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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS |
Ensuring QoE for your 3G Subscriber
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Role of AAA in WiMAX The reference architecture, service flexibility and mobility supported by WIMAX demands a robust AAA server.
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Moving to Next Generation Networks
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Role of CSN and challenges addressed n WiMAX 802.16e Ecosystem
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Role of CSN and challenges addressed in WiMAX 802.16e Ecosystem
World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) reduces the barriers to widespread broadband access that is standard based compliant wireless solutions engineered to deliver fixed and mobile services such as Voice over IP (VoIP), messaging, video, streaming media, and other IP traffic. WiMAX Technology enables the delivery of wireless broadband access as an alternative to fixed cable and DSL technologies. Many companies are closely examining WiMAX for "last mile" connectivity as it provides access to mobile wireless Internet economically and easily in regions where wire-line infrastructure is either non-existent or only accessible to a small part of the population and where the current broadband technologies cannot reach feasibly. The resulting competition may bring lower pricing for both home and business customers and bring broadband access to places where it has been economically unavailable.
WiMAX delivers high-speed wireless internet access over large coverage areas. This technology is 3 - 5 times faster and 5 times more cost effective than existing 3G technologies. WiMAX, based on IEEE 802.16e, supports both fixed and mobile applications at the same time delivering higher levels of service, allowing the user to access internet on the move. |
| Types Of WiMAX |
| There are two types of WiMAX: Fixed and Mobile. |
- Fixed WiMAX - based on IEEE 802.16-2004 standard Suitable for delivering wireless last mile access for fixed broadband services, like DSL or cable modem service.
- Mobile WiMAX - based on IEEE 802.16-2005 standard For both fixed and mobile applications with improved performance and capacity while
adding full mobility.
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WiMAX has a definite advantage over fixed cable and DSL technologies and it is going to change the way people would communicate in future.
However, such an opportunity brings with it some unique challenges, which have to be tackled to make WiMAX commercially viable. While
providing a plethora of services and applications, Service Providers deploying WiMAX need to understand that the decisions they make with
regard to the CSN Platformcan have a significant impact on their WiMAX business and service rollout. |
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| Key Challenges |
| AAA requirements and expectations specific toWiMAX 802.16e |
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| An integrated policy engine and database that supports flexible network, service, and user policies defined at many levels of granularity including domains, user groups, individual users, and wholesale and retail subscriber bases and new business models, to allow flexible service creation and reduce management overhead. |
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| A centralized, network-wide subscriber management system that gives Service Providers the ability to centrally manage all subscribers, create comprehensive profiles that define access entitlements across all available services and networks, and avoid re-provisioning subscribers into multiple databases as new network types are integrated. A unified subscriber view also enables fast, flexible service creation that leads to other revenue opportunities. |
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| Mobile IP Key derivation - Mobile IP (MIPv4 OR MIPv6) is the Technology used to maintain the Session during the handoffs and Legacy AAA servers do not typically support mobile IP (MIP). Derivation & Distribution of Mobility Keys and other Keys is the Main Challenge for AAA to protect Interface between MS & BS and to Protect Mobile IP Signaling. |
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| Accounting&Scalability requirements - AAA servers in Wi-Fi networks are used for authentication once per session while authentication for WiMAX may occur a number of times during a session because of the nature of mobile service, hence AAA should be scalable to handle multiple instances per session. Two types of accounting methods are used in WiMAX 802.16e, they are IP Session based and PD Flow based accounting AAA should be capable enough to process both because In IP based accounting single accounting record would be generated but in Flow based for every Flow accounting a new record would be generated. |
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| Tariff Switching relates to cases where differential tariff is offered to customer based on time at which service is accessed. Implementation of Tariff Switching is quite different in case of WiMaX due to its requirement of parameters like Tariff Switch Interval (TSI) & Time Interval After Tariff Switch Update (TITSU). Typical cases like slow consumption of allocated Quota by users, and if TITSU reached, then AAA receives reauthorization request for more Quota Reservation have to be addressed. AAA and rating system will have to adopt this seamlessly so that tariff switching can be supported onWiMAX deployments. |
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| QoS (Quality of Service) Support - Unlike the simplistic QoS support in Wi-Fi for example, related only to pure bandwidth with maximum rates specified the AAA server in WiMAX must be able to provide QoS parameters to the network elements. Provisioning different QoS parameter for different service (E.g. Voice & Data) is challenge for AAA because different service would have different QoS requirements. During network authentication AAA sends the QoS profile includes the permissible number and schedule type of WiMAX service flows and permissible range of values for associated QoS parameters. |
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| Intelligent Hotlining - WiMAX needs Hotlining support for subscriber redirection to reduce revenue leakage and create new revenues from top-up services, for example- The ability to divert postpaid subscribers from their desired destination to Service Provider portal is particularly useful when requiring prepayment for services or delinquent postpaid accounts or even during account updates or other marketing activities. Intelligent Hotlining goes a step further where rules are defined based on subscriber profile and credit history and appropriate redirection is made. Hot-Lining is very evolving concept in Mobile WiMAX Standard and Mapping is open to vendorsWiMAX Solution. |
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- Subscription Activation And Device Management - WiMAX subscribers increasingly have access to a wide range of devices (laptops, smart phones, and consumer electronic devices) and purchase their devices through operator-independent retail channels. Subscribers expect that these new devices will be recognized and work seamlessly within the operator's WiMAX network, without the need to manually adjust the settings or initiate downloads. Self Provisioning with subscription activation and device management are two crucial areas where operators can differentiate themselves from their competitors.
- Pre Provisioning & Self Provisioning - In order to reduce the complexities and the time involved in provisioning and activating a customer in the network, the service provider should be able to provide pre-provisioning and self-provisioning of WiMAX CPEs. Self provisioning can be provided through webbased applications that can automate the otherwise manual coordination and communication processes. By means of self-provision, the service provider can not only reduce the internal costs but can also enhance customer satisfaction. However, accomplishing this facility means that the billing system, subscriber acquisition, device management must be integrated seamlessly to bring ease in operations and reduce response time to customer.
- Product Catalog and QoS - WiMAX provides flexibility of configuring multiple QoS parameters for each service. Service providers offering bundled services (voice & data) will have to integrate their product plans with associated QoS. For Eg: Different customer would have different service package and in that package customer would have subscribed different services so for every service QoS parameter will be different. Thus associated QoS will have to automatically get provisioned during subscriber authentication stage based on configuration done in subscriber plan.
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| Conclusion |
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| To effectively capitalize on the challenges presented by WiMAX, Service Providers need to carefully select their CSN system, it should be flexible, scalable and designed forWiMAX networks with initial deployments of a few thousand users scaling to support networks of hundreds of thousands of users. The Key components of WiMAX- AAA & OSS BSS systems must be specially designed to cater to WiMAX 802.16e solution. The solution must be a network agnostic functioning through a unified control layer that can seamlessly integrate theWiMax offering with other fixed wireless network. It makes it possible to deliver services to various customer segments from Residential Internet to Large enterprise requirements for end to end internet solutions provides service providers the functionality required to grow their business and remain competitive. |
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CRESTEL-Billing and
Revenue Management |
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