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IPSTAR White Paper
March 2009
IPSTAR Mobile Network
Backhaul
COPYRIGHT THAICOM PLC 2009 PROPRIETARY
Empowering Asia-Pacific
Content
Introduction
3
Mobile Network
4
Mobile Technology over Satellite
5
Mobile Network Backhaul over IPSTAR
6
IPSTAR vs. Microwave Link
7
Recommended 3rd Party Equipment
7
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Introduction
The need for global cellular communication is rapidly increasing as nations
industrialize and expand, yet millions of people throughout the world have limited
or no access to GSM or CDMA service. For most mobile network operators, bringing
communications to the remote area presents an opportunity to expand their
cellular network and to acquire millions of new subscribers. However, the problem
lies in the cost of deploying cellular network in the rural area, where terrestrial
infrastructure rarely exists.
The mobile backhaul and trunking traffic between the remote cell sites and the
network switching center implicates substantial challenges for the operators. In
addition, recent technological advancements in the mobile network industry
demand for new services, and require operators to continuously expand their
coverage and increase the bandwidth capacity at the cell sites. However, terrestrial
network expansion can take years to plan and implement, and is frequently
unviable in rural areas. Many remote locations are simply beyond the reach of
terrestrial infrastructure; therefore, satellite is the only feasible solution to deliver
mobile service in these unserved areas.
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MOBILE NETWORK
A typical mobile network has three major components: the Mobile Switching Center (MSC), the Base Station
Controller (BSC) and the Base Transceiver Station (BTS). In a typical network, there is a single MSC, a few BSCs
and many BTSs.
MSC - Controls the call setup for the incoming and outgoing calls, and connects the calls to the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and to other mobile networks
BSC - Allocates the radio channels to individual calls and performs the hand-offs between the BTSs located
within the same BSC
BTS - Performs the actual over-the-air transmission to the mobile subscribers
G703 Interface
A Interface
Ater Interface
BTS
Antenna Cells
Antenna
Cells
PSTN or
Another MSC
MSC
TRAU
SM
BSC
BTS
Antenna Mobile Phones
Cells
Abis Interface
Figure 1: Mobile Phone Network Setup
MSC
TRAU
SM
BSC
BTS
=
=
=
=
=
Mobile Switching Center
Trancoder
Sub Multiplexer
Base Station Controller
Base Station Transceiver
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MOBILE TECHNOLOGY OVER SATELLITE
Satellites are the only viable platform in overcoming distance and geographic barriers, and in delivering mobile
service in the rural area. A satellite network is used to backhaul the network traffic from the remote BTS that
is oftentimes located in areas with low population density, and where it is costly to install fiber and microwave
links. Its unique IP-based technology allows operators to share network capacity across multiple locations;
thus, reducing the bandwidth cost and expanding their coverage to areas that were previously unprofitable.
The mobile network over satellite link is often used for:
BTS Extension
Through BTS extension via satellite, mobile network operators can place a cell site in any location to
extend an existing network or to provide mobile service to far-flung, isolated locations. The costeffectiveness of the satellite technology enables operators to meet their obligations in providing universal
coverage throughout the country, especially in areas with low population density.
Network Overlay
Network overlay optimizes the flexibility of the network, making it possible to quickly expand mobile
coverage during special events, or to provide communication backup in the event of unexpected natural
disasters.
Satellites can replace terrestrial lines, and can provide network coverage in areas with difficult or expensive
long distance infrastructure. This allows mobile network operators to avoid the cost of deploying network
facilities in areas with few subscribers. In addition, the satellite-based mobile backhaul solution enables
operators to quickly install new cell sites in any location, providing connectivity even in the most remote areas
and the harshest environments.
Cell sites connected via satellite offer instant infrastructure on both temporary and permanent bases. Satellite
technology is the fastest solution for restoring communications after a disaster, due to its rapid deployment
capability and the fact that it does require the use of terrestrial infrastructure. It is also the ideal solution in
providing additional capacity for one-time events with high subscriber density, such as mobile network
coverage for the attendees in a major sporting event.
Satellite technology can deliver low installation cost due
to its inherent efficiency and flexibility as a one-to-many
medium. Specifically, it is used to:
Launch a new network or extend an existing network in
markets with low subscriber density
Connect isolated locations into a regional network when
terrestrial backhaul is too expensive or not available
Quickly expand coverage for special events or provide
communication backup in the wake of a disaster,
without the need of building permanent mobile network
infrastructure
Provide special or ad-hoc services for disaster
management, mobile vehicle and other related
applications
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MOBILE NETWORK BACKHAUL OVER IPSTAR
IPSTAR is capable of delivering bandwidth-efficient and scalable mobile network service. The robust IPSTAR
backhaul solution can be deployed in areas with low population density on a point-to-point, multipoint or mesh
network configuration. The IPSTAR solution enables mobile network operators to quickly and seamlessly expand
mobile service in the remote area. Extending mobile coverage to accommodate higher traffic loads or to cover
more geographical area can be done economically with IPSTAR since additional cell sites only require minimal
additional infrastructure.
The IPSTAR platform drastically reduces transponder capacity needs by sharing a single IP stream between
multiple links and by assigning access to base stations on an on-demand basis. The IPSTAR solution truly offers
multiple advantages to mobile operators seeking to reduce their network operating expenses, while providing
innovative services and expanding their coverage in the remote area.
IPSTAR Satellite
Coverage Area 1
Leased Line
IPSTAR Gateway
IPSTAR
User Terminal
IP-Mux
BTS
IP-Mux
MSC
PSTN
BSC
MSC = Mobile Switching Center
BSC = Base Station Controller
BTS = Base Transceiver System
IPSTAR
User Terminal
IP-Mux
BTS
Coverage Area 2
Figure 2: IPSTAR Mobile Network Backhaul Solution
Key Benefits:
Interoperable with most mobile network equipment
Interconnection via traditional E1 interface or IP
Works in either point-to-point, multipoint or mesh network topology
Nationwide coverage and quick deployment anywhere
Lower bandwidth and equipment costs in providing mobile network solution
for geographically dispersed subscribers
Cost-effective alternative to microwave links, copper wire and fiber optic
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IPSTAR VS. MICROWAVE LINK
Microwave link is a communication system that uses a beam of radio waves in the microwave frequency range
to transmit video, audio or data between the BTS and BCS. Microwave links require a line-of-sight between the
base stations, making it difficult to implement in heavily forested areas, mountainous regions and valleys. Lineof-sight problems can be partly solved through building a higher mast, but this can raise the deployment cost by
up to 30% or more. In addition, the technology requires a repeater to be installed for every 50 km distance from
the main link. Thus, in difficult to reach locations, like countries with many islands such as Indonesia, this poses
a significant problem. Therefore, the IPSTAR satellite platform is the only cost-effective solution to
interconnect geographically distant base stations.
Another challenge that mobile network operators have to deal with is the lack of electrical power in the rural
area. This poses a big problem for long distance backhaul infrastructure, as a repeater is typically installed
every 50 km distance from the main link. Any mobile network infrastructure requires electrical power to
operate, calling for a reliable power source to avoid service interruptions. The IPSTAR mobile trunking solution
employs small-sized antennas and low-power user terminals, making it possible for operators to use solar panels
as the main power source and a battery system for backup. The IPSTAR network can also use generators as
power source to keep the system running during lengthy outages.
Using solar panels as an alternative power source provides significant savings for mobile network operators. In
addition, generating electricity from the solar panels reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emission, an ecofriendly alternative technology that can be used in delivering mobile network coverage to any isolated area
with limited or no existing power infrastructure.
RECOMMENDED 3rd PARTY EQUIPMENT
Type of Equipment
3rd Party Product
Specification
BCS
Memotec CX960e
Supports up to 12 BTS sites
BTS
Memotec CX900s
IP Mux
Memotec CX series
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