NGN in Pakistan - Challenges During Migration: Report 2010

NGN IN PAKISTAN Challenges: During Migration Report (2010) - Publishid By Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

Next Generation Networks can be viewed as a ― communication network that allows unfettered access to all communication products and services, irrespective of the service provider or network connection. Basically the boom in the services of wired as well as wireless technologies, both in narrowband as well as broadband environments has created the demand for seamless connectivity between the networks as well as services. This has given rise to a need for an unwired network to support voice, data and video (triple play) over a common network, which is typically called Next Generation Network. In an Next Generation Network environment, it is expected that the consumers will be able to access their voice, data, video and new emerging media applications over a single network.At the same time, the provided service functions are independent from the basic transmission media. All the services are based on the Internet Protocol (IP). The advantage of IP networks is their flexibility and the simple integration of new applications.

Pakistan NGN Working Group (NGN-WG):
Pakistan Telecom Authority has established an industry working group with all the major operators and stakeholders to help guide the industry momentum to an effective migration and to resolve any problems that may be faced during transition.

In the past seven months, meetings of the Working Group, addressing the following agendas have been held.

Hardware standardization.

Carrier Interconnects in Pakistan, Present and future roadmaps.

Requirements and framework of end-to-end QoS in NGN.

Security considerations for NGN networks.

Vendors also participated , addressing the QoS and Security reservations and consideration. All the stakeholders came-up with concerns and also provided their network status to help assist the authority for future policy.

NGN ARCHITECTURE

An idea of a ’Pakistan internet-backbone’ on Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) interface (IP-MPLS) has been proposed which will converge the multi-protocols on an optical backhaul platform i.e. virtually any type of traffic coming from customers networks or other access networks will be converged to one protocol. That is, one protocol from access to core, simplified management throughout the network with flexible service creation and hence Fast Services Roll-out.
(In Pakistan NGN deployments started in 2005 but appreciable activity has been noticed during 2008 & 2009.)

This report reflects the current status of NGN networks in Pakistan, the migration status and future plans of the operators, experiences, difficulties and feedback about the migration to these networks.

Current Network Status:
The NGN Networks are categorized into two, The Core Networks and The Access Networks.

Core Networks:
The core network of the NGN is an IP network. This is a standardized transport platform consisting of various IP routers and switches. The connection control of the individual components is carried out by the control level. Standard and value-added services can then be provided via the service management level.
All the main stream operators have started their activity in migrating the core networks from legacy to NGN. The incumbent PTCL, having the largest fixed line network has 10 % of its network operating on C5 NGN architecture. The CMTOs, Ufone, Telenor and Mobilink have 100%,75% and 70%of their networks migrated to R4 architecture respectively, with an approved plan for 100% by December 2011.
(PTCL has 10 % of its network operating on C5 NGN architecture. The CMTOs, Ufone, Telenor and Mobilink have 100%,75% and 70%of their networks migrated to R4 architecture respectively.)

The major LDI’s, Wateen, Worldcall and Telecard have whole of their LDI network on NGN architecture where as LL networks are still on legacy networks.

The laying of the fiber at the backhaul level is aggressively in progress here, PTCL has installed 1600 FTTC PoPs in 12 cities. Many other LDIs are also owning Fiber as main carrier of their infrastructure. *

Domestic laid Backhaul Fiber Infrastructure

PTCL 5500 Km

Wateen 5500 Km

Multinet 4500 Km

Link Direct 5000 Km

Access Network:
NGN access networks deployment typically refer to network segment which connects an end-user to the nearest location which houses the network access providers’ equipment. So as per the definition , NGN access can be delivered by the network of different technologies including fiber, copper, coaxial as well as different wireless options.

Most of the countries mainly consider Access Network as, referring to the introduction of fiber into the local loop in order to enjoy NGN to the full.

The operators and stakeholders here agree to the fact that Fiber at the access level of NGN is matchless in performance, but its high cost and maintenance due to physical breaks, high ROW charges and above all, the user affordability concerns overshadow its performance advantages in our market, especially at the domestic level.

Access Network Technologies

i) Fiber in the Access Network:
FTTH will make possible NGN’s full capability use. As far as Fiber to the customer premises is concerned it is deemed that it should be able to meet customer requirements, as fiber can offer much more than copper is delivering at the subscriber premises. As far as its affordability is concerned, it will be, undoubtedly, an expensive solution as compared to the existing networks. The OSP(Outside Plant) part of laying fiber is very expensive due to very high ROW charges. Moreover FTTH terminals are also expensive at the moment. This concern of RoI on FTTH is prevailing worldwide and it is a hurdle for the deployment of fiber in access networks specially in the low income regions of the world. The industry members of the NGN-WG came up with special request to the authority to look into the issue of ROW.
(This concern of RoI on FTTH is prevailing worldwide and it is a hurdle for the deployment of fiber in access network.)

Domestic laid Fiber Optical Access Network

PTCL 12000 Km

Nayatel 2300 Km

NTC 637 Km

World Call 558 Km

Drivers Of Migration:
a.) Cost Saving:
One of the major drivers of NGN migration is the cost saving, but it is very clear that the NGN-core saves the cost but the deployment of NGN-
access needs a lot of investment to be pooled in. According to an operator “NGN still needs to prove their ROI’s and the total cost of ownership needs to be considered while evaluating such investments.” The market research company Ovum has pointed out that it will take some time before the cost-reduction potential in NGN will becomes noticeable due to more efficient network management. The procedure will take several years.
(It will take some time before the cost-reduction potential in NGN will becomes noticeable due to more efficient network management.)

b.) Rid of old Equipment:
The other core driver is that, the legacy TDM network equipment is reaching obsolesces and not fully covered by vendor’s support and maintenance contracts.

So the motivation for NGN migration is not necessarily just to advance the services and reduce to OPEX but rater to move the network to next stage and get rid of 20 years old TDM equipment. Almost all the operators would prefer opting for Buy-Back arrangement of the dismantled TDM equipment with respective vendors.

CHALLENGES DURING MIGRATION to NGN: Details Here