TECHNICAL EVALUATION REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED SMS BLASTER

AND LTE NIOB FOR MULTI-CARRIER EMERGENCY

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

I. Introduction

The Government Emergency Communications System (GECS) Project is DICT’s

response to its mandate of assisting in the dissemination of vital information essential to
disaster risk reduction management through the use of ICT. The GECS Project is a
collaboration between the DICT and the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP can
propose equipment to be incorporated into the project that is subject for approval by the
GECS project team. These proposals are to ensure that the requirements stated in the
Terms of Reference (TOR) are fulfilled. The WFP has proposed the use of SMS blasters
and LTE NIOBs for the use of the GECS Project. The following document will give the
background and specifications of said equipment as well as the recommendations of the
GECS Project Management Team on the use of these equipment.

II. Background

For the Phase 2 of the project, the WFP has proposed two (2) separate
stand-alone devices to fulfill item no 18 of the Terms of Reference (TOR): Multi-carrier
Emergency Communications System. The two separate systems proposed were an
SMS blaster system and a LTE NIOB.

The SMS blaster system is a self-contained, standalone solution that allows

sending text messages within its coverage, without any dependency on cellular service
providers nor knowing the subscriber’s numbers.

The proposed LTE NIOB is a compact, power efficient, and all-in-one system. It
includes eNodeB and LTE cores, with good radio specifications, that can also deliver
functions like switching and stand-along local operations. The following are the
functions listed herein: (1) Local VoLTE and ViLTe call; (2) MO/MT SMS; (3)
Simultaneous voice, Data and Video streaming; (4) 4-Party video conference; (5) Group
Chat; and (6) File/Image transfer.
 Furthermore, both devices are compact units that can be installed indoor or
outdoor at the pole/mast of a vehicle.

III. Data

A. Specifications

The specifications of the proposed equipment were compared to the Phase 2

TOR set by the GECS project team.

18.0 PHASE 2 TOR PROPOSED WFP

18.1.1 Architecture Distributed

18.1.2 User Supported Min. of 1000 Not specified

18.1.3 Operating Freq GSM 900 900 MHz

18.1.4 Antenna Omni Omni

18.1.5 Power Output 10 W 40 dBm (10 W)

18.1.6 Cell Radius 1 Km Not Specified

18.1.7 SMS Transmission 120 simultaneous >500 SMS per minute

18.1.8 Voice calls 15 simultaneous Not Specified

18.1.9 Portability Yes Yes

18.1.10 Backhaul IP Backhaul, RJ 45 RJ 45 Ethernet

Ethernet

18.1.11 AC Input 220V provider adapter Included

18.1.12 DC Input 12-48 V 48 V

18.1.13 Weight 10 Kg 18Kg

18.1.14 Ingress Protection IP 66 IP 65

18.1.15 Must have licensed GSM-NIOB Software
software for network SMS blaster software
management and OMC Server Software
monitoring
Software license 5
years minimum

18.1.16 Must have licensed

software for network
planning tool

18.1.17 Equipment must be typed

approved by NTC

18.1.18 Must have backup Not Specified

fabricated antenna cable
and connectors

18.1.19 Must have weather-proof Blaster unit in

light case for storage ruggedized case

Pelican Case

18.1.20 2G radio unit Specification sheet

technical
18.1.21 documents Operation manual
Table 1: Comparison for GSM 2G Radio with Phase 2 TOR

18.0 PHASE 2 TOR PROPOSED WFP

18.1.1 User Supported Min. of 1000 Not specified

18.1.2 Operating Freq All 3GPP LTE bands, TDD All #GPP LTE Bands -
and FDD, whichever is TDD and FDD
available

18.1.3 Channel Bandwidth 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz

18.1.4 Antenna Omni Omni

18.1.5 Broadband Broadband Wireless, Not Specified
54mbps

18.1.6 Power Output 2 x 1W MIMO 2 x 30 dBm (1 W)

18.1.7 Cell Radius 1 km Not Specified

18.1.8 Video/Voice calls VoLTE, ViLTE Included

18.1.9 Portability Yes Yes

18.1.10 Backhaul IP Backhaul, RJ 45 RJ 45 Ethernet

Ethernet

18.1.11 AC Input 220V w/ provider adapter Included

18.1.12 DC Input 48 V Included

18.1.13 Weight 10kg 8.8kg

18.1.14 Ingress Protection IP 66 IP 65

18.1.15 Must have licensed NIOB Software

software for network Application
planning tool Server-software
OMC server-Software
18.1.16 Must have licensed
software for network Software License 5
management and years minimum
monitoring

18.1.17 Equipment must be typed

approved by NTC

18.1.18 Must have backup Not specified

fabricated antenna cable
and connectors

18.1.19 Must have weather-proof Pelican case

flight case for storage

18.1.20 4G radio unit Specification sheet

technical
18.1.21 documents Operation manual
Table 2: Comparison for LTE NIOB with Phase 2 TOR

B. Configuration

Below are conceptual illustrations of how the SMS Blaster and LTE NIOB
will look once it is installed in the MOVE hub or even in the dispatch. The
two systems will be first pre-programmed using the laptop via ethernet
cables before it is connected to the pneumatic mast of the Hub or the
telescopic mast of the Dispatch along with its omni antenna, cable assy -
RF Jumper, and the network scan antenna.

Figure 1: Mobile Installation concept for the Hub

 Figure 2: Mobile Installation Concept for the Dispatch

IV. Evaluation

The following are the evaluations done based on the information given for the
two systems proposed by WFP.

A. POWER SUPPLY
PASS
Both stand-alone devices will be needed to be powered by the Hub or
Dispatch. However, the adapter must be compatible and easily supplied
on.

B. SPECIFICATIONS
FAIL
This is marked as fail as per the comparison table above. It is found that
not all requirements can be satisfied and other information on the systems
is not available unless changes in the TOR is done. The following are the
specific requirements of the TOR that the two systems either cannot fulfill
or lack information of.

SMS Blaster
TOR Item PHASE 2 TOR PROPOSED (WFP)

18.1.2 User Min of 1000 Not specified

Supported

18.1.6 Cell radius 1 km Not specified

18.1.8 Voice calls 15 Not specified

simultaneous

18.1.13 Weight 10 kg 18 kg (heavier)

18.1.14 Ingress IP 66 IP 65 (lower rating of

Protection protection)

18.1.18 Must have Not specified

backup
fabricated
cable and
connectors

LTE NIOB
TOR Item PHASE 2 TOR PROPOSED (WFP)

18.1.1 User Min of 1000 Not specified

Supported

18.1.5 Broadband Broadband Not specified

wireless, 54
Mbps

18.1.7 Cell radius 1km Not specified

18.1.13 Weight 10 kg 8.8 kg (lighter)

18.1.14 Ingress IP 66 IP 65 (lower rating of

Protection protection)
 18.1.18 Must have Not specified
backup
fabricated
cable and
connectors

C. MAST ATTACHMENT
INCOMPLETE
It was not clear on how the radios and its antenna can be attached to the
mast of the Hub and Dispatch. Also, it is not shown how its wiring of
ethernet and power cable will be implemented.

D. RADIO TECHNOLOGY
PASS BUT NEEDS INFORMATION ON SOME DETAILS
The technology proposed seems to deliver its intended purpose..
However, one notable concern is its network scanning capability. There is
no detailed information on how it will scan the surrounding frequencies. No
indication if it is included in the software package

V. Conclusion

While the technology proposed to the GECS project team can deliver its intended
purpose of delivering multi-carrier emergency communications, the team cannot
properly conclude if this specific technology can be added to the MOVE set due to the
lack of information provided to the team. In terms of the given specifications, the
technology does not comply with all the specifications in the TOR such as its IP 65
rating and ability to perform network scanning.
VI. Recommendation

It is therefore recommended to meet all critical requirements of the project in

delivering its promises while taking into consideration the shortest timeline. It is practical
to request for more information about the said equipment that could make it comply with
the TOR before deciding on whether to accept it or not.

However, it should be noted that such technology is important in the operations

of the GECS project and that proper inclusion of this technology as quickly as possible
must be done in order to train personnel who can use it.

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

Anthony Jude Hermeroll Q. Aggabao Leonardo S. Sultan Jr.

ENGR I - GECS-PMT ENGR II - GECS-PMT

Endorsed by: Approved by:

Mary Nicole B. Co Rafael A. Olivar

PDO IV - GECS-PMT PM - GECS-PMT