Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience. White paper

Transcription

1 Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience White paper

2 Executive summary Contents Executive Summary 2 Mobile data services fuel 3 the traffic tornado Wi-Fi integration offers 4 new opportunities for operators The business benefits 5 of Wi-Fi integration What Nokia Siemens 6 Networks can offer Conclusion 9 References 10 Abbreviations 11 Surging demand for smartphones and tablets has generated a rising tide of mobile broadband traffic in recent times. Rich media applications such as Skype, Spotify, Facetime, Shazam and others are designed to run over Wi-Fi and 3G. In some cases, tablets (Apple ipad and Blackberry Playbook) run only on Wi-Fi. It is clear that users derive value from Wi-Fi as an alternative to 3G, predominantly because Wi-Fi has become a standard feature in all data-hungry devices. As part of key deployment strategies for Heterogeneous Networks, Wi-Fi plays an important role in relieving the pressure on the cellular network and in offering faster data connections. Moreover, unlicensed spectrum and low-cost hardware has extended Wi- Fi s global reach, creating huge value for smartphone users. Operators can create strategic value, since there is clear potential for integrating Wi-Fi with their networks to deliver a better customer experience, especially indoors which often suffers poor cellular coverage. This is achievable today, using the Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity solution, a standards-based Wi-Fi integration solution which turns Wi-Fi networks into seamless extensions of the mobile network. Complementing this, the Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Zone supports simultaneous HSPA, LTE and Wi-Fi access as part of a solution that leverages the capabilities of small cells to create a seamless hot zone for a superior mobile broadband experience. LTE HSPA GSM Wi-Fi DAS Micro Pico Macro Femto WiFi Seamless mobility Figure 1. Integrating Wi-Fi with cellular networks delivers a better customer experience. Wide area Medium area Hot spots Indoor 2 Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience

3 Mobile data services fuel the traffic tornado Over-the-top (OTT) providers today offer a rich and diverse range of services, including content (YouTube, Netflix), advertising (Google), communications (Facebook and Google+), commerce (Amazon and ebay), VoIP (Skype and Yahoo/ msn messenger) and device platformspecific services (Apple, Google and Microsoft). The availability of ubiquitous and affordable broadband connectivity has contributed to a boom in the popularity of OTT services, which have in turn created tremendous growth and innovation in the communications industry. Even so, voice is still a killer application in circuit switched and IP domains and this also needs to be addressed in the OTT customer value chain. The increased use of OTT services anytime and anywhere over mobile networks is putting pressure on operators to meet the high expectations of subscribers for a rich customer experience. The rise of mobile video has been spectacular and demanding. By 2020, OTT video applications will probably generate more than half of all IP traffic globally (Cisco Visual Networking Index). Video over mobile networks has already grown to become the world s dominant data-generating application. With 200 million streaming hits/day, YouTube is taking global mobile data traffic to greater heights, while long-format streaming video services are growing fast. For example, Netflix generates 30% of the Internet traffic in North America at peak times. Video streaming already accounts for 37% of mobile data revenue, but offers potential for much more. Operators that invest in the capacity and quality needed to provide a better video experience for different mobile devices (smartphones, tablets and so on) will be well-positioned to generate additional revenue and build strong customer loyalty by tapping into this new end-user behavior. Global IP Traffic 100% 90% 80% 70% 24% 53% OTT Video traffic All other IP traffic 60% 50% 40% 30% 76% 47% 20% 10% 0% Source: Nokia Siemens Networks Figure 2. By 2020, OTT video may account for more than 50% of global IP traffic. 1Rx Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience 3

4 Wi-Fi integration offers new opportunities for operators Wi-Fi has become a standard feature in virtually every smartphone and tablet sold today, enabling operators to encourage their customers to use it to provide a better data experience than 3G alone, especially in indoor locations. As Wi-Fi becomes more integrated with mobile networks, operators will have an opportunity to offer Wi-Fi as a service, as well as using it to increase wireless coverage and capacity for an improved customer experience. Wi-Fi integration helps to balance the data traffic between mobile networks and Wi-Fi accesses in a way that s transparent to users and reduces mobile network congestion. It has the added benefit of supporting new business models, including revenue sharing partnerships between 3G and Wi-Fi service providers. Operators can benefit by using their existing packet core network for harmonized traffic handling across 3G/LTE and Wi-Fi accesses. By integrating both untrusted and trusted Wi-Fi networks with the packet core, operators can use existing mobile capabilities, such as charging, policy control, lawful interception and deep packet inspection, with Wi-Fi access to better control Wi-Fi traffic and the customer experience. This also enables operators to make their 3G/ LTE data services available to users over Wi-Fi. When a Wi-Fi network, like a hotspot, does not fulfill all the necessary security requirements for Wi-Fi access, or a roaming partner hotspot is used, an operator can use Wireless LAN Interworking (I-WLAN) for 3G networks and Evolved Wireless LAN Interworking (S2b) for LTE networks, as standardized by 3GPP. An IPsec connection between the user device and packet core network secures communications via any Wi-Fi network. Where the Wi-Fi network is trusted and secured, the IPsec connection is no longer needed. In this case, integration can be achieved effectively by using pre-s2a for existing 2G/3G networks and S2a for LTE networks. As the trusted approach does not require an IPsec connection from the user devices, only strong hotspot authentication, this method is applicable to the majority of existing user devices on the market today. Informa Telecoms & Media 1 estimates that the number of private and public hotspots will grow at a CAGR of more than 18% over the next five years, reaching more than 652 million worldwide in That compares with an estimated 233 million in Many hotspots will remain private, but those that are public will increase by a more aggressive CAGR of 52%. Being able to meet the demand for indoor mobile data consumption will be critical for operators, particularly in buildings with poor cellular coverage. 1. The current and future status of the operator Wi-Fi business model, Informa Telecoms & Media. 4 Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience

5 The business benefits of Wi-Fi integration Wi-Fi integration offers several business benefits for operators. In particular, it offers the ability to inspire customer loyalty and reduce churn by delivering an improved customer experience through its ease of use, improved indoor coverage and speed of services. Furthermore, by being able to control the way end-users experience Wi-Fi, the technology allows operators to maintain their position in the traffic value chain. Operators can also provide data packages that offer unlimited or very high data limits to benefit customers using both cellular and Wi-Fi to access data services. Operators can also increase their total network capacity to meet rising traffic demands more cost effectively by selectively pushing traffic to approved Wi-Fi networks by leveraging millions of residential access points, public hotspots and Next Generation Hotspots for a better customer experience. This frees up cellular network resources for high-value mobile users. Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience 5

6 What Nokia Siemens Networks offers The Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity (SWLANC) is a Wi-Fi integration solution based on standards (mainly 3GPP) and which turns Wi-Fi networks into seamless extensions of the mobile network. Operators can connect the entire range of smart devices and laptops automatically to approved Wi-Fi networks, including their own hotspots, roaming partner hotspots and even home/private networks. The solution provides 3G-like usability and security for Wi-Fi access. Plug and play Wi-Fi connections bring Wi-Fi networks into everybody s reach and security mechanisms turn Wi-Fi networks as into trusted access networks with a similar security level as 3G connections. End users enjoy faster connections and the capacity of the operator s cellular network is preserved. Wi-Fi integration can be implemented in different ways to meet the needs of different types of operator, including fixed, mobile and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). The Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity solution is an overlay to existing mobile and Wi-Fi networks, allowing operators to exploit existing core and radio network infrastructure as part of the solution while having the ability to evolve towards LTE. Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Zone access points support simultaneous HSPA, LTE and Wi-Fi access as part of a solution that leverages the capabilities of small cells to create a seamless hot zone for a superior mobile broadband experience. Flexi Zone is the first small cells implementation using the concept of Liquid Radio baseband pooling, with a novel architecture that simplifies the deployment and operation of a small cell network. By offering multiple radio technologies in one pico-sized access point, their traffic can be backhauled to the Flexi Zone Controller using wireless NLOS (Non Line of Sight) integrated backhaul. At the controller, the data is split and routed using the different protocols in the case of Wi-Fi, the Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity solution can be added for smart Wi-Fi integration into 3GPP networks. Operators can even provide VoIP using an easy extension to their existing mobile core via a separate application with IMS. All mobile services, such as prepaid and post-paid, messaging, video calls, voice mail and legal interception can be offered on Wi-Fi. With One Number services, subscribers can use their existing mobile subscriptions on 2G, 3G and over Wi-Fi, even calling with national tariffs while roaming abroad. Operators can also offer Voice Call Continuity (VCC) between the circuit-switched/ IP Core and Wi-Fi access. As part of Flexi Zone with integrated HSPA, LTE and Wi-Fi radios, an operator can take advantage of Self Organizing Networks (SON) mechanisms for managing and optimizing Wi-Fi operation as part of heterogeneous networks. In addition, a superior customer experience and optimum use of available network resources is ensured via advanced traffic steering mechanisms considering various characteristics, such as network load and applications in use. To address the growing demand for data and voice capacity, Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity solution offers deployment options to meet specific operator requirements. 6 Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience

7 Easy Wi-Fi access Easy Wi-Fi Access provides an easyto-use solution for selectively pushing an operator s traffic automatically to approved Wi-Fi networks, such as operator hotspots, roaming partner hotspots or home/private Wi-Fi. When users connect to Wi-Fi, the network routes their traffic directly to the Internet, bypassing both the mobile radio and core networks. Easy Wi-Fi Access provides plug and play access to services via approved Wi-Fi networks by hiding settings configuration, network selection and hotspot authentication from the user. This makes Wi-Fi networks available to everybody, not only to those users who are more familiar with Wi-Fi. Security is improved via strong user authentication, like EAP-SIM and EAP-AKA, and an option to secure hotspot communication per user by using WPA2 Enterprise. Next Generation Hotspot will appear later in the market to complement Easy Wi-Fi Access. Initially, the Next Generation Hotspot will harmonize the technology landscape through recommendations such as WPA2 Enterprise, and will improve hotspot access for devices without SIM cards, for example. Together, Smart WLAN Connectivity and Next Generation Hotspot can provide superior Wi-Fi access for various users and their devices. DM AAA Cellular access GGSN/PGW Operator services IP network Public Wi-Fi Internet Figure 3. Easy Wi-Fi access routes traffic directly to the Internet, bypassing both the mobile radio and core networks. Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience 7

8 Wi-Fi Interworking Wi-Fi Interworking complements Easy Wi-Fi Access by allowing operators to integrate Wi-Fi access with the Packet Core network, providing harmonized and secure traffic handling for both mobile and Wi-Fi access. With packet core network integration an operator can gain improved visibility and control over Wi-Fi traffic and the customer experience. Furthermore, users are able to reach their familiar 3G/LTE services via both mobile and Wi-Fi accesses. This makes Wi-Fi a truly integral part of mobile broadband access. Operators can extend interworking for both trusted and untrusted Wi-Fi networks and can control the traffic to ensure a better customer experience across Wi-Fi networks. In addition, the solution enables selected Wi-Fi users to be linked to operator functions like Charging, Policy Control, Deep Packet Inspection, QoS and Lawful Interception. Operators can also integrate Wi- Fi access with the unified Evolved Packet Core and IP Core network with enhanced Wi-Fi functionality, improving usability, security and mobility. This enables even closer control over traffic with seamless network-controlled handovers between radio and Wi-Fi even during roaming. Session continuity assures that applications are not affected when the user device moves between different Wi-Fi networks as the same IP address is preserved. Voice over Wi-Fi can be integrated with the Mobile Packet Core, allowing harmonized and secure traffic handling for both mobile and Wi-Fi access. This enables features such as policy control and quality of service traffic management. Operators can even offer voice call continuity (VCC) between the Liquid Core and Wi-Fi networks through SR-VCC and evolve towards VoLTE. DM AAA Cellular access GGSN/PGW TTG/ePDG Operator services IP network Public Wi-Fi Internet Figure 4. Untrusted Wi-Fi access integration with the packet core network. IMS MGW Cellular access DM AAA GGSN/ PGW Access GW Gn, S2a Operator services Packet network L2/L3 connection Flexi Zone/ Public Wi-Fi Internet Figure 5. Trusted Wi-Fi access integration with the packet core network. 8 Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience

9 Conclusion Growing mobile broadband data traffic, driven by high-end smartphones and tablets, presents difficult strategic challenges to operators in meeting demand with finite radio spectrum. For many operators, there is a real opportunity to address the challenge by leveraging their existing Packet Core and Evolved Packet Core infrastructure to integrate user-plane traffic from Wi-Fi access. By balancing selected customers mobile broadband traffic between the mobile network and Internet Wi-Fi access points, operators can avoid congestion of their cellular and backhaul networks. This in turn leads to reduced need for capital expenditure and also helps to reduce operational costs. Today, Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity solution provides 3G-like usability and security for Wi-Fi access, with various tools for the operator to gain more visibility and control over Wi-Fi traffic and the customer experience. The solution can selectively push voice and data traffic from mobile networks to Wi-Fi and Next Generation Hotspots. It also allows seamless network-controlled handover of data between 2G, 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi. It is unique in the industry in taking advantage of the existing network infrastructure to deliver an enhanced individual customer experience and evolve towards LTE and VoLTE. With Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Zone Access Point, 3G + LTE + Wi- Fi capabilities can be integrated into a single small cells solution and combined with Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity solution to offer fully integrated Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience 9

10 References Nokia Siemens Networks White Papers: Enabling Mobile Broadband Growth Evolved Packet Core Open Core System Deployment Strategies for Heterogeneous Networks Appendix: The tools to achieve traffic integration A variety of means are available that can be combined to enable the seamless integration of traffic between cellular and Wi-Fi networks. These include: Device Management (DM) Used to over the air configure Wi-Fi settings, like Wi-Fi network settings, policies to user devices via Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) and VoIP. All offer improved security and a seamless and effortless customer experience Authentication Authorization Accounting (AAA) Transparent hotspot authentication for improved usability by authorizing customers to use operator services and to account for their consumption of resources during access over Wi-Fi. AAA allows Device Wi-Fi authentication (e.g. EAP-SIM) and policy profile for the access gateway. Tunnel Termination Gateway (TTG) or Evolved Packet Data Gateway (epdg) Acts as a gateway to devices to terminate IPsec connections and further connecting the users to GGSN/ PGW after successful authentication. Access Gateway Acts as a transparent gateway to devices using trusted Wi-Fi networks connecting selected users to GGSN/ PGW, and routing other users directly to Internet. IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) The IMS offers voice call continuity (VCC) between Liquid Core and Wi-Fi networks through SR-VCC and an evolution to VoLTE. The use of a Single Voice number gives customers the added benefit of using Wi-Fi networks for voice calls, messaging and video services. Policy Control Policy control offers a comprehensive customer experience and fair network resource use when accessing services via mobile and Wi-Fi networks. It further enables functions applicable to Wi-Fi access, including redirection support, throttling bandwidth according to subscriber or network use, fair use policy, user prioritization, and service based QoS. Network operator Tools To give operators greater visibility and control over Wi-Fi traffic and end-user behavior. 10 Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience

11 Abbreviations 3GPP AAA AP CAGR CS DPI epdg HSPA IEEE IMS IPsec I-WLAN GGSN LAN LTE MVNO NLOS OTT QoS SIM PSK SON SR-VCC SWLANC TTG VCC VPN VoIP VoLTE Wi-Fi WLAN WPA 3rd Generation Partnership Project Authentication, Authorization & Accounting Access Point Compound Annual Growth Rate Circuit Switched Deep Packet Inspection Evolved Packet Data Gateway High Speed Packet Access The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem Internet Protocol Security Protocol Wireless Local Area Network Interworking Gateway GPRS Support Node Local Area Network Long Term Evolution Mobile Virtual Network Operator Non Line of Sight Over-the-top Quality of Service Subscriber Identity Module Pre-Shared Key Self Organizing Networks Single Radio Voice Call Continuity Smart Wireless LAN Connectivity Tunnel Terminating Gateway Voice Call Continuity Virtual Private Network Voice over Internet Protocol Voice over LTE Technology of wireless local area networks that operate according to the standard of IEEE and provide interoperable wireless access between devices. Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. A local area network (LAN) that uses wireless connections for data transmission. Wi-Fi Protected Access Wi-Fi integration with cellular networks enhances the customer experience 11

12 Nokia Siemens Networks Corporation P.O. Box.1 FI NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS Finland Visiting address Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland Switchboard Copyright 2012 Nokia Siemens Networks. All rights reserved. A license is hereby granted to download and print a copy of this document for personal use only. No other license to any other intellectual property rights is granted herein. Unless expressly permitted herein, reproduction, transfer, distribution or storage of part or all of the contents in any form without the prior written permission of Nokia Siemens Networks is prohibited. The content of this document is provided AS IS, without warranties of any kind with regards its accuracy or reliability, and specifically excluding all implied warranties, for example of merchantability, fitness for purpose, title and non-infringement. In no event shall Nokia Siemens Networks be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever resulting form loss of use, data or profits, arising out of or in connection with the use of the document. Nokia Siemens Networks reserves the right to revise the document or withdraw it at any time without prior notice. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation, Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG. The wave logo is a trademark of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy. Other company and product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respective owners, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only.