Easing Offload-Small Cell Backhaul

www.canar.sd
From Backhaul Perspective
Easing Offload from Macro to Micro-cells
By : Ahmed Mohammed Hassan Suliman
Canar Telecommunications Company Ltd.
Global Footprint
Canar is the Sudanese
subsidiary of Etisalat Group,
Etisalat is present in 16
countries across Africa, Asia
& the Middle East.
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Why we offload data ?
Higher traffic load
Higher capacity
Needed
Higher capacity
density
•Growing
smartphone
Penetration
• More base stations
•Multi-device
subscribers
• New technologies
• Traffic load
unevenly
distributed across
footprint and time
of day.
• Multiple interfaces
• Two directions:
•More applications
•Higher persubscriber traffic
Source : Senza Fili
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
• More spectrum
•Effective traffic
management
- Dense metro
Areas.
- Indoor coverage
(home, office)
Source : eMarketer
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Where we offload ?
This is a difficult and costly alternative, because spectrum is a
finite resource and one that is scarce. Getting more of it often
entails attempting to buy or barter for spectrum from an existing
license-holder.
This option involves supplementing the macro-cellular network of
large outdoor cell towers. Femtocell equipment is constituting
very small cellular base stations they are far less expensive than
full size cell towers and can be quickly and easily installed
exactly where signal sources are needed to plug coverage gaps
and give more capacity .
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
3-Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi networks is proving easier and more economical for carriers than the above two
alternatives.

Wi-Fi networks operate at multimegabit speeds in unlicensed, rather than licensed, spectra , this
means that use of these airwaves is free of charge to whoever builds the Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Because most smart phones and tablets contain both cellular and Wi-Fi radios, subscribers can
use either type of network. If the mobile network operator has put the appropriate back-end
infrastructure in place, subscribers can move between the two network types automatically as
traffic loads warrant without having to do anything special.

Wi-Fi infrastructure equipment is orders of magnitude less expensive than cell tower equipment
and has been reinforced with carrier-grade features and redundancy.

Because Wi-Fi can be installed inexpensively, swiftly and without spectrum licenses, it has
emerged as a particularly attractive strategy to address today’s immediate 3G offload and
looming 4G offload requirements
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Before we offload

A common authentication method that works across multiple mobile access
networks, including GPRS, EDGE, CDMA, UMTS, HSPA, LTE and Wi-Fi.

A unified subscriber management system, billing system and user database that
are accessible by both cellular and Wi-Fi connections.

Unified subscriber policies for 3G/4G and Wi-Fi to ensure a consistent user
experience on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

Ability of client devices to automatically select 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity
depending on various parameters like signal strength and traffic load.

Ability of client devices to seamlessly roam between 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks
without dropped connections when crossing network borders.

Enough available capacity in the Wi-Fi network to handle offloaded traffic from the
service provider’s 3G/4G network.
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Backhaul Challenges
Capacity
Cost
LOS
Cost
Interference
Installation
Backhaul Requirements
Source : Senza Fili
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Zero Footprint Design(a single-box form factor)
Smart integration of small cell sites into existing backhaul access points
can help lower operator footprint.
‘Zero footprint’ designs are highly desirable for network operators, as they
reduce both installation and site rental costs.
Typical small cell sites should be suited for deployment atop street poles
and traffic lights, or mountable on rooftops and walls.
For many operators, a one-box form factor (small cell and backhaul module,
with antenna in the same enclosure) is a desirable or required form factor.
. short, successful small-cell deployments require integrated solutions that
In
offer small footprints, easy installation, and a cost-effective price structure
Ahmed M Hassan Canar-Sudan
Macro/Small Cells Basic Topology
Macro Cells Network
Small Cells with aggregation a macro sites
Aggregation Point
Macro Cell
Small Cell