Paris, France – September 27, 2011
New service provides radio network modernization in days, instead of months
Nokia Siemens Networks launches first-of-its-kind Network Cloning service for faster radio network controller upgrades
Telecom operators can now increase their network capacity in days, instead of months, to improve network performance and efficiency and accommodate a surge in data traffic. Nokia Siemens Networks has introduced a Network Cloning service, the first of its kind in the telecom industry, for radio network controller (RNC) upgrade and modernization. The service provides RNC upgrades quickly and with minimum disruption to the network, reducing operational expense by more than 50 percent compared to traditional infrastructure upgrades.
The surge in smart devices is leading to increased data and signaling traffic in networks, constraining bandwidth. Upgrading capacity, therefore, becomes important to ensure optimum network performance and quality. Upgrading RNCs is critical as their capacity limitations can cause congestion and have an adverse impact on customer experience.
A traditional RNC upgrade requires multiple parameter changes as each of the hundreds of base stations connected to the controller need to be manually migrated to the new RNC. The manual upgrade not only takes months to complete, but can also cause interruptions in the mobile service. In addition, these manual changes increase network complexity as new and old RNC need to co-exist until the upgrade is completed.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ Network Cloning service involves configuring the new RNC offline by replicating the existing one and then carrying out a one-time swap with minimum disruption to the rest of the network. This service eliminates the risk of error arising from the conventional, manual approach. The service is available to all operators using Nokia Siemens Networks RNCs.
“To tap the data opportunity created by the growing demand for smart devices, operators need to go beyond incremental changes, such as adding more base stations or software upgrades, and bring about a step change in network performance. Our Network Cloning service helps them achieve this goal quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively,” said Armando Almeida, head of Global Services at Nokia Siemens Networks. “The Network Cloning Service for RNC uses Nokia Siemens Networks’ robust RNC platform as well as our deep technical product expertise and experience in delivering complex projects as a service to operators.”
Network Cloning is part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Total Expertise approach in services that supports telecom operators in adapting to new trends, market expectations and customer demands with speed, flexibility and agility.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ Network Cloning service has already been adopted and validated by TeliaSonera. The operator required a fast RNC capacity upgrade with minimal service interruption to cope with the exponential increase in data traffic. Using Network Cloning, it was able to achieve 95 percent faster deployment compared to the traditional upgrade process involving manual base station rehoming, with minimal resource utilization and significantly lower risk of errors.
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
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Network Cloning Service includes the following five steps:
Planning
Preparation
Configuring the new hardware to match the existing RNC or other network element
Swapping out the existing RNC and integrating the new one (the cut-over process)
Traffic monitoring, testing and follow-up
The actual cloning process requires the new RNC to be configured with the same external interfaces and connections as the old RNC. Both controllers must be equipped with the same versions of software so that all the necessary data can be copied over securely.
In addition, both RNCs are typically located in the same plant room so that all the necessary cabling changes can be made easily in one overnight session. If the cloning process has been carried out correctly, this swapping of external cables is all that is required to switch traffic from the old RNC to the new one. In a standard project, Nokia Siemens Networks takes care of all the activities with the exception of the physical re-cabling, which is typically performed by the telecom operator. Nokia Siemens Networks also offers re-cabling as an optional service.
Network cloning can be a complex process in itself, requiring extensive preparation and customization work to ensure that data can be transferred successfully to the new RNC. Nokia Siemens Networks couples its advanced automated software tools with highly competent engineers to provide operators with a trouble-free transfer.
The network cloning service offers an attractive approach to network capacity upgrades and currently addresses RNC upgrades in particular. However, it could also be applied to provide a disaster recovery service for critical network elements and/or situations such as high-profile events.
