Nokia Solutions and Networks
iSON
Executive Summary
Automation to manage network complexity
Mobile broadband networks are being expanded and upgraded rapidly, with new
technologies and network layers introduced to keep pace with booming traffic and
its growing unpredictability. This is leading to more complex operational
processes that will be increasingly difficult for conventional manual network
management to handle. It is clear that unless Self Organizing Networks (SON)
automation is introduced, network operational costs may rise substantially and
the customer experience could suffer.
The Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) iSON (intelligent SON) solution helps
an operator to assess the best deployment and process alignment strategies;
implement new network elements with plug and-play simplicity; automate key
operational tasks; ready the network for new devices, network technologies and
services; and automatically optimize some of the network’s key quality
parameters.
With network management requiring an increasingly high level of expertise, iSON
will evolve the roles of network operations engineers. The need for expert input
and ultimate control will remain. However, iSON will automate repetitive tasks,
while also helping with those requiring knowledge, experience and insight,
resulting in higher network performance and efficiency.
The NSN iSON portfolio comprises four key components – iSON Radio, iSON
Core, iSON Operations and professional iSON Services.
iSON Radio
Radio access networks comprise complex combinations of cells, frequencies,
technologies and layers that require smart optimization and network
management. iSON Radio automates the configuration, healing and optimization
of such networks.
By automating the management of Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets), iSON
enhances their interworking and mobility. With tools to manage and interoperate
multiple layers and technologies, iSON ensures small cells interwork with the
macro layer, even in a multivendor environment.
Other key SON functions are traffic steering and mobility management. Traffic
steering directs traffic to a particular radio access technology (RAT) or layer to
enable operators to optimize their resources, improve the way users experience
services and minimize power consumption. Traffic steering works hand-in-hand
with mobility management to ensure a reasonable number of handovers and
eliminate radio link failures. It also considers other factors such as the capabilities
of the terminals and network and the load in different RATs and layers.
iSON
Executive Summary
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NSN Intelligent SON (iSON) now also stands for Integrated SON. Today, most
network operating processes are well established. It can be hard to identify the
right time and place to intervene by starting to implement automation to raise
efficiency and reduce complexity. Process integrated SON addresses exactly that
- it enables SON support for operator process sub-entities like site creation, as
well as services to support the taking into use of SON.
NSN iSON is not just smart software, but a solution for secure, fast and structured
SON implementation and operations, with minimal disruption to daily operations.
For instance, one major European operator used Automated Site Creation to
save 1,300 days of working time for a 10,000 eNB network integration project.
iSON is a mature, hybrid architecture solution that goes beyond existing
standards to bring substantial benefits. An example from a typical European
operator shows more than 100 M€ savings from revenue retention, and lower
OPEX and CAPEX. Meanwhile in Japan, KDDI used multivendor iSON as the key
enabler for its iPhone5 launch. iSON operates the country-wide multivendor KDDI
network with eCSFallBack, Automated Neighbor Relations and Mobility
Robustness handover Optimization. The resulting benefits include 32% reduction
in handover failures during NSN field trials, halved call set-up time, improved
mobile device battery life and faster roll-out time with 8,000 sites per month to
achieve a commercial LTE service.
iSON Core
With SON automation creating more efficient radio access networks, it’s important
to ensure that the core network does not become congested and cause a
bottleneck. iSON Core introduces automation that helps operators to proactively
detect, analyze and react to changes in traffic demand and network status. It
enables the network to respond automatically to fluctuating traffic loads by
dynamically allocating core network resources.
Ranging from automated, event-based, real-time actions, to automated element
configuration, iSON Core’s self-aware, self-adapting capabilities monitor and help
to prevent harmful bottlenecks caused by traffic peaks and special events like
maintenance activities.
Core network investments are used to their maximum for a rapid Return on
Investment, while increased automation improves operational efficiency and
network stability.
iSON Core comprises two levels:
• Automated network management for traffic load balancing, optimized transport
capacity distribution and Mobile Core self-healing functions.
iSON
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• Automated network operations management and flexible allocation of
resources, for example processing capacity, from virtualized hardware running
different core network software applications.
iSON Core is implemented in two main streams. As a distributed function, iSON
Core runs in the core network elements. When iSON Core needs to collect,
analyze and react across the whole network, then centralized intelligence is
needed. This is called the Core Networks Productivity Suite (CNPS). The CNPS
can reside on a NetAct OSS system platform, on independent stand-alone
servers, as part of Operations on Demand NOC automation framework or in the
Cloud.
Network automation can be supervised closely and extended at a pace controlled
by the operator through SON Operations Manager. The total cost of ownership of,
for instance, SGSNs or Serving Gateways, is reduced by up to 30%, while
transmission costs between radio and packet core elements related to overdimensioning used in a traditional approach can be saved by 50% or more by
identifying and selecting co-located network elements to avoid the unnecessary
use of mobile backhaul.
Spare transmission capacity in the A-interface can be reduced by up to 25%. Call
route optimization (Least Cost Routing) saves up to 10% of annual interconnect
fees.
iSON Operations
iSON Manager is an important member of the iSON family because it steers SON
automation. As an integral part of NSN’s simplified operations, iSON Manager
provides a single point of operations for SON – control, coordination, stop points,
transparency, consistency checking, task management, reporting and
prioritization for all simultaneously active SON functions. iSON Manager
optimizes the use of SON intelligence in the network and enables the SON
management functions to be allocated between individual teams across and
according to the operator organization. With iSON Manager, automation in even
the largest networks can be managed by only one or two people.
iSON Services
NSN offers extensive professional services for iSON, which can be tailored and
customized to fit the strategic objectives of the operator and the individual
characteristics of each and every network. Networks Global Services helps
operators to maximize this potential.
iSON Services include Consulting, Installation, Integration and Optimization that
takes into account the different needs of every network to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of SON. Based on an operator’s network criteria and
iSON
Executive Summary
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strategic objectives, SON integration and optimization is implemented and made
operational, saving OPEX and ensuring an improved customer experience.
NSN runs some 1,300 network planning and optimization projects around the
world each year, ensuring operators receive holistic, expert customization and
consultation for SON automation when required.
To sum up, iSON is the most complete and innovative SON solution available. Its
holistic approach with radio and core, unique SON Operations and extensive
professional services for SON consultation and customization, maximize the
benefits of SON. NSN is already delivering mature SON applications for core and
radio. This gives an operator end-to-end visibility and control of its network quality
and capacity.
iSON
Executive Summary
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Nokia Solutions and Networks
P.O. Box 1
FI-02022
Finland
Visiting address:
Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland
Switchboard +358 71 400 4000
Product code: C401-00818-ES-201310-1-EN
©2013 Nokia Solutions and Networks. All rights reserved.
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