telia carrier anticipates capacity demand for the new normal · communications capabilities for...
TRANSCRIPT
ICT SOLUTIONS & EDUCATION
VOLUME 38, ISSUE 8 www.isemag.com
AUGUST 2020
ALSO INSIDECOVID-19: Forcing Telcos to Quickly Reinvent ThemselvesThe Symbiotic Relationship Between 5G and FiberThe Power-Space Paradox at 5G Cell Sites Need Project Velocity?
Telia Carrier Anticipates Capacity Demand for the New Normal
Telia Carrier Anticipates Capacity Demand for the New Normal
© 2019 Corning Optical Communications. All rights reserved. CRR-1003-AEN / February 2019
Our future.His vision. Your network.
Is your network ready for his next big idea? Digital transformation is helping farmers make informed decisions on managing their crops and increasing productivity in their fields.
Are you ready to serve him with smart IoT agriculture solutions?
Whether you are maintaining your infrastructure to stay ahead of bandwidth demand, or investing in next-generation services that enable the connected farm to become a reality, we can meet you where you are today, and help you scale for tomorrow’s growth.
Evolve your network. Transform the world.Discover how we can helpcorning.com/ community-broadband
© 2019 Corning Optical Communications. All rights reserved. CRR-1003-AEN / February 2019
Our future.His vision. Your network.
Is your network ready for his next big idea? Digital transformation is helping farmers make informed decisions on managing their crops and increasing productivity in their fields.
Are you ready to serve him with smart IoT agriculture solutions?
Whether you are maintaining your infrastructure to stay ahead of bandwidth demand, or investing in next-generation services that enable the connected farm to become a reality, we can meet you where you are today, and help you scale for tomorrow’s growth.
Evolve your network. Transform the world.Discover how we can helpcorning.com/ community-broadband
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N4
CONTENTS
FEATURES22 Telia Carrier Anticipates Capacity
Demand for the New NormalBest Practices Include: Sophisticated Modeling, Open-Source Software, and Forward-ThinkingBy Johan Gustawsson
Learn how Telia Carrier’s engineering and architecture leader and his team work to anticipate network spikes of hyper-connectivity during the “new normal”.
28 COVID-19: Forcing Telcos to Quickly Reinvent Themselves
3 Characteristics Needed for Their Successful ReinventionBy Craig Wilson
How telcos choose to navigate the current crisis and immediate aftermath greatly determines their success in the future. Learn why.
34 The Power-Space Paradox at 5G Cell Sites
By David Michlovic
Dear Telecom Providers: What’s your plan to handle power drops at 5G cell sites? Sincerely, Your Customers.
40 Oh, the Places You’ll Go!A Look Into 6 Use Cases for CBRSBy Rikin Thakker, Mark Gibson, Eric Toenjes
Learn about 6 potential use cases for CBRS in this hyper-connected world of ours.
48 How Can Operators Deploy 5G AND Manage Mobile Video Growth?It Is Possible!By John Giere
Learn how a Middle East and Africa Mobile Provider, Zain Kuwait, solved its 168% mobile penetration challenge.
52 Need Project Velocity?Multi-Vendor Collaboration Is KeyBy Michael Measels, Justin Reid, and Kevin Wynne
Does your project management approach allow for authentic collaboration, or do you still deal with data silos?
Web-EXCLUSIVESOnly available at www.isemag.com
Surprised? Or, Not So Much?Survey of 500 Women Reveal the Challenges They FaceBy Lori Österholm
500 women were surveyed about the challenges they face in tech. Do any surprise you?
Lengthonomics?The Pillars to Prepare for Wi-Fi 6 and BeyondBy Carol E. Oliver
Providing Wi-Fi connectivity to many locations past the standards-based 100-meter rule can be a daunting design nightmare. Learn how.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in ISE magazine are those of the authors; they do not reflect the views of ISE magazine, the publisher, or its employees.
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NetworkReliability
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CONTENTS
COLUMNISTS6 EDITOR’S NOTE
Sharon Vollman Pivoting to Serve
8 COPPER EXPERT Don McCarty Cable Fault Locating and Repair Part 3. Understanding Crossed Battery and Your Advanced Test Set Features
14 FIBER EXPERT Larry Johnson The Symbiotic Relationship Between 5G and Fiber
18 NETWORK MAINTENANCE CORNER Vernon May On the Outside Looking In
IN EVERY ISSUE56 Advertiser Index / Classified57 Tools58 Human Network
ISE magazine is published by Practical Communica-tions, Inc., 1900 E. Golf Rd, Suite 950, Schaumburg, IL 60173, U.S.A. Frequency: Published monthly. ISE magazine print (ISSN 2470-0517) and online (ISSN
2470-0525). ISE MAGAZINE AUGUST 2020 • Volume 38 • Issue 8.
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$73.00 for three years. Shipping and handling is required for all international subscrip-tions: Canada $50.00 per year, all other international $115 per year. Single copies available; cost varies de-pending on shipping fees. All fees are payable in ad-vance in U.S. funds. Executive, Editorial, Circulation and Advertising offices: 1900 E. Golf Rd, Suite 950, Schaumburg, IL 60173, U.S.A. Phone: 773.754.3250. Fax: 773.754.3259. No material may be reproduced in any form without publisher’s written permission. Periodicals Postage Paid at Schaumburg Post Office, Schaumburg, IL 60194 and additional mailing offic-es. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ISE magazine, 1900 E. Golf Rd, Suite 950, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Phone: 773.754.3250. Fax: 773.754.3259. Practical Communications, Inc., also sponsors and manages the annual ISE EXPO.
network coverage
Roaming Traffic DownA recent survey revealed Mobile Operators are witnessing a significant impact on mobile roaming traffic due to COVID-19, with nearly 70% reporting a fall in traffic between 25-95%, according to a new survey from roaming experts Kaleido Intelligence.
Meanwhile, 35% of the participants noted delays to 5G roaming rollout plans.
Survey respondents remained confident about the impact COVID-19 will have on IoT Roaming traffic growth; nearly 80% expect IoT Roaming traffic to continue growing.
Source: https://kaleidointelligence.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Pivoting to ServeISE EXPO 2020 Responds to COVID-19 Environment With Immersive Q4 Virtual Event Delivering Purpose-Driven Content for YOUR Success
The Big Pivot is a term that describes how all business -- big and small -- must learn to adapt and thrive to do what they do amid unknowns. Today, pivoting also means more than that. It means serving.
It’s exciting to see strong examples of creative ways companies across the world are pivoting to meet the needs of their customers and communities. Check out just a few of these purpose-driven pivots below: • Manorama Weekly, a family entertainment publication in India, has seen
record sales and a 30% rise in circulation thanks to a collaboration with the Kerala government, which entailed free vegetable seeds included in every copy.
• Loll Designs, located in Minnesota, has designed a hospital field bed out of recyclable, easy-to-clean and hygienic High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), using leftover material from its outdoor furniture line.
• Advertising agency Little Creatures has created a website called Keep Calm and Nom Nom to direct local Richmond restaurants and breweries that are struggling.
• A Scottish dog walking company has pivoted to delivering groceries and medicine to its elderly clients, free of charge.
Like those companies above, ISE EXPO and the ISE brand continues to serve our readers, sponsors, and business partners, with objective educational content during a time when connectivity is more than critical.
That’s why ISE EXPO 2020 is launching a highly engaging virtual, educa-tional event in Q4 2020. This is in response to industry research revealing that the majority of B2B companies have moved their planned face-to-face events partially or fully to a virtual platform in 2020.
“The need to connect buyers and sellers endures, especially in the COVID-19 environment,” said Janice Oliva, President of PCI, the parent company of ISE EXPO 2020. “We are rigorously evaluating the most comprehensive and immersive virtual event platforms, and will soon announce the date and virtual experience for ISE EXPO 2020.”
ISE EXPO 2020 was originally scheduled for the Colorado Convention Center, which is now designated as a temporary medical facility for the remainder of the year.
The ISE Team appreciates the support and loyalty of YOU -- our readers and business partners in this new environment. We invite you to join us and SERVE the ICT/telecom community, and to succeed in this new journey of pivoting for the right reasons.
Sharon Vollman, Editorial Director
@svollman
@SharonVollman
[email protected] Sharon on Twitter and LinkedIn for further conversation and insights.
Visit www.isemag.com/contribute for more information on submitting an article to ISE magazine in print, digital, and online.
7AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
ICT SOLUTIONS & EDUCATION
Editorial Director Sharon Vollman [email protected]
Publisher Janice Oliva [email protected]
Executive Creative Director Danielle Spiewak [email protected]
Director, Sales – Events and Sponsorships Robin Queenan [email protected]
Senior Account Executive Mark Horn [email protected]
Managing Editor Karen Adolphson [email protected]
Contributing Editor Donald McCarty [email protected]
Production Director Lisa Weimer [email protected]
ISE EXPO Show Director Laura Salomon [email protected]
Director of Custom Events and Education Amy Mullally [email protected]
Circulation/Consultant Manager Patricia McGuinness [email protected]
Practical Communications, Inc.
President Janice Oliva [email protected]
Senior Vice President Sharon Vollman [email protected]
Vice President of Operations Carrie Naber [email protected]
Controller and HR DirectorDiane Roberts [email protected]
ISE EXPO 2020 showcases the tools, techniques, and education, to help transform, simplify, and automate, network services across the wireless and wireline network(s). ICT/telecom network professionals from around the world attend for engaging education, commanding keynotes, new technologies and solutions, and extensive networking.
Educational content and products/solutions showcased at ISE EXPO 2020 include: Engineering/Planning/Deploying fixed and mobile networks for the future, FTTx, 5G Networks, IoT, Network Automation, Power/Sustainability, Safety/Network Security, Testing, GIS, Municipal Broadband, and more.
For more information, visit www.iseexpo.com.
References for Editor’s Notehttps://www.thegeniusworks.com/2020/04/the-big-pivot-how-are-companies-are-shifting-what-they-do-how-they-work-who-they-serve-to-survive-and-thrive-in-crisis-and-downturn/https://whatsnewinpublishing.com/how-an-indian-magazine-achieved-30-growth-in-circulation-during-lock-down-with-free-vegetable-seeds/https://design-milk.com/loll-designs-creates-emergency-hospital-field-bed-to-aid-pandemic/https://www.keepcalmandnomnom.com/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/health/small-gesture-us-midlothian-dog-walking-business-delivers-medicine-and-groceries-free-charge-elderly-clients-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-2448822?utm_cam-paign=refine%2Bfocus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20newsletter
EXPOICT SOLUTIONS & EDUCATION
SMS Pandemic ResponseSMS business messaging traffic will reach 3.5 trillion messages in 2020; rising from 3.2 trillion in 2019. This represents a growth of 7%, despite the economic impacts of COVID-19. SMS business messaging enables brands and enterprises to leverage SMS for use cases including notifications and authentication messages. The research, Mobile Messaging: Operator Strategies & Vendor Opportunities 2020-2024, predicts that the pandemic will directly generate increased demand in sectors including healthcare and government agencies, during 2020.
Source: www.juniperresearch.com
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COPPER EXPERT
Cable Fault Locating and Repair Part 3. Understanding Crossed Battery and Your Advanced Test Set FeaturesTo recap, for this 3-part series on Cable Fault Locating and Repair, in the June issue we ran Part 1 providing a review of short-term versus long-term approaches. In the July issue, with Part 2, I provided processes I employ and teach to help technicians integrate advanced fault locating techniques using longitudinal balance and other functions of a multi-function test set.
In this month’s column, the final part of my 3-part series on evidence-based best practices for Cable Fault Locating and Repair, we consider the complex topic and process of crossed battery, and how to maximize use of your digital multimeter and TDR, RFL, and open meter functions.
When the longitudinal balance function of your multimeter fails, the next step is to determine the cause of failure on a copper cable pair. Now it’s time to employ the DMM to determine what the cause is and then use the resistive fault locater (RFL) function in conjunction with the open meter and the time domain reflec-tometer (TDR) function to identify the location of the fault along the cable route. Here’s a process that may work for you:
DISCOVER THE ROOT CAUSETo discover the root cause of a cable pair fault, first test the pair for any hazardous
AC voltage. • A digital AC voltmeter usually displays RMS voltage. For example, 120VAC peak feeds
an AC outlet. The digital AC volt meter displays 110VAC RMS voltage.
• When testing any cable pair working or not for AC voltage, expect to see from .2VAC to 10VAC. Any AC voltage greater than 50VAC is potentially hazardous. When encountered follow your company’s safety practices.
TEST THE PAIRNext, test the pair to see if unwanted crossed battery is the root cause.
• Test for DC voltage tip and ring to ground. A DC voltmeter measures the DC voltage drop across any two points of an electric circuit. This is an 0hms per volt network.
• A 1 meg-ohm resister is placed in series and a voltage drop across the resistor is displayed or indicated on the volt meter. For example, the applied tip to ring battery on a class-5 POTS switch will range from -48VDC to -56VDC depending on the
[email protected] For more information, email or visit www.mccartyinc.com.
Don McCarty is the Copper Expert columnist for ISE magazine, discussing the issues around provisioning, testing, and maintaining copper for all services from POTs to IPTV. Don is also President of and the Lead Trainer for McCarty Products, a technical training and products company training field technicians, cable maintenance, installation repair, and Central Office technicians and managers.
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COPPER EXPERT
type of switch. The old step-by-step mechanical switch applied -48VDC across ring to tip and a #5 ESS switch applies -51VDC across ring to tip.
• If you were to measure the applied voltage at the vertical main frame, a cross-box, any pedestal, any network, on a class-#5 ESS switch, the applied voltage ring to tip indicated on a volt meter would show -51VDC.
CROSSED BATTERY: INDICATED vs. APPLIED BATTERYThe topic of crossed battery is an important lesson, and many aren’t sure of how
to proceed so I want to spend some time on this topic.When the vacant pair that you are testing shows any crossed-battery tip and/or
ring to ground, the indicated battery is usually less than the applied battery coming from other working cable pairs. Crossed battery can be caused by sheath damage, water in air core cable, and water in a splice. • So how do you make sense of and deal with crossed battery? • What do you do with the test results when indicated vs. applied battery
are so different?
CROSSED BATTERY WHEN THERE IS WATER IN THE PAIRFollowing is an example of crossed battery when there is water in the pair. Here’s
how to determine exactly what you are dealing with:• When testing vacant cable pairs, ring and/or tip to ground for crossed-battery
on vacant pairs, DC voltage may range from as little as -3VDC to as much as -45 VDC. That is because when there is water in the pair, series resistance to ground is added to the 1 meg-ohm resister in the ohms per volt network. Therefore, even though your volt meter indicates low voltage, the applied voltage is at least -48VDC.
• Next, determine if the failure is in one pair or whether it’s total cable failure by testing all pairs in the 25 pair sub unit. If crossed-battery is indicated on other pairs in your 25 pair sub-unit, the root cause is a cable failure.
• Now test for crossed-battery in other sub-units to determine the magni-tude of the cable failure. If no crossed-battery is indicated when testing other vacant pairs, select the ohms function on the test set DMM and then test the pair tip to ring ohms, tip to ground ohms, and ring to ground ohms. Any crossed-battery fault indicating more than -3VDC or any resistive fault that is more solid than 20 megohms can be located with the RFL function of the multi-function test set.
FIND OUT WHERE THE PROBLEM ISSo now that you know what the problem is, let’s explore how to use the RFL to
find out where the problem is:• When using the RFL function on the test set with a single pair hookup or
a separate good pair hookup, results will provide the resistance to the far end strap; the resistance to the fault from the test set; and the resistance from the far end strap to the fault on the cable pair in ohms.
• To continue the example of water in the pair, when testing at the cross-box with the pair open, we have identified a -6VDC ring battery-cross and the tip conductor tests good. Now you must obtain an open measurement. The tip side may test good because it is open 300 feet away. In my example, the tip side shows the tip conductor open at 4,100 feet which is approximately the distance to the customer’s terminal.
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N1 2
COPPER EXPERT
it must be accounted for. You can convert ohms to feet or meters, calculate temperature and gauge change by using the multi gauge or temperature feature in the RFL function of your test set.
CONCLUSIONIn my 40 years of teaching, I’ve found that crossed battery
issues and processes for how to use equipment and interpret test results are confusing and complicated for most technicians.
This is the point where many good technicians back out and take the easy route: falling back on “cut to clear.” Please reconsider, because when you take the easy route you are wasting valuable resources.
Learn the hard lesson -- because it is actually fun, challeng-ing, and becomes easier to do as you do it over and over. n
Signing offI spend an entire day on the topic of crossed battery during
my 4-day course. Therefore, if you are still unclear about how to implement the process as I’ve described, please don’t be shy about asking for further clarification. I’m trying to describe in a page what I spend an entire day teaching. Every question or comment is a smart one -- and something many others probably wish someone would ask. So, fire away! You can reach me at [email protected] or text or call 831.818.3930.
To read the first 2 articles in the series:
Part 1. Short-Term and Long-Term Approaches, please visit https://www.isemag.com/2020/06/telecom-cable-fault-locating-and-repair-part1/.
Part 2. Identifying a Faulted Pair, please visit https://www.isemag.com/2020/07/telecom-part-2-identifying-a-faulted-pair/.
• Next, strap the pair tip to ring at the cross-box and pro-ceed to the customer’s terminal. At the customer’s terminal we prove the fault into the cable and we use the time domain reflectometer (TDR) to identify the strap is good at the cross-box and the distance to shorted cable pair measures 3,900 feet with the TDR.
• After running the RFL function with a single pair hook-up, we measure resistance to strap (RTS) 102 ohms, resistance to fault (RTF) 14 ohms, and resistance strap to fault (RSTF) 88 ohms. To determine the resistance to the strap (RTS) when using a single pair hookup, the test set measures tip to ring ohms to the far end strap and divides that resistance in half. To determine the RTF, the test set runs current through the fault. A percentage of the total current flows back to the test set and the other percentage of the total current flows to the far end strap with the test set being 0% of the total current flow and the far end strap being 100% of the total current flow. In our example, 14% of the total current flow is 14 ohms RTF and 88 ohms RSTF.
• The advantage of a constant current flow measure-ment is that the amount of current flow through the fault can change with more or less current flow but the percentage of current flow to the test set and the far end strap remains the same for very accurate RTF and RSTF measurements to the fault. When the RFL measurement is displayed measure again several times. RTF and RSTF should remain the same. If they change, the conductor that you are measuring is faulted in more than one spot and any displayed measurement will take you in between the two measurements depending upon which of the two measurements is more solid.
• Now the RFL measurements can be converted from ohms to feet or meters by switching to feet or meters by setting in the gauge and temperature of the cable. Keep in mind that if there is a gauge or a temperature change,
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FIBER EXPERT
The Symbiotic Relationship Between 5G and FiberThe 1st Article in a Series of Fiber-Need-To-Knows
In this article, and in several follow-up articles, I will focus on challenges that must be addressed when designing and building 5G networks operating over single-mode fibers.
The massive implementation of 5th generation (5G) radio technology with its ability to provide massive amounts of data offers a solution for bandwidth “on the go”.
Single-mode fiber (ITU-T G.652D) has been proven that it is the best medium to use for transmitting huge amounts of bandwidth while also being able to address future bandwidth changes. As 5G can be transmitted over a range of frequencies, large numbers of cell sites are used to link service providers with a variety of different types for smaller cell sites for indoor and outdoor installations. These cover short distances involved or macro cells used in low density applications, and micro cells for areas with greater densities, and users using massive amounts of bandwidth.
5G TRANSMISSION SYSTEMSThere are 2 basic types of radio transmission technologies used for 5G systems. Milli-
meter wave (mmWave) radios are designed for applications such as local neighborhoods where distances are shorter and the antennas are much smaller, and can be placed on light and utility poles. These have high capacity but limited coverage, and are deployed like small cells with power and space limitations. (See Figure 1.)
The second type, known as Sub-6GHz, is preferred for larger coverage areas where there is a great deal of media demand.
Of course, there will also be situations where a blend of the 2 technologies will be required, such as side streets from public squares and business parks. These systems have lower capacity than mmWave, and utilize coverage similar to traditional cell towers and small cell deployments used by 4G LTE.
Depending on the application, distances involved, and density, designers must select a combination of these 2 or a blend of the 2 types of systems.
Fortunately, single-mode fibers with their high bandwidth, low attenuation, and low latency, provide the perfect medium for interconnecting various cell sites between the
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FIBER EXPERT
core of the network to the local cell sites, including back haul, middle haul, and front haul. The demands of providing higher bandwidths in the future is easily addressed with these fibers as their limitations of attenuation, optical dispersion, and reflec-tance, can be easily addressed at terminal equipment versus replacing the physical media in the future.
DESIGN AND PLANNINGIdentifying the target is key. This includes defining the location,
types of users and their applications, and the density for today’s requirements and for future needs.
Where does this bring us?
• Proper investigation and planning for the types of users, their current and future bandwidth requirements, and density of the service area.
• For example, in the case of high-powered Sub-6 GHz systems radio antenna, spacings can be as great as 2,000 feet as compared to local neighborhoods where lower power small cells with 200-foot spacings are common.
Due to the quantity of smart devices in use in a specific area, speeds from 10 to 100 times from a current transmission rate with a throughput of 100 Mb/s for 4G. But for 5G transmission, speeds of 2 Gb/s and higher will be required. What’s more is the need for symmetrical bandwidth due to COVID-19 network requirements. Previously, most residential customers were satisfied with asymmetric bandwidth.
The type of system will help identify the fiber quantity required. Accrued data rates of 300 Gb/s for 4G/5G sites may require higher fiber counts, especially when used in conjunction with sites where Multiple-Input/Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas are deployed to increase link capacity. Even in the case of local small cells, data rates of 10 Gb/s bands per radio are not extreme.
Other challenges are to identify where existing single- mode fibers are placed in the outside plant, and the number of dark fibers available. When adding up the amount of macro and smaller micro cell radios, it is easy to come up with extremely large numbers of fibers required to link the transmis-sion equipment.
Unfortunately, most legacy installations do not have the number of fibers available to meet this demand. The choice then is to build new infrastructure and install large-fiber-count cables or to implement DWDM technologies. Either way there are higher costs involved.
The types of sites also dictate the fronthaul fiber sizing, which can differ for Macro, Small Cell, In-Building, Venue, and Enterprise applications. These can be from 8 to 72 fibers depending on the applications and initial needs. Due to the amount of data being transmitted, designers should also consider ring topologies for feeder cables linking the core to the front haul
drop cables. When planners add potential growth forecasts of 20%, extra fibers for spares are not uncommon.
Depending on the area served and strategy used, radios may require 8-12 fibers each to serve 16-20 homes if the service pro-vided is using fixed-access antennas. The greater the amount of radios, the larger the fiber count. Should fiber exhaust be a problem, options to increase capacity include dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) or coarse WDM (CWDM).
Figure 1. 5G Radio Antenna mounted on light pole. (Courtesy Maxcell)
Figure 2. Hardened fiber optic connector. (Courtesy Senko Advanced Components)
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For each small cell, the exact fiber counts will differ based on density, geography, and current and future requirements. Feeder cables are installed to connect the core network to the mid-haul and edge sites.• Fiber counts of 864 and 432 fibers are often used with smaller
200-micron coated fibers to minimize cable diameters.
• As the installation gets closer to the end user, smaller count optical cables ranging from 12-48 fibers are used.
• The final connection is often 1 or more 12-fiber cable assem-blies with factory terminated hardened MPO/MTP connectors that allow for easy installation, including cleaning and testing. (See Figure 2.)
Cable manufacturers have addressed space constraints and the need to decease cable diameter because: • Hand holes are often used versus vaults in the outside plant.
• This, of course, requires smaller bend radius diameters.
• If larger conduit is used, manufacturers can also provide fiber counts up to 6,912.
• Because of the lower fiber counts and cable diameters, 2-inch PVC conduits with flex ducts are preferred.
5G AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTSWireless technologies are limited in range and bandwidth
without the use of optical fiber technologies. Fiber provides unlimited bandwidth over long distances between fixed locations.
For 5G to meet its potential:• The distance between small cells should be between 200 and
1,000 feet.
• Also, to deliver at least 1 Gbps peak speed to each user, the mini-mum downlink speed to each small cell will need to be 20 Gbps.
• The uplink peak data rate will need to be 10 Gbps.
With peak speeds over 1 Gbps to the individual user and latency less than 1 millisecond, 5G would enable broader adoption of many technologies, notably including autonomous vehicles where low latency is required.
Depending on the location and application, bandwidth requirements can be much higher. Consider the broadcast industry and many pro-AV applications that are currently using 4 K resolution equipment. Today 8 K transmission is available but requires 4 times the bandwidth with 1.8 Gb/s data rates required for broadcast quality resolution.
One of the positive benefits of greater numbers of people working and learning from home is the massive implementation of FTTx and 5G networks. This evolution will continue to provide the bandwidth and reliability end users demand. n
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ICT SOLUTIONS & EDUCATION
I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N
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NETWORK MAINTENANCE CORNER
On the Outside Looking InAs I write this in early May 2020, many technicians are not allowed to enter subscribers’ homes or businesses, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This causes particularly difficult challenges because the LAN side in the premises become more complicated every day. Talking the subscribers through the install/troubleshooting sequence has always been difficult. Ask any Help Desk person.
Many of us chose positions at one point or another to avoid going into buildings and particularly residences. The heat, rain, cold, and snow are preferable to a house with 20 dogs that are not let outside. We all have our horror stories, and I am sure you can find some on the Internet. However, I do have a story that will not ruin your next meal. Then, I have some tips on how to deal with social distancing and providing service.
NOT A DOGIt was cold day, or at least it was by my standards back then. Not cold enough for
coveralls, but my thickest coat was appropriate. I was working in rural Navarro county in Texas.
The customer premises, or “house”, was three 10’x12’ portable buildings cut and ar-ranged to fit together. At that time, they were all their original colors; 1 white, 1 powder blue, and 1 pink. Still, the structure was at the end of a long, white rock driveway that was at the end of an old gravel road. Not many people were going to be impressed or appalled by the appearance. Later, after the whole thing was painted white, it did not look too bad.
As always, before I got out of the truck on rural property or a I entered through a fence, I used my false bark. Yelling may or may not work, but a convincing bark will cause any dog in the vicinity to respond. No response, so no dog.
I walked to front door and knocked, but not too hard. I was worried the entire structure would fall. Then, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I am still not sure if I heard something or not. I turned and saw the animal running at me. I thought Well, the bark did not work this time and I was right, but there was a good reason.
Running at me, at an amazing speed, was a Bengal tiger. Now, hold on. I know that few native-born Texans will allow the truth to get in the way
of a good story, but this is all true.It’s funny how your mind reacts when the seemingly impossible is happening in front of
your eyes. • I am awake and fixing a case of trouble. Yep• I am in Navarro County Texas. Yep• There is a tiger running at me. Yep
As the Chief Technologist and Founder of Vernon May Solutions, Vernon, an expert in OSP and ISP Operations, is focused on new technology introduction, from Marketing and Sales to Design Enhancement to Training to Product Approval. Along with writing a quarterly column for ISE magazine, he also hosts seminars available throughout the country. For more information, please email [email protected] or visit http://vmaysolutions.com.
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N2 0
NETWORK MAINTENANCE CORNER
Anybody that has worked around dogs knows that you never run. That said, it was not bravery that held me in place. I did not have time or space to run. When the tiger lunged at me, I caught a paw in each hand, but the momentum slammed my back against the front door. I was sure the building was to fall after that blow, but that was not as important as it had been 3 seconds before.
Cats are amazingly strong. I have seen a 20-pound cat destroy a 100-pound dog in a fight. I was held fast to the front door with the tiger using only its back legs.
The tiger put its mouth around my left bicep, and I felt the pressure. This scared me, and I summoned the strength to push the tiger backwards to get away from the door. The tiger again used its strength to slam me back into the front door. My arm was really starting to hurt, and I started to wonder if my life was in danger.
I could picture the scene at the Pearly Gates. “You died how?” “Yep, fixing a phone in rural Texas, eaten by a tiger.” Then the front door opened. This caused the tiger and me to
come rolling into the living room. I heard “Keisha, leave that man alone!” and the tiger let go of my arm and got off me. Yep, the tiger was a pet, and she was no more than 6 months old.
You can run into anything in rural Texas. In fact, I had even seen a full grown cougar as a pet, but it was in a cage. It never crossed my mind that somebody would let a tiger roam around in the yard.
Can I honestly say that I was attacked by a tiger? No. Even at 150 pounds, had she chosen my throat instead of my arm, I would have really had the Pearly Gates conversation. Can I say I was bitten by tiger? Not quite. The hides of their natural prey made my coat seem like tissue paper.
To put it simply: Keisha was only playing with me. Afterwards, the subscriber apologized. Thankfully, I only had
a bruise on my arm. Therefore, after insisting that Keisha be chained up, I fixed the phone and left. As you might imagine, it was not long under those circumstances that Keisha hurt somebody, and the sheriff became involved. BACK TO 2020
Even after a couple of months, info on the coronavirus varies wildly. Mask or not? How long does the virus live in the air? When is a surface completely safe? Do gloves help or not? Can you contract it again? The answers often depend upon your news source. Surely, more reliable information will be available when this column goes to print, and you should use that infor-mation as your guideline. For now, I will share what is currently being done to protect the technicians in these areas:
CO, DSLAM, AND CROSS-CONNECT BOXThese sites can be high-human-traffic areas. The primary danger
here is the technicians infecting each other. Since there is no way of knowing when the last technician was touching the surfaces or sneezed into the air, a mask and gloves are commonly used.
OSP TO THE NETWORK INTERFACEThese low-human-traffic areas are probably the safest part of
the network. Naturally, pre-coronavirus safety procedures should be followed, at least.
CUSTOMER PREMISESFor the protection of the subscriber and the technicians,
entering the customer premises is absolutely forbidden. Occasionally, under extreme circumstance, it has been allowed with VP level approval and using extreme safety measures.
Naturally, if the root cause is on the network side of the network interface, no customer premises contact is required.
However, what if the problem is inside? Is the customer left with no service? It has happened but it is rare. Some creative measures are being used.
MODEMS AND SET-TOP BOXESIf the service is good to the network interface and no physical
trouble is detected on the house wire:1. All possible remote test/fix options are exhausted to the point
that only a hardware replacement is left.
2. Any required programing for the hardware is done by the technicians wearing a mask and gloves.
3. The technician leaves the new hardware and a plastic bag at the front door and backs away.
4. The subscriber is instructed by the technician, preferably over the phone, how to replace the defective unit; distanced physical conversations are allowed, but only with a mask and gloves. The technician must remain outside the premises.
2 1
NETWORK MAINTENANCE CORNER
5. The subscriber is instructed by the technician on how to test to assure that service is restored.
6. If service is not restored, the subscriber is instructed by the technician on how to make the appropriate changes to the hardware settings and retest.
7. If the new hardware works to the point of accepting remote access, any fine-tuning is completed remotely.
8. The defective hardware is placed in the bag by the subscriber and set outside the door. Note: Some providers have chosen to advise the customer to throw away the old hardware in-stead of risking infection trying to reclaim defective hardware.
INSIDE WIRINGWhen the service is good to the network interface and there
is physical trouble seen on the house wire:1. Instruct the subscriber to unplug all hardware from every jack.
2. If the trouble goes away:
A. If the hardware is provider supplied, follow the proce-dure listed earlier.
B. If the hardware is subscriber supplied, instruct the custom-er to replace the bad hardware and do not plug it back in.
3. If the trouble remains:
A. While wearing a mask and gloves, prepare a temporary connection, using a jack and either house wire or jumper wire (CAT 5 or better recommended).
B. Connect the temporary connection to the network interface.
C. Instruct the subscriber to open a window and back away.
D. Pass the temporary connection through the window and back away.
E. Instruct the subscriber on how to connect the hardware to the temporary connection.
F. Instruct the subscriber on how to test the service.
Again, nothing is 100% safe now, and common-sense best estimates are all that are available. The information included here is based on current procedures being used by some service providers.
In the end your safety is your responsibility. Remember the ol’ Bell System safety creed: No job is so important and no service is so urgent that we cannot take time to perform our work safely.
As a subscriber, sitting safely isolated in my home, I thank you so much for keeping us connected. n
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CASE STUDY
Telia Carrier Anticipates Capacity Demand for the New Normal
Telia Carrier Anticipates Capacity Demand for the New Normal
Best Practices Include: Sophisticated Modeling, Open-Source Software, and Forward-Thinking
2 3AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
CASE STUDY
By Johan Gustawsson
Stay-at-home orders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on Internet traffic, highlighting the Internet’s
essential role as a means for people to keep in touch with loved ones, and for some to continue working while practicing safe social distancing.
As the world’s largest Internet backbone pro-vider, we dive deep into changing global network traffic patterns. For example, the following statistics resulted from changes in European traffic compar-ing the average of all Mondays in February 2020 (pre-shutdown) versus Monday the 23rd of March 2020 (during shutdown).
• Overall 50% traffic increase in the Internet backbone
• Video conferencing up 400%
• Peak traffic levels up 35%
• On average, traffic at points of presence (POPs) has grown by 20.5%; with 208% and -56% respec-tively marking the extremes and highlighting the regional differences.
Among a variety of interesting changes, US after-noons and the evenings in Europe now contribute significantly to each other’s peaks. Sunday evenings used to see weekly traffic peaks, and now the entire week looks more like a Sunday evening as seen in a Monday to Sunday weekly view. (See Figure 1.)
Of note, video conferencing traffic used to be such an insignificant portion of overall traffic that it was barely noticeable but it now makes up a definitive portion of the traffic. The largest increase comes before lunch, consistent with patterns expected when the typical meeting location is moved from conference rooms to online calls. (See Figure 2.)
Despite lockdown measures stabilizing in Europe (as of this writing on 5.11.20), traffic is continuing to grow, albeit it at a lower rate, but still far more than normal monthly seasonality would suggest. Among many other traffic stats, changes brought about by society’s dramatically altered behaviors and their implications for Internet planning and build-outs are equally interesting. While there is no immediate concern about running out of capacity, at certain times of the day and in a few regions, we are
inevitably pushing the limits in situations where outages occur concurrently.
While no one could have predicted the impact that the pandemic has had on our lives and on the network, the sophisticated modeling process that we use has kept us all connected, even during extraordinary events.
Planning for ExcessInternet Service Providers typically keep some
amount of excess capacity in their systems, and plan build-outs at least 6 months ahead of anticipated demand for at least 2 reasons:
1. To more easily meet ever-increasing bandwidth demand growth.
2. The excess provides redundant failover routes and capacity for those times when links go down.
Even when using our modeling and forecasting tools, the build-out required to meet the “new nor-mal” of people staying and working from home while using teleconferencing and other digital means of communication requires an unusual jump in capacity.
Our model cannot predict future changes in seasonal patterns or creative third-party routing interventions at a time when everyone’s scrambling for available capacity. Even if it could, network capacity would still require an extra round of build-out to adjust to the new normal. To get a historical perspective over the last year, Figure 3 depicts a view of the number of network build-outs current-ly being expedited by Telia Carrier for backbone purposes.
Traffic Demand ModellingFor the purpose of actual capacity planning, we
make use of a mix of home-grown software, com-mercial software and several open-source projects such as Facebook, Prophet, and pmacct. The open-source projects are described below.• Prophet is a procedure for forecasting time series
data based on a model where non-linear trends are fit with yearly, weekly, and daily, seasonality plus holiday effects. It works best with time series data that have strong seasonal effects and several
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CASE STUDY
seasons of historical data. But Prophet also works well with missing data and shifts in the trend, so it handles outliers well.
• Pmacct is a small set of multi- purpose passive network monitoring tools that can account, classify, aggre-gate, replicate, and export, forward-ing-plane data, control-plane data, and infrastructure data. How it maps into a wider context and flow can be seen in Figure 4.
Recognizing there are some situations and circumstances in which Prophet is not the perfect tool for forecasting, it still offsets much of the complexity asso-ciated with conventional autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. If not for the simplification delivered via Prophet then the end user, in this case a network planner or engineer, would practically need to be a full-blown data scientist to understand which knobs to adjust to decompose any given time series data.
At a high level, the overall model takes pre-structured and time stamped data about the network as input. The data is enriched and linked to be aggre-gable into any given view and dimen-sion the consumer wishes. At this stage of the process, all computations and analysis are performed – which in turn becomes the foundation of which all forecasting is based on. Because both the
Figure 1. Weekly Seasonality Change
Figure 2. Video Conferencing Growth
Figure 3. Backbone Build-Outs Per Month
2 5AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
CASE STUDY
technical and commercial artifacts of each compo-nent are modelled, it provides a robust output on how both capital and operational expenditures will be impacted over time and location (per device, POP, and/or region).
In a year’s time, and through executing well ahead of time based on the forecast, it has also enabled the reduction of our customer orders requiring build-out by 40%, with the trend poised to continue through-out 2020. Thus, we stay ahead of trend, and do not have to have infrastructure/underlay crews scram-ble at the last minute to add capacity.
Fully Utilized Capacity -- The “New Normal” Is Not Normal
The recent dialogue seems to revolve around how networks cope in a fully operational state. This is not typically what they are built for in the first place, thus making for an equally poor metric now for us to utilize.
What is more useful is understanding whether the network can cope during outages, with the most common one being able to handle any single failure. We model and measure this for every hour of the day in 3 different setups.
FIRST is the Retrospective Model, which pro-vides a historical view of “Traffic at Risk” consider-ing any ongoing failures at the time of the auto-dis-covered snapshot. This model is mainly used for mapping shared risk resource groups (SRGs) and their failure trends as well as verifying that outages in the network are accurately represented in the simulations. We’ve built a hierarchical SRG struc-
ture mapping any shared risks across all components such as links and nodes all the way from the fiber, DWDM, IP, and logical overlays.
SECOND is the Reference Model, which models the network in a fully op-erational state and is used to do “what-if” scenarios with regards to topology or metric changes, the addition of new devices, and simulating impacts of planned maintenances and other events.
THIRD is the Forward-Looking Model, which is essentially a copy of the reference model, but it includes all committed augmentations to take that into account when adding new capacity to the net-work (i.e., combining the 2nd model with known upcoming projects).
Utilizing these 3 methodologies, we can imme-diately identify where new hotspots have emerged should we have failures -- measured in the form of “Traffic at Risk” per time period, device, network role, SRG, and/or region. This informs us where we need to build ahead of time, thereby preventing slow speeds or even the dreaded downtime that we all despise as end users.
Whether it is building to meet ever-increasing demand for bandwidth or trying to beat a poten-tial link failure to the punch, an Internet backbone provider’s work is never finished. This is the price we pay for consumer and enterprise users to have what we want: for the Internet that connects us all, everywhere around the world, and to simply work when we need it. n
@gustawsson
Johan Gustawsson is the Head of Network Engineering & Architecture at Telia Carrier, leading a unit of industry
experts in driving engineering, architecture, automation, development, and technology,
strategy across IP and optical domains. Johan holds a degree of Science in Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology. After having abandoned a semi-professional career in sports, he’s now spending most cycles navigating the life of being a parent of small children as well as desperately trying to find time for his new-found hobby in the racquet sport padel. For more information, please visit https://www.teliacarrier.com/. Follow Johan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustawsson/.
Figure 4. High Level Capacity Planning Software Stack & Flow
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NETWORK TRANSFORMATION
Innovations and advancements in technology are moving faster than ever with so much information available online and at your fingertips. The amount of bandwidth that is required to sustain all of these changes and needs is growing every day. Developing simultaneously is a more efficient
requirement to keep these networks alive and to provide a secure battery backup solution. This presents a demand now more than ever for an outdoor rated LFP battery to support the needs of today. An IP65 environmental-rated battery option can provide multiple benefits anywhere backup power is needed.
The LFP chemistry of this battery solution not only defines it as one of the safest technologies over other battery choices, but there are also endless application uses. While primarily used in the telecommunica-tions area, there are other varying opportunities as well that originate with this new product. These IP65 products are a key to 5G network build-out reliability, CATV and rail applications along with a myriad of other outside plant (OSP) applications.
The ease of installation is discernible whether using on a cabinet or placed on a pole. Unlike bulky, traditional batteries, the lightweight, fully self-contained unit also allows for battery placement off the ground. This provides the added benefit of creating internal cabinet space without giving up any additional rack space that could be used for something else of value or revenue generating equipment.
This new product is a game changer for the battery market and is a key problem solver for a variety of applications. As demand contin-ues to grow for bandwidth throughout the world and in particular in larger metro areas, multiple smaller cell towers are being constructed to accommodate bandwidth. This is just one of many areas where IP65 outdoor rated LFP batteries can play a huge role. A secure, quality battery that can be used outside an existing structure or on a pole has finally been realized. The technology innovation of the IP65 rated sealed lithium battery provides an easy to install, fully self-contained space-saving, outdoor solution that is one of the most significant things to impact the battery market today.
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N2 8
TRANSFORMATION
The telecommunications industry has never been more critical to the world than now. With COVID-19 forcing so many to live, work, and
play apart, telcos are keeping the links between workers, friends, and families intact.
But in as much as they have become society’s glue, telcos are also going through a dramatic change of their own. This transformation, from con-nectivity providers into digital services providers, was already underway before COVID-19. Clearly, the pandemic forced a massive acceleration of this change, and in the months ahead telcos need to prepare for a very different marketplace with very different demands.
The Reality NowIt’s immensely gratifying to see that the
COVID-19 lockdown brought out the best of much of the industry. Presented with an unprecedented challenge, telcos overwhelmingly responded with urgency, purpose, and empathy.
Between equipping field hospitals with high-speed connectivity and devices, offering insight on population movement to slow the spread of the virus in the US, Asia, and the EU, and generally keeping the world moving, telcos have gone above and beyond demonstrating their value.
With much of the world working remotely, they’ve massively expanded capacity to meet increased demand -- not just for businesses, but also for schools and universities, which have gone
COVID-19: Forcing Telcos to Quickly Reinvent Themselves
3 Characteristics Needed for Their Successful ReinventionBy Craig Wilson
2 9AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
TRANSFORMATION
almost entirely virtual. In some cases, telcos have even maintained services to clients unable to pay bills, in many cases waiving late fees and operating Wi-Fi hot spots.
But once this crisis is over, there will be no return to “normal” as understood before the pandemic. The world has changed permanently, and telcos need to prepare for a new reality fraught with un-certainty, requiring a level of agility, speed, and risk taking, that has been uncommon in this industry.
For many, the cultural shift will be more import-ant than any technology challenge, and will require telcos adopting an entrepreneurial “disruption” mindset, with top-down prioritization and unified execution across the entire organization.
Telcos’ Near-Picture Outlook
For the world at large, working, learning, and buying, are now overwhelmingly virtual and remote activities. Even after the pandemic is over, much of this customer behavior is likely to endure, and telcos need new business models and prod-uct offerings in response to permanently changed expectations.
Even before lockdown, telcos were already moving from being commodity voice-and-data providers to service-rich platforms, largely in response to competi-tion from the big tech companies and OTT players. In this changing landscape, operators face increasing de-mand for services -- traditional mobility, broadband, and entertainment services, as well as new cloud, IoT, edge “platform” services -- from customer segments that have less capacity to pay and several competitive options. Speed and agility become defining capabili-ties in this digital platform market.
The pandemic made this transformation more urgent, driven both by massive consumer demand for remote services, and the need to cut operating expenses to meet that demand without taxing available capacity.
3 Key CharacteristicsThere are 3 key characteristics of a platform business, compared to a commodity seller of connectivity and data networking:
1. First, rather than being a fixed network, a platform is inherently flexible, with a network being defined by software rather than telephone lines or fiber optic cable.
2. Second, platforms are highly automated, with the ability to turn on services dynamically and scale capacity up or down in response to demand.
3. Lastly, platforms are based on open-source software and a hybrid multicloud architecture -- making them more resilient -- with data-rich XaaS offerings from an ecosystem of partners, in addition to traditional communication services.
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TRANSFORMATION
The Next “Normal”In the coming months, all telcos will face several
challenges.The pressure on operating expenses now felt by
all organizations will only increase. At the same time, demand for robust, reliable telecommunica-tions infrastructure isn’t going to diminish in the near term -- if it ever does.
Meanwhile, many enterprise customers, them-selves under lockdown with their own uncertain economic outlook, may have trouble with their own balance sheets.
That reality will force telcos to make hard choices about where to deploy resources in the face of this squeeze between higher customer demand and diminished ability to pay. In India, a market that has been disrupted like no other over the last few years, we saw Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel announce innovative network cloud initiatives with IBM in May of this year.
Priorities need to be focused on maintaining business continuity even as supply chains for equipment are strained; telcos will need to adapt to a workforce that could be 20% to 50% remote, long-term if not permanently, requiring different tools and processes that support digital collaboration and agile decision-making.
This challenging time will help prepare telcos for the most important part of their transformation, prioritizing where they can deliver the most value, and building an operating model that is inherently more agile and competitive.
The Years to ComeAs remote work becomes more widely accept-
ed, consumers and businesses will demand richer, more consistent, omnichannel digital experiences, with a strong emphasis on self-service options and flexible pricing structures.
Customer care will increasingly be digital-first, with chatbots augmenting customer care repre-sentatives, and AI-based solutions enhancing the effectiveness of field technicians. We have already seen a marked increase in customer acceptance of these digital technologies.
By themselves, these are already beyond the scope of traditional telco offerings. But to stay com-petitive and to compete with the big tech platforms, telecoms will have to make these investments in both their technology and their people.
As much as customer demand and cost pressures
are propelling telcos’ reinvention now, the immi-nent roll-out of 5G and edge computing give this transformation added urgency. In markets such as the US, China, and parts of Europe, capital is being prioritized on network evolution, with the major carriers maintaining or accelerating their 5G deployment plans. This accelerated change is being fueled by an expectation of increased revenue from new services and lower operating costs.
The new hyper-fast networks promise to revo-lutionize manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and other industries, by enabling instant or near-instant data analysis to increase efficiency through highly automated and connected operations. Manufactur-ers, for example, are turning to visual inspection, robotics, and other tools, to improve production quality and to ensure worker safety.
Because of the need for low-latency processing, where workers and production processes can im-mediately benefit from the insights created by data collection and AI, telcos will need to offer a hybrid cloud-based network connecting computing at the edge.
Additionally, telcos will see dramatically in-creased demand for cybersecurity services. It’s not a challenge unique to telcos, and the industry generally has a reputation for strong cybersecurity offerings. Rather, it’s a macro trend challenge, driv-
“ For many, the cultural shift will be more important than any
technology challenge, and will require telcos adopting an
entrepreneurial “disruption” mindset, with top-down prioritization
and unified execution across the entire organization. ”
TRANSFORMATION
en by demand. More employees are working remotely, meaning digital demand is higher, which increases the threat surface.
Telcos should see this as an op-portunity to boost their offerings. Many already use software like IBM MaaS360 for mobile device management, which can be bundled with other tools for enterprise and small business customers supporting work from home. Vulnerability, threat man-agement, and incident response solutions and services, are in high demand, for both telecom operators and their customers.
However, telcos choose to navigate the complex challenges of the current crisis and immediate aftermath, there’s no doubt that, in a few years’ time, the industry will look radically different. Customer expectations will be permanently changed, the competitive landscape will be more intense, and telecom operators will be in lines of business unthinkable a decade ago. By being bold now, companies can position themselves to be strong players in the new landscape. n
Craig Wilson is VP, Global
Telecommunica-tions Industry, IBM.
He is responsible for sales, business development, and solutions, for IBM’s Telecommunications industry globally. Craig has spent 30 years in the industry in a number of regional and global roles, living in Australia, Canada, and the US. Craig is a member of IBM’s Industry Academy, working with industry leaders and standards bodies around the world. For more information, please visit www.ibm.com. Follow Craig on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsoncr.
@Craigwilsonibm
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N3 2
VENDOR Q&A
ISE: Mike, congratulations on your 2020 Lightwave Award for Go!Foton’s PEACOC® OSP Hardened Terminal! You’ve certainly packed a lot of useful attributes into such a small device.
MZ: Thank you. We conceived and developed this terminal as a very versatile yet easy-to-implement connectivity solution especially for operators confronting the challenge of growing fiber densification in the outside plant.
ISE: Can you describe some of its advantages?
MZ: Sure. Our high-density OSP Hardened Terminal is an easily re-enterable box with a very small footprint, designed for fast installation and plug-and-play operability using high-quality fiber terminations. The result is quick, low cost turn-up of field connections.
ISE: And, of course, the terminal utilizes some key Go!Foton connectivity breakthroughs, including PEACOC®. What are the benefits of PEACOC® integration?
MZ: PEACOC®, our fiber management Platform with Enhanced Access for Compact Optical Connectors, features spreadable adapters that enable fast and easy access to small form-factor optical connectors, even for the biggest hands under what are often less than ideal OSP conditions.
ISE: What mounting options are available?
MZ: The terminal can be easily mounted on a pole, wall, or strand, and is compact enough to support concealed pole applications as well.
ISE: Mike, thanks so much for your insights.
MZ: It was my pleasure.
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N3 4
5G POWER REQUIREMENTS
By David Michlovic
The Power-Space Paradox at 5G Cell Sites
The evolution of cellular network architectures toward 5G has followed a long, winding path with occasional detours that met immediate needs and later were incorporated into the evolving big picture. The move from D-RAN to C-RAN architectures is a good example. C-RAN architectures made perfect sense for 4G LTE, and now those sites are being appropriated to support today’s early 5G networks.
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5G POWER REQUIREMENTS
We wrote about this in 2018, so I won’t go into great detail here, but C-RAN moved computing resources away from individual cell towers to separate computing hubs supporting multiple towers. This was smart; it consolidated IT resources to make them more efficient, more secure, and easier to service. It also was sufficient for the applications 4G LTE enables: heavy on mobile video, with la-tency an important but not critical factor. (Note: To read the 2018 ar-ticle, “C-RAN . . . But to Where?”, by Jim Wiemer, ISE magazine, March 2018, please visit https://www.isemag.com/2018/03/c-ran-but-to-where/.)
5G is a different animal alto-gether, a dramatic upgrade to the network specifically designed to support and enable advanced, ultra-low-latency applications related to the Internet of Things (IoT). 5G eventually will enable significant advances and innova-tions in everything from telemed-icine to autonomous automobiles, but it requires powerful comput-ing at every cell site and network densification far beyond what we see today. It’s not exactly the C-RAN model, but providers are finding those C-RAN hubs are acting as a nice intermediate step in the move toward fully-formed 5G networks.
So, it’s complicated. And that was true even before a global pandemic increased some band-width demands by 75% virtually overnight. Before COVID-19, service providers were locked in a frantic race to be the first to widely deploy 5G networks. How frantic? According to IHS Markit, 5G is ex-pected to generate some $12.3 tril-lion in annual revenue by 2035, so the answer to that question is very. And yet, almost impossibly, the
coronavirus amped up the urgency even more as an entire planet started working remotely and stressing networks in new and unexpected ways.
Delivering on that demand is a challenge considering the pandemic’s effects on the global supply chain, but providers seem determined to press forward and even accelerate their 5G rollouts. Before COVID-19, Verizon estimated half the country would have access to 5G by the end of 2020, and our own industry survey conducted with 451 Research found that 86% of wireless operators expect to be delivering 5G services by 2021.
Early deployments will target urban areas, addressing the bandwidth issues inherent in densely populated environments, but that presents other challenges for providers.
The Power-Space ConundrumWe tend to talk about 5G in certainties that do not actually exist.
Different providers are defining 5G in different ways, and the vision for the ultimate architecture remains fuzzy. So, let’s look at the things we
Standard power and battery infrastructure at base of cell tower.
Close-up of power and battery enclosures with power conversion devices added to existing DC distribution panel.
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5G POWER REQUIREMENTS
can say definitively about 5G, starting with this: 5G networks almost certainly will require more power and subsequent cooling. In our survey, 94% said 5G will increase their overall energy costs, and they already are employing or investigating various strategies to reduce energy consumption and costs.
The other thing we know to a virtual certainty is that 5G networks will require more cell sites and denser networks. These networks are de-signed to deliver micro-edge computing services with near-zero latency. An autonomous vehicle, for example, can’t wait for data to bounce to a data center -- or even a cell tower 2-3 miles away -- be-fore reacting to a child darting into the road. That kind of real-time data processing and transmission requires computing near the user all the time, and that is exactly what 5G promises to deliver.
That kind of network density requires real estate, and real estate in those high-priority urban areas is at a premium. Providers will look to rooftops, light posts, and the like, to place their 5G equipment, including antennas and remote radio heads. The goals are to make them pervasive yet unobtrusive, and manage costs as much as possible. The smaller the footprint, the better.
So, we know there will be more sites, they will be smaller, and each site will require more power than traditional 4G LTE. Those realities are con-spiring to create specific challenges for providers rolling out their 5G networks.
Here’s one example: The typical power systems supporting the radios at the tops of cell towers are underpowered for the job of providing adequate backup to 5G radios that lose utility power. The reason? The power losses between the radio and the DC power system.
Those voltage drops can trigger a shutdown of the remote radio head before the backup battery fully discharges. In the past, with 4G and earlier network architectures, minor voltage drops have been manageable from the base to the radio at the top of the tower, but the increased power demands of 5G are creating a need to boost voltages to ensure sustained cell site operation. That need spawned a wave of power-boosting technologies, but that’s where the other half of this conspiracy comes into play. The small footprint of these sites, especially in urban settings, can make it difficult to add equipment at the base of the tower.
Put another way: 5G microsites need additional equipment at the base of the tower to provide local compute plus adequate power to the radios at the top of the tower, but finding room for that equip-ment can be a challenge.
The issue is driving some creative industry responses. At Vertiv, we introduced a device that boosts voltage while plugging into an existing DC distribution panel in the same position as a sin-gle-pole bullet circuit breaker. It helps enable the necessary power to reach the radio but consumes no additional space at the base. Other equipment providers are taking different approaches, proving necessity remains the mother of invention. It’s cer-tainly not unsolvable and ultimately may prove to be little more than a speed bump on the road to 5G, but it’s an example of the challenges involved when you try to pack more power in a smaller space.
Bottom line: The road to 5G is twisted and bumpy, but it’s also inevitable and increasingly without speed limits. The global pandemic has introduced new challenges and considerations while ramping up the urgency around 5G deploy-ment. Providers who can solve the local compute/high-power/small-space conundrum will inch ahead in the race to deploy these networks and meet the pressing global need. n
Resourceshttps://www.isemag.com/2018/03/c-ran-but-to-where/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/why-the-coronavirus-pandemic-may-fast-forward-5g-adoption-in-the-us.htmlhttps://cdn.ihs.com/www/pdf/IHS-Technology-5G-Economic-Im-pact-Study.pdfhttps://www.vertiv.com/en-us/about/news-and-insights/articles/white-papers/5g-the-risks-and-rewards-for-operators/https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/products-catalog/critical-power/dc-power-systems/esure-power-extend-converter-c4858-1000/
David Michlovic is Americas Offering Director, Vertiv. He has more than 23 years of experience in engineering and
product marketing. For more information, please email [email protected]
or visit Vertiv.com/5GandEdge.
@Vertiv
Today’s cell site infrastructure is evolving to support emerging 5G architectures, including 5G-friendly radios requiring more power at the top of cell towers.
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N4 0
CBRS
By Rikin Thakker, Mark Gibson, and Eric Toenjes
The Federal Communications Com-mission’s (FCC) vision of making spectrum available on a shared basis is now a commercial reality.
The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band includes 150 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band (3550 MHz-3700 MHz) that will be available to both licensed and lightly licensed users for applica-tions ranging from industrial Internet of Things (IoT) to fixed-wireless access and private LTE networks.
Licensing in the CBRS band is neither exclusive nor completely open unlicensed spectrum. Instead, the FCC adopted a hybrid approach to the band, marrying elements of licensed and unlicensed use in a novel sharing regime. Similar to how com-panies like Uber and Airbnb have enabled the so-called sharing economy by leveraging existing assets owned and controlled by third parties to maximize their value through technology and sophisticated algorithms, so too does the FCC’s
Utilities are expected to leverage CBRS spectrum to build private LTE networks that can monitor equipment and connect crews.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
A Look Into 6 Use Cases for CBRS
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CBRS
licensing regime in the CBRS band by taking underutilized government spectrum and making it available for commercial use.
The hallmark principle of the CBRS band is that usage rights are available on an opportunistic basis; spectrum in the band is generally available for commercial use on a use-it-or-lose-it basis.
Ready, Set, Innovate CBRS is an important tool in the tool chest of
carriers and enterprises that can be used on its own or in tandem with cellular, Wi-Fi, and other network solutions, to provide reliable communications to the public, employees, and machines. Most of the mobile applications available on cellular devices today are successful because they use LTE technology, which offers much faster speeds, among other things, than previous generations of cellular. Because CBRS spectrum will also use LTE technology, it can offer true mobility, as well as strong security and higher quality of service than unlicensed Wi-Fi networks.
It’s relatively easy to hack into Wi-Fi gateways, but CBRS provides additional layers of security to thwart bad actors. Enterprises are particularly inter-ested in developing network solutions that protect sensitive data and that help them avoid financial and reputation difficulties associated with data breaches.
Quality of service will be higher using CBRS spectrum because it will improve speed, bandwidth, and data transfer capacity -- which will be a major differentiator over existing private network options.
Additional benefits of CBRS include capacity, flexibility, control, and accessibility. Experts believe CBRS will democratize LTE wireless technology. The diversity of companies participating in and devel-oping the CBRS ecosystem is remarkable. There is tremendous interest and participation from small to large operators and OEMs, startup companies and
technology stalwarts such as Facebook and Amazon.The CBRS supplier ecosystem is already looking
beyond 4G-LTE and into 5G-NR. CBRS may be the first mid-band spectrum in the US to observe 5G deployments at scale. Industry is promoting many innovative 5G use cases, including cloud gaming, extended reality, and healthcare.
CBRS will expand the value of mobile networks and take on more new use cases than have been possible with an unlicensed and licensed spectrum regime, empowering many new connected services and entrants.
The Players One remarkable aspect of the potential use cases
for CBRS is that it is expected to play a pivotal role across multiple industry sectors, not just the mobile sector. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, many expect that CBRS will be a key spectrum platform for distributed antenna system (DAS) operators, fixed wireless Internet service providers (WISPs), and ca-ble operators. While many expect mobile operators will use CBRS to expand small cell capacity for mo-bile LTE, other service providers such as cable and WISPs are expected to utilize CBRS to enhance Last Mile and access solutions, often over fixed wireless architecture. The CBRS Alliance is driving shared use of the 3.5 GHz spectrum, and certifies devices that can be used under the name OnGo.
Six of the many players to benefit from CBRS include:
1. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) With CBRS, mobile network operators can secure
a cost-effective solution for expanding capacity and coverage as well as building out their 5G networks. Moreover, CBRS provides better coverage for both indoor and outdoor mobile solutions compared to
Figure 1. CBRS is expected to support a wide variety of use cases ranging from network densification and expanded Wi-Fi offerings to stadium coverage, industrial applications, and rural coverage solutions.
(Source: Davis Wright Tremaine)
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CBRS
other unlicensed bands like 5 GHz. CBRS base sta-tions can deliver a higher level of network quality control desired with LTE-based solutions without the challenges of sharing the band with Wi-Fi.
As such, carriers are likely to present one of the first use cases for CBRS. With data usage exploding for both consumer and machine communications, existing macro networks are experiencing increas-ing demands on network capacity. Carriers are expected to move quickly in the CBRS space to address their need for additional capacity. CBRS presents an opportunity for these carriers to offload network traffic onto local CBRS networks, resulting in less congestion and better data rates for both the offloaded traffic and for the traffic remaining on the macro network. This increases quality of service for all customers.
Verizon Wireless, for example, has said it plans to supplement its outdoor small cell network with CBRS small cells, and that the first use it envisions for the spectrum band is offloading network traffic from other spectrum bands.
2. New Entrants Beyond the carrier use case, industrial and
manufacturing operations are interested in CBRS to support emerging Internet of Things (IoT) applica-tions involving sensors and beacons that constantly relay data about machine operations in factories and other automated systems to a control center. Using a local, secure, dedicated wireless network to control the delivery of machine data will be essen-
tial to the safe, cost-effective, and efficient operation of IoT-connected equipment.
Private networks are another primary use case for the CBRS band. Enterprises, property owners, utili-ties, municipalities, and others, could set up private networks that offer the same voice and data com-munication capabilities that Wi-Fi provides today, but with better security features and other benefits. This allows small-cell solutions to become disasso-ciated from the carrier and associated instead with the enterprise, creating a true private environment that is unconnected from the carrier network unless a connection is established.
3. Multiple Service Operators (MSOs) For cable operators seeking to build out an LTE
network, CBRS provides a smart traffic offload option. MSOs can enter the mobile wireless industry using a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) strategy. CBRS solutions can help MSOs by reducing costs through the deployment of MSO-owned small cell networks, combining current networks to provide optimal coverage and capacity, as well as leveraging mobile network operators that need densification.
For the investment of a Wi-Fi solution, MSOs can build a valuable wireless LTE network that is dependable, fast and profitable.
MVNOs are also eyeing CBRS as a potential fixed broadband application solution that would allow them to gain a stronger foothold in broadband delivery, essentially transforming themselves into mobile operators in their own right. This is particu-larly likely in rural areas.
4. Neutral HostsWith CBRS solutions, neutral hosts can deploy and
manage a more robust enterprise-level network that is as powerful inside as it is outside. Perfect for large venues such as stadiums, airports, skyscrapers, and hospitals, CBRS solutions are network-agnostic, and can easily accommodate overflow traffic at sites that are too small for mobile operators to consider, yet too complex for enterprises to tackle alone.
5. Private LTE Networks For large businesses that require a closed or
private enterprise wireless network, CBRS offers more secure connectivity than Wi-Fi and at the high
Providing public communications capabilities for guests while supporting private back-of-house connectivity for staff and devices in the hospitality industry is a primary use case for CBRS.
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CBRS
speeds and quality of an LTE wireless network. Whether business takes place in a tall office build-ing, a college campus, or a large remote site (e.g., the mining industry), CBRS solutions allow local private LTE networks to be built for the entire en-terprise regardless if it is in-building or outdoors.
Facilities that serve both the public and back-of-house operations, both of which need com-munication capability, could benefit from a CBRS configuration. An enterprise or facility could, for example, deploy a small cell on their premises running CBRS that could provide both multicar-rier support for public users and secure, private back-office communications for staff.
An example of this is stadiums or arenas that serve the public. In a football stadium, for exam-ple, CBRS networks could provide multi-carrier communications capabilities for fans attending an event, while also supporting two-way radio communications for restaurant employees, office personnel, and security personnel, working in the venue. CBRS could even augment or replace outdated UHF systems that coaches and players use today for sideline communications.
Other enterprise use cases are equally compelling: • Many hospitals today run separate dedicated net-
works to track equipment and people within their campuses. CBRS networks could eliminate some of the layers that are needed today in complicated deployments.
• The hospitality industry could host back-office operations on a private, secure CBRS network, while front-of-the-house, public communications could remain on public networks like Wi-Fi.
• Retailers could employ CBRS networks to track inventory and securely transfer sensitive customer data.
6. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)/Utilities
For businesses that depend on data transmissions from fixed-wireless access points, CBRS solutions using SAS-enabled shared spectrum can help create a robust network that is second to none. By utilizing the 3.5 GHz radio band, WISPs and utility compa-nies can build highly reliable wireless networks that offer cost-effective fixed wireless access with low latency, and that deliver real-time communications to all their sensors, cameras, and industrial IoT.
Similarly, cities and towns may find that CBRS provides them with an excellent opportunity to deploy municipal networks that can support IoT smart buildings and smart-city applications that promise to increase efficiency and save money.
Conclusion CBRS spectrum coming to market will create
new network providers, new methods of spectrum sharing and a new ecosystem of devices. While mobile operators will likely be first to market to take advantage of offloading capabilities, many new players will enter the space. Neutral-host providers will offer infrastructure as a service to smaller enterprises. Larger enterprises will be able to develop their own private LTE networks, where they can gain operational efficiencies that come from the greater capacity, quality of service, and security, that is a characteristic of the LTE protocol.
As the market develops, lessons learned through network deployments will encourage adopters to invent new ways to communicate, whether by data or voice, that were not imagined at launch. n
Resources1. https://www.lightreading.com/cloud/iot-and-edge/verizon-t-mobile-amazon-hint-at-cbrs-35ghzambitions/d/d-id/7494632. https://www.aglmediagroup.com/verizon-promises-smaller-light-er-small-cells/3. https://www.lightreading.com/mobile/5g/t-mobile-sprint-merger-gets-doj-approval-thanks-todishs-$5b-deal/d/d-id/7529934. https://www.multichannel.com/news/ruckus-gears-cbrs-band-418251
This article is adapted from the WIA white paper The CBRS Opportu-nity: New Spectrum, Stakeholders and Devices, by the WIA Innovation & Technology Council, March 2020. Authors include Rikin Thakker, Multicultural Media Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC); Mark Gibson, CommScope; and Eric Toenjes, Graybar. Federated Wireless also contributed to this report. For more information about, and to download the white paper, please visit https://wia.org/wp-con-tent/uploads/CBRSOpportunity_paper-web-NEW.pdf
For more information about the Wireless Infrastructure Asso-ciation (WIA), please email [email protected] or visit www.wia.org.
@WIAorg
The Balancing ActIdentifying the right fiber topology for deploying a 5G network is the key to making the business case pay off. A variety of fiber fronthaul network topologies and technologies can be planned and implemented based on correct understanding of the requirements and goals of the network and getting fronthaul right. What does that mean?
1. It must be cost efficient. Deploying fiber is expensive. If dark (unlit) fiber is available, it should be used initially and as capacity demand increases deployment of a next level of multiplexing (WDM) system and future planning can increase network capacity.
2. It must be flexible. Fronthaul must allow different applications with different latency and jitter budgets to work on the same fiber infrastructure.
3. It must be transparent. Fronthaul should allow multiple services with varying quality of service (QoS) to be implemented.
4. It must be agile. Agility will enable quick delivery of new services, allowing for dynamic allocation and release of network resources required by different services. The ability to dynamically optimize network connectivity also will be a key component of 5G fronthaul.
5. It must have perfect timing and synchronization. Latency and jitter cannot be present, especially for mobility and URLLC applications.
6. It must be easy to manage and maintain. Network failures in fiber fronthaul have to be quickly resolved and high reliability for time sensitive applications must be achieved.
And, for SPs with multiple service offerings, a scalable access fiber architecture that can easily support residential, business, enterprise, and 5G midhaul/fronthaul on the same platform is essential.
Testing the 5G Network5G’s massively larger bandwidth demands a much denser fiber fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul network. This means not only more fiber cables and end points, but also a higher order of multiplexing which in turn increases the complexity and scale of fiber testing. Previously we had a pair of fiber cable connected to a radio. Now, this has evolved to upwards of twelve or more fiber pairs per radios. As a result, a visual fault location tool will not suffice to validate fiber signal integrity.
Deploying a 5G network is complex—it is not simply upgrading the RAN and the core, rather 5G deployment brings layers of complexity, each intertwined with the next. To overcome the myriad challenges a successful 5G deployment encompasses, it is essential to understand the cause and effect implications of every decision. Each choice can impact the cost and the strength of a service provider’s business case.
5G has three core use cases: enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC). And, initially not all use cases will be implemented. For example, URLLC applications require certain network enhancements that early 5G deployments may not be able to deliver, but from the service provider (SP) perspective, planning for those requirements is essential for a future-proof 5G network. Building the best network infrastructure to support 5G use cases is the top priority for all major SPs and to achieve that goal upgrading the underlying fiber network that connects the radios to the core is the critical first step to success.
While deploying fiber is costly, the benefits undeniably outweigh the deployment challenges. Fiber offers higher bandwidths (required for eMBB) with less attenuation, resists electromagnetic interference, offers lower latency (URLLC), and with improving multiplexing technologies, can accommodate capacity growth on the same fiber infrastructure.
Still, SPs grapple with fundamental questions: How much fiber is enough? How can fiber infrastructure investments today be leveraged for success as 5G matures? and they face the reality that without high capacity backhaul, mid-haul and fronthaul, their customers’ 5G experiences will not be any better than 4G. Moreover, unaddressed latency issues introduce the same risk to the 5G business case. Applications including virtual reality and connected cars demand a delay-proof fronthaul.
THE 5G DEPLOYMENT BALANCING ACTAttaining Right-sized, Reliable Fiber Fronthaul
Technicians may see light at the other end but will have no way to validate a specific wavelength path is correct.
Further, in a WDM system, testing for correct power levels will require different set of instruments. Many fibers will drive more MPO connector deployments, which will require an MPO light source and an MPO tester. Ultimately, fiber field installations will be more complex with significantly more MPO and xWDM deployments.
This increase in the number of fibers and the types of connections will drive the need for SPs and their contractors to have easy-to-use fiber test instruments with integrated test process automation to scale 5G deployments.
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Verify connectivity to an RU
Measure One Way Delay against an RU
Verify PTP connectivity, and measurePTP Time Error
Verify proper GPS installation
ConclusionThe optical infrastructure serving fronthaul, mid-haul and backhaul must be flexible, agile and futureproof to meet 5G high bandwidth demands and significantly higher cell-site density. Topology of the fiber infrastructure chosen must be considered to maximize return on investment from short-term deployment to long-term network growth models. Managing and maintaining fiber infrastructure will be a constant operational expense that must be considered at the time of deployment. Having the right test solutions for maintaining fiber networks will be key in delivering high quality of service at low OPEX.
VIAVI Solutions is the industry leader in fiber test and delivers the most comprehensive end-to-end network test solution. With a fully integrated portfolio of cloud-enabled instruments and systems, software test automation, and services for network testing, performance optimization, and service assurance, VIAVI is positioned to assure operators and their partners a smooth 5G network roll-out and sustainable network lifecycle.
Visit www.viavisolutions.com/5g, and request your copy of the VIAVI Fronthaul Handbook.HOW MUCH FIBER
IS ENOUGH?
5G FRONTHAUL TRANSPORT TESTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
By Kashif HussainKashif is the Director of Solutions Marketing with VIAVI Solutions and has more than 20 years of experience in mobile networking and wireless technology.
A D V E R T O R I A L
The Balancing ActIdentifying the right fiber topology for deploying a 5G network is the key to making the business case pay off. A variety of fiber fronthaul network topologies and technologies can be planned and implemented based on correct understanding of the requirements and goals of the network and getting fronthaul right. What does that mean?
1. It must be cost efficient. Deploying fiber is expensive. If dark (unlit) fiber is available, it should be used initially and as capacity demand increases deployment of a next level of multiplexing (WDM) system and future planning can increase network capacity.
2. It must be flexible. Fronthaul must allow different applications with different latency and jitter budgets to work on the same fiber infrastructure.
3. It must be transparent. Fronthaul should allow multiple services with varying quality of service (QoS) to be implemented.
4. It must be agile. Agility will enable quick delivery of new services, allowing for dynamic allocation and release of network resources required by different services. The ability to dynamically optimize network connectivity also will be a key component of 5G fronthaul.
5. It must have perfect timing and synchronization. Latency and jitter cannot be present, especially for mobility and URLLC applications.
6. It must be easy to manage and maintain. Network failures in fiber fronthaul have to be quickly resolved and high reliability for time sensitive applications must be achieved.
And, for SPs with multiple service offerings, a scalable access fiber architecture that can easily support residential, business, enterprise, and 5G midhaul/fronthaul on the same platform is essential.
Testing the 5G Network5G’s massively larger bandwidth demands a much denser fiber fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul network. This means not only more fiber cables and end points, but also a higher order of multiplexing which in turn increases the complexity and scale of fiber testing. Previously we had a pair of fiber cable connected to a radio. Now, this has evolved to upwards of twelve or more fiber pairs per radios. As a result, a visual fault location tool will not suffice to validate fiber signal integrity.
Deploying a 5G network is complex—it is not simply upgrading the RAN and the core, rather 5G deployment brings layers of complexity, each intertwined with the next. To overcome the myriad challenges a successful 5G deployment encompasses, it is essential to understand the cause and effect implications of every decision. Each choice can impact the cost and the strength of a service provider’s business case.
5G has three core use cases: enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC). And, initially not all use cases will be implemented. For example, URLLC applications require certain network enhancements that early 5G deployments may not be able to deliver, but from the service provider (SP) perspective, planning for those requirements is essential for a future-proof 5G network. Building the best network infrastructure to support 5G use cases is the top priority for all major SPs and to achieve that goal upgrading the underlying fiber network that connects the radios to the core is the critical first step to success.
While deploying fiber is costly, the benefits undeniably outweigh the deployment challenges. Fiber offers higher bandwidths (required for eMBB) with less attenuation, resists electromagnetic interference, offers lower latency (URLLC), and with improving multiplexing technologies, can accommodate capacity growth on the same fiber infrastructure.
Still, SPs grapple with fundamental questions: How much fiber is enough? How can fiber infrastructure investments today be leveraged for success as 5G matures? and they face the reality that without high capacity backhaul, mid-haul and fronthaul, their customers’ 5G experiences will not be any better than 4G. Moreover, unaddressed latency issues introduce the same risk to the 5G business case. Applications including virtual reality and connected cars demand a delay-proof fronthaul.
THE 5G DEPLOYMENT BALANCING ACTAttaining Right-sized, Reliable Fiber Fronthaul
Technicians may see light at the other end but will have no way to validate a specific wavelength path is correct.
Further, in a WDM system, testing for correct power levels will require different set of instruments. Many fibers will drive more MPO connector deployments, which will require an MPO light source and an MPO tester. Ultimately, fiber field installations will be more complex with significantly more MPO and xWDM deployments.
This increase in the number of fibers and the types of connections will drive the need for SPs and their contractors to have easy-to-use fiber test instruments with integrated test process automation to scale 5G deployments.
S1/Ethernet
Backhaul
eS1/Ethernet
BBU/REC
WDMFiber
eCPRI& CPRI
Fronthaul
CU/vCU
DU/vDU
FTN FTN
RRH
RUF1Midhaul
Tests
Verify proper QoS for eCPRI message types
Measure bandwidth/delay/jitter foreach message type
Verify connectivity to an RU
Measure One Way Delay against an RU
Verify PTP connectivity, and measurePTP Time Error
Verify proper GPS installation
ConclusionThe optical infrastructure serving fronthaul, mid-haul and backhaul must be flexible, agile and futureproof to meet 5G high bandwidth demands and significantly higher cell-site density. Topology of the fiber infrastructure chosen must be considered to maximize return on investment from short-term deployment to long-term network growth models. Managing and maintaining fiber infrastructure will be a constant operational expense that must be considered at the time of deployment. Having the right test solutions for maintaining fiber networks will be key in delivering high quality of service at low OPEX.
VIAVI Solutions is the industry leader in fiber test and delivers the most comprehensive end-to-end network test solution. With a fully integrated portfolio of cloud-enabled instruments and systems, software test automation, and services for network testing, performance optimization, and service assurance, VIAVI is positioned to assure operators and their partners a smooth 5G network roll-out and sustainable network lifecycle.
Visit www.viavisolutions.com/5g, and request your copy of the VIAVI Fronthaul Handbook.HOW MUCH FIBER
IS ENOUGH?
5G FRONTHAUL TRANSPORT TESTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
By Kashif HussainKashif is the Director of Solutions Marketing with VIAVI Solutions and has more than 20 years of experience in mobile networking and wireless technology.
I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N4 8
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
4 9AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
By John Giere
A recent survey of mobile operators globally found that 27% of the 41 operators surveyed will deploy 5G SA within 12-18 months with a further 10% within 24 months. With the maturity of 3GPP standards, such as the Release 16 freeze in March 2020, operators now see a clear path to 5G SA infrastructure. The overall timeline is supported by a total of 49% of operators who plan to deploy 5G SA within the next 4 years.
Responses to the survey reveal that operators choose different strategies when it comes to the edge. About 85% of operators are planning edge deployments at some point, but more than half of the operators in the survey have no strategy for doing so. Approximately 32% are going only with limited, specific-use cases such as smart factories, smart cities, or retail, while others are holding off until the business case for edge deployment becomes more viable.
The survey also includes a section about the network data layer which serves as single point of storage for all data about subscriptions, network services, devices, and connections, in a 5G network. Responses show that more than 50% of operators plan to move to a common network data layer across their network functions as they roll out 5G. Only 2% say they will keep vendor-specific data storage, indicating that the time has come to make architectural choices.
“Operators are beginning to firm up plans for how they will implement flexible, multi-vendor service architectures that enable them to deploy and monetize their 5G networks and differentiate their services” said Sue Rudd, Director, Networks and Service Platforms, Strategy Analytics. “The survey indicates that several operators have figured out how to deploy SA in the next couple of years. This could be as ‘islands’ of 5G radio access with a 5G SA core for special services, starting late 2021.”
Factors for Choosing a Network Data Layer Operators in the survey also listed the most important factors for choosing a network data layer. The top 3 are: 1. Gaining a unified view of
customer data. 2. The ability to deploy in slices
or at the edge. 3. The ability to monetize
subscriber data.
Mobile CongestionFor a country of just over 4 million people, Ku-
wait has more than 7 million mobile subscribers. This means its mobile penetration rate of 168% is one of the highest in the world. Zain Kuwait also
How Can Operators Deploy 5G AND Manage Mobile Video Growth?
It Is Possible!
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
has an extremely high mobile data consumption per SIM, driven in large part by users sharing and streaming mobile videos, according to a recent report. Given that consumption rate, video buffering can be a major frustration in the Middle East. It can cause subscribers to abandon a video within just 6 seconds, which often is enough to make a subscriber switch to another operator.
“ The overall timeline is supported by a total of 49% of operators who plan to deploy 5G SA within the next 4 years.”
To ensure that subscribers don’t suffer from poor quality of experience (QoE) -- such as long wait times and degraded video quality -- Zain Kuwait is deploying Enea Openwave’s full traffic management suite. It enables transparent classification of encrypted video flows to balance picture and playback video quality in real time according to radio network conditions.
Subscribers can benefit from smoother video streaming and improved Internet browsing. The operator can also manage the rising levels of encrypted video traffic to deliver outstanding QoE for our subscribers. n
ResourcesFor more information about the Enea Op-enwave study, Survey: One Third of Mobile Operators Will Deploy 5G Standalone within Two Years, published March 12, 2020, please visit https://owmobility.com/press-releases/survey-one-third-of-mobile-operators-will-deploy-5g-standalone-within-two-years/. You can register for a complimentary copy of Worldwide mobile operator survey – 5G Data Management detailing the research findings and a discussion on their implications, at https://landing.owmobility.com/5g-mobile-op-erator-survey/.
For more information about Strategy Analytics, please visit https://www.strategyanalytics.com/. Sue Rudd, Director Networks and Service Platforms, Strategy Analytics, can be contacted via email: [email protected].
“Zain Kuwait Users Are The Most Active Mobile Data Users In The World” by Alert, March 6, 2020. Alertify Roaming & Technology & Travel, Analysis & Reports. https://alertify.eu/zain-kuwait-users-the-first-most-active-mo-bile-data-users-in-the-world/.
John Giere, President, Enea Openwave, has
almost 30 years of wireless industry
management experience in sales, product management, marketing, and business development. Prior to Enea Openwave, John was President and CEO of Openwave Mobility, and GM of the mediation business unit for Openwave Systems; earlier John served as CMO for Alcatel-Lucent and Lucent Technologies. The Openwave division of Enea provides solutions to mobile operators for Video Traffic Management and 5G Data Management. Their solutions alleviate RAN congestion and unify data from 5G virtualized applications. For more information about Enea Openwave Division, please visit https://owmobility.com/.
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N5 2
MULTI-VENDOR COLLAB
Subhead: Multi-Vendor Collaboration Is Key
Vendors collaboration to simplify network expansion.
Need Project Velocity?
Multi-Vendor Collaboration Is Key
5 3AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
MULTI-VENDOR COLLAB
By Michael Measels, Justin Reid, and Kevin Wynne
There is going to be a tsunami of network build-outs over the next couple years that will make your head swim. Will you be ready?
By employing successful collaboration strategies that leverage their data assets, Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and their fiber network vendors can create competitive advantages for new growth opportunities.
Cloud-based network management ecosystems, and the data they produce, are the hidden glue that makes potent collaboration successful. They can also directly impact return on investment (ROI).
Collaboration in the Build-Out Process
Data silos are the bane of executives, project man-agers and workers alike. Like most organizations, CSPs have department data silos, each with unique budgets, objectives, personnel, etc. As well, their engineering firms, lead construction companies and subcontractors, backhaul suppliers, and other vendors, have their own silos.
The challenge service providers have is to bring these disparate business processes from within and outside of the organization together so there is a single system of record that supports the processes. These environments enable the project managers to extract financial, operational, scheduling, and various other data from respective information silos into coordinated systems so everyone follows the same North Star.
When you have a network management ecosys-tem that allows project teams to create a software
bridge between all of the collaborating partners, the output from a planning activity is immediately available as part of the design activity. Engineers, contractors, and subcontractors, can work from the same system of record where all the project data resides.
With it, they are supported with mobile apps tethered continuously to up-to-the-minute sched-uling, design, marketing, shipping, financial, and other, data. Conversely, every documented text, photographic, and video activity, is captured in the field, delivered back to the platform, and relayed to the appropriate department.
This is critical because when looking for oppor-tunities to streamline cost through collaborative efficiency, 10% of the overall project cost is in the engineering, and 90% is related to construction.
The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Data
As CSPs turn their focus to breakdown data silos that create inefficiencies and disrupt manageri-al visibility, they are looking to their vendors to collaborate more to help them meet their strategic goals. CSPs aim to leverage their data assets in order to create competitive advantages for their network expansion opportunities.
The tools needed for this should be able to:
• LEVERAGE GIS capabilities throughout the entire technology environment.
• OPTIMIZE with accurate designs created with automation.
• MANAGE change risks through real-time fie ld updates.
• ESTABLISH the single source of truth based upon flexible API data integrations.
• BREAK DOWN data silos by entering data once and letting it flow to all the stakeholders.
Need Project Velocity?
5 4
MULTI-VENDOR COLLAB
Michael Measels is VP of Product Management at 3-GIS. He has more than 20 years of experience in GIS and telecom network management. For more informa-tion, please email [email protected] or visit www.3-GIS.com.
Justin Reid is VP Sales & Partnerships at Vitruvi Software. He has more than 15 years of experience in international con-sulting and delivering enterprise technology solutions. For more information, please visit www.vitruvi.cc.
Kevin Wynne leads the North American business at Comsof. He has more than 12 years of experience in strategic and business development roles with technology focused organizations. For more information, please visit www.comsof.com.
CSPs need to create an environment where multi-ple vendors collaborate to bring their best-of-breed products to address a single mutual business goal, such as speed-to-revenue. In terms of constructing and deploying a fiber network, a unified goal can be reached quicker when all vendors work with the same data.
By looking for every opportunity to have systems speak to each other, the company and its partners will be able design faster, build faster, and manage data more efficiently. All of these efforts will help network operations reach its transformation goals. This multi-vendor collaboration results in increased project velocity.
Authentic collaboration means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The value of multi-vendor collaboration is that the collective data from the entire build-out process is available for downstream applications: provisioning, service assurance, and much more. When CSPs can share their data with all stakeholders, their network management ecosystem will be ready to generate long-term ROI. n
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DISPLAY PG URLA-Aerial Service Company, Inc. 31 linemen-tools.comBlack & Veatch 13 bv.com/onedigitalworldCharles Industries, LLC 11 charlesindustries.comClearfield, Inc. 60 SeeClearfield.com/sfuCorning 2 corning.com/community-broadbandCraftmark 10 craftmarkid.comESPi NA, Inc. 17 espicorp.comGo!Foton 32,33 gofoton.comISE Product Showcase 10 isemag.com/advertiseISE Social Media 16 isemag.comISE Webinars 12,31,56 isemag.com/webinarsLaser Technology, Inc. 21 Go2.LaserTech.com/ISE200hMegger 9 megger.com/getbookMPI Narada 26,27 mpinarada.comNISC 50 nisc.coopOFS 38,39 ofsoptics.comOldcastle Infrastructure 19 oldcastleinfrastructure.com/brands/duralitePetroflex N.A., Ltd. 10 petroflexna.comPlatinum Tools 43 platinumtools.comPower & Tel 3 ptsupply.comPreformed Line Products 55 preformed.comQuest Controls, Inc. 10 questcontrols.com/ospreyfmsSafeguard Equipment 44 safeguardequipment.comSouthwire Company, LLC 16 southwire.comTempo Communications, Inc. 51 TempoCom.comTerahertz Technologies, Inc. 54 teratec.usTXConnect Membership Summit 59 tta.org/eventsVertiv 37 vertiv.com/PowerExtendConverterVIAVI Solutions 46,47 viavisolutions.com/5G
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N5 6
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5 7AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 | W W W. I S E M AG. C O M
TOOLS
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I S E : I C T S O L U T I O N S & E D U C AT I O N5 8
HUMAN NETWORK
More Than 1,000 Students Suffer From Hacker Attacks Daily
By ATLAS VPN
Hackers inject malware into different types of downloaded educational resources, from math textbooks to dictionaries. The most popular textbooks are English, Math, and Literature.
6 Low Cost/ No Cost Recruiting EffortsBy Jeremy Eskenazi
When it comes to acquiring talent, having your sourcing strategy and process in place should happen before you even need to hire someone.
The 3 Disciplines of Strategic ThinkingBy Rich Horwath
The #1 most valued skill in leaders to-day is strategic thinking. Unfortunately, research with 154 companies found that only 3 out of every 10 managers are strategic. Are you one of the 3? Do you need to be?
Finding the Right Employee in 2020By Stephen Cardwell
Finding candidates with complex skill sets requires more than a simple job posting.
Know Your Nuggets: Confirmation BiasBy Bob Sullivan
Confirmation bias is one reason it’s so hard to change people’s minds about almost anything.
Management Information Systems Degrees RankedBy OnlineCollegePlan
Check out these recently published rankings centered around technology degree programs. One of these focuses on online Master’s degrees in Management Information Systems.
Structuring an Executive Summary as a DataStoryBy Nancy Duarte
We know the brain lights up when a story is told. So imagine the power of using elements of storytelling to help your audience understand your DataPOV.
7 Strategies to Boost Your Business Resilience and Weather the StormBy Jill Johnson
The level of distress that many leaders experience during a crisis is unsettling but normal. So put your “long game” into play: your Resilience Strategy.
THINK YOU HAVE
network challenges? Ignore the HUMAN NETWORK and you’ll have more on your plate than you can handle. That’s why ISE devotes a special section of www.isemag.com to articles that motivate, inspire and help you prioritize what truly matters during network evolution: YOUR TEAMS!
Read, share, and take to heart what these experts in motivation say in the HUMAN NETWORK section on www.isemag.com/ category/human-network.
THE KNOW HOW NETWORK BY MICHELLE LABROSSE
Key Roles the Project Manager Often Plays on ProjectsExactly what hats PMs wear usually depends on several things. There are the roles that seem to come up the most often in people’s minds.
Keynote Address: Randy White’s Keys to SuccessRandy White – Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, Super Bowl MVP
and Pro Football Hall of Fame, The “Manster”
Register to attend the Texas Telephone Association’s inaugural TXConnect Membership Summit, August 16 – 19, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas.
TXConnect invites TTA (Texas Telephone Association) members and non-members to become more involved in the fresh new direction of the association, activities and long-term goals. This summit represents a renewed focus to connecting rural Texas through a proactive partnership with you, the industry and the future of the telecommunications industry.
August 16 – 19, 2020 San Antonio, Texas
Visit www.tta.org/events to learn more about the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort San Antonio, the Golf Tournament, Salsa-Making Contest & Sangria-Making Class, Silent Auction, Carnival Night With Live Music & Old School Carnival Games, Signature Spa Day and more!
www.tta.org/events
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