Draft themes for executive summary
Integrated Solution
Cingular is positioned to capitalize on the investment it has made in Nokia infrastructure. Key design
goals of the Nokia solution have been to ensure that the base architecture supports an evolution path
when Cingular is considering the introduction of new technologies and that the architecture will
support stand alone and integrated GSM/EDGE and UMTS network solutions. As a result, Cingular
has the opportunity to leverage its investment in Nokia infrastructure to ensure a cost-effective
evolution and an integrated UMTS network solution. Examples of Cingular’s ability include:
 DX200 MSCi that, with the activation of a software feature, evolves to become a
release 4 MSC server.
 MSC Server offering total feature continuity from Cingular’s existing Nokia GSM
MSCs, such as CALEA, TTY and Wireless Number Portability to fulifl the FCC
requirements
 VLR capacity of the MSC Server is dynamically shared between GSM and UMTS
users, maximizing the flexibility of the platform across technologies.
 Nokia’s mobile optimized Media Gateway supports GSM and UMTS radio accesses
simultaneously in the same platform
 OSS, Nokia NetAct, that is not only able to manage the GSM and UMTS networks
within the same hardware platform, but in addition provides seamless GSM and
UMTS network and service management within the same applications allowing
Cingular to keep their existing network management procedures untouched and
operating expenses in control
Cingular is actively working with Nokia to introduce high capacity base stations that will utilize an
MCPA. The concept of introducing the MCPA into the network, will also allow Cingular to evolve the
existing GSM base station to “Triple Mode” capability. That is, an UltraSite BTS cabinet in Cingular’s
network will be able to support GSM, EDGE and UMTS functionality.
Throughout the lifetime of the network, the GSM/EDGE and UMTS systems will require constant
optimization to maximize their performance. Network changes, such as frequency tuning, need to be
reflected in inter-system neighbor definitions since inconsistency would lead to handover failure
resulting in an increase in dropped calls. A pre-requisit to maintain a smooth handover, without
service interruption and additional costs associated with manual data input, requires an integrated
OSS solution, such as the Nokia NetAct that can centrally store and remotely manage the neighbor
relations between GSM/EDGE and UMTS networks. NetAct Optimizer will further provide an
automated, measurement based optimization capability for GSM, (E)GPRS and WCDMA network
performance and capacity to help Cingular to maintain a good quality network in a more complex
environment. Optimizer can also provide the service view for managing the QoS and service
priorities as a first step when moving from network optimization to service optimization.
Features and Functionality on a Robust Standardized Platform
Nokia will support Cingular’s desire to deploy the features and functionality, including HSDPA and
dual band UMTS, required to be competitive in the US market though a mutually agreed system
release program with resources based at the Nokia labs in Dallas.
Further competitive advantages of Nokia’s radio access feature set for Cingular, include support from
the beginning for release 99 and HSDPA in the same carrier as well as a comprehensive portfolio of
service and load based handovers. In concert with Cingular’s preferred approach, Nokia has adopted
SRNS Relocation as the future proof solution to handle the UE mobility in the radio network. The
main benefits of this feature are as follows:
 Serving RNS (SRNS) Relocation offers the best capacity efficiency Serving RNS (SRNS)
Relocation frees RNC resources
 Every RNC does not have to be configured as a neighbour RNC for every other RNC.
 No overloaded RNCs in hot spots (congestion due to lack of RNC HW resources)
Cingular has already benefited from Nokia’s standardized approach to network architecture, with the
DX200 platform being the key integral element of its highly reliable switch. The same platform is used
for the current generation of SGSNs and BSCs. This same philosophy is extended to Nokia’s future
generation platforms. The IPA2800 platform that Cingular would deploy for the RNC is the same as
the Nokia MGW. This translates directly into operational savings for Cingular in terms of optimized
spares holding and reduced core competencies required to design and manage the network.
Interoperability
Cingular and Nokia have worked extensively to ensure support for key business functionalities
across multiple vendors, including:
1) TruePosition for the Lb interface supporting location based services and emergency call location
for E911over U-TDOA
2) Intrada GMLC from Nokia MSC for emergency call location for E911
3) LEA’s from Nokia MSC to support CALEA
4) MMS where Nokia interfaces to Cingular’s back-end systems for customer care, provisioning and
billing
5) Interfacing and trouble shooting the Cingular network where the Nokia MSC’s interface with
Nortel and Ericsson HLR’s, such as the challenges Cingular faced in the Empire markets
6) OSS, Nokia NetAct, interfacing Cingular’s selected Network Management layer Fault and
Performance Management Systems.
With an integrated GSM and UMTS network, Cingular will require an even greater level of
interoperability than experienced with GSM alone. The deployment of Nokia UMTS elements in
environments with multiple RAN and core vendors, evidences the necessary level of interoperability
and Nokia’s market leader position in UMTS deployments could not be have been sustained without
active IOT involvement with other suppliers. Cingular can be assured that Nokia will bring global
best practice experience to it’s UMTS deployment with particular emphasis on the features and
functionality required to enable Cingular to manage the service impact of 2G-to-3G handovers and
vice versa.
Cingular’s network and service management will continue to rely on multiple vendors’ OSS systems
and the overlaying Network Management layer systems when expanding to UMTS. Understanding
this, Nokia OSS will continue to support open interfaces towards other vendors’ Network
Management Systems for UMTS and will work in close cooperation with Cingular to fullfil their
specific needs in this area. Nokia is also an active member in 3GPP for O&M standardization in all
relevant subgroups and a key contributor in the Mobile Common Configuration Management Catalyst
Project for guiding the industry to a more open direction.
Design & Deployment Credibility
Cingular requires a vendor with a proven track record of utilizing tightly integrated processes to meet
the aggressive deployment schedule that Cingular has outlined. The table below provides examples
of Nokia’s proven capabilities to meet Cingular’s expectations throughout the Southern Region
markets in 2004.
Market
Tallahasse
Birmingham
Huntsville
Mobile
West Florida
Alabama PCS
Jackson
North Alabama PCS
Mississippi PCS
Biloxi
North West Florida
Original Launch
Date
Aug 8th
Aug 22nd
Aug 29th
Sept 12th
Sept 19th
Sept 26th
Oct 10th
Oct 17th
Oct 24th
Oct 24th
Oct 24th
Accelerated
Launch Date
Jun 25th
May 21st
May 21st
Jun 25th
Jun 25th
Jun 18th
May 21st
Jun 25th
Jun 4th
Jun 25th
Jun 25th
Actual Launch
Date
Jun 15th
May 17th
May 17th
Jun 16th
Jun 15th
Jun 9th
May 17th
Jun 15th
Jun 2nd
Jun 20th
Jun 20th
Table 1
Leveraging the extensive knowledge Nokia has gained from the Genesis deployment, such as the
centalized rollout integration center, and utilizing the existing local competencies complemented by
experienced global professionals, will ensure Nokia is ready to deliver a high quality UMTS and
GSM/EDGE network. Local UMTS competence ramp-up has already begun at the Nokia Dallas
training center.
Utilizing knowledge gained in markets where Nokia has deployed GSM minimizes the need for
extensive site audits when considering site integrity as antenna and power systems are reused for
cost effective UMTS deployment.
Cingular also requires a vendor that is capable of delivering significant volumes of equipment
simultaneously to multiple customer locations. An essential complement to available manufacturing
capacity is a logistics system that gets the equipment to where it is required on time. Consistently
throughout the Genesis project Nokia has been able to meet Cingular’s needs and is actively
engaged to support the new logistics system being implemented by supply chain.
End-to-End Service Understanding
Sierra Wireless co-operation - HSDPA card available by q4 05
To add here… Petri/Mari input needed
2G to 3G handovers
QoS leadership
Future lab