Squire Technologies: Rolling Out A VoLTE Network

www.squire-technologies.com

August 2016

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Squire Technologies Rolling out a VoLTE networkLessons Learned


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Complexity

► “VoLTE network deployment is one of the most difficult projects ever, the implementation complexity and workload is unparalleled in history”

China Mobile Group, Vice President, Mr Liu Aili

Some thoughts on complexity …


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VoLTE progress ..

► 422 commercial LTE networks across 143 countries worldwide ( Amdocs Sept 2015 )

► 80% of all 4G-LTE Connections are in the US, South Korea and Japan ( Amdocs Sept 2015 )

► 25 Commercial VoLTE launches, 80 planned ( Amdocs Sept 2015 )

How many ? Where ? When ?


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Why is VoLTE finally being rolled out ?

► Struggled to find real business case ► HD Voice► Extended battery life► Faster call setup

► The rise of VoWiFi and ViWiFi► Apple adds support for VoWiFi and VoLTE to iOS 8 - September 2014► Provides near 100% voice coverage for LTE subscribers► Provides a secure means of connecting to mobile networks► Reduces radio bandwidth► Solve / Stop Gap Solution to Roaming ?

► Native support for VoLTE on handset starts the fight back against the OTT

VoLTE at last …


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Who is rolling out VoLTE?

► Two types of carrier :-► Carrier A – full end-to-end test in labs of all network

types, all technologies, all handsets, all vendors and then full launch

► Carrier B – prepared to do a staggered rollout of services in order to capture market share and take advantage of “emerging technologies”.

VoLTE. Who ?


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Live VoLTE rollout

► Smile owns and operates mobile wireless 4G LTE broadband networks in Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda – combined market potential of 300 million subscribers

► Was the first 4G LTE network in Africa in 2012► Raised US $365 million in 2015 to fund expansion► Wanted to rollout and support VoLTE, ViLTE,VoWiFi,ViWiFi► Developed softphone App

► Support for off-net subscribers over WiFi► Support for subscribers without VoLTE handset► Allow subscribers to use service on tablets , PC’s – “Presence”, “Follow-Me” service

► Support for messaging – SMS across 4G <-> 2G,3G► Network rollout commenced in April 2015► Nov 2015 – “Smile has developed interconnect platforms with our key provider,

Squire Technologies, to allow us to achieve full interconnect nationally and internationally to any network “ Tom Allen CTO

Smile Group – South Africa


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So who are Squire Technologies ?The Signalling Specialists to the Telecoms Industry.


► Formed in 2001 with HQ in the UK ► Signalling Specialists – SS7, VoIP, NGN and VoLTE /

IMS► Provide a range of products and end-to-end solutions

along with the associated to insure successful deployment and ongoing support

► Deployed in over 90 countries worldwide► Deliver to carriers in the fixed and mobile space, ISPs,

systems integrators and telecom equipment suppliers


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Technology Timeline

20152013

20112009

20052004

2001

VoLTE

MGCF - IWF

SBC

SMS Gateways

MG

MGC

CompanyFormation

8 I

2006 SoftSwitch

SS7

SIP / H.323 SIGTRAN

DIAMETER

RADIUS

Products and Technologies

Technology

MAP - SMS

2016 DSCVoLTEDSC

DDos etc ..

Products

VoLTEDSC


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What were the issues ?

► Vendors, Vendors and more Vendors :-► 26 x Network Operators

► 2G► 3G► PSTN► VoIP

► 2 x Radio Network Suppliers► 3 x mobile handset manufacturers► 1 x App developer► 1 x IMS core vendor

What issues were Smile facing ?


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VoLTE is really well defined right ?

► The simple answer is YES and NO !

Why the big fuss VoLTE is specified by 3GPP ..

3GPP specs galore► IMS core network 50+ specs

containing 9000+ pages

BUT ► For VoLTE devices there are

30 pages


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Live VoLTE rollout A lot to consider

VoLTEto

2G

3G

VoIP Operators

Handsets

Apps

Messaging PSTN

Pre-Conditions


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Live VoLTE Rollout Practical Solutions

► Set up a lab to provide :-► Comprehensive test facilities► Rapid testing of new features across all

devices / apps► Regression testing on new device / app

versions► Rapid turn around on support issues► Managed rollout of new features

► Access to our R&D development team and ► Deployment of flexible subset of

Squire SVI products ..


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The Technical Solution

Live VoLTE Rollout


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Live VoLTE Rollout

► Pre-Condition Conundrums► Early Media – no “early” announcements i.e. Mobile

Number Portability► No ringtone► Forking between VoLTE and non VoLTE devices

► Softphone App► Interop and testing ► Follow-me – single number , multiple devices

Problems Solved


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SolutionHandsets

► Handset Manufacturers developing VoLTE compliant 3GPP SIP clients to 30 page specifications

► Specifications misinterpreted or just not to spec

► Differences between versions► Significant delays between

version releases


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SummaryWhat did we learn ?


► VoLTE deployment is complex ► Commercial pressure – budget + launch dates ► Solved with a combination of Squire

Technologies flexible product set and access to signaling expertise to insure :-► project delivered to timescale► project delivered to budget► ongoing development and support – LI , USSD , Rich

Communication Services ( RCS ) , additional African country rollout


Tel: +44(0)1305 757 314Email: [email protected]

Squire Technologieswww.squire-technologies.com