Voice NGN

The Tata Communications Experience

2008 Tata Communications Transformation Services, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Agenda
Background Tata Communications NGN story
Shift towards NGN Architecture Challenges Approach Implementation Benefits

Conclusion Take Away Slide Glossary Annexure

Data as on May'08

Evolution of NGN networks

Background

Background
Evolution of NGN networks An Overview

Traditional Telecom networks deployed separate networks for Data & Voice NGN: Single network transports all information & services (voice, data, video) by encapsulating all of them into packets No need for separate voice & data networks NGN technology is based on IP and MPLS at the core and SIP at the application layer

Evolving towards All IP Communications

Data as on May'08

Background
Evolution of NGN networks: Market Drivers
Increasing demand for new multimedia services Increasing demand from businesses for integrated data, voice and video Increased competition between operators due to deregulation of markets Explosion of digital traffic due to the increasing use of Internet

Business Drivers

The Drivers

Capex & Opex optimization Higher revenue due to higher addressable market Ease of extending reach and capillarity Newer revenue streams and business models

Network Drivers
Cutting edge technology Network economics Magnitude of traffic growth Effective network management Scalability and faster rollout Ease of interconnect Higher network resilience

Data as on May'08

Background
Traditional Voice Networks
Class 4 Switch Class 4 Switch IN takes care of subscriber account validation for prepaid subscribers Switch routes the call either within itself or to next level of switch

Core Switching Layer

SCP (IN)

Service Control Layer

Class 5 Switch

Class 5 Switch

DLC

DLC

DLC

DLC End users connect to a Class 5 switch (local exchange) via a DLC

Service Access Layer

Customer Premises
Underlying media is on OFC using SDH; and it is a circuit switched network
Data as on May'08
6

Background
Architecture Evolution
IP/MPLS Class 5 Features Conference Media Presence

Application Layer
Softswitch SBC STP HSS CSCF Class 5 Switch

Softswitch can easily connect to other applications such as Presence, Conferencing etc on IP-MPLS backbone

Service Control Layer

Class 5 Switch

IP/MPLS IAD MG MSAN NG-DLC

These connect to a Softswitch (SS) via either a Media Gateway (MG)/ IAD/ NG-DLC

Service Access Layer

Customer PremisesCPE IAD

IP Phone

Set Top Box

Normal telephone lines are replaced with IADs, IP phones, Set-top boxes

Underlying media connectivity is on IP MPLS; and it is a packet switched network

Data as on May'08
7

Background
Traditional Architecture to NGN Architecture:
Changes in Architecture
Breaks traditional hierarchy and advocates flat architecture; much of the intelligence is pushed out to edge of network

Derived benefits
Reduced load on central switches

Transport Layer and Control Layer logically and physically separated

Allows for services to be developed independently from underlying connectivity

Open Interfaces based on API

Allows for creation & introduction of services seamlessly and quickly; Speeds up introduction of new services

Packet switched technology

Single network to carry Voice, Data, Video and other applications

Data as on May'08

Shift towards NGN Architecture Challenges Approach Implementation Benefits Conclusion

Data as on May'08

Tata Communications Voice NGN network

Shift towards NGN

Traffic Volumes of the order of 500Mn minutes per month

Traffic Volumes increasing at the rate of approximately 5-11% per month

Increasing number of players in the market

Tata Communications decision to deploy NGN for its Voice service

Need to cut down operational costs to maximize profits

Data as on May'08

10

NGN Architecture |Overall proposed architecture design

NGN deployment proposed to be carried out phase-wise Softswitches planned to be deployed at the following locations Los Angeles New Jersey New York Canada Hong Kong India India NGN taken up as first phase of implementation International NGN deployment in planned stage

This case study focuses on India NGN story

Data as on May'08

11

NGN Architecture
India NGN Architecture
Decided based on the current and forecasted traffic profile & dispersion

3 Softswitches and 3 Signaling Gateways at Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai 7 media gateways with built in SG deployed at Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jallandhar, Hyderabad, Bangalore & Kolkata NMS system at Mumbai & Chennai with geographic redundancy Vendor deployed is ZTE

Data as on May'08

12

NGN Architecture; Backbone Architecture

MPLS network for Voice NGN Class of service (COS) implemented for separating signaling traffic from media AMD KOL
a) b) Dual Core Routers at all locations Redundant WAN Connectivity between all POPs High Speed CORE Routers C76XX Routers Dedicated Network for Voice All traffic on MPLS-VPN for enhanced Security Core Addressed on Private IPs

c)

MUM HYD
d)

NNI
DEL

e)

f)

NNI
BLR CHN JAL
Management Link. Dedicated and Redundant XConnects for Network Management Only NOC, FMS, NMS and EMS Traffic on the X-Connect No Voice Traffic

STM-1 Links STM-4 Links

Data as on May'08

NNI

13

Challenges
Regulatory Partner Design Implementation Operational

VOIP interconnect guidelines not clearly formulated

Interconnection issues Voice Quality apprehensions

Interface issues Architecture evaluation challenges BSS integration issues CNMS Integration issues Design of statistical reports & customizations

Stringent timelines POI capacity augmentation Network migration issues Integration of statistical reports & customizations

Traffic Engineering Performance Issues Knowledge Transfer

Data as on May'08

14

Approach
Structured end-to-end approach adopted; new service roll-out process followed Well-defined workflow & functional interlinkages defined for facilitating smooth roll-out
Business Units & Pre sales Market Forces / Vendor / Competition Technology group

Network (Plng. & Ops.) Unit

Technology

Technology Function Business Case /

Projections

Customized requirements

Project approval & NW economics

Technology Evaluation

Proof of Concept

NW Architecture

Eqpt Planning

BW Planning

Route Planning

Equipment/ BW specs

Vendor Evaluation

Vendor Order

Execution Planning

Commercial
Data as on May'08

NW Projects
15

Implementation
1
Equipment Arrival

Network RFS

Hand over to Operations

Vendor Evaluation (Aug 06 March 07)

Installation & Commissioning (April 07 June 07)

Equipment logistics and distribution Equipment installation 8 locations handled parallely Equipment commissioning: 8 locations handled parallely Fastest ever NGN implementation

Testing & Billing integration (July 07- Aug 07)

Lab set-up for testing Tests for various capabilities carried out Test results documented Billing Integration (1) CDR format compliance (2) CDR generation testing (3) CDR storage testing

Bandwidth Provisioning ( Sept 07)

Bandwidth pre-provisioned for smooth migration of services Issuance of provisioning orders Follow-ups and closure of the above

Network Migration (Oct 07 onwards )

Key Vendor Identification Sending out RFI Design high level architecture plan Releasing RFP Evaluation POC/ Site visit BOM release Placing equipment order Low level design High level design

Communication to operators Engg Doc for migration released Feasibility of ports and bandwidth Connectivity b/w NGN & TDM switches Workorder issuance & program management Configuration & testing CDR verification Commercial launch of traffic

Key Evaluation Criteria

Architectural Adherence Protocol Adherence Adherence to Standards Interoperability Capabilities Lawful Interception Operational Features Billing Compliance Operational Capabilities Commercials Data as on May'08

Some of the capabilities tested BHCA Support

Call Flow, CLI & Routing Features Protocol Support Lawful Interception Billing Interoperability

Concept to implementation executed in 15 months

16

Benefits
Cost Savings : Overall costs down by around 40 %
Port Savings
1. Effective savings in cumulative processing/ BHCA requirement 2. Port utilization improved by 30-35% vis--vis traditional TDM network; corresponding port cost factor reduced by around 25-30%

Bandwidth Savings
1. Less bandwidth required to backhaul traffic on NGN network; approx 70% less bandwidth required to backhaul traffic on NGN network vis--vis TDM network resulting in corresponding cost savings 2. Converged voice & data network on core optimizes bandwidth by atleast 20%

Network Operations Savings

1. Lower number of switching elements 2. Reduced operational staff and expenditure 3. Opex cost savings of around 1million USD till date

Data as on May'08

17

Benefits
Network Benefits
Ease of operations
1. Lower number of network elements for NMS 2. Centralized monitoring

Higher Network resiliency

1. Multihoming 2. Lower downtimes

Data as on May'08

18

Benefits
Network Benefits
Network Optimization
1. Number of switching elements reduced 2. Number of platforms rationalized

Before
Jalandhar Ambala Gurgaon Jalandhar Ambala

After

Delhi

Delhi
Lucknow Patna Guwahati Jaipur

Jaipur

Ahmedabad

Bhopal Nagpur Raipur

Kolkata Cuttack

Ahmedabad

Kolkata

Rajkot

MUMBAI
HYDERABAD

Marconi Lucent Alcatel

BANCHENNAI GAL ORE

MUMBAI
HYDERABAD

BAN CHENNAI GAL ORE

Alcatel Switch

ERNAKULAM

COIMBATORE

ERNAKULAM

COIMBATORE

ZTE Media Gateway

ZTESoft Switch

Data as on May'08

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Take Away Slide

In today's expanding competitive landscape, service providers should start looking towards NGN networks to achieve operational cost benefits and provide service differentiation to attract and retain customers TCTS Portfolio of expertise
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. First phase of national NGN deployment completed End-to-end roll-out involving vendor evaluation,deployment,service migration Team possesses requisite skill-sets and expertise of a large scale NGN deployment Further plans to roll-out NGN on an international platform Introduction of additional value-added services on NGN in future

Value Proposition for Carriers

1. 2. 3.
a. b. c. d. e. f.

Deliver end-to-end or any specific sub-function for NGN deployment Smooth migration of services from existing network to NGN Identify & launch new services on NGN
IP Centrex Voice VPN Voice over Broadband Multimedia Conferencing Unified Messaging Video on demand

Data as on May'08

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Glossary
NGN : Next Generation Networks IP: Internet Protocol MPLS : Multi Protocol Label switching SIP : Session Initiation Protocol POTS: Plain Old Telephone service SDH: Synchronous Digital Hierarchy OFC: Optical Fibre Cable DLC: Digital Loop Carrier RLU: Remote Line Unit WLL: Wireless Local Loop SCP: Secure Copy STP: Signalling Transfer Point SBC: Session Border Controller IAD: Integrated Access Device MG: Media Gateway MSAN: Multiservice Access Node SG: Signalling Gateway MGC: Media Gateway Controller BHCA: Busy Hour Call Attempts IN: Intelligent Networks NMS: Network Management System VAS: Value Added Services

Data as on May'08

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Thank You

2008 Tata Communications Transformation Services, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.