Elitecore partners with Aksh to roll out IPTV services in 20 cities
OSS/BSS: Experts Speak!
OSS / BSS : The Next Wave
Elitecore claims OSS / BSS contract from Aksh for IPTV services
Past Events
IPTV India 2009 - International Conference
Elitecore was invited as Speaker to IPTV India 2009 that focused on successful business strategies & solutions for new age television experience - IPTV. As the first OSS/ BSS vendor to roll out IPTV project in India. Elitecore was invited to address the role of OSS BSS for a seamless IPTV experience to the customer & increased ARPU for the operators.
In Spotlight : Device Management in WiMAX Networks
Over the air provisioning and Device Management a key factor for success of WiMAX Networks
Many different devices will be enabled by WiMAX technologies, such as notebooks, ultra mobile devices (UMD), handsets, and consumer electronics. It promises anytime, anywhere access to data, mobility based true broadband experience for the subscribers. However the typicality in a WiMAX network is that there are 2 types of Devices that get enabled, the first is pre-provisioned devices which are in control of the operator as the inventory is maintained by the operator, the second type of device is approved devices available in the market but not pre-provisioned by the operator here the service and devices are managed separately.
In the second scenario The Telecom operators only provides the service to the end user- subscriber which is not connected to any device, thus he has no control on the devices that need to be authorized in the network. This saves cost as he does not maintain any inventory of device but increases complexity as the operator has no control on the device his network has to authorize.
For e.g.: The subscriber buys a WiMAX enabled laptop from a dealer of his choice, the device or chip is not pre- provisioned in the laptop, unlike in GSM or CDMA network where the SIM cards available in the market are pre-provisioned by the operators and the inventory is maintained by the operator.
A WiMAX service provider would require a dynamic over the air provisioning & device management solution to configure activate, enable subscription, and manage these approved but not pre provisioned devices. This makes over the air provisioning and device management a key factor for success of WiMAX Networks.
Device Management: OMA - DM
The process of remotely managing device settings and applications is called Device Management. For the operators this enables a fast and easy way to introduce new services and manage provisioned services, by dynamically adjusting to changes and ensuring a certain level of quality of service. OMA DM provides an integrated and extensible framework for the OTA device management.
Device management is intended to support the following typical uses:
Provisioning - Configuration of the device (including first time use), enabling and disabling features
Configuration of Device - Allow changes to settings and parameters of the device
Software Upgrades - Provide for new software and/or bug fixes to be loaded on the device, including applications and system software.
Fault Management - Report errors from the device, query about status of device
Over the Air provisioning for service activation
When trying to connect to a WiMAX network through a non provisioned device, The end user/ subscriber expects a speedy process for service activation. Once the device is powered up, the end user should be able to select from a menu of available WiMAX service providers, provide personal and billing information, and offer the unique device ID and start using the service. The operator’s role in activating the service is supported through over -the-air provisioning.that helps operator automate service activation.
Over the Air provisioning solution allows service providers enable real time self service activation and real time device management. Over the Air provisioning describes the ability to download and install firmware on demand over the wireless network on the subscriber laptop, PC or any other end user device. Over the Air provisioning benefits operators through improved subscriber experience, as it is now quick and fast. It also reduces opex for operators through reduced device support and repair costs , increases data Services ARPU through higher margins on data Services.
New devices are detected at the time of activation and the required firmware can be automatically and remotely installed by the operator. The firmware and device configuration settings are pushed to the device to enable the services that the subscriber has selected. The ability to push firmware to the end-user device helps reduce customer support workload and cost for the operator. Firmware updates can be automatically downloaded to the device regularly to reflect service changes or to support more advanced functionality.
User and Device Authentication
In a typical WiMAX network the end user/ subscriber powers up the device and selects from a list of available NAP’s/ WiMAX service providers, then provides personal and billing information, and offer the unique device ID and will want to start using the service. This process has to be smooth and seamless for the subscribers, at the operator end it entails the following steps.
User Authentication
The network send the Authentication request to AAA server.
AAA verifies encrypted public key and certificate received in authentication request.
It checks in the database for user credentials, If the user identity exists it check for balance availability in user account. If the balance is low it Hotline the subscriber to a payment gateway to top up the account and start using the service.
In an event when subscriber account balance is sufficient and details are successfully authenticated it response back with WiMAX QoS & starts session.
For update on software and firmware details AAA will communicate with 3rd party software server.
AAA will push the firmware updates to OMA - DM server from where the user can download software from server and install/upgrade device.
In case of a new user, the subscriber is given a hotlining session and redirected to operator portal from where the susbscriber selects the service plan of his choice and is then redirected to a payment gateway where he can pay for the service.
User and device are provisioned in the OMA-DM server and then in the database.
Upon device activation and start of session the OMA- DM server pushes the required firmware to the subscriber.
The end-user is authenticated, security keys are exchanged, and the broadband connection is enabled.
Device Authentication
When user enters into network its device will be authorized through device base authentication by AAA server. Operator will request the end user to enter their unique device ID. The device ID is typically a combination of the MAC address and the serial number of the device.
In case of a new device, it will be auto provisioned by EliteAAA Device Manager. AAA Device Manager pushes the relative profile on the device after successful user creation or user authentication. The system will provision the device onto the AAA and Home Agent (HA).
For update on software and firmware details, AAA will communicate with 3rd Party Software Management Server.
3rd Party Software Management Server will send software or firmware updates to AAA, which will be pushed to OMA-DM Sever.
Subscriber can download software or update firmware from server and install/upgrade device.
