DEC 2015 VOL. 17 ● NO. 6 ● ISSUE 161
VIP Voices AzQTel: Transitioning from WiMAX to TD-LTE
Tech Forum Development Trends for Router Technologies
Special Smart Operations Topic
Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQTel Big Data Mining for Smart Operations 05 CONTENTS ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015
VIP Voices
AzQTel: Transitioning from WiMAX to TD-LTE 05 Reporter: Zhang Ying
Linkem to Expand 4G LTE Coverage 10 Reporter: Zhang Ying
Telenor Pakistan and ZTE: One Goal One Team Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQTel 14 Reporter: Pan Xiaolin
AzQTel is an Azerbaijan-based telecom company founded in 2005. The company launched its 4G broadband services in October 2010 under the “Sazz” Tech Forum brand name. ZTE TECHNOLOGIES interviewed Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQTel. He discussed AzQTel’s latest developments, the Sazz 4G brand, and the progress of Development Trends for Router Technologies AzQTel’s LTE transition, and also shared his views on 17 By Fan Chengfa the partnership with ZTE.
Special Topic: Smart Operations
Big Data Mining for Smart Operations 20 By Huang Yuzhu
NetNumen™ AOS: A Powerful Platform to Integrate a Unified Portal and Application 24 Virtualization By Feng Huaxing
NetNumen™ FMS: Improving Operational 27 Efficiency By Yin Qiaozhi
NetNumen™ eFlow Enables Operational 10 Visibility and Intelligence 29 By Yang Yang and Liu Junjie
01 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 20
ZTE TECHNOLOGIES
14 Advisory Committee Director: Zhao Xianming Deputy Directors: Chen Jane, Xu Huijun, Zhu Jinyun Advisers: Bao Zhongjun, Chen Jian, Chen Xinyu, Cui Li, Fang Jianliang, Sun 33 Zhenge, Xu Ming, Yang Jiaxiao
Editorial Board Director: Sun Zhenge Deputy Director: Huang Xinming Members: Chen Zongcong, Cui Liangjun, Han Gang, Heng Yunjun, Huang Xinming, Liu Shouwen, Sun Jiruo, Sun Zhenge, Wei Xiaoqiang, Ye Ce, Zhou Yong
Sponsor: ZTE Corporation Edited By Shenzhen Editorial Office, Strategy Planning Department Editor-in-Chief: Sun Zhenge Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Huang Xinming Editorial Director: Liu Yang Executive Editor-in-Chief: Yue Lihua Editor: Zhang Ying Circulation Manager: Wang Pingping Success Stories
Ethio Telecom Built an End-to-End Network O&M Management Editorial Office System Address: NO. 55, Hi-tech Road South, 31 By Wen Jun Shenzhen, P.R.China Postcode: 518075 Internexa Builds a WDM Backbone Network in Peru and Tel: +86-755-26775211 Fax: +86-755-26775217 Colombia Website: wwwen.zte.com.cn/en/about/ 33 By Chen Yizhou publications Email: [email protected] AIS Leads FTTx Deployment in Thailand 35 By Xue Ming A technical magazine that keeps up with the latest industry trends, communicates leading technologies Solution and solutions, and shares stories of our customer success Qcell Helping Operators Provide Indoor Coverage 37 By Zhang Yuehong
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 02 ZTE News
ZTE Helps China Mobile ZTE Solutions Celebrated at Launch VoLTE Services BBWF Awards in Hunan Province
29 October 2015, Shenzhen ― ZTE all specifications and requirements. The is pleased to help China Mobile roll out project in Hunan was China Mobile’s VoLTE high definition voice services in first province completed 4G+ commercial Hunan province. network in the country. ZTE’s comprehensive end-to-end “ZTE is excited to work with capabilities enable China Mobile to China Mobile on the successful launch deliver the highest-performance VoLTE of VoLTE services in Hunan,” said services and user experience to subscribers Gong Dehua, vice president of core by evolving and coordinating the wireless, network products at ZTE. “The project bearer, signaling, billing, as well as demonstrated ZTE’s industry-leading O&M components of the network across capabilities in VoLTE, as we provided circuit switched (CS), IP multimedia innovative solutions that deliver high- subsystem (IMS) and the evolved packet quality and robust services to subscribers core (EPC) domains. China Mobile and and enable real-time monitoring 22 October 2015, Shenzhen ZTE successfully completed a large- of network performance and user ― ZTE announced that it won two capacity field test in Hunan, exceeding experience.” awards at Broadband World Forum (BBWF) 2015. ZTE’s ZandraTM solution was awarded the Best Connected Home Service or Solution ZTE Releases Industry-First Data Center ToR Award. TM and ZTE jointly won the Best Broadband Partnership Award. TM By introducing a brand-new, Switch Series, the BigMatrix ZXR10 5960-H interactivity-focused concept to the home monitoring realm, ZTE’s 22 October 2015, Shenzhen ― ZTE 10G combo interfaces, making it the ZandraTM solution enables people to has released the BigMatrixTM ZXR10 most flexible data center access platform surveil their homes from anywhere, 5960-H, a product series of next- available. anytime. ZTE and TM stared the generation data centre top-of-rack (ToR) Horizontal scalability is the key to cooperation to do research on switches for use with big data and large- ensuring server access due to the large some new technologies in new- scale cloud computing. amount of horizontal services in big data. generation access, such as TWDM The ZXR10 5960-H series comes The ZXR10 5960-H, the data center ToR PON optical extender and DWBA. in six models, the 5960-52DU-H, 5960- switch, has a special design for the open The TWDM-PON system offers 72NL-H, 5960-72DL-H, 5960-64DL-H, service architecture’s (OSA) horizontal 40 Gbps downstream and 10 Gbps 5960-64NL-H and 5960-32LC-H. The data, improving big data platforms’ ability upstream data that can support up to 5960-52DU-H supports up to four 100G to capture unstructured and independent 128 users at 40 km fiber distance. An uplink ports, which is the highest density data. It uses ZTE’s resource operation important feature of the system is the in the industry. The 5960-32LC-H is the system ZXCLOUD iROS to efficiently coexistence capability to maintain world-first ToR switch with all 40G ports achieve the uniform migration of virtual the current ODN network. and panel-based optical and electrical devices and fast service deployment.
03 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 ZTE News
Qualcomm and ZTE Sign New 3G/4G License, Strengthening Long-Term Partnership
3 November 2015, Shenzhen ― ZTE 9-Month Net Profit Jumps ZTE announced that it has signed a new worldwide 3G/4G license agreement with Qualcomm Incorporated. 42% as Carrier Networks The license includes terms that are consistent with the rectification Sales Grow measures that Qualcomm submitted to China’s National Development 27 October 2015, Shenzhen ― ZTE and access systems globally. Revenue and Reform Commission (NDRC) in announced that net profit rose by more from telecom software systems, services February 2015. Under the terms of the than 42% in the first nine months, and other products increased by 45.8%, agreement, Qualcomm has granted driven by increased sales of optical helped by higher sales of video and ZTE royalty-bearing patent licenses network products and 4G LTE solutions network terminal products. to develop, manufacture, and sell 3G to carriers. ZTE was the world’s fastest- and 4G products, such as smartphones, Net profit attributable to shareholders growing provider of wireline broadband modules, and infrastructure equipment, of the listed company jumped to RMB equipment, according to latest data by including 3-mode (LTE-TDD, TD- 2.6 billion (US$409 million) in the first telecom consultant Ovum. ZTE was SCDMA and GSM) smartphones sold nine months, according to financial the world’s second-biggest provider for use in China. results released by ZTE today. Revenue of passive optical network solutions, “ZTE is glad to have concluded increased by 16.5% to RMB 68.5 billion. according to Ovum. a new agreement with Qualcomm,” Basic earnings per share climbed to Under the M-ICT strategy, ZTE is said Guo Xiaoming, general counsel of RMB 0.63. focused on innovations in converged ZTE. “This agreement provides a solid Revenue in ZTE’s carriers’ networks end-to-end solutions integrating the foundation for Qualcomm and ZTE to division rose by more than 22% in the first company’s world-leading capabilities expand and strengthen the long term nine months as the company increased in telecommunications and information relationship between the companies in sales of 4G LTE infrastructure systems, technology to deliver increased value the future.” optical network products, wireline switch to customers. “Qualcomm is pleased to again have reached an agreement with ZTE that reflects the established value ZTE Opens New R&D Center in Japan to Boost 5G Research of Qualcomm’s patent portfolio, supports future collaboration 4 November 2015, Tokyo ― ZTE between Qualcomm and ZTE, and opens a new R&D Center in Tokyo strengthens the relationship between the to focus on the development of 5G companies,” said Eric Reifschneider, and other next-generation network senior vice president and general technologies. manager of Qualcomm Technology The new R&D center will support Licensing. “This agreement with ZTE’s partnerships with operators and ZTE is another important step for our academic institutions in Japan on the licensing business in China, and we deployment of ZTE’s proprietary Pre5G look forward to continuing our progress technology and ongoing research on in concluding agreements with Chinese 4G and 5G mobile communications. device companies.”
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 04 vIP Voices
AzQTel: Transitioning from WiMAX to TD-LTE
Reporter: Zhang Ying
zQTel is an Azerbaijan-based telecommunications company Afounded in 2005. It provides wireless internet, high-speed broadband internet, and other value-added services in Azerbaijan. The company launched its 4G broadband services in October 2010 under the “Sazz” brand name. These services are based on WiMAX technology. At MWC 2015 Shanghai, ZTE TECHNOLOGIES interviewed Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQTel. He discussed AzQTel’s latest developments, the Sazz 4G brand, and the progress of AzQTel’s LTE transition. He also shared his views on the partnership with ZTE.
Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQTel
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AzQTel has been working with ZTE to develop a plan to migrate the network from WiMAX to the more robust TDD-LTE.
Q: Could you tell us about event. Representatives from China, satisfied with the capability of WiMAX AzQTel’s latest developments in Turkey, the United Kingdom, and many technology. The other is to expand our Azerbaijan? European countries now attend. network coverage by redeploying the AzQTel has been working with ZTE WiMAX technology to the regions and A: We have recently expanded our to develop a plan to migrate the network rural areas of the country where WiMAX wireless broadband network to provincial from WiMAX to the more robust TDD- technology still performs well. By doing cities and towns. In the early stages LTE. The company’s shareholders this, we will upgrade our capacity in the of our network rollout, we focused on and board has endorsed the strategy capital city and expand our coverage building the network in the capital city, to deploy TDD-LTE in the capital nationwide. Baku, which is situated on the Absheron city, Baku, and Absheron Peninsula, peninsula. After we completed the providing full mobile coverage. The Q: Azerbaijan has been making network build-out in Baku, Sumgayit WiMAX technology equipment will be great progress in developing and Xirdalan in 2011, we expanded the gradually re-deployed in regional cities telecom sector in recent years. network to more than 13 regional cities and towns in the country. How has AzQTel contributed to and towns to the north, northwest, and Many government departments, this? south of the country. institutions, energy companies, and At the same time, we started banks are located on the Absheron A: AzQTel is a wireless internet service providing wireless internet and fixed peninsula. This is where a lot of provider. We provide services in 16 broadband services to corporate clients Azerbaijan’s commercial and business cities and towns across the nation. The by utilizing backhaul microwave activities take place. Therefore, the need financial investment and the construction technologies. for mobile broadband is very high in this of the network is a major infrastructure At the BakuTel International region. In general, the demand for development project for the country. Exhibition and Conference held mobile services and in particular, Even though AzQTel is a private in December 2014, AzQTel, in mobile broadband services, have company, we support the government’s cooperation with ZTE, introduced TD- grown worldwide, and Azerbaijan is no policy for the fast development of LTE technology to Azerbaijan for the exception. the country’s ICT infrastructure. We first time. Visitors to the Sazz booth In that sense, our plan is to build a understand that the broadband, telecom, observed a demonstration of the TD- high-quality mobile broadband network and IT sectors constantly need to be LTE technology capability of generating as soon as possible in Baku city and developed, expanded, and upgraded. speeds of 80–100 Mbps. Dignitaries Absheron peninsula. We will upgrade our We have negotiated with a number who visited the Sazz booth included network capacity rapidly in the capital of international investment groups Ilham Aliyev, President of Republic of city and redeploy WiMAX base stations (including Chinese), to raise enough Azerbaijan and Ali Abbasov, the Minister in the towns and villages of the country. capital to implement our seven-year of Communications and Information In this way, the company can hit two business plan, which involves migrating Technologies. They visited the opening targets with one bullet. One is to upgrade from WiMAX to TDD-LTE and TDD- of the exhibition and stopped by the our network capacity and improve LTE Advanced. We will fully utilize 4G Sazz booth. More and more, the BakuTel QoS in the capital city and Absheron and 5G technologies in order to cover conference has become an international peninsula, where our customers are not all of Azerbaijan with the best wireless
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 06 vIP Voices
mobile broadband technologies and very high. Initiative (GTI) two years ago and it has provide QoS to the population who However, WiMAX is fast becoming provided the opportunity to introduce have more and more been attracted to a technology of yesterday. At present, ourselves and the company, to meet with the convenience of utilizing the mobile many WiMAX operators are migrating vendors, investors, and other operators technology. to TDD-LTE and FDD-LTE. In 2016, in similar situations as us to exchange our plan is to come to the market with experiences. We have met with operators Q: Could you introduce Sazz 4G? “Sazz plus” or “Sazz Advanced” and that have already made progress in What is the importance of this continue to build up our brand name rolling out of TD-LTE technology, such brand for your overall strategy? recognition. as China Mobile, SoftBank Mobile in How will it evolve in the future? Japan, ON Telecom in Brazil, and other Q: What are your major concerns bigger and smaller operators that have A: The Sazz brand was introduced about TD-LTE? already succeeded in migrating from 3G into Azerbaijan’s telecom market by to 4G or from WiMAX to TD-LTE. AzQTel in October, 2010 for the first A: Our main concern is that we need to We have learned about the time. AzQTel is the legal name of our make our engineers learn more about differences between FDD-LTE and TD- company. We entered the telecom market TDD-LTE. They have visited ZTE’s LTE. We believe that TD-LTE is more with the brand name Sazz, a new logo- R&D office in Xi’an. For the last year practical to us as we are a wireless type which is colorful. and a half, we have been trying to internet services provider, not a GSM Sazz is directed towards young understand how TDD-LTE could be voice provider. The download capability people. Sazz, in Azerbaijani, means rolled out on 3.5 GHz because AzQTel of TD-LTE is as strong as that of FDD. something “good quality”. In a way, it’s holds 142 MHz frequency capacity in The asymmetric nature of TD-LTE kind of “cool” internet. We have about the 3.5 GHz and 3.6 GHz frequency technology enables you to design a 50 brand stores which display our logo bands, which are now Band 42 and network in such a way that 70 percent colors, and the furniture in each store Band 43 and are designated by 3GPP as to 80 percent would be dedicated to the has been designed specifically for our mobile broadband spectrum. So it is a downlink, and 20 percent to 30 percent customer services and sales. The Sazz big spectrum for us for rolling out TDD- would be dedicated to the uplink. This brand is a recognizable brand name, and LTE technology. is in line with our experience today. the demand for Sazz services is We joined the Global TD-LTE WiMAX and LTE are both based on
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OFDM and time-division technology. propagation. We really recommend When our migration has been We consider TD-LTE in a way as many operators, who still are utilizing completed, most of our existing WiMAX 2 (an advanced version of WiMAX technology, to adopt TD- customers can enjoy broadband services WiMAX standards which was never LTE technology. Once they have with more quality, and their needs for implemented). As you may know, the intention to get engaged in this mobile data usage can be satisfied better. We plans for WiMAX 2 were abandoned broadband business, they will consider will shutdown the WiMAX network in and TD-LTE will be adopted by about TD-LTE technology as one of the best this region and move the WiMAX base 250 WiMAX operators in 140 countries. technologies in the marketplace today. stations to 60 provincial city centers The TD-LTE technology also has a across the nation. roadmap for future development, like Q: What is your strategy of After that, customers can roam from TD-LTE advanced. I’m sure that TD- transitioning from WiMAX to LTE? the provinces to the capital city or from LTE technology will be the technology the capital city to the provinces. We will for the path to 5G. In that sense, our A: Our strategy is to overlay TDD-LTE be able to provide dual modems that can senior management team including technology over the existing WiMAX switch between LTE and WiMAX. the COO, CTO and myself (CEO), are network. We will deploy the TD-LTE However, we understand that in constantly engaged to become more and base stations adjacent to the existing 2017 and 2018, there will be even more more knowledgeable about the TDD- WiMAX sites. Ultimately, we will add advanced antenna technologies and LTE technology. more sites for better coverage, and versions with 8 × 8 MIMO technology. We have already accumulated lots of continue to increase mobile coverage in At that time, we will move our existing experience in the wireless nomadic and Absheron Peninsula. base stations in Baku to the regions quasi mobile technology like WiMAX. For a certain period of time, the in order to get rid of the WiMAX However, TD-LTE gives us experience WiMAX and TD-LTE networks technology, and completely deploy more for a more robust mobile technology, will continue to provide services superior TD-LTE advanced technology because it has more advantages over simultaneously. Ultimately, we will in the capital city. Then we will have a WiMAX, such as dual carrier capability, encourage our existing customers to full TD-LTE coverage nationwide. which WiMAX technology failed to migrate to TD-LTE services. We will deliver. It has better load balancing, direct new customers to new Sazz Q: What are your top priorities for better mobility and better data signal Advanced services. the next three years?
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A: Our priority is sales. We will build usage exceeds the capability of existing services. It’s a kind of big market the network, market our services, and 3G and WiMAX. channel for Asia. reach out to the Azerbaijan community, I expect the GSM operators to specifically the young people who are migrate to FDD-LTE technology after Q: How would you assess ZTE’s very savvy with internet technologies. testing. So my forecast is there will be team and solutions, especially Our target is to acquire more two FDD mobile operators and one TDD 3.5G TD-LTE solutions? customers and become one of the mobile operator, which is AzQTel. leading mobile operators in the country. In the past three to five years, we saw A: I think ZTE has contributed We hope to reach and capture 20 very high growth rates for the mobile enormously in the R&D of 3.5 GHz. percent to 25 percent of the mobile services, and the penetration rate for ZTE became one of the biggest vendors broadband market in order to increase GSM services has reached over 100%. and suppliers of SoftBank Mobile in our customer base. However, the real mobile broadband is Japan. SoftBank Mobile’s standards are not yet on the marketplace. I can say that very high, and ZTE has done a great job Q: Do you have any popular opportunity is still ahead of us. I think for the last two years to improve their services for young people? Could there will be heated competition between quality of the 3.5 GHz technology. I’ve you introduce them to us? existing mobile operators, including been talking to my Japanese colleagues us. Customers will take advantage of from SoftBank Mobile. They said that A: Well, at the moment, our company this competition where each operator ZTE reaches the level that can satisfy specifically is not utilizing its own is trying to provide better services for the standard requirement of Japanese lower possible rates. applications or services for the operators. That’s a demonstration of its customers. I would say that three mobile high standard. Our existing customers are using broadband operators will be able to the internationally known applications deliver quality mobile broadband Q: What will be some of the trends and services, such as Facebook, Skype, services to customers after maybe 5 to 7 in the global telecom market in and WhatsApp. All of these social years, or 7 to 10 years. At this moment, 2016? networking services are available Azerbaijan’s telecom market, like many on the internet. They are using these other markets around the world, is still at A: The trend for the global market applications now, but we are learning the an early stage for mobile data services. will be, I guess, still the vendors and experience from China Mobile and other In my opinion, 3G and WiMAX are not Chinese mobile operators. at the level that can satisfy the growing technology providers working together With the upgrade of our networks, needs for mobile data consumption. on the synchronization of TDD and FDD it is also a part of our plan to introduce technologies. some customized and tailored services Q: What do you think of MWC In addition, 5G is becoming more for our customers. Shanghai 2015? and more effective. We are going to understand what frequency is going to Q: What is your overseas A: First of all, the level of the Asian be used for 5G. The market hype around expansion plan? mobile conference was upgraded to 5G is becoming a reality. I think all of level of MWC in Barcelona. I think the 4G and 5G debates will continue A: Azerbaijan’s market lacks penetration this is very positive. Now, this forum in 2016. in terms of mobile broadband users. is becoming more and more reputable Also there will be more and more There are only 3G and WiMAX services every year. All the vendors, operators, companies that come up with different for wireless and mobile customers. chip makers, bankers and investors applications, software, services and Both technologies are lacking in quality are attending. They are discussing solutions that can go through the mobile because the growing needs for data technologies, the Asian markets and broadband networks.
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Linkem to Expand 4G LTE Coverage Reporter: Zhang Ying
Rino Buccio, CTO of Linkem
inkem is a leading provider of Q: What is Linkem’s main services to residential customers by wireless broadband services in business focus? using unlicensed 5.4 GHz spectrum. LItaly. Its 3.5 GHz network covers Finally, in 2008, the 3.5 GHz spectrum every region of the country. Linkem A: Our main focus is to create value was auctioned in Italy, and Linkem was provides high-speed wireless data from our spectrum in Band 42, i.e., able to acquire a portion of the available services to individuals and businesses. 3.5 GHz. When Linkem was established 120 MHz. During the years, additional Recently, ZTE TECHNOLOGIES in the late 1990s, we started with WiFi. portions of the spectrum were added, as interviewed Rino Buccio, CTO of We were the first company in Italy to consequence Linkem owns 84 MHz of Linkem. He discussed Linkem’s business provide WiFi services for business Band 42 today in most of the country. focus, WiMAX challenges and services. travelers in the main Italian airports With this spectrum, we deliver wireless He also talked about Linkem’s transition addressing surging demand for mobile broadband internet access. from WiMAX to LTE and gave his data. Few years later, Linkem expanded opinion on GTI 2015. its business model, offering broadband Q: How do you position yourself
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in the Italian telecom market? enhanced security. A: There are some LTE frame We launched our LTE services in configurations that are fully compatible A: Italy is currently in the process December 2014. Currently, the KPIs with WiMAX. Both the networks are towards digital society. In fact, are in line with expectations. Both the TDD, they are fully synchronized. We residential broadband penetration in Italy speed and the capacity have increased can run the two networks without losing is about 55 percent. The main reason more than 50 percent. LTE introduction spectrum in guard band. for that is the resistance to technology is fully transparent to our customers, However, we are losing a small introduction, in Italy, more than 20 because for the past two years we have degree of efficiency because the LTE percent of the population is over 65. In delivered dual-mode terminals that are operates in reuse 1 while WiMAX addition, the wired infrastructures are enabling smooth transition. in reuse 3, as consequence the not well developed. We are currently focusing on infrastructure is not optimal for the LTE The only infrastructure for residential introducing new functionalities and layer. When we overlay LTE on the broadband is copper. The evolution features once we have achieved infrastructure designed for WiMAX, we to fiber, with exception of Milan city, maximum performance from standard have to develop a very accurate planning is slow. As consequence, the wireless LTE and proper network design. In to limit the interference. technologies due to their flexibility, low particular, we plan to commercialize Network security and customer capex per user and high deployment carrier aggregation in the fourth quarter network access are treated differently speed are an effective alternative for 2015. At the same time, we’ll introduce in WiMAX and LTE. However, with delivering broadband services to CoMP and beamforming in the main LTE SIM card security, it’s much Italian families. scope for interference reduction on the easier to address compared to WiMAX Our positioning is very simple: edge cell to bring spectral efficiency to authentication methodology. good performance at a convenient price, the final result. We also experienced, differently simple and transparent offers, optional from WiMAX, full interoperability prepaid services avoiding fixed line Q: What have been the key factors between the terminals and RAN, and monthly fee, service installation within in your successful transition from RAN and EPC. one week. WiMAX to LTE? In addition, we are leveraging all the LTE QoS functionality. In fact, Q: How would you assess your 4G A: Linkem’s transition from WiMAX we have built a service platform that LTE performance? to LTE is quite peculiar. Normally, dynamically set a range of different QoS other mobile operators use a clean new levels to differentiate applications and A: In 2008, we started delivering spectrum to build their LTE network. dramatically improve user experience. broadband wireless services on 3.5 GHz Firstly, we need to re-farm our For instance, in LTE network streaming, using WiMAX mobile technology. This WiMAX networks to free up 20 MHz was quite successful; we acquired a for LTE, while making sure that the HD streaming is rapidly increasing in significant customer base. In 2013, we customers receive the same level of respect to standard definition streaming, decided to evolve our network from service. Then we implement an LTE which is generally used in WiMAX WiMAX to LTE. overlay. Finally, we move WiMAX network. This effect is not only due From a technology perspective, customers to the LTE layer as quickly to increased capacity, the QoS allows there is not a big difference between as possible. more fluid and nice experience in video LTE and WiMAX, so we can use all our At present, we have implemented the streaming. It is changing user behavior. experience. The evolution to LTE will LTE layer on 50% of the network. increase the network efficiency by 250%, Q: What are Linkem's latest enabling us to offer services with higher Q: What challenges have you services and how have customers speed, more capacity, lower latency and faced in this transition? responded to them?
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service, and key information collection directly from customers every day, we try to understand how to continuously improve. To explain this, let’s look to streaming application. In the WiMAX network, we are measuring 40 to 45 percent of streaming traffic during peak time. With LTE, we are measuring up to 70 percent of traffic. We can see that customers with LTE service make more than 50 percent of traffic at peak time. We’re convinced that in some way, the offered services change customers’ demands, enabling different behaviors and life styles. Everyone knows the amazing projection of mobile traffic over the next decade. We believe that this traffic refers substantially to mobile terminals that will become more and more pervasive. The question is: which networks will this huge traffic impact? We tried to understand where the traffic is generated by mobile terminals. We realized that only a small proportion of this traffic goes on the mobile networks, about three quarters of it is being generated on indoor WiFi networks, in the office, venues and events, and generally in people aggregation points. A: Since we launched WiMAX, Italian and customers’ confidence in our In conclusion, the increase of customers have responded quite company and network. traffic generated by mobile terminals well, and our customer base has been will partially impact mobile networks, growing rapidly. Q: What steps should be taken to since most of this traffic will go on With LTE network, the customer improve user experience? WiFi accesses by connecting to internet growth rate on new LTE sites has through a variety of fixed and wireless doubled compared with the opening of A: We spend all day trying to understand networks. new WiMAX site in the past. what the customer experience is, how Nevertheless, the resulting increase The speed with which customer arrive the QoS platform needs to be tuned and of mobile network traffic will require on new sites indicates the enthusiastic which application in the network makes more spectrum by introducing new acceptance of our services. Therefore, the difference. Through continuous technology. This will imply using higher LTE has improved our brand awareness engagement of our internal customer band, such as Band 42 or Band 43.
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However, these bands are limited in A: This touches on the subject of the last ten years with 3.5 GHz radio. There terms of penetration and propagation. role of telecom operators and monetizes is a clear perception of cultural heritage This prevents to deliver the best indoor the network’s features and functionality. that prevents European operators from user experience everywhere especially Our position is based on simplicity. really understanding the benefits of TDD during peak time. Band 42 and Band We like to give our customers very clear technology. offers and services. Our main goal is to 43 will be certainly used to increase Nowadays, it is clear that most of the the capacity of mobile networks, but it deliver very good internet access and evolution towards 5G will come through will be challenging and expensive to enable customers to freely use all the TDD. The number of TDD users and ensure mobility and seamless service applications they like. networks will increase dramatically; GTI everywhere, as consequence, it will be In future, maybe eMBMS could add efficient only in the dense urban areas some distinctive content to our offer. will be instrumental to keep everyone where most of capacity is demanded. informed and to communicate effectively Another possibility for 3.5 GHz in Q: What are Linkem's goals over about the advantages of TDD. mobile network will be business district, the next three to five years and As telecom operators, we have many college, stadium or any place where how will you achieve them? challenges. Among others, we need to many people concentrate. However, protect our investment. Sometimes, the use of Band 42 will also depend on A: We intend to expand our network the technology evolves too fast for the the evolution of the mobile terminals. coverage from current 40 percent to business model, and the potential value The main challenges are keeping them about 80 percent of the population, of the technology is not fully exploited. switched on many radios, thermal including biggest cities. We also need to manage complexity dissipation and batteries capacity. We will leverage on LTE technology arising from managing many spectrums Our idea is to deliver to customers to deliver as much capacity as possible at the same time. This takes away energy modems that can work on Band 42. In from the spectrum we have. and money that would otherwise be our model, some of these are indoor We’ll also bear in mind that user modems with multiple high gain antenna experience is not only about speed directed towards customers systems. They can offer better radio but also enjoying applications in and services. performances than mobile terminals. The the best possible way; we will keep A global standard is essential. remaining of these are outdoor modems differentiating traffic by QoS so that A shared vision of the networks in that receive radio signals not attenuated everybody can have the best experience. all countries is also important. GTI by walls. They can improve network Finally, we need to keep our is intended to help manage network coverage and spectral efficiency. model simple and sustainable to offer complexity and ensure that telecom All modems offer to our customer competitive price and inclusive services. networks remains efficient and state of the art WiFi access, enabling We strongly believe in LTE-TDD sustainable despite the continuous connectivity and best performances to technology, which will be the base for investment needed to cope with any kind of device as long as it has WiFi. next 5G world, and we will further technology evolution. We are trying to leverage Band 42 to improve the effectiveness of Band 42. I see the importance of GTI is offer affordable and inclusive residential to facilitate a global approach and make broadband services, and give customers Q: What impressed you most sure that the ecosystem is heading in the the best user experience with any about GTI 2015? terminal they may have, as complement right direction. An excellent work has to mobility. A: GTI is very important to sustain and been done to develop the ecosystem for develop the knowledge and the culture TDD up to Band 41. Band 42 will come Q: What products are you going to about TDD. I’ve been working in the soon for mobile, and I truly believe introduce in the near future? European telecom sector all my life, the we’re on the right path.
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Telenor Pakistan and ZTE: One Goal One Team Reporter: Pan Xiaolin
elenor Pakistan announced nationwide network upgrade Tand expansion in 2012. It is the most comprehensive network swapover in all of the Telenor Group. Both the TP Vega swap and managed services projects turned out to be a big success. Reporter Pan Xiaolin interviewed Khurrum Ashfaque, CTO of Telenor Pakistan, who talked about the projects and their cooperation with ZTE. Khurrum Ashfaque, CTO of Telenor Pakistan
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 14 vIP Voices
Q: Telenor Pakistan announced nationwide network upgrade and expansion in 2012. At that time, there were several vendors competing for the project. Why did Telenor Pakistan select ZTE as its partner?
A: Initially we launched our GSM network in 2005 and the infrastructure was built in three or four years. By 2012, our network was already very old. So we thought it was the right time for us to update the network. We wanted to prepare for the data revolution and for 3G and 4G services. We’d looked at different vendors; ZTE was there along with other big international vendors. Apart from the commercial pricing, we were also considering technologies, in terms of what systems are more future-proof and energy efficient, and Reporter Pan Xiaolin (L) and Telenor which systems have a good roadmap Pakistan's CTO Khurrum Ashfaque (R) for development and investment. We found that ZTE has energy-efficient It took us just one year to evolve just sit back and wait for everything radio equipment and a strong roadmap for new technologies and almost 50% of our network from 2G to happen. However, we have platforms. This is one of the main to 3G. operated here for 10 years and have reasons we selected ZTE. gained a lot of experience in network Q: How do you view the rollout and managed services in Q: What do you think of ZTE’s progress of the cooperation so different kinds of circumstances. solution for the project? far and how is Telenor Pakistan We have found ZTE is a really good benefiting from it? learner and willing to share their A: Energy efficiency is very problems with us. This would be one important to us. A major issue A: One of the reasons for success in of the reasons why we had successful for Pakistan is the availability TP Vega swap and managed services Vega swap and managed services of electricity for all mainstream projects is ZTE’s willingness to projects. industries. We need equipment that cooperate with us and learn from our requires less energy and is stably experiences. Some big international powered. This is a very strong value Q: Telenor Pakistan and ZTE for ZTE. I also think ZTE has a good vendors may insist on their own have a motto “one goal, one evolution roadmap for its products established operating style when they team”. How have they carried out moving from 2G to 3G and LTE. come to the market, and expect us to this motto?
15 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 vIP Voices
A: If top leaders stick to the motto, sometimes think whether it’s worth and people, so we have to stand on it will go all the way to project doing it ourselves or contracting a high vantage point. We have to managers. We are one team not just 200 people to do it. But this is not a consider what good services we can at the executive level but also at the sustainable solution. The sustainable offer to our customers and how we management level. We have started solution is to keep engaging with can create more customer value. We sharing our strategies of both the these subcontractors and help them are seeking partnerships with social Telenor Group and ZTE. We are increase their capabilities. ZTE’s media companies such as Facebook doing workshops in every region and management team took my advice to and Google, and in other fields like asking ZTE’s product line managers enhance their capabilities, and now mobile agriculture and education. and some team members to come and there are very strong subcontractors We are not restricting ourselves to sit with us. Our directors are also in the managed services areas. telecommunications, but try our best presenting them our strategy, what Of course, there is still room for to be part of people’s lives in more we want to do in the internet and improvement, but I think through ways than just the phone. managed services, and how we want proper training and management, our customers to do. We are not just we will make these subcontractors Q: What are Telenor Pakistan’s sharing day-to-day work, but also grow and improve continually. It is goals over the next few years? the vision. If you share the vision a challenge, but also an opportunity for future, you will become more for us. A: We have clearly defined our cooperative and feel more like part strategy for the next three to of the family. The principle of one Q: How would you describe four years. We will focus on four team has laid a solid foundation for future telecom market in important things. The first is the our final success. Pakistan? area where we will become part of customers’ lives. We will not only Q: What is the main challenge A: Pakistan is jumping from no- offer the cheapest price but also the tech to high-tech. A few years ago you have faced in the TP project best quality. Internet for all is our we didn’t even think about mobile implementation, and how have second ambition. In the next three you dealt with it? services, but now they are among years, we will make at least 53 per our most popular services. So I think cent of our customer base start using A: The biggest challenge in Pakistan the future of telecom companies and internet. We would like to bring for infrastructure development is technologies as a whole is bright in internet to all people in this country, subcontractor capabilities. In all the Pakistan market. whether they are women or men, sectors, such as network rollout, civil However, there are serious roads, managed services, or security challenges, one of which is fierce old or young, students or workers, services, the level of subcontractors competition. Several telecom farmers or engineers. Our third at the current available market is companies are competing in Pakistan, goal is to increase the utilization of not very high. Much time has been and prices are very low. In order to mobile financial services. Banking invested in raising capabilities of maximize their investment returns, service via a phone will be popular, subcontractors. These subcontractors operators have to devise a grand scheme and e-insurance, e-loan, and have done a lot of routine work for each investment and to be capable e-commence will also be available in that is not highly technical but enough to offer diverse services. this country. The last thing is that we very important. The management It is also very important for will be more cost efficient and more model that ZTE uses has been very telecom companies to look far prudent in investment so that we can successful. It is so difficult to make ahead and aim high. We are in a work smartly with this country in the these subcontractors ready that you connected world connecting business next three years.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 16 tech Forum
Development Trends for Router Technologies By Fan Chengfa
ver the past 30 years, IP networks with routers and switches have developed according to O Moore’s Law and have been critical to the emergence of a modern information society. Being a core for WAN and LAN outlets, routers have played a key role and experienced sustained development and numerous upgrades. Router interfaces have developed from a wide variety of narrowband interfaces, such as X.25, E1, ATM, POS, and SDH, to a majority of broadband Ethernet interfaces and a few high-performance and high-speed WDM interfaces. Protocols for the interfaces have also developed into distributed IP/MPLS architecture. Routers Fan Chengfa, chief engineer of and switches now have higher bandwidth and shorter ZTE bearer network products delay, and they are also smaller and cheaper. They have therefore become the basis of almost all networks. As change and motion is eternal, development is critically important. Being affected by 100M FTTH broadband, online 4K videos, 4G/4.5G/5G, IoT, the idea of user experience first, as well as the concepts of and can form a 6.4–8T subrack system software-defined networking (SDN) and network function with 400 GB for each board. In future virtualization (NFV), routers are also facing a continuous development, 1T, 2T and 4T boards evolution and change. will be launched to increase capacity Router-based IPWANs are used widely. Because it without increasing power consumption is expensive to build a new network, most operators or price. This sounds simple, but focus on network expansion and technical compatibility. the industrial supply chain has been Therefore, a basic development trend or competition focus nearly destroyed and needs to be for routers is still an evolution at an appropriate speed. vertically integrated. In this context, Their capacity and capabilities are continually improved launching products with appropriate by inheriting existing functions. Currently, a mainstream capacity and costs at the right time commercial core router has 16–20 slots in each system is a big test to a company’s overall
17 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 Tech Forum
strength that involves new technology development of SDN and NFV, router-centric solutions are reservation and IC design capability also undergoing a revolution. especially NP design capability. This The introduction of SDN is a basic point of the revolution. is almost equated with technical Deploying IP networks worldwide relies on a distributed competitiveness of high-end routers. protocol system where IP networks can still operate smoothly Another trend is smaller size. if one or more routers fail. However, the distributed protocol Traditional mid-range and high- system makes it difficult to implement global special strategies end routers seem to be bulky and lowers the intelligence of IP networks. Moreover, the iron monsters. As property costs break in network control between the application layer increase year after year, small high- software and router software also makes it difficult to bandwidth routers have become very automatically implement application strategies. popular. Some operators even expect SDN solves these problems. Strategies for introducing outdoor pole-mounted base station SDN into WANs, where routers are widely used, are routers. It is therefore important to research compact outdoor routers. Such routers will definitely be favored by customers and may bring differentiated competitive advantages in the market dominated by traditional router vendors. Close attention must be paid to smaller size as an important direction of router development. A third trend is customer experience. MI home gateway routers bring good user experience and their design is quite recommended. The hardware of MI routers is made up of common elements, but its software creates an app-based easy-to-use application chain that can create value and promote sales of more MI smart home appliances. ZTE focuses on mid-range and high-end routers and can also borrow this concept to migrate internet elements to its routers to create a convenient eco- environment and enhance customer loyalty. The three trends are within the scope of router evolution. With the
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 18 tech Forum
comparatively conservative. Few changes are made on better customer experience, helping forwarding planes of the routers, and control planes should customers solve their own problems. be compatible. A hybrid system uses controllers to gradually Any idea that truly creates value for centralize operations of the control planes previously customers will be respected. distributed on the routers. Through hierarchical controllers NFV-based routers will also be and appropriate northbound interfaces, complete software increasingly important in future automation is possible. The controllers use original interfaces, network architecture, where data such as NETCONF and CLI, or extended interfaces, such centers are more important. These as BGP-LS and PCEP, to connect devices. The original PW, routers will easily help network L3VPN, and MPLS TE tunnels also remain on routers, but the outlets of virtual data centers to operation mode is changed. SDN has significantly addressed provide functions for access to public the low intelligence issue with IP networks. In the longer term, networks or internet. although the current evolution is relatively conservative, the The development and application pace of evolution continues and generalizing the forwarding of NFV will enable universal services planes will become a new research direction after the control and integrated forwarding hardware planes become SDN-based. on routers. This makes it easier SDN is just a starting point of the revolution, and NFV to implement a SFC service chain brings about more changes. NFV aims to generalize functions. and also gradually changes SDN Previously, network service functions such as NAT, firewall, forwarding planes and may even DPI, and load balancing were activated by special devices or lead to the second revolution of boards. These special devices or boards are networked with the IPWAN SDN. Though it is not quite forwarding routers to provide intelligence or application layer (layer-7) functions. NFV has dramatically changed networking. clear when the revolution will occur, Functions at all service layers including IP/MPLS forwarding what is important is that the thought can be virtualized as software running on the servers, which and practice on SDN and NFV that can completely eliminate routers. Yet these functions can focuses on applications to truly create also operate on new routers through accelerated optimization value for customers needs to be in a virtualized or non-virtualized manner, which provides actively carried out. new routers with an unprecedented and full intelligence Routers will be important in future and makes them adapt to different application scenarios. networks. Focusing on customer value This game depends on the depth of thought and practice and and experience, ZTE will continually will eventually achieve a balance through the deployment evolve and optimize its network on demand. The functions on servers in a data center will solutions, and be actively involved in be fully virtualized, and enterprise outlets will operate on SDN and NFV innovation to create new integrated routers. These servers and routers can share new value and obtain better ROI. software between themselves, but they must be deployed for
19 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 special Topic
Big Data Mining By Huang Yuzhu for Smart Operations
rom the 2G to 3G era, mobile does not mean to deny everything. operation systems and eliminate private internet has changed user behavior. Operations need to find the value of applications. By deploying software- FIn the present LTE and SNS era, interconnected information and data while defined networking (SDN) and NFV demand for full connection is driving dealing with new technologies. Digging technologies, operators will have open operators to adjust their business models. out valuable information is the key to networking capabilities and obtain global The major difficulty in operations is no the next-generation operations and is cross-network, cross-layer, cross-domain, longer expansion of the operation scale but also critical for service providers to help cross-technology, and cross-manufacturer user experience expectation and challenges operators address future challenges and information. posed by innovative technologies such as transformation. During long-term evolution, operations network function virtualization (NFV). data itself is valuable. Millions of bits Operators are seeking all kinds Operations Data Mining carrying key information are flowing of transformation. However, this through data pipes and can be fleeted transformation cannot be achieved Operators are eager to gradually break away. Improving efficiency on a single overnight. The evolution of operations down the constraints of existing stovepipe link will amplify its effects in repetitive
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 20 special Topic: Smart Operations
Path Persons Instant Query Performance Query Index Traffic Operations Service Time Work Object Presentation Dashboard and Report Type Order Alarm Operations Level and BI and Algorithms Source Type Mining and Analysis Location Data Summary and Input
Correlation and Cleaning Multidimensional Data Source Modeling Collection NetNumen™ OSS Source Data
Figure 1. Operations data mining.
operations events. This blue ocean of data NetNumen™ OSS for Smart eFlow including SPM and WFM supports is a treasure waiting to be uncovered. Operations a complete electronic operation procedure; To save energy and increase profit, ZTE SLM manages QoS; and NIM and focuses on operations data source itself. ZTE’s smart operations solution based ITNMS provide comprehensive network Big data technologies are used to mine the on self-developed NetNumen™ OSS assets management and integrated IT NE entire value of operations and capture key platform enables data sharing, integration, management. When mining operations data among isolated islands of information. and innovation. NetNumen™ OSS is data, these modules coordinate with Simple, intuitive digital interfaces are used based on the best operations practice, each other to help the operator control to support special applications, and instant standard capsule prototypes, and cloud the overall situation and devise proper information query quickly improves environment. NetNumen™ OSS also business strategies (Fig. 2). operational efficiency and resource makes full use of data correlation and utilization (Fig. 1). analysis in business intelligence (BI) More Practical Smart Analysis ZTE’s service tools platform provides and can customize the best solution as efficient data support for troubleshooting required. The standard prototypes make Most operations tools cannot and has end-to-end, real-time, and multi- zero-code development more practial. All analyze the causes but only present dimensional view and analysis capabilities these ensure an easy-to-use, smart, and faults or suggest solutions for individual based on both service and user levels. With open visual operations support system. subsystems. Troubleshooting needs service-oriented query and mining view, ZTE’s NetNumen™ OSS solution to be handled manually with step-by- the platform helps operations staff rapidly contains several tool modules that step inspection. NetNumen™ OSS uses acquire data, guarantee services and make cover the entire managed services. AOS massive databases for correlation analysis decisions. Deep operations data mining provides a unified access portal; FMS of information, data, resources, and will become a new engine for operators to provides complete alarm monitoring; terminals. Correlation anslysis involves develop their business. PMS provides performance management; triggering smart terminals for data
21 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 special Topic
collection or dial test and locating the root real-time data sources. An appropriate big lower network and service configurations node of a fault automatically. With 75 data solution can increase the processing than expected may raise risk for user to 100 per cent of causes of faults being capacity of this link. experience. This prediction capability located, correlation analysis outperforms can further improve dynamic resource a traditional root cause analysis (RCA). More Accurate Smart Prediction allocation and scheduling capabilities NetNumen™ OSS can also classify all when combined with NFV and SDN. An problems statistically for data analysis by Using machine learning and big data eFlow energy analysis engine enables operations personnel and customer centers, techniques, NetNumen™ OSS builds a power and environments to be intelligently and coordinate with configuration and regular event model to predict and prevent predicted and scheduled. This significantly commissioning management systems for future events. Specifically, for sports reduces the duration of a power outage, self-healing and optimal configuration. events or major exhibitions, NetNumen™ increases the ratio of effective power This resolves potential network faults OSS can use historical network indicators generation, and makes the network more and protects the health and quality of and operations data such as information adaptive to changes in services and users. infrastructure. In a closed loop of smart about ticket sales and weather to predict By analyzing predicted and actual values, operations, smart monitoring is a basic link possible network faults and QoS. In this NetNumen™ OSS determines prediction that deals with a wide range of complicated way, NetNumen™ OSS can predict that accuracy and accordingly optimizes
Smart Work Orders Dispatch Cause Analysis for Smart Path Planning and Based on Staff Skills Accurate Fault Location Time Management Provide Rich Data Mining and Fault Levels through Advanced Algorithm Engine Alarm URMS Acknowledgement TT Acceptance Work Order Forwarding Distribution
FMS SPM WFM Alarm Update TT Closed Unified Access Portal
EMS & NEs AOS
MOP PMS Work Order Feedback
Provide Service and Predict Performance Trends Support Onsite Operations Network Management for High-Value Cells through Handheld APP Fault Recovery SLM
Figure 2. Key roles of tool modules in operations data mining.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 22 special Topic: Smart Operations
Analysis of operation-based big data is only the tip of an iceberg of data value activation, and service data integration and dynamic relationship modeling will be the long-term focus of operators.
prediction algorithms and policies for with eFlow to automatically inspect and key to smart operations. Currently, analysis continuous improvement of prediction dispatch work orders. Operations data can of operation-based big data is only the accuracy. horizontally connect various sub-network tip of an iceberg of data value activation, management systems and even service and service data integration and dynamic Active Operations by Massive Data monitoring centers for three-dimensional relationship modeling will be the long-term operations information exchange. In this focus of operators. Integrating information Through in-depth data mining and way, administrators obtain sufficient scattered in an operator’ existing charging offline analysis, operations are driven by information for network troubleshooting or system, CRM system, terminal information QoS rather than traditional alarm events. optimization. base, signaling monitoring system, and NetNumen™ OSS filters high-value cells OSS system and mining its value will in advance and presents the volume of Openness and Sharing: The become a most important direction for the business, such as the number of users, Driving Force for Operational next stage of operations development. voice traffic, SMS and data traffic, and Innovation ZTE released its SDN and NFV other performance trends for the next development strategy in 2014. week using the prediction function. It The traditional OSS has changed a lot NetNumen™ OSS is the core operations also automatically focuses on the cells within the closed telecom system, which platform in this strategy, and it meets whose thresholds might be exceeded. has been unsuccessful. The development operator requirements for excellent end-to- According to the specified SLA and of SDN and NFV will bring new future performance trends, NetNumen™ operational concepts. With ZTE’s open end user experience based on the service OSS can predict the cells whose SLAs operations platform, cooperative partners operations center. NetNumen™ OSS will be affected and will not meet the can share operations data and participate in enables operators to have timely access standards in the next week. Therefore, development. They can build a complete to operations data, reduce maintenance operational level agreements (OLA) for smart operations system involving smart difficulty brought by new technologies and these cells are further adjusted so that monitoring, prediction, and guarantee by services, rapidly improve digital economy, NetNumen™ OSS can prioritize operating associating their networks with services. and transform their operations. high-value base stations and collaborate Operations-based big data has become the
23 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 special Topic
NetNumen™ AOS: A Powerful Platform to Integrate a Unified Portal and Application Virtualization
By Feng Huaxing
owadays, telecom operators mode has become far from enough in and has an advanced, hierarchical and provide more diverse services, dealing with hundreds of applications. modular software architecture. It consists and new applications are Driven by the transformation towards of two major functional modules: N ● emerging to support these services. centralized operations, operators are unified portal. It provides users with Those providers offering applications turning their attention to working on unified portal management and user have customized how to use them, how rapid, seamless, and secure ways to security management, including to access them, and what kind of user access application systems and improve application access configuration security model to be created in their their work efficiency. management, application grouping own way. This means that operations Following the next-generation management, user authorization engineers have to use different accounts operations idea and riding on the and role management, user log to log in to these application systems extensive experience in network management, and user monitoring through different access modes. This operations, ZTE has developed the management. complicates system operations, increases NetNumen™ Advanced Operations ● application virtualization. It virtualizes the risk of errors, and reduces efficiency. Suite (AOS)—a platform with a unified applications, and provides application It increases the IT management workload portal and virtualized applications. clustering and load balancing. and the potential for security problems. NetNumen™ AOS is built on ZTE’s NetNumen™ AOS enables multiple The traditional PC plus remote access unified Web development platform application systems to be deployed,
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 24 special Topic: Smart Operations
maintained, and managed in a centralized NetNumen™ AOS is integrates and to the browser on the client. The data manner. It allows users to access and use supports B/S application systems is encrypted during transmission these application systems, and perform and Windows-based C/S application and not stored on the client. This user management and authentication systems, providing them with an guarantees information security. through a single login UI. efficient application virtualization ● complete security management. environment. NetNumen™ AOS has centralized ZTE AOS-Based Unified Portal ● centralized deployment and reduced user management and authentication Solution IT maintenance cost. Application and provides complete log systems can be centrally installed, management. It uses the HTTPS ZTE has rolled out unified AOS- managed, and upgraded so that no security protocol to ensure secure based portal solution to provide one application program is required on system access. It also supports the single access to multiple application the client. Users can operate and recording function so that user systems, including the legacy ones that maintain all services easily through operations are traceable. do not support Web-based access. The a browser, which lowers both the IT solution is as compatible as possible maintenance workload and OPEX. Solution Application in order to integrate all kinds of legacy ● secure and reliable image data application systems and to improve transport. After a user logs into an ZTE’s unified portal solution has overall security of the system. The application system remotely through been used in a variety of projects, solution boasts: the GUI, only image data on UIs helping customers solve problems that ● powerful system integration. rather than service data is transferred have been around for years and allowing
IT Services Citrix Remote Access
LDAP/DNS/NTP EMAIL IT Management VPN Access The Third Party E-mail/DNS/NTP AD/DNS Manufacturer Support KPI Report
VPN Access Radius The Third Party Machine Room 1 Manufacturer Support SCCM
Client GUI Access DHCP WEB Access
Office Users NTP Data Acquisition NTP Database Database Direct Connect Access Database Direct Connect Access NTP Backup Support Team Configuration WEB Access Database Client GUI Access NTP/E-mail SharePoint Integrated Access NOC Support System Users NTP/E-mail/LDAP RAS/VPN Work Order WAN/LAN PC Desktop As System Remote Desktop LDAP Remote Desktop Access Machine Room 2
Figure 1. Logical application system access model before upgrade.
25 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 special Topic
IT Services
EMAIL LDAP/DNS/NTP
IT Management AD/DNS The Third Party E-mail/DNS/NTP Manufacturer Support VPN+WEB Secure Access Radius KPI Report The Third Party Manufacturer Support SCCM VPN+WEB Secure Access Machine Room 1
DHCP Client GUI Access WEB Access Database Direct Connect Access Office Users ZTE NTP NTP AOS Database Direct Data Acquisition Connect Access WEB Secure Access Database Client GUI AccessWEB Access NTP Backup Support Team Configuration Database WEB Secure Access NTP/E-mail SharePoint Integrated WEB Secure Access NOC Support Access System Users RAS/VPN Work Order NTP/E-mail/LDAP WAN/LAN System LDAP Machine Room 2
Figure 2. Logical application system access model after upgrade.
applications and tools to be deployed and virtual IP technologies supported system access mode. It separates the and made available rapidly. The solution by NetNumen™ AOS to virtualize interaction layer from the computing greatly reduces IT maintenance workload the C/S application systems and their layer and clusters the computing layer, to and cost. Users don’t have to install and runtime environments. The Web-based provide simple system deployment and configure the application program for access mode replaces all the ways we a highly secure system. NetNumen™ each tool on the client, and the security access and use these systems now. As AOS also has single sign on (SSO), of the overall system is strengthened. such, the costs for deploying access operations recording, load balancing, This solution is available for creating resources are lowered; the network and clustering, all of which make the new projects and upgrading existing topology is simplified; and security risks solution and system more flexible, ones. It supports multiple security are reduced. Clients for all application reliable, and secure. mechanisms to meet the demanding systems can be centrally installed and As the mobile internet and cloud security requirements in the telecom maintained, resulting in much less IT industry. Figure 1 and Figure 2 show maintenance workload and effort. technologies evolve, ZTE’s NetNumen™ the logical network architectures before AOS has been re-designed to serve as a and after upgrade using the ZTE unified Evolution cloud portal and a mobile portal, which portal solution. will inevitably become a powerful tool In the solution, ZTE makes creative Application virtualization has for mobile operations management on a use of the application virtualization changed the traditional PC and remote global scale.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 26 special Topic: Smart Operations NetNumen™ FMS: Improving Operational Efficiency
By Yin Qiaozhi
s telecom networks become because they are distributed on different alarms, clear alarms, forward SMSs or increasingly sophisticated and EMSs and vary greatly with network mode, emails, and assign trouble tickets, so new services emerge, the number vendor, and device type. that alarms are handled in a timely and A effective way. and complexity of network alarms has NetNumen™ FMS acts as an alarm increased. This has led to more difficult management center for the entire network. ● System administrators configure and network operation and higher operational It can obtain alarms from EMSs and PMSs, manage authorities, rules, views, and costs. Therefore, operators urgently need process these alarms, and then create trouble EMS access modes to ensure the FMS to shift from distributed management to tickets that are sent to a trouble ticket system system operates smoothly and meets centralized maintenance and management. (TTS) for troubleshooting and tracing. This user needs. Drawing on years of experience in allows all faults to be properly handled end- equipment R&D and manufacturing, ZTE to-end in a closed loop. NetNumen™ FMS Centralized Alarm Management has launched NetNumen™ FMS―an can be used in the following scenarios: integrated alarm management system to ● Operations engineers or administrators With ZTE’s self-developed adapters, meet operator demands. view alarms generated in certain NetNumen™ FMS centrally manages NetNumen™ FMS provides an open regions, dedicated networks, sites, or alarms reported by devices of major alarm management platform for operators other specified areas. They can view in vendors and that relate to mainstream to centrally manage alarms from different different modes or at different angels technologies in the wireless, core, fixed, dedicated networks or different vendor according to their respective duties and and transport networks as well as the equipment. It also helps operators improve purposes. auxiliary power supply. This eliminates the management of integrated alarms and ● Operations engineers handle the alarms the differences between equipment of operate their networks rapidly, flexibly, and within their administrative areas. They different vendors and differences in cost-effectively. can acknowledge or un-acknowledge network modes (Fig. 1).
Various Operation Scenarios NetNumen™ FMS A typical telecom network consists of dedicated networks, such as wireless Adapter (SNMP, CORBA, etc.) network, core network, transport network, and auxiliary power supply network, supplied by different vendors. When alarms occur on network devices, the element management systems (EMSs) of different vendors and different dedicated networks may report the alarms. It is difficult for an operator to centrally manage these alarms Figure 1. Centralized cross-vendor alarm management.
2721 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 special Topic
Dashboard
Statistics List
Site GIS
Topology
Figure 2. Six alarm viewing modes provided by NetNumen™ FMS.
Diverse Alarm Viewing Modes automatically handle alarms. an alarm depends on two dimensions: ● alarm filtering. Alarm filtering rules alarm influence including outage, NetNumen™ FMS provides six such as flash, high frequency, and service degradation and no impact, alarm viewing modes―list, dashboard, blocking are used to filter out alarms and site influence including VIP users; topology, statistics, site, and GIS―for that are of no interest so that engineers governments, institutions, schools, different kinds of scenarios (Fig. 2). can handle fewer alarms and focus only hospitals; CBD; urban areas; rural Engineers can choose the viewing mode on important ones. areas; traffic routes; unknown areas; and according to application scenarios and ● root cause analysis (RCA). sparsely-populated areas. The priority their own duties. In list view, alarms are Troubleshooting experience is is indicated by a star rating of the above displayed in a list. Engineers can use converted into automatic operation two dimensions. The more stars, the this view to handle alarms. In dashboard rules to help engineers rapidly find the higher the priority. The alarm priority view, multiple views are integrated on a root cause of an alarm. This improves policy ensures that important alarms are single user interface in different layouts troubleshooting efficiency and helps handled first and operational resources so that engineers can view the entire increase operational experience in a are assigned properly. network from all angles. In site view, standardized way. NetNumen™ FMS NetNumen™ FMS is an effective engineers can view the operations of provides an independent platform to run tool for centralized alarm management. certain sites. and manage the RCA rules. Users can It supports devices from major vendors With the user interfaces provided analyze and locate the root cause of an and for dedicated networks. It also has by NetNumen™ FMS, an engineer can alarm simply by configuring rules on six alarm viewing modes for various easily customize the scope and mode the graphical interface. operational scenarios. Its smart alarm of viewing. filtering and RCA policies help an Alarm Priority Policy operator reduce the number of alarms Automatic Alarm Processing, to be handled and rapidly and precisely Filtering, and Root Cause Analysis The priority of traditional operations determine root causes. The alarm priority is only based on the network itself. This policy determines the importance NetNumen™ FMS provides may mean that alarms in low-value and priority of an alarm according to automation policies for: regions or with low service priorities affected alarm code and affected region. ● automatic alarm handling. Automatic are given a higher priority. However, This ensures that important alarms are operations are defined by rules for an alarm priority policy should rapidly prioritized. NetNumen™ FMS has been clearing alarms, acknowledging determine the importance of an alarm commercially deployed for operators alarms, assigning trouble tickets, according to where it is generated in Europe, Asia, and Africa and is and forwarding emails and SMSs. and the extent to which it affects the helping them improve their operational NetNumen™ FMS uses these rules to service. The importance and priority of efficiency.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 28 special Topic: Smart Operations
NetNumen™ eFlow Enables Operational Visibility and Intelligence
By Yang Yang and Liu Junjie
apidly developing services and increasing network complexity Rare increasing the workload and difficulty of network operations. Users are also more demanding on QoS, and field engineers have to respond to user requests immediately with standardized and specialized services. Remote real- Attendance Work Assignment Asset Management management Management time scheduling and control strengthen the control efforts at the operation end, ensuring that standardized service processes are carried out, to instantly spot personnel, tools, and to find out their moving direction as well. Asset Reception Preventive Line Inspection Management Tasks ZTE’s NetNumen™ eFlow hand- held operations management platform uses electronic and smart means to support comprehensive daily operational activities. The eFlow system has a flexible process engine and software Trouble Ticket Power Generation Odd Jobs Work Work Order Order architecture that supports both traditional PC access and mobile terminal app access to meet the demands of mobile operation. In the mobile terminal, customized and optimized functions Fixed Network Mobile Network Line Work Order are introduced to help operations teams Work Order Work Order standardize their processes, manage inspection tasks, control operations
assets and spare parts inventory, and Home Page Workbench Mine output operations reports. This improves operational efficiency. Figure 1. eFlow interface.
29 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 special Topic
NetNumen™ eFlow handheld operations management platform enables operations visible and analyzable through electronic data, accurate geographical positioning, abundant interaction capabilities and rich interfaces.
Multi-Scenario Mobile Operations and paper-work approaches. With the intelligent eFlow terminal Management Platform and GIS system, resource availability is Efficient Service at Any Time and controlled in real time, and a task can ZTE’s NetNumen™ eFlow Place be matched with the right engineer and operations management platform has a resources. In this way, a work order can flexible architecture that integrates the By extending operations tasks to the be issued quickly, the proper amount of management of processes, assets, spare handset terminals, the eFlow platform work can be assigned to every engineer, parts, and accessories. It can be used in breaks the limitations of time and space, and scheduling is automatic. multiple operations scenarios. which are faced by desktop computers, ● NetNumen™ eFlow MOP to deliver real-time operations services. Intelligent Navigation of the Task (Mobile Operation Platform): The handheld operations system Path to Make Work Easy A handheld operations platform provides GPS and two-dimensional with an application used by on- code scanning to make man-machine operations engineers used to arrange site operations engineers to check interactions possible. Mobile assignment and handle tasks, record the work and fulfillment of tasks make operations their own work, which tends to result track, and collect and report work more efficient and tasks more apparent. in delayed assignment of work orders results at any time and place. The In addition, the eFlow system can and piling up of workload. However, the platform assisting the operations trace and control the entire operations mobile operations application can help team analyzes how efficiency can be process, which makes assets reception, plan a task path intelligently according improved and how factual inspection positioning, repair and analysis more to the task level, engineer location, results can be output. convenient. Figure 1 shows the interface and task priority. This helps operations ● NetNumen™ eFlow WFM of the handheld operations platform. engineers perform their tasks according (Workforce Management): This to the recommended path, which not tool provides regional operations Intelligent Scheduling of Work only saves time on transportation but management, including management Order and Reasonable Allocation also improves work efficiency. of assets, spare parts, accessories, of Resources ZTE’s eFlow platform enables shifts, tools, instruments, and operations visible and analyzable through vehicles. It also manages tasks and It used to take a long time to electronic data, accurate geographical vehicles to improve efficiency of schedule an assignment manually positioning, abundant interaction regional operations. because engineers have their own capabilities and rich interfaces. The ● NetNumen™ eFlow SPM (Service specialties. Managers have to know Problem Management): This tool engineers well enough or make multiple eFlow platform is now widely used by is used to manage network failure phone calls to match an assignment with China Mobile, China Unicom, China work orders, change requests, and to the correct person. The drawbacks of Tower, and other overseas customers. inspection plans to assign tasks and the traditional mode are low resource It is pushing telecom operators into a record purposes in ways other than utilization and disproportionate workload lower-cost, higher-efficiency “handheld” the traditional manual, call-making and personnel. operations era.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 30 Success Stories
Ethio Telecom Built an End-to-End Network O&M Management System
By Wen Jun
provides ET’s end-to-end network with intelligent, efficient, and convenient O&M solutions. social life of pleasure. ET has wireless 2G, 3G and CDMA Precise Management of networks. Its five-year plan, which Complicated Networks he African Union is commenced in 2014, emphasizes the headquartered in Ethiopia, the project to cover the capital city with The Ethiopian NNOC system Tpolitical center and aviation 4G networks and the whole country monitors all ZTE, Ericsson and Huawei hub of Africa. As the sole telecom with 3G networks. To achieve this networks in real time and from end to operator in Ethiopia, Ethio Telecom goal, ET selected ZTE, Ericsson, end. It analyzes the network connections (ET) is operating a full portfolio of and Huawei to undertake its network and topology carefully to spot key wireless, fixed-line and ISP services. capacity expansion project. However, information from massive alarms. By It supports the annual Assembly of the a large amount of equipment and high doing so, network maintenance can be African Union with reliable telecom complexity of services and networks posed made more efficient. equipment and services. In recent a huge challenge to the O&M of ET. The complex networks of ET years, the Ethiopian economy has To overcome this challenge, in comprises the previous, 2G mobile developed rapidly, and the Ethiopian the course of project implementation, and fixed network products, the government has started constructing ZTE provided end-to-end wireless, newly implemented LTE, 3G, highways and urban light railway on a core network, transmission, and fixed- microwave, optical transmission, data large scale. The telecom industry, as a network equipment to ET. In addition, communications, fixed network, VAS, national important foundation industry, ZTE constructed the National Network energy infrastructure, and environment has developed considerably as well. Operation Center (NNOC), which is monitoring products from different Nowadays, more and more Ethiopian the central system for the O&M of the suppliers. However, every product has are using apps on smartphones, such entire network. The NNOC, which its own management system, so there as Facebook, WeChat, and Whatsup, to owned by ET, is located at the Ethiopian are more than 50 independent systems communicate with others and enjoy the Ministry of Defense building. It all together.
31 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 success Stories
“The cooperation between ET and ZTE has led to the success of ET’s network-capacity-expansion project and has aroused the passion and morale of our team as well. We thank ZTE for its passionate team and cutting-edge technologies,” said Amare Asefa Herpie, deputy CTO of ET.
To address the management isolated organizations, decentralized The period for end-to-end service issues of complex networks, ET chose management, and long decision-making subscription has been shortened to no ZTE’s NetNumenTM UNMS. It has processes. With professional consulting more than three days, which greatly been deployed in the NNOC. The services and world-class platform tools, improves user satisfaction. huge number of independent network ZTE helped ET streamline its internal management systems is connected to processes. Customized GUIs NetNumenTM UNMS for information With the assistance of ZTE, ET integration and resource management, released Enterprise Development Blue The NNOC system not only provides thus centralized handling and managing Book, which optimizes and re-defines satisfactory functions but also features of mass data, including the alarms, its internal processes. In accordance perfect Web GUIs thanks to one month performance indicators, and assets of with the Blue Book and based on the of communication between ZTE’s different manufacturers and professions. industry-leading platform of the NNOC, service customization specialists and a Moreover, the unified data ZTE customized a set of ITIL-based dozen of Ethiopian senior maintenance processing platform analyzes mass workflows for ET, including service engineers of the NNOC. data according to multidimensional desk, event management, problem ZTE customized the GUIs for every information, such as NEs, topology management, asset management, change page of the NNOC system. Design and end-to-end hierarchical relations, management, order management, and ideas are used in the visual effects to intelligently identify key alarms. knowledge base management. covering the framework, background, Through alarm merging and root With the support of the NNOC images, fonts and colors, and operation failure analysis algorithm, the NNOC workflows and customized resource convenience covering the menu order, system identifies less than 600 key aggregation, ET has significantly right-click function, and topology alarms from a collection of 300,000 improved process efficiency. Order drag. Factors that may affect operation and then dispatches lists automatically. management, for example, used to experience and efficiency are discussed Therefore, NNOC O&M engineers only take at least two weeks to open an in detail. The whole O&M department need to handle key alarms for accurate account for a broadband subscriber, of ET is satisfied with ZTE’s interface and efficient management. as it involved manual confirmation customization scheme. It perfectly assignment and document review. Now, reflects ZTE’s service philosophy of Process Optimization the administrative regions and port “serving with dedication and being resources are integrated, and available committed to our customers.” ET has long suffered from ports can be found automatically.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 32 Success Stories
Internexa Builds a WDM Backbone Network in Peru and Colombia
By Chen Yizhou
eadquartered in Medellin, exponentially. Therefore, Internexa is rate of 100 Gbps with a single Colombia, Internexa is a deploying new 100G WDM networks wavelength and a transmission capacity Hmultinational telecom service in Latin America to take the place of of 8 Tbps with a single fiber. This saves provider that owns the largest cable original 10G WDM backbone networks. a huge number of optical fibers. The telecom network in South America. The goal is to improve overall network 100G OTN standard and technology Its optical cable stretches more than capacity and meet the needs of large have matured, and ZTE’s 100G solution 29,000 km and connects Venezuela, data volume. has been commercially used by many Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, operators in the global market. Argentina and Brazil. Internexa provides Facing the Challenge with 100G In 2015, Internexa adopts ZTE’s Latin American operators with data Networks ZXONE 8000 100G OTN solution for its transmission and fiber lease services. optical networks in Peru and Colombia. With LTE deployment, higher 100G OTN is the most sophisticated With this solution, the existing bandwidth is required for home use, and high-capacity optical transmission bandwidth is 10 times higher than the data services of operators are growing technology. It enables a transmission original one. Moreover, the networks
33 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 success Stories
enable super-large capacity point which reduces the number of relays one 10G lambda to be deployed. cross-connection and intelligent traffic and optical fibers. It also enables Therefore, the ZXONE 8000 uses the scheduling. This enables Internexa to flexible service scheduling, which single-wavelength DCM solution to manage large bandwidth demand. reduces network construction cost. avoid 10G/100G mixed transmission, The 10GE/100GE large-particle so as to improve the system’s Customized Solution to Create services use the Muxponder board transmission performance. Values card for access, which minimizes the ● Comprehensive service accesses. power consumption and reduces the The ZXONE 8000 100G After fully understand the WDM maintenance cost. OTN system boasts the most backbone network needs in Peru and ● Industry-leading dispersion tolerance comprehensive access capabilities Colombia, ZTE proposed the ZXONE and polarization mode dispersion in the industry. It is able to meet 8000-based 100G OTN + Muxponder (PMD) tolerance. various access needs. integrated solution to help Internexa Internexa’s project in Peru is special ● Service protection and system rapidly increase network bearing because of its large geographical protection. capacity. The 100G OTN + Muxponder span, many long sections, and long To satisfy the protection needs of solution has the following advantages: transmission distance. The ZXONE different services, Internexa uses ● A combination of OTN and 8000 has a dispersion tolerance of ZTE’s optical path 1+1, optical Muxponder to fit with network +/-70000 ps/nm and a maximum multiplex section 1 + 1, and ODUk needs. differential group delay (DGD) 1+1, with the switching time of less The WDM backbone network tolerance of 180 ps, which is the than 50 ms. In addition, the ZXONE in Colombia required existing best in the industry (that is, the least 8000 provides cross-connection services to be migrated to the new cost for the same PMD). Because no units with M: N shared protection to network. The service matrix is very dispersion tolerance compensation tolerate greater system damage. complicated with numerous small- or PMD compensation is needed for particle services (GE and 2.5G). a transmission distance of 3500 km, Cooperation for a Win-Win Future The solution enables Internexa to the solution is very reliable for long- reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), distance backbone transmission. In 2015, Internexa invited bids for especially floor space and power ● Optimized dispersion compensator its 100G WDM backbone networks consumption. module (DCM) solution to improve in Peru and Colombia. With its With this solution, the existing the long-distance transmission competitive products, optimum network small-particle services use the CX21/ performance. solutions and superior technical CX31 OTN cross-shelf for access, Internexa’s project in Peru needs supports, ZTE won the bid from a field of ten international mainstream optical communications suppliers. ZTE will be the sole company building the 100G WDM backbone networks in Peru and Colombia. When the networks are completed, the single-link capacity will increase from 400G/800G to 4T/8T. At the same time, Internexa has chosen ZTE as one of its regional strategic partners and is about to cooperate with ZTE in building WDM networks in Brazil and Argentina. The cooperation between Internexa and ZTE will definitely create a win-win future.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 34 Success Stories
AIS Leads FTTx Deployment in Thailand
By Xue Ming
IS is Thailand’s largest mobile surfing habits of mobile users. The within three years. AIS will adopt FTTH operator. By the end of 2013, consultancy found that smartphone users for major business and high-end users AAIS had a more than 4.1 preferred much more stable and faster and next-generation VDSL vectoring million subscribers, which is about 44% fixed-line broadband than mobile data, for home users. AIS will leverage of the Thai mobile market. AIS leads the and they also demanded high-speed technological and bandwidth advantages mobile market in terms of technology hotspot video download and viewing. to simplify network architecture and development and deployment. Therefore high-quality broadband reduce opex. Competition is fierce in Thailand experience has become the key to AIS chose to cooperate with ZTE, telecom market and is even fiercer in attracting and retaining customers. who has leading fixed-line network the wireless sector. To maintain the However in Thailand, the number technologies and years of experience in leading position, AIS began tapping of fixed-line broadband users is less network construction, to deploy fixed- into the fixed-line broadband market in than five million, home broadband line broadband networks in core areas 2014. AIS has been involved in FTTx penetration rate is less than 20%, and of Bangkok and other major cities construction and is transitioning to ADSL is the most common mode of in Thailand. The networks will offer become a full-service operator, with the broadband connection. In 2014, AIS ultra-broadband access services with a hope of enhancing its competitiveness in announced its fixed-line broadband download rate of 1 Gbps and an upload the market. strategy, which is designed to exploit rate of 200 Mbps. the potential in the fixed-line broadband Tapping into the Fixed-Line market. The strategy immediately Rapid Service Provisioning Broadband Market triggered the competition for fast broadband connection in Thailand. Since AIS announced its march into Thailand’s mobile penetration is the fixed-line broadband market in 2014, more than 120%, and mobile operators Leading Broadband Development Thailand has sped up its broadband are fighting each other on price. This has development and AIS has also quickened led to slower user growth for AIS and In 2013, AIS started researching its step to build FTTx networks. AIS profit decline in recent years. What’s GPON-based FTTx and also traced urgently needed a customized OSS to worse, congested mobile data traffic market-leading VDSL vectoring, the support rapid network deployment, during rush hours, is denigrating user next-generation high-speed copper reduce time to market for its new experience and there have been more access technology. Mainstream services, and make operations easier. frequent user complaints. Since users broadband equipment vendors were In deploying next-generation fiber can switch mobile networks in Thailand invited to conduct vectoring tests and access networks, AIS was concerned without changing their existing phone GPON system tests. After this testing, about changing original operations of number, decline in user satisfaction may AIS devised a GPON-based FTTx wireless broadband services, offering directly increase their churn rate. network reconstruction plan. The plan fixed-line broadband services at existing Facing severe market challenges, AIS has been devised to build a national mobile business sites, and allocating entrusted a consulting firm to investigate FTTx network with two million lines subscriptions to end users.
35 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 success Stories
These OLTs are also compact that save equipment room. AIS can place them in an outdoor shelter without renting an extra room. This saves network construction costs.
Full-Service Strategy to Lead the Competition
In April 2015, AIS formally announced its new brands in the FTTH, video, and smart home sectors and began to implement its full-service strategies. “AIS Fibre” is a dominant brand of AIS in the fixed-line optical access sector. It delivers 1 Gbps access broadband services to enterprise and end users. “AIS Playbox” is a video brand that provides up to 100 live TV channels and 12,000 MP3 songs. “Quad-play” is a brand for smart home products that provides integrated mobile, home VoIP, and high-speed internet surfing services. With the three FTTx brands and a good reputation as the largest mobile operator in Thailand, AIS has taken A proper OSS is directly connected takes one step ahead to seize the market the lead and created a new competition with AIS’s fixed-line broadband service opportunity with the QRUN solution. pattern in the country’s broadband access provisioning. ZTE has been chosen by market. AIS used ZTE’s QRUN solution AIS for its industry-leading QRUN OSS Opex Savings for More Profit to build an OSS platform for broadband solution that could help AIS rapidly access within four months and deployed deploy fixed-line broadband service at In FTTH mode, plenty of ONTs are FTTx networks that cover 100 thousand existing mobile business sites and transit deployed at user homes and passive homes within half a year. from pure mobile operator to full-service devices used at the user side. This AIS is a GPON-based FTTx operator provider. dramatically reduces operating costs. with the fastest network construction and Before national FTTx networks Terminals are managed uniformly via service provisioning time in Thailand. were constructed, AIS had built an OSS TR069. This enables plug and play and By leveraging FTTH large-bandwidth platform within four months using ZTE’s also reduces operating costs. and next-generation VDSL vectoring complete suite of OSS QRUN solution. ZTE’s energy-efficient OLT design technologies, AIS offers a wide variety The platform simplified FTTx service ensures that power consumption per PON of broadband services to Thai people. In provisioning and supported 6000 new port is 42% lower than the EU standard. return, AIS will continue to benefit from FTTx subscribers per month. Compared The innovative OLTs ensure that a network construction, operational cost, with other operators who need at least broadband access network consumes half service revenue and network evolution half a month to deliver broadband the energy of a conventional broadband for a long time and will outperform services based on a manual or half- access network, significantly saving its rivals with superior network and manual service provisioning system, AIS electricity costs for operators and users. service quality.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 36 Solution
Qcell: Helping Operators Provide Indoor Coverage
By Zhang Yuehong
capacity of the network were also up to the standard for hotspot coverage. ZTE’s Qcell indoor coverage solution provides high capacity and performance Qcell: New-Generation Digital and is easy to implement. The digital Indoor Coverage Solution indoor coverage system was deployed for only one week, covering the entire ccording to the ITU, 70 Recently, Chongqing Unicom and SM City Mall. Its deployment is far less per cent of all mobile voice Sichuan Telecom built their own next- difficult and complicated than that of a Aconnections and 80 per cent generation digital indoor coverage traditional distributed indoor antenna of all mobile data connection occurs systems that address the issues related system. indoors. Indoor coverage is a huge to indoor coverage. Sichuan Telecom has also part of future wireless development. Chongqing Unicom deployed an commercially deployed its Qcell indoor However, in the 4G era, deep indoor indoor 4G network in SM City Mall, a coverage system that provides 4G coverage is difficult because networks high-end commercial center in Yubei carrier aggregation. The acceptance are extremely complicated and are district, Chongqing. The network makes tests have shown that in an indoor 2 operated in different scenarios. Deep use of ZTE’s Qcell system. In a testing, area of 10,000 m , when the 1.8 GHz indoor coverage creates challenges for the peak indoor rate was 149.6 Mbps frequency with a 15 MHz frequency operators: and the peak uplink rate was 49.2 Mbps. bandwidth and the 2.1 GHz frequency ● High LTE frequency bands increase According to on-site users, HD videos with a 20 MHz frequency bandwidth free space loss, penetration loss, and and on-demand HD movies were played are used, the highest 4G traffic rate can feeder loss. smoothly on smart phones, and large data reach 3 Gbps. This means the rate for ● The three types of cellular network— file download and other FTP services each user can be maintained at 3 Mbps 2G, 3G and 4G—need to be converged could be completed at an extremely when 1000 users are using 4G services in a cost-effective way. high rate. simultaneously in the area. CDMA ● Products need to be easy to install and Coverage area of the 4G network in voice quality is quite good, and the EV- provide good coverage. the SM City Mall reached 150,000 m2, DO peak data rate is on a par with that ● Networks need to be easily expandable meeting the criteria of China Unicom of a traditional solution. The system and have high capacity. for class-A scenarios. Performance and provides 2G, 3G and 4G services that
37 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES DEC 2015 solution
can reach peak rates simultaneously. consists of Pico RRU, pBridge and BBU. for Pico RRU networking and power This enables operators to implement Pico RRU supports FDD LTE, CDMA, supply, the new-generation Qcell carries traffic management strategies. Sichuan UMTS, and TD-LTE. It is small, high- 2 × 20 MHz LTE cells through an Telecom was very satisfied with the capacity, attractive, and easy to install. Ethernet cable and can be combined acceptance tests. pBridge provides power over with UMTS, CDMA, and other wireless In May 2015, ZTE and China Ethernet (PoE) and data compression. systems to simplify the deployment of Telecom were jointly awarded the It enables LTE carrier aggregation and multi-mode indoor networks. Wireless Network Infrastructure CDMA networks through a single UTP Qcell can share one network Innovation award for their close cable. Another advantage of Qcell is management system with 4G collaboration on the macrocell-small that it can merge or split cells so that macrocells. Each node is visible, cell coordinated Qcell digital indoor operators can adjust network capacity manageable, and controllable so that coverage system at the Global Telecom and distribution as required. The system network O&M costs can be significantly Business (GTB) Innovation Awards takes into account the future business lowered. Qcell uses indoor and outdoor 2015. In June 2015, the Qcell digital development while reducing initial cloud collaboration technologies to indoor coverage system also won the investment. Therefore, it can adapt to eliminate indoor signal leakage and Best Innovation in Heterogeneous development in the mobile internet era. outdoor signal interference and to Networks award at the LTE World Compared with traditional indoor finally optimize performance of the Summit organized by Informa. coverage solutions, Qcell significantly entire network. Qcell can also provide shortens the construction period. Usually precise local access and indoor location Qcell: Small Size and Large it takes four workers one week to install, based services to expand business and Capacity debug, and optimize a Qcell system in a attract new users. campus dormitory of 50,000 m2. Network operators in China are in The Qcell indoor coverage system By using standard Ethernet cables a critical stage of transition from 2G and 3G to 4G. Qcell not only supports rapid deployment of 4G networks, it is also compatible with existing 2G and 3G systems. When all 2G and 3G users transit to 4G in the future, Qcell can evolve existing 2G and 3G networks into 4G through software upgrade. This will protect operator investment. This is also particularly important in the current transition, where VoLTE has not been completely built and voice can only be carried through 2G and 3G networks. Qcell is favored by customers for Pico RRU its superior performance. It has been used in more than 20 cities and regions in China, and the total shipment has reached several tens of thousands units.
DEC 2015 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 38 Solution