Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Zone

Scalable, cost-effective Flexi Zone tackles the tidal wave of data.

The number of mobile internet users will surpass desktop users within three years*. With smartphone-enabled 3G, social networking, video streaming and VoIP on the horizon, a storm of data is heading operators way. Faster radio access technology can help LTE will deliver between four and ten times todays capacity but there is a physical limit on how much further future generations of radio technology can improve capacity using the same spectrum. The limited technical improvements that will be available, such as fighting interference and complex upgrades to antennas, may not be practical in all markets.

way wont be feasible for many operators. Instead, theyre increasingly looking for other network topologies and delivery mechanisms to provide more cost-effective ways of easing the load on their existing infrastructure. Operators are therefore exploring the possibility of deploying networks of smaller cells to underlay the macro network and effectively increase the density of coverage. Offloading traffic to these small-cell networks increases capacity and performance by reducing the number of subscribers on each macro cell. Fewer people draw on the networks resources and performance improves, delivering a better experience for every user. However, deploying tens or hundreds of thousands of small cells brings significant new challenges. For example, the extra control traffic generated in these heterogeneous networks could swamp the transport and core networks, there will be substantial interference between the macro- and small-cell networks and backhaul bottlenecks must be avoided. Heterogeneous networks are also far more complex than traditional macro networks, so some form of selforganization will be required to automate many of the usual manual processes involved in controlling and optimizing network operations. Flexi Zone from Nokia Siemens Networks uses a unique architecture to solve all these challenges and deliver a series of unique benefits.

Lighten the load with Flexi Zone

The Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Zone suite is a 3G/LTE/WiFi-capable cellular solution engineered to offload traffic from the macro network and increase capacity by providing co-ordinated underlay networks at a street and indoor level, both for individual subscribers and enterprises. Flexi Zone features a zone covered by a cluster of low-power access points connected to a local controller. This configuration enables operators to provide a remarkably rich user experience while offloading unwanted data traffic from their macro and core networks. Flexi Zone is a safe investment because its easy to scale to satisfy changing capacity and performance demands. Whats more, it lightens the backhaul load and impact on the EPC (Evolved Packet Core), manages radio frequency interference and simplifies operation. All that adds up to a total cost of ownership (TCO) thats considerably lower than for conventional macro and small-cell deployments. Equipped with powerful features such as local policy definition and enforcement, Flexi Zone can also provide excellent service to enterprises with converged mobile and private LAN access.

Up to 5x the number of BTS sites will be required by 2015.

Whats more, even with these increases, its only a matter of time before exponential traffic growth begins to outpace the technology. Current estimates predict that traffic volumes will shoot up 1,000 times by 2020. Might cell-splitting (deploying more sites) be the answer? With massive pressure on costs, augmenting the traditional network infrastructure in this

*According to Morgan Stanley.

Scalable, cost-effective Flexi Zone tackles the tidal wave of data

The challenges of building a small-cell underlay

Backhaul connectivity
Perf, cost & complexity

Offloading & local routing / policy

Backhaul / EPC impact

Macro layer / coexistence

Interference, coordination

Security & service availability

EPC impact
100 k cells... signaling load

Optimization
100 k cells...

Performance
Macro collaboration

Ease of installation
100 k cells...

Mobility / quality of service

Transparent to user

Electrical power

Management
100 k cells...

An end-to-end approach is imperative.

Family of solutions
There are two key elements at the heart of Flexi Zone the Flexi Zone access point and the Flexi Zone controller. This cost-effective and reliable solution is fully integrated with the Nokia Siemens Networks NetAct management platform and complements the Macro Flexi BTS, Flexi Lite and Home Femto solutions well. Flexi Zone is also the small-cell cornerstone of the Nokia Siemens Networks Liquid Radio heterogeneous network solution. A Flexi Zone access point can also run as a stand-alone pico LTE base station to address highly localized hot spots. If the area later becomes a heavily used hot zone, the access point can be software-upgraded and a controller can be added to convert it into a full-fledged Flexi Zone.

The concept of small cell deployment is also gaining traction. Coverage will be the main driver through 2012, while capacity will become more important from 2013. Operators in densely populated mature markets are expected to lead the way, with the rest of the world catching up as emerging markets continue to develop. Flexi Zone will be ready to be deployed in conjunction with the Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi base station at the macro-network level, providing a co-ordinated, multi-layer heterogeneous network complete with self-organizing network (SON) capabilities.

Flexi Zone is set to become the benchmark for a new kind of solution. It will help operators add capacity to existing macro networks and boost the subscriber experience by pro-actively adapting their network capabilities in advance of evolving wireless broadband trends. In other words, it enables operators to always offer a best-in-class user experience with the lowest TCO.

Macro eNodeB
+ Alternative location for Flexi Zone controller

Flexi Zone controller Flexi Zone egress point

When and where?

Flexi Zone will be available commercially by the end of 2012. Customer trials are already taking place, and Nokia Siemens Networks is running its own demonstration network in Arlington Heights (a suburb of Chicago). Flexi Zone egress point

Flexi Zone outdoor AP

Scalable, cost-effective Flexi Zone tackles the tidal wave of data

Nokia Siemens Networks P.O. Box 1 FI-02022 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS Finland Visiting address: Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland Switchboard +358 71 400 4000 (Finland) Switchboard +49 89 5159 01 (Germany)
Copyright 2012 Nokia Siemens Networks. All rights reserved. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation, Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG. The wave logo is a trademark of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy. Other company and product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respective owners, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only. This publication is issued to provide information only and is not to form part of any order or contract. The products and services described herein are subject to availability and change without notice.

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