIM and Number

Phase 1: Transfer to 3G but still use 2G service

To transfer 2G to allow the access of 3G but keeps register info. and still use 2G service

The transfer speed in controlled by operator; to use 3G resource and offload 2G loading

Will ensure 3G network stability with lowest risk to find 3G network problems

Phase 1: User request to 3G

To the upper state users, when they request to 3G they will be a real one right now

For the dual mode UE, user will be allowed to use 3G

For the non dual mode UE, only when they change their UE they will be allowed to use 3G

3G
Video Call

Messaging

USIM

TV/Video

2G

Picture/Ring

Java App

MMS

SIM

2G Success Transfer Strategy

MNP Solution

Service Integrity Solution

Integrity After User Transfer to New Network

WCDMA

Existing HLR

Existing HLR capability will

determine whether the video
calls, higher data rate/QoS PS
services are available (Mobile
TV, VOD)

Billing

Existing Billing system will

charging the usage of video
calls, higher data rate/QoS PS
services

SCP

GSM

When the prior 3G and MNP

solved, 2G can camping in
3G to realize the call & SMS
function

2G/3G Merge Strategy

2G Resource Merge & Utilization

2G/3G Equipment Inter-operation

2G/3G Merge Preparation Suggestion

Deep Research to Current GSM Status

Make a GSM sites statistic, including the site circumstance, height of the building,
antenna position, shelter position, shelter free space, transmission resource, power,
feeder tray, monitoring and the pole/tower etc.

Consider if the current radio and core network does support 2G/3G inter-operation and
voice handover. If the HLR supports ARD, multi-PLMN (or SRF) function and if it
supports 3G service register.

Study the current IN, Service platform and gateway to find if they support 3G pre-paid,
new service charging and how much the service platform hardware can be shared.
And if the gateway supports video call forwarding and its free redundant resource.

Study the OMC, Billing and BOSS systems and find if they support 3G service
management, account opening and charging. And its redundant.

For the 3G transmission planning, we should make a statistic of transmission

redundant, interface redundant etc.

Demo Test of 2G to 3G Evolution

Test of 3G prior selection: including cell re-selection, PLMN selection, staged

construction, etc.

Test of 2G/3G inter-connection: including the roaming, calls, sms, handover, IN

service, PS service, Billing, OMC, BOSS, etc. And also the compatibility to the other
vendors equipment (aim at voice handover, the proof of 3G adapting HO and 2G
upgrade HO is recommended)

Test of service continuously: internal the 3G coverage and the margin of coverage.
Tests the multi-services HO results.

Test of Number portable: including the ARD, multi-PLMN and MNP solution

Test of service integration: beginning of the test, 3G as the network sharing to

reduce 2G load, the dual-mode terminals are camping in the 3G network but still
using 2G service. Only after the HLR register, they will start 3G service browsing.

Summary

2G/3G network merging strategy should based on the reusing of network resource and
ensuring customer experience: co-site, share the transmission, facilities reusing and 2G to
3G transferring.

To realize the convenient 3G prior selection (cell reselection, PLMN selection, staged
network construction), 2G/3G inter-connection, 3G service continuous, cancelling MNP
effects etc.

2G MNP solution is different when they in same or different MNC. ARD will solve this in
same PLMN. Different MNC has other solutions such as multi-PLMN and MNP. Besides,
HLR will also be the limitation to the 2G MNP subscribers using 3G service.

2G/3G inter-connection has many limitations, only when the existing network has been
deeply studied, the network can be upgraded smoothly.