Category: Publications

NGMN Publication

Backhaul Provisioning for LTE-Advanced & Small Cells

This paper considers transport capacity provisioning in LTE-Advanced (release 10) heterogeneous networks. It builds on the detailed analyses in LTE release 8 homogenous macrocells networks presented in NGMN’s “Guidelines for LTE Backhaul Traffic Estimation”, and also in “Small Cell Backhaul Requirements”. These works showed that backhaul traffic per cell site can be characterised by a ‘busy time’ loaded figure and a ‘quiet time’ peak. Perhaps counter-intuitively, the highest data rates seen on a last mile backhaul link occur during the light loading conditions needed to achieve the ‘headline’ peak user data rates. When the whole network is busy, inter-cell interference and users with a range of signal qualities result in lower cell average throughput figures. For the LTE downlink, peak rates are around 4-6x the busy time mean. When provisioning transport for the ‘last mile’ to the base station, the peak can dominate. When provisioning for aggregates of several cells towards the core network, the busy time mean dominates.

NGMN Publication

Future IMT Spectrum Goals for ITU WRC-15

This document presents the views of NGMN on the future IMT spectrum for discussion at WRC-15.

A press release was issued by NGMN on this matter on 21 October 2015 entitled NGMN Press Release for WRC-15.

NGMN Publication

Project NGCOR: Inventory Management Query Summary Report

This document is a summary of a query addressed to OSS vendors in December 2014 about NGCOR requirement implementation status on the Inventory management area. It is not representing an NGMN position, but merely a summary of the feedback received from several vendors. The answers in this summary are not weighted in any way.

NGMN Publication

Project RAN Evolution: Multi-RAT Joint Radio Operation (MRJRO)

This document presents the motives and business benefits of MRJRO, primarily centered around the dominance of multi-RAT deployment scenarios and the potential performance gains due to enhanced resource utilization with MRJRO. Based on MRJRO requirements, the hardware, reliability, adaptation and implementation requirements to introduce both semi-dynamic and fully dynamic MRJRO are specified. The constraints that stand in the way of MRJRO, mainly the introduction of Inter-RAT intercell Interference (IRI) and the management of control signaling in fully dynamic MRJRO, are also studied.

NGMN Publication

Project RAN Evolution: Backhaul and Fronthaul Evolution

Mobile network operators (MNOs) are seeking efficient ways to increase the overall capacity coverage of their networks. NGMN took the lead in the definition of new RAN architectures and in the different options to improve the overall efficiency of the RAN evolution process. Concepts such as C-RAN, CoMP Carrier Aggregation and Multi-RAN address improved spectrum and resource utilizations for various scenarios. The discussion on RAN evolution also needs to address the surge in expected transport capacity, whether it is for the backhaul or the fronthaul. This paper discusses the different transport options and the relationship with traditional and emerging RAN topologies.

NGMN Publication

Project RAN Evolution: CoMP Evaluation and Enhancement

In existing commercial and trial LTE networks, testing results show that the inter-cell interference is very severe. CoMP is an important feature to cope with the inter-cell interference from operators’ point of view. In this white paper, CoMP field trial testing results are shared and different enhanced CoMP schemes are compared. Moreover, a recommendation and a guideline from operators’ point of view are required to drive 3GPP to further enhance CoMP air-interface and network standardization.

NGMN Publication

Project RAN Evolution: Further Study on Critical C-RAN Technologies

This document aims to provide the industry the guidance on solution design of mainly three key technologies which are critical to C-RAN’s realization: function split solutions for fronthaul design, efficient DU pool design and IT virtualization implementation for C-RAN. In addition, three prototypes are also presented to demonstrate either the feasibility and performance of the technologies or the advanced features that C-RAN can support, e.g. CoMP.

NGMN Publication

Project RAN Evolution: Fronthaul Requirements for C-RAN

This document specifies the requirements on fronthaul solutions which are essential to enable C-RAN deployment on a large scale. In particular, this document addresses the requirements on the following aspects.

  • Basic requirements
  • Performance
  • Topology
  • Reliability & QoS
  • O&M
  • Network sharing
  • Miscellaneous
NGMN Publication

NGMN 5G White Paper

Barcelona, Spain – NGMN outlines in the White Paper its vision for 5G empowering value creation through new use cases and being enabled by sustainable business models. Therefore, the capabilities of the network need to be expanded to support much greater throughput, lower latency and higher connection density. To cope with a wide range of use cases and business models, 5G has to provide a high degree of flexibility and scalability by design. In addition, it should show foundational shifts in cost and energy efficiency. On the end-user side, a key requirement for 5G will be that a consistent customer experience is achieved across time and service footprint. NGMN envisages a 5G eco-system that is truly global, free of fragmentation and open for innovations. The commercial introduction of 5G is expected to vary from operator to operator; however, NGMN encourages the ecosystem players to work towards availability of global and commercial solutions by 2020.

NGMN Publication

NGMN Open OAM-IRP Ensembles Recommendations

From their Release 99 onwards, 3GPP / SA5 adopted a new methodology to specify OA&M interfaces between Element Management System (EMS) and Network Element System (NMS). In their Management Reference Architecture, this interface is known as the Itf-N Interface.

There is a need to define « Ensembles » / « Profiles » / « Packages », i.e. some grouping of IRPs to determine which IRPs are needed in a given network management application profile. It is obvious that the subset of IRPs needed for Bulk Configuration Management of an LTE network will be different from the subset of IRPs needed for Fault Management of an EPC network.

The objective of this document is to present the IRP Ensemble concept, i.e. what it is and why it is important for MNOs but also for Telecom Equipment Manufacturers and 3rd-party tool vendors.