Twitter?

This is just a short survey to study the reach of social media in our space. Do you now or have you ever followed a vendor or a potential supplier on twitter to see what they are offering or talking about before you buy from them  Yes or No?  Please if possible tweet me your answers on twitter to: @Diametriq 
Thank you for your participation,
Tonia Eynon

Should HSS stand for “Home Swamped Server”?

Traditional HLRs (Home Location Registers) in 1G, 2G and 3G networks have always been the heart of the cellular network. The main functions of the HLR are managing subscriptions and subscription data, managing real-time subscriber registrations, managing real-time subscriber mobility and locations, managing real-time subscriber authentication and managing subscriber features. The HSS in LTE networks provides analogous services and is also the heart of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network.

As such, most of the activity for Diameter signaling traffic based on the most primary functions in the core network have a great impact on the HSS. If we look at these functions: subscriber registrations and de-registrations (i.e. network attaches and detaches); tracking area updates; authentications per subscriber device (and possibly for some applications); and number of simultaneous LTE applications running on a particular device; it is easy to see how the heart of the network comes under extreme signaling pressure. I’ve estimated that the HSS is involved in 50% to 65% of ALL Diameter signaling messages traversing an LTE packet core network, based on the behavior of the subscribers. Even if the network is optimized for tracking areas and autonomous registrations of the mobile devices, the single most important network entity will need to also manage and process most of the signaling traffic.

The HSS also has complex functions to process subscriber data for roaming, authentication and feature control; simply handling the amount of signaling traffic that enters and egresses the platform can be very burdensome. Let us assume conservatively, that we’re looking at a large network of 25 million LTE subscribers (also supporting VoLTE). Each subscriber might have a couple devices, say a smart-phone and a tablet computer and that these subscribers make 2 calls during the busy hour. Perhaps, each subscriber autonomously registers on the network or changes location area once per hour.

By my calculations and to handle such subscriber behavior, the HSS platform (or platforms) would need to process approximately 530K signaling messages per second! I would speculate that the HSS, and it’s associated signaling traffic, should be the primary concern for any reliable and highly-available LTE network deployment, above and beyond any other entity in the in the EPC.

Randy Snyder
Wireless Cellular Telecommunications Consulting
Wireless Research Services, LLC
Mobile: +1 (702) 521-7900
Email: rsnyder@wrsvs.com
Skype: randallsnyder
http://www.wrsvs.com

What can be done in 30 minutes?

We're conducting a poll for 48 hours and would like to know what the funniest thing that you could do in 30 minutes would be.  48 hours later we'll tell you what Diametriq can do in 30 minutes.

Does Fast Dormancy Matter?

Should we be designing our latest and most advanced cellular network technologies to accommodate inadequate battery technology in today’s devices? It’s been supposed that the fact that smartphones today enter “idle” mode when a data transmission to the mobile device ceases for a few seconds. This repeated disconnect and connect of a data session is purported to save battery life while adding a significant amount of signaling to the LTE network.

If we assume this is true, should we not also assume that battery technology will continue at a rapid pace, as it has for the past 15 years? Shouldn’t we assume that mobile standby time, talk time and data connection time will continually increase with ever smaller batteries on a single charge for the next several years? Mobile phone battery life has been extended to about five times of what used to be available in 1995 and is anticipated to continue to grow by 30% to 40% over the next few years.

It seems to me that either the mobile phones of the near future will not need to enter an idle mode to save battery power, or we will need to engineer the new LTE networks to account for as much as a 12% increase in signaling traffic due to constant and repeated connects and disconnects by the device. Since when has the engineering of network capacity and performance been so dependent on the inadequacies of a mobile device’s battery? Should we truly be accounting for this?

Randy Snyder
Wireless Cellular Telecommunications Consulting
Wireless Research Services, LLC
Mobile: +1 (702) 521-7900
Email: rsnyder@wrsvs.com
Skype: randallsnyder
http://www.wrsvs.com

Calculate the amount of signaling traffic in your current or projected LTE network?

What if you were able to calculate the amount of signaling traffic in your current or projected LTE network?  Here is a golden opportunity.  Diametriq will soon be unveiling a cutting edge tool that can do just that.  Keep your eyes and ears open, this soon to be released tool will be a one of a kind.  Wait to hear more at LTE Asia where Anjan Ghosal CEO will introduce this powerful tool to the world of telecommunications.  

BBC News By Mark Ward Technology correspondent

11 October 2011 Last updated at 09:02 GMT

This is the future calling

When science fiction writer William Gibson observed that the future is already here, it is just not very evenly distributed, he could have been thinking of mobile networks.

Those networks are a patchwork of second and third generation mobile technologies which has become a problem as we do more with our phones than just talk and text.

It means that web access is blazing fast in one location, absent close by and limping along at a snail's pace around the corner.

But, say many mobile operators, this will be a distant memory when fourth generation (4G) mobile technology is put in place.

Big changes

The problem with this claim is that the 4G technology operators are blowing the trumpet for, known as LTE (Long Term Evolution), is not officially 4G.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has the job of deciding which G is which. Under its definition, LTE is 3.9G.

The ITU's standard for 4G technology demands that it be capable of pushing data around at a rate of 1 gigabit per second. LTE is designed to handle a mere 100 megabits per second.

Despite this, LTE will bring in big changes for mobile networks, says Dan Warren, senior director of technology at the GSMA, the industry association for mobile networks.

"The original GSM networks were designed primarily with voice optimization in mind," he said. "That involved low delay but relatively low bandwidth over an air interface that in the 80s was quite unreliable."

Essentially those early networks were all about talking on the phone with a tiny bit of texting involved. Bracketed around this was lots of error correction technology to ensure your call did not drop out.

But mobile users are no longer happy to do mainly talking and a bit of texting.

"There's a recognition in the industry as a whole that data and access to the internet are of vital importance," said Mr. Warren.

This is where LTE comes in.

"When you get to LTE you do not have voice delivered in the traditional way anymore," he said. "In LTE everything is treated as data and it is all handled by the same core network."

This means we should be able to get more out of our smartphones, tablets and e-readers as broadband speeds will be generally faster.

Power play

But for all its advances, LTE does have a downside in that it makes very heavy use of the spectrum allocated to it. And some feel that LTE and its successor technologies stick too closely to what has come before.

That technology legacy is making itself increasingly evident, claims Rajarshi Sanyal, a telecoms researcher from Brussels.

Working with Prof Ernestina Cianca from the University of Rome and Prof Ramjee Prasad from Aalborg University, he is looking at an alternative way to build a mobile network, one simpler than what we have now but still able to support high data rates.

Their contention is that mobile networks are getting too complicated to manage effectively. That, they say, is not just a problem for operators.

It has a knock-on effect to handsets too.

"Not only are mobile networks today complex but they need active elements at every nook of the network," said Mr. Sanyal. That means each handset has to devote a chunk of its processing and battery power to maintaining contact with the network."

As the number of mobile user’s increases and the cell sizes shrink, this continuous interaction between the handset and the network implies a substantial overhead on the network.

A network in which that burden is lessened would mean phones spend fewer processing cycles and battery power checking in. The researchers have come up with a design for just such a system and are setting up a demonstration to show how their suggested admin-lite network might work.

"With the same processor you leave more room for catering to the next generation of network driven applications," said Mr. Sanyal.

The idea has some merit, said Mr. Warren.

"If you were to take a purist view and scrap everything we have today and replace it, then absolutely you could do something a lot simpler," he said.

However, he added, the practicalities of building a network mean those simple choices cannot be made.

Money talks

But even as networks get better at handling data and the bandwidth speeds rise, operators could face another problem - how to persuade people to splash out and buy a new LTE handset.

"Going to go from eight megabits per second to 20 Mbps you will see the difference, but it's not the same impact as if you went from dial-up to broadband," said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at market research firm Gartner who specializes in mobile devices.

Selling that first uplift was easier, she said, because the difference was so stark. What also fed into that initial demand for 3G phones was the fact that the handsets that worked on those networks were among the first to have cameras. Together the two drove demand and got people onto those faster networks.

Such a feat is going to be harder to repeat this time around, she said, because all those features we are used to on a smartphone will already be present. And the slight uptick in browsing speed or how quickly applications load may not be enough to get people to fork out for a new handset.

"You can see that cost is an issue if you look at the deployment of 4G," said Ms Milanesi. "It's an issue because operators are going a bit more cautiously simply because they spent so much on 3G licenses."

The UK's 4G auction was due to take place in early 2012 but has been delayed to later the same year as regulator Ofcom gathers information from operators about how it should be run.

Operators spent billions to buy a 3G license and will have just one question about any cash they spend, said Ms Milanesi.

"This time," she said, "they will be asking how do we get some of that money back."

A brand new white paper: The Service-Enabling Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC)

A DSC is deployed in the 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC) to perform signaling traffic management, roaming control, vendor interoperability and legacy interworking. Another major headache for operators will be enabling their 2G/3G services for LTE. There are two approaches to this, either integrate legacy SS7-based services using Diameter-SS7 interworking or migrate the services to LTE by “Diameter-enabling” them. With the introduction of the DSC as the carrier-grade network element for Diameter in 4G, this provides the ideal point in the network that allows services to be integrated, either hosted or remote and SS7-based or Diameter-based.  In addition to migrating 2G/3G services there is a new breed of service that can benefit by being hosted on the DSC that mines the wealth of information passing through the DSC. The DSC is a unique point in the 4G network to offer value-added services, both the migration of 2G/3G services and the addition of new services using policy, charging subscriber and location information.
http://www.diametriq.com/the-service-enabling-diameter-signaling-controller-dsc/

An Approach to LTE Core Network Interworking and Interoperability

Among the great challenges faced for new deployments of 4G networks is the ability to enable mobile network operators to seamlessly integrate with each other. This integration is necessary to provide subscribers with sound and uninterrupted service wherever they might be. 4G LTE networks are burdened with a variety of interworking issues including seamless roaming, incompatible vendor equipment due to customization and allowable options, legacy interworking with 2G and 3G networks and, most importantly, service migration. Service migration refers to the ability of existing network applications to make use of the new LTE core network. It is too costly to modify these applications that make use of the current generations of network technology; thereby making necessary the deployment of interworking technologies that underlie those applications.
Seamless roaming and service migration carry special importance due to their very direct impact on subscribers and the quality of service they receive. It is therefore paramount that 4G LTE deployments provide some level of interworking too ensure subscribers are not only guaranteed seamless service, but can perceive and make use of the advantages 4G LTE network provide. As it turns out, much of the solution to provide proper interworking for 4G LTE networks involves interworking with the Diameter protocol.
The best method for approaching the interworking problem is to break it down into the following three steps:

    1. Define interworking
    2. Identify the functions requiring interworking
    3. Design the methods to provide interworking for those functions

Define Interworking
We need to define interworking and the types of interworking to be supported. There is no standard definition for the term interworking. Instead of attempting to define such an all encompassing term, defining what an interworking solution needs to provide for a specific problem is more appropriate. Here are the basic assumptions to the interworking problem when applied 4G LTE networks:

    1. Interworking implies the successful communication between varying Diameter protocols and between Diameter and other protocols. A more specific definition might limit a feasible solution to be called true interworking.

    2.  Interworking provides a degree of seamlessness to subscribers capable of transiting between differing Evolved Packet Core (EPC) networks. Subscribers capable of roaming or moving among disparate networks should be able to access basic service seamlessly (i.e., originate and receive communications services as usual). Since many features may not be compatible, their use may not be supported while roaming.

    3.  It is not feasible to provide an interworking solution enabling full compatibility between differing Diameter or other networks. Since Diameter variants may be so different, it may not be reasonable to provide interworking of each and every function between networks.

    4.  Signaling protocols providing network and transport layers between Diameter and other networks are somewhat compatible. This is a reasonable assumption based on the underlying network layer technology (i.e. SS7 and IP); however, there are sure to be issues when considering IPV4 vs. IPV6 networks or other variants at the SCTP layer.

    5.  Multi-mode mobile stations supporting the many disparate bandwidths and RF types are used to access the disparate LTE EPC networks. Without a multi-mode MS, it may not be feasible to provide access to multiple LTE EPC network types.

    6.  The subscriber has a single subscription allowing access to multiple LTE networks (rather than having multiple subscriptions, one for each network, which requires no interworking). From a subscriber perspective, it is usually unreasonable to support multiple different subscriptions for multiple different networks.

These assumptions simplify the basic problem and permit a basic solution to be implemented that can evolve so that these limitations can potentially be removed.

Identify the Functions Requiring Interworking

Instead of taking a protocol-centric approach, i.e. which interfaces require which protocol translation under which conditions; we can view interworking from a functional perspective. The most necessary functions with respect to EPC Diameter fall within the scope of mobility management, voice call processing (VoLTE/IMS), charging and policy management. Examples of some of these functions are:
•   Mobile device service qualification
•   Mobile device location management
•   Mobile device state management
•   Mobile device and service authentication
•   Service authorization
•   Intersystem handover
•   Call and data session establishment
•   Call and data session features and control
•   Application of policy and charging rules

If we define the interworking, call flows and protocol translation based on these particular functions, it is possible to derive a competent solution to overall LTE network interoperability.
Design the Methods to Provide Interworking for those Functions

To provide interworking between disparate protocols, three areas need to be addressed:
    1.  Protocol conversion
    2.  Database mapping
    3.  Transaction management

Protocol conversion provides the translation of messages and parameters from one protocol to the other. Database mapping provides the translation and management of information elements that allow each of the application protocols to provide user service (e.g., subscriber identification, location, and status information). Transaction management enables the completion of queries among the disparate networks (e.g., re-originating and maintaining queries and responses from one network to the other).
By using a basic methodology as described here, interworking can be prioritized and phased into 4G LTE network. Basic services such as authentication and basic data roaming can be phased in first, while other more complex services such as basic VoLTE and then enhanced calling features can be added later.

-----------------------------------

...Randy

Randall A. Snyder
Wireless Cellular Telecommunications Consulting
Wireless Research Services, LLC
Mobile: +1 (702) 521-7900
Email: rsnyder@wrsvs.com
Skype: randallsnyder
http://www.wrsvs.com

A new white paper: The Evolution of Diameter Signaling

August 8, 2012

The network architecture of the mobile core has evolved to be more complex with many more elements and interfaces added in each release and the signaling has evolved from SS7 to Diameter. This paper analyzes the evolution of the 3GPP mobile core and its interfaces and tracks the evolution of SS7 to Diameter.

http://www.diametriq.com/the-evolution-of-diameter-signaling/

By Chris Knight

The "App" of the day

Here is the first installment in my new series “The "App" of the day”.  

Let’s discuss an old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”?  Or was it an App?

In the countless introductions of new Apps I find that there are a few that stand out in the crowd and this is definitely one of those few.  How much does it cost to go to a specialist in today’s economy?  It depends, do you have insurance and if so how much is your deductible?  And if you do not have insurance how much is a visit paid in cash, ouch!!!  And then to add insult to injury you probably have to wait some absurd amount of time to get an appointment and then sit in an overcrowded waiting room with outdated magazines.  What could you possibly do to circumvent this tedious and costly ceremony?  Well there’s an App for that.  Let me introduce today’s pick “Skin Scan”.  This app is just one of a few that are coming out or are already out that assist in scanning your skin for cancer.

In an article by Jeannine Stein,  “Worried About Skin Cancer? There's an App for That” Stein describes the app in more detail.  Here is the article’s link There's an App for that http://news.yahoo.com/worried-skin-cancer-theres-app-005959630.html read it and make your own assumptions.  However, anything that will help to remind each of us that skin cancer is a reality and that we should all check ourselves often is a plus in my book. 

Enjoy,

Tonia Eynon

"The Evolution of Diameter Signaling."

Diametriq, a pioneer and innovator in LTE signaling control technologies, has just published a new whitepaper "The Evolution of Diameter Signaling."

Abstract: The network architecture of the mobile core has evolved to be more complex with many more elements and interfaces added in each release and the signaling has evolved from SS7 to Diameter. This paper analyzes the evolution of the 3GPP mobile core and its interfaces and tracks the evolution of SS7 to Diameter.

To download a copy of the whitepaper, please click on this link:

http://www.diametriq.com/the-evolution-of-diameter-signaling/

SK Telecom "Not the first" to launch VoLTE?

In an article by Mark Hearn on August 7, 2012 in Wireless it was pointed out that MetroPCS was in fact the first to release the coveted VoLTE .  Following is a copy of the article discussing the race...

MetroPCS may only be America’s sixth largest wireless carrier, but it’s definitely the country’s first to offer Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services. Not usually known for being the first to bring new products to market, MetroPCS announced Tuesday that its first VoLTE-capable handset, the LG Connect 4G, is now available. MetroPCS has deployed its new service in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

The company plans on rolling out more devices and additional coverage in “the coming weeks.” Almost in the spirit of Olympic-like competition, the regional carrier won the VoLTE race by mere hours. South Korean wireless carrier SK Telecom prematurely made the claim of being the world’smobile provider to offer VoLTE services, which were set to go live on August 8 using Samsung’s Galaxy S III.

Using higher levels of bandwidth, VoLTE improves overall call quality and reduces connection latency.

While this was a neck and neck race between the two carriers, it appears that MetroPCS has come away with the VoLTE gold and SK Telecom will have to settle for silver.http://www.technobuffalo.com/news/wireless/metropcs-takes-voice-over-lte-services-live-with-the-lg-connect-4g/

Race to be the first to announce Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) deployments with SK Telecom in Korea

There has been a race to be the first to announce Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) deployments with SK Telecom  in Korea (http://lteworld.org/news/sk-telecom-launches-voice-over-lte-service and MetroPCS  in the US http://lteworld.org/news/metropcs-launches-volte-capable-lte-smartphone)  being the leaders.

Voice-over-LTE is implemented using the IP Multiple-media subsystem (IMS) that has been awaiting a real world application for a long time and VoLTE and follow-on IMS-based services like Rich Communication Services (RCS) may be the catalyst to drive the revenue to justify the IMS rollout.

Like the LTE core network, IMS uses Diameter signaling extensively between its components. If you think LTE caused a Diameter signaling explosion, then with VoLTE you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Chris Knight

The Diameter base protocol as defined in the IETF RFC 3588 was designed to be extensible, It has been adopted by the 3GPP for most interfaces in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and extended to include new applications, commands and Attribute-Value Pair’s (AVP) as required by the specific interface, for example Gx to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), S6a to the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and Gy to the On-line Charging System (OCS).

The problem is that, even though 3GPP have given guidelines for how to extend Diameter, each working group is free to make their own decision and results in different styles of extending Diameter that need to be handled by a common Diameter stack.

Also there is the need to interwork EPC interfaces based on different 3GPP releases, different versions of the same release, different vendors “interpretation” of the same version of the same release and also vendor-specific extensions. How will operators buy equipment from different vendors, and make them work in light of these challenges?

By: Chris Knight