PicoLTE: Pave The Road to Full Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)

Abstract

Not only the exponential growth in the ways and means by which people need to communicate such as voice, data and video but also the need for larger and growing bandwidth are requiring wideband, flexible and programmable technology. Software defined radio (SDR) technology brings the flexibility, cost efficiency and power to drive communications forward. In fact, an efficient SDR relies on flexible and wideband RF Front End as well as programmable and open access high speed baseband unit for signal processing.

This application note aims to present Nutaq’s SDR-based LTE network-in-a-box solution and how it can help mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) to prepare the transition to Full MVNO model. On the one hand PicoLTE is based on a wideband and flexible remote radio head (RRH) and a powerful base band unit (BBU) running a fully software implementation of the LTE eNodeB and EPC. The solution can be used not only for learning and teaching LTE but also to setup private LTE network, UE conformance test and measurement. Furthermore, PicoLTE is a compact and flexible LTE network–in-a-box (NIB) that can be used to enable full control of LTE radio and core network for MVNO and pave their way to the ultimate dream of being a full MVNO.

Introduction

A mobile network operator (MNO) is a telecommunications service provider organization that provides wireless voice and data communication for its subscribed mobile users. Mobile network operators are independent communication service providers that own the complete telecom infrastructure for hosting and managing mobile communications between the subscribed mobile users with users in the same and external wireless and wired telecom networks. Mobile network operators are also known as carrier service providers, mobile phone operator and mobile network carriers.

A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a company that provides mobile phone services but does not have its own licensed frequency allocation of radio spectrum, nor does it necessarily have the entire infrastructure required to provide mobile telephone service. A company that does have frequency allocation(s) and all the required infrastructure to run an independent mobile network is simply a mobile network operator (MNO). An MNO that does not have a frequency spectrum allocation in a particular geographical region may operate as an MVNO in that region relaying on the network infrastructure of another MNO.

The MVNO’s roles and relationship to the MNO vary by market, country and the individual situations of the MNO and MVNO. In general, a MVNO is an entity or company that works independently of the mobile network operator and can set its own pricing structures, subject to the rates agreed with the MNO. Usually, the MVNO does not own any GSM, GPRS, CDMA, LTE or other core mobile network related infrastructure, such as mobile switching centers (MSCs), or a radio access network. Some may own their own home location register, or HLR, which allows more flexibility and ownership of the subscriber’s mobile phone number – in this case, the MVNO appears as a roaming partner to other networks abroad, and as a network within its own region. Some MVNOs run their own billing and customer care solutions known as business support systems (BSS).

Towards Full MVNO

MVNOs, who have gained considerable part of the mobile market, thanks to a strategic approach, must today face a decline in profitability. To continue their growth MVNO should think about the “Full MVNO” model. The objective of this model is to offer the MVNO maximum independence from the MNO host, to control its strategy. In particular, the “Full MVNO” model allows MVNO to use different MNO hosts in one or more countries, being able to consider them as mere providers’ of network traffic.

Full MVNOs should also allow MVNO to build their own cellular radio infrastructure. In this context, MVNOs can go a step ahead by building their own flexible and scalable LTE/4G infrastructure based on affordable SDR-based LTE network-in-a-box solution and have the full control of the of the link from the UE to the P-GW.

SDR-based LTE NIB

Nutaq’s PicoLTE is a compact, standalone and flexible LTE network-in-a-box. It is a combination of flexible wideband RRH and a software-based implementation of both LTE eNodeB and EPC running on a powerful BBU allowing easy updates and support of latest 3GPP features.

A.  LTE eNodeB

LTE eNB is a LTE base station (eNodeB) implemented entirely in software and running on a standard computer. The PC generates a baseband signal which is sent to a radio front-end (RRH) doing the digital to analog and RF up conversion. The received signal by the RF frond-end (RRH) is down converted to the baseband. The digitized I/Q samples are then streamed in real time by the FPGA to the PC over PCIe. The samples are then processed and decoded by the eNodeB BBU.

LTE eNB interfaces with a LTE Core Network through the standard S1 interface. The Core Network software (LTE MME) can easily be connected to it to build a highly configurable LTE network-in-a-box.

Third party EPC can also be interfaced within the eNB to build a private LTE network due to the standard interfaces of the eNB such as S1-MME, S1-U, X2-AP which are fully compliant with 3GPP specifications.

B.  LTE EPC

LTE MME (Mobility Management Entity) implementation has a built-in SGW (Serving Gateway), PGW (Packet Data Network Gateway) and HSS (Home Subscriber Server). It can easily be used with a LTE eNodeB to build a highly configurable LTE test network.

For specific requirements OpenEPC can be used for further customisation within the eNB to build a private LTE network.

C. Standalone LTE NIB

PicoLTE can be used as a standalone LTE NIB running on the same box based on a Quad Core i7 CPU and Linux OS both eNB and EPC as depicted in figure 1. The EPC has a built-in MME, HSS, S-GW and P-GW enabling a rapid setup of the system. The MVNO can then control the list of subscribers through the configuration files of the HSS.