https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=VlzuxMR2xQ4 Intermediate: Mobile

Network Sharing

Multi Operator Radio Access Network

MORAN-Multi Operator Radio Access Network, the name implies the sharing
of RAN of two operators. MORAN is mainly used for coverage expansion with
less hardware cost.

RAN sharing was standardized from Rel.6.

In two scenarios we can go for MORAN.

o 2 Operators are having their own networks in an area.

o Only single operator present in an area. 2nd Operator does not have their
presence.
In both scenarios finally expansion of footprint is the main aim for
implementing MORAN.

Scenario-1:
If 2 operators are having their presence in an area, there may be some
locations where two operators will have coverage overlap and some locations
two operators will have exclusive coverage. So to maximize the coverage area
we can select the exclusive coverage sites for MORAN implementation.

If Operator-B is taking a site form Operator-A through MORAN that site will
be like a new site for Operator-B.
Scenario-2:
If only one operator is present and 2nd operator does not have coverage then
this is totally a new coverage for the seeker operator.
How MORAN works:
In Moran both networks will use same radio equipment, same transmission
equipment and bandwidth till the MSC of host network. A connection is
established between MSC to MSC of both networks which is called NNI –
Network Network Inter-connectivity.

The only thing that we have to define is PLMN of both networks in the same
cell. If operating frequency of the 2 operators is same (e.g. both operators are
having same spectrum 1800MHz band) then we do not need any extra
hardware in a cell.Just we have to define PLMN separately and in BSC this
option is available.

If both operators are having different frequency spectrum (e.g. one at

1800MHz and1 at 900 MHz band) and the existing equipment (Antenna and
radio) does not support both spectrum then we have to add additional
antenna and radio baseband unit.

Transmission media will be same in both cases. Just we have to check that
host network has enough transmission bandwidth to support the expected
traffic of the seeker operator.
 If expected total traffic of the seeker and the host site is more than current
traffic handling capacity of the host site, then capacity augmentation would
be required. For GSM addition of TRX and for 3G and 4G addition of
additional bandwidth (e.g. License up gradation from 10MHz to 15Mhz
bandwidth).

Implementation of MORAN:
We can take an example how practically MORAN can be implemented. We are
taking this example for a single site for GSM MORAN.

o Site – A (Host site) and Site-B (Seeker site)

o BSC of Site-A is BSC-A, and Site-B is BSC-B.
o Core of Site-A is Core-A and Site-B is Core-B.
If we consider a scenario where both operator operates in different
frequency band need additional antenna and radio unit.

Configuration in Host BSC:

o Some features need to implement in the BSC

o Multiple PLMN support in BSS

o Multiple CN support
BSC and Core connectivity:
BSC-A needs to be connected to Core-B (CS/PS) via NNI.
Site-B cells will be visible in Site-A OSS as these cells are part of BSC-A.

Though this process looks very simple, yet so many definitions and
configurations required in both host and seeker network.Additional hardware
not required, but involvement and configuration required atRF, Transmission
and core end. Once for the 1st time a sample site implementation successfully
completed then further tasks become simpler.
So through MORAN concept we can reduce effective cost of a BTS site and
without new BTS/Base station we can expand our network coverage
footprint.