Spectrum Refarming For New Growth

Spectrum Refarming
for New Growth
Contents
04 W
hy Refarming is Essential for MBB
Development
16 New Opportunities Generated for

Carriers by R
efarming
19 H
ow Convergent SingleRAN Delivers
Seamless UMTS Coverage
22 T elenor - Accelerating MBB Coverage

with SDR
26 S FR - Successful 900M Refarming

30 B
elgacom - A Nationwide
Partnership for an LTE Future
Why Refarming is Essential

for MBB Development
04 Spectrum Refarming for New Growth
Huawei Technologies
Business and personal lifestyles are evolving faster than ever. Revenue from data services
has replaced that of stalled voice income and has in turn become the key driver for service
growth.
Mobile ARPU per user per month (EUR)
45
40
35
30
China
Poland
UK
USA
25
20
15
10
5
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
A900MHz Refarming Advantages

A
UMTS network can be constructed in the
GSM900 frequency band at a lower cost
with better coverage than a UMTS2100
network.
R
adio signals are transmitted farther at
a lower carrier frequency and allow one
site to cover a wider area. This makes the
UMTS900 an excellent wide coverage
solution.
M
obile network CapEx can be reduced
since wider coverage per site means fewer
sites, and existing base stations can be
repurposed, protecting legacy investment.
L
ow frequency carrier signals suffer less
loss when penetrating building walls,
enhancing end user experience.
2007
Figure 1: Decline in Voice ARPU as Represented by 4 Independent Nations
Millions
Interest in the mobile telecommunications revolution continues. Eying the potential of

ubiquitous mobile broadband, operators attention to the advantages of UMTS data service
is on the rise. The demand for UMTS mobile broadband coverage everywhere, from urban to
rural areas, advances on a daily basis.
Global Cellular Subscriber Forecast 2008 - 2013
6,000
900MHz Refarming Challenges

I nterference between GSM and UMTS
networks must be minimized.
5,000
4,000
UMTS/HSPA
GSM
3G
CDMA
Other
3,000
2,000
F
eeder and Antenna sharing to protect
existing investment.
G
uarantee of GSM network capacity
enhancement and continuous development.
U
nified operation and maintenance of the
two networks to reduce OpEx.
1,000
Dec
2008
Dec
2009
Dec
2010
Dec
2011
Dec
2012
Dec
2013
Source: Informa, July, 2008
Figure 2: UMTS Growth & GSM Decline
Spectrum Refarming for New Growth 05
For many years now, industry operators have

struggled to address one key challenge - how
to expand UMTS operations while maintaining
cost-efficient operations. The answer has
arrived in the form of refarming (repurposing)
available 900 MHz spectrum UMTS. UMTS
900 delivers the new benefits of providing
operators with excellent opportunities for
business development while making the most
of pre-existing legacy assets.
Refarming for Improved Network
Efficiency with Lower Costs
According to the physics of radio wave
propagation, the lower the carrier frequency,
the further radio signals can travel. In extreme
contrast with the complete and contiguous
5MHz channel width requirements of
WCDMA, LTE in a refarmed 900 spectrum
band can be successfully deployed with
channel widths under 1.5MHz. UMTS900
allows an operator to employ the same cells

to realize better coverage while saving the
cost of added base stations. As an essential
business growth benefit, lower UMTS900
carrier frequency radio signals are less
susceptible than UMTS2100 to penetration
loss. UMTS900 therefore brings the double
advantages of low cost coverage expansion
to embrace rural areas while improving
indoor coverage critical to urban revenue
growth.
Coverage driven roll-out advantage cells
that are nearly three times larger than
UMTS2100MHz band
Cost-efficient coverage of UMTS900,
with 50%-70% fewer sites compared with
UMTS in the 2100 MHz band
Improved data rates and indoor coverage
Reuse of existing GSM900 sites, and
infrastructure equates to easy rollout for
an existing GSM900 operator
Refarming Yields a Better Network at Lower Cost

Cell Coverage: UMTS 900MHz 2.5 -- 3 times larger than UMTS 2.1GHz
Site Quantity: UMTS 900MHz 50 -- 70% less than UMTS 2.1GHz
Indoor Coverage Quality: UMTS 900MHz 10dB better than UMTS 2.1GHz
WCDMA2100 1Mbps
Cell Coverage Comparison
WCDMA2100 Voice
The Refarming Eco-system is Ready

The time for acting on this trend is now.
Acknowledging the advantages to be gained
from UMTS in 900 MHz bands, more regions
including many European countries have
already given the green light to deploy UMTS
at 900MHz.
Not only has the European Commission
approved the re-farming of the 900MHz
frequency bandwidth for 3G Mobile
Broadband use, countries in many other parts
of the world have also awarded 900MHz
spectrum without specific restrictions.
At time of publication, over 14 UMTS900
commercial networks have already been
launched successfully, with more than 60
UMTS900 networks planned to come online
in 2010. Responding to UMTS900 fastgrowing demand, device vendors are racing
to support commercialization. Availability
and choice of UMTS900-HSPA user devices is
appropriately exceeding market expectations.
Excluding notebooks, 208 UMTS900-HSPA
devices, supporting both GSM and EDGE
were launched in 2009 by 34 suppliers.*
Several factors point to the continued
rapid expansion of UMTS900 refarming
networks globally: an increasingly nimble
industry response to mobile broadband
demand; ready availability of devices; and
endorsements from regulatory bodies.
*Source: GSA, HSPA Devices Survey, December 4, 2009.
GSM1800 Voice
WCDMA900 1Mbps
WCDMA900 Voice
GSM900 Voice
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
Cell area [km2]
8.0
10.0
12.0
Figure 3: Varying Frequency Comparison of GSM and WCDMA Coverage
14.0
Huawei Technologies
Eco-system Readiness
T
hree vendors in the industry, including
Huawei, have successfully developed
commercial UMTS900 networks.
T
o date, Huawei has constructed nine
GSM900/UMTS900 SDR commercial
networks.
R
outers, PC cards and built-in modules
supporting UMTS900 have also been
commercially released.
T
he EU passed a resolution on July 27,
2009 approving refarming the 900MHz
band, and requested that its member
countries enforce the bill within six
months to drive the development of
the 3G mobile communications industry.

900MHz operators can utilize the frequency
for any technology at their own discretion,
without license restrictions.
In Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the
Asia Pacific region, the UMTS900 is fast
becoming a standard terminal frequency.
A
ccording to a global survey from the GSA
(Global Mobile Suppliers Association),
34 terminal vendors have released 190
UMTS900-HSPA terminals, including 118
UMTS900-HSPA mobile terminals and 39
USB dongles.
The Refarming Eco-system is Ready
Huaweis SingleRAN Based Refarming

Solution
Commercial References & Commitment

14 UMTS900 networks launched
60+ U900 networks committed by 2010
Regulatory
Green Light is ON:
Network & Technical Solutions
900MHz was approved by

EU Parliaments to deploy
UMTS to deploy UMTS in all
27 countries in July, 2009
3 vendors (Huawei, Ericsson, NSN) commercially

launched U900 networks
1 vendor (Huawei) has commercially launched 4
G900/U900 SDR networks
13 countries outside of the

EU have been granted
refarming rights as of Q1
2010.
U900 Terminal
258+ UMTS900 commercial terminals available
49+ suppliers released commercial devices
Figure 4: Refarming Eco-system Components
(CapEx & OpEx)
50-70%
Reduction
UMTS900
2100MHz
50-70% site saving with U900
Figure 5: UMTS900 CapEx and OPEX Savings
Source: GSA UMTS900 Operator Case Study
Affordably Expanding Coverage

To date, the introduction of broadband
mobile data services to rural customers
has always been inhibited by the
expense of extending 3G coverage over
large areas. Market share, business
growth and revenues have all been
equally restricted. Huaweis pioneering
SingleRAN SDR UMTS refarming solution
now makes rural MBB an affordable and
efficient proposition.
"At lower frequencies, radio signals
propagate further, meaning that fewer
sites are needed for network roll-out.
At 900MHz, for example, networks
can be built and operated with cost
savings of around 50-70% compared
with networks deployed in 2100MHz
core-band 3G spectrum. These coverage
and cost-saving benefits mean that
operators can bring 3G services to lessdensely populated areas that were
previously uneconomical to cover."
- Catherine Viola, Senior Analyst at Analysys Mason
Cost of Rural/Suburban Coverage
UMTS2100
This solution introduces critical advances

essential to operator success in the
rush to compete for Mobile Broadband
business. These advances include
improved coverage and quality of service,
reduced costs, added revenue streams
and easy evolution.
900MHz
Huawei Technologies
Huaweis SingleRAN SDR UMTS900 solution

can save as much as 50% in TCO. With
Huaweis SDR solution, operators can migrate
GSM
from GSM to UMTS with nothing more than

a simple software upgrade. All RRU and BBU
interface boards can subsequently be reused.
G+U
U+L
Figure 6: Huaweis Solution Permits RRU Evolution with Software Upgrade

savings up to 50% in TCO
Huaweis SingleRAN SDR solution can also

support GSM and UMTS 900 simultaneously
and operators can incrementally migrate from
to UMTS as demand for GSM reduces.
With the SingleRAN SDR UMTS900 Refarming
Solution, no new sites are dictated, and
existing sites can be repurposed with prior
CapEx Saved
Antenna
legacy devices
additional devices
saved devices
SASU
investment in legacy equipment receiving

equal protection. GSM900 antenna systems
can also be reused for UMTS900. In this
manner, Huaweis SingleRAN SDR UMTS900
fundamentally resolves issues of equipment
investment protection while helping
operators reduce both CapEX and OpEx.
No TMA
No combiner
Reuse of legacy A/C (air conditioning) for G/U
Reuse of legacy batteries for G/U
GSM A/C UMTS A/C
OpEx Saved
G/U
SDR
U900
GSM
Batteries
UMTS
Batteries
50%+ power savings

20%+ transmission savings
50%+ maintenance cost savings
Figure 7: Huawei SingleRAN SDR GU900 Solution
The expanded coverage and cost saving

benefits of Huaweis solution can now bring
3G services to less densely populated areas

that previously were cost prohibitive to cover.
Enabling Added Revenue Streams

As global 3G markets develop, mobile data
services will account for an ever larger
percentage of applications, offering new
revenue streams for operators. Operator
success depends on consumer experience
and perception. If the mobile broadband
network experiences problems with service
coverage, interruption or speed, customers
will flee, and so with them lucrative
advertisers. Poor quality broadband services,
as encountered in rural regions and indoor
scenarios, can severely limit mobile data
application development, translating to
delayed or sluggish increases in revenue.
3G Mobile Network Obstacles:

Non-continuous coverage
Insufficient bandwidth for individual users
Poor indoor coverage
For successful broadband network

deployment, service continuity and
enhanced bandwidth become essential to
ensuring positive user experience. Huaweis
UMTS900 refarming solution constructs
a common connection coverage for rural
areas. Given the same number of sites,
UMTS900 can provide a wider coverage than
other solutions. The common connection
layer allows mobile broadband networks
to provide continuous coverage and access
services for mobile users. Powerful network
performance can increase consumer loyalty
and promote operator success. Using
900MHz for UMTS deployments lead
to reduced rural deployment costs and
improved indoor signals - music to the ears
of operators.
Reducing Interference while Maintaining

GSM and UMTS Performance
To sustain profit margins and maintain
optimal levels of TCO, operators must contain
costs associated with rollout, operation and
maintenance. To avoid damages to perception,
loyalty and revenue, operators must also
ensure pre-existing legacy businesses remain
supported, and then carefully manage the QoS
for both GSM and UMTS subscriber bases.
Minimize the impact of UMTS frequency
allocation on legacy GSM business
Retain GSM capacity during and after
refarming
Balance capacity & quality between GSM
and UMTS
Huaweis SingleRAN SDR refarming solution
is unique in its proven ability to successfully
respond to all of these challenges. Huaweis
solution reduces WCDMA bandwidth from 5.0
MHz to 4.2 MHz leaving 0.8 MHz of valuable
spectrum to be devoted to GSM use. Since
nearly all signal energy in a modulated WCDMA
carrier is within the 4.2 MHz range, standard
terminals ably support this reduction.
Improved GSM spectrum efficiently mitigates
the impact of UMTS900 refarming on
ongoing GSM operations and maximizes
functionality of the carriers remaining GSM
capacity. With Huaweis tighter frequency
reuse solution, spectrum efficiency is
ultimately improved, requiring between 25-
GSM Capacity to Bandwidth Table

Configuration
Normal (4 x 3 reuse)
TFR (70% load)
S1/1/1
2.4
2.4
0%
S2/2/2
4.8
3.6
-25%
S3/3/3
7.2
4.2
-42%
S4/4/4
9.6
-48%
S5/5/5
12
5.9
-51%
S6/6/6
14.4
6.7
-53%
S7/7/7
16.8
7.6
-55%
S8/8/8
19.2
8.4
-56%
Figure 8: GSM Capacity to Bandwidth Table
Frequency
Huawei Technologies
56% less spectrum bandwidth for GSM.
coding and Interference Cancellation (ICC). These

functions further boost GSM spectral efficiency by
ensuring tighter reuse factors in network planning.
Huawei maximizes GSM capacity with reduced
interference.
Other advances that are unique to the Huawei

solution include Interference-based Channel
Allocation (IBCA), Adaptive Multi Rate (AMR) speech
Reduced interference: 4.8MHz is improved to support up to S4/4/4
S4/4/5
S2/2/2
Industry
Interference
Cancellation
Technology
S3/3/3
FRLOAD 50%
S4/4/3
FRLOAD 70%
FRLOAD 90%
DTX
IBCA
UISS (w/o GPS)
Enhanced ICC
Enhanced UISS
Power control
ICC
AMR
IBCA
AMR
Figure 9: Maximize GSM Capacity on Given Spectrum
Minimized interference between GSM and

UMTS is essential for refarming success.
Huaweis innovative Buffer Zone solution
eliminates interference on same frequencies,
and helps operators meet customer

expectations, maintaining loyalty and base
business while allowing for added Mobile
Broadband growth.
A
GSM900 sites
area A
frequency planning as usual
Buffer Zone
area B
900MHz frequency is
different from A and C area
UMTS900 sites
area C
UMTS900 frequency may be
same as A area frequency
Figure 10: Huawei Buffer Zone Solution
To prevent disruption in cell coverage, Huawei

provides service-based and load-based intersystem handovers. With these advanced
handover systems the operator can strike
an optimum balance of the system load

between GSM and UMTS networks, improving
performance without a trace of inconvenience
to the UMTS or GSM subscribers.
Service-Based Handover
UMTS
UMTS
Voice
Heavy
Load
Heavy
Load
GSM
Heavy
Load
Heavy
Load
Reduce CS blocking rate

Increase PS throughput
Reduce inter-operation time delay
Reduce power consumption
Figure 11: Huawei Buffer Zone Solution
Supporting Smooth Evolution to LTE

In response to end user demand for
expanded services, richer multimedia
experiences, easier access and greater
personalization, many new exciting
applications have been developed. Key
applications for the next generation of
mobile users include person-to-person
communications, content delivery, social
networking, business services and mobile
commerce. To deliver these applications
with the quality of service that customers
expect, mobile networks must achieve
higher performance. The prerequisites are
high-speed, broadband access via mobile
devices, delivered anywhere at any time.
LTE supports this first phase of mobile
broadband network evolution.
Healthy competition, meanwhile, has
meant that operators continue to expand
usage allowances and lower prices while
pushing network capacity to the limit.
900MHz spectrum is instead to be used for
UMTS mobile communication but the move
to provide 3G over the 900MHz spectrum is
by no means the end game; operators must
Huaweis GSM/UMTS Site Sharing

Solutions
For GSM/UMTS joint networking, two
scenarios can be applied: site sharing and
non-site sharing.
Load control by
inter-RAT HO
PS service
GSM
Benefits
Load-Based Handover
begin examining opportunities to deploy 4G

services over the digital dividend frequencies
when they become available.
-Andrei Tchadliev, Analyst at Pyramid Research
In terms of evolution and investment
protection, Huaweis SingleRAN SDR UMTS900
reframing solution has established unique and
unparalleled advantages. Based on the earlier
SingleRAN SDR solution, networks can support
smooth upgrades, allowing next generation
network upgrades with no construction cycle.
Capitalizing on this solution, an operator can
launch new services earlier than competitors
operating on multiple platforms. The operator
can rapidly capture initial users, becoming the
primary, trend-setting operator for any given
marketplace. First round pioneers become
the pace setters because their choices and
evaluations establish standards for later users.
Conversely, if network construction cannot
quickly respond to changing market demands,
a significant number of opportunities may be
lost. With Huaweis SingleRAN SDR UMTS900
refarming solution, the operator can
intelligently manage cost and time to evolve
well in advance of any anticipated market
demand.
Because the coverage radius of a UMTS

network is larger than that of a GSM
network, in the non-site sharing scenario,
the number of UMTS sites can be reduced
and equipment investment reduced.
With unshared sites network deployment
cannot be performed per the original
cellular structure. When original GSM site
resources cannot be wholly or partially reutilized, the result is an emergence of many
new sites, all carrying the avoidable cost
burdens of supporting auxiliary equipment
and additional labor.
When GSM and UMTS networks do not
share sites, interference increases. In a site
sharing scenario, interference between
GSM and UMTS networks is reduced.
When antennas are not shared, an
adjustment in the downtilt angle and
azimuth allows each network to achieve
the best coverage performance.
By adjusting the transmission power of the
UMTS network, GSM and UMTS networks
basically enjoy the same coverage.
The Huawei SingleRAN based 900MHz
refarming solution meets the site sharing
requirements for GSM/UMTS joint
networking. GSM and UMTS networks can
use the same RF module through software
upgrades, dramatically cutting conventional
added equipment costs.
Adjacent Frequency Guard Band Solution
Huaweis SingleRAN based frequency
refarming solution supports two types
of frequency allocation: edge-type and
sandwich-type allocation.
Huawei Technologies
f1
GSM system
GSM system of
other operators
f2
UMTS system
Figure 12: Edge-type GSM/UMTS Frequency Allocation
GSM system
f1
f2
GSM system
UMTS system
Figure 13: Sandwich-type GSM/UMTS Frequency Allocation
Edge Type: The frequency gap (f1) between

the GSM band edge and the center of the
UMTS band can be configured based on
the gap requirement of the product. For f2,
the frequency gap with any other carriers
band must be no less than 2.6MHz. If
less than 2.6MHz, the other carriers GSM
network, given its unknown RF performance,
may interfere with the UMTS network,
especially when the system is used on the
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) or Packet
Data Channel (PDCH). With the power
control disabled, added interference will be
generated on the UMTS band.
For frequency gap f1, Huawei SingleRANbased 900MHz refarming solutions support
a minimum bandwidth of 2.4MHz in urban
areas and 2.2MHz in rural areas. For the
frequency gap f2, the adjacent frequency is
idle and the solutions support a minimum
bandwidth of 2.5MHz. If the adjacent
frequency is occupied by another carriers

GSM band, the bandwidth spacing must be
no less than 2.6MHz.
Sandwich-type: Within a given carriers
frequency band, the UMTS frequency is
placed in the middle, with the GSM frequency
band on its two sides. The frequency gap
between the center of UMTS and the
GSM on its two sides is equal and can be
configured based on the gap requirement of
the product.
If f1 and f2 are equal and both are less than
2.6MHz, the frequency bands on two sides of
the UMTS can share spectrum resources with
the GSM system. Compared with edge-type
allocation, this method improves the capacity
of GSM.
In the sandwich-type allocation, the UMTS
carrier spectrums can be placed anywhere
within the spectrum of the operators (not

necessarily the center of the spectrum). This
placement should be determined according
to individual operator strategies. For example,
a carrier might wish to split some spectrums
in the future to obtain 2 UMTS bands, which
can reduce subsequent UMTS frequency
adjustments.
For the frequency gap of f1 and f2, the Huawei
SingleRAN based 900MHz refarming solution
supports a minimum bandwidth of 2.4MHz in
urban areas and 2.2MHz in rural areas.
Co-Frequency Buffer Zone Solution
When the UMTS and the GSM networks use
the same frequency band, base station or
terminal signals for one system fall within
the reception area of the other system. This
interference cannot be suppressed by the
receiving filter. An appropriate frequency
buffer zone must be established between the
two systems within the same frequency band
to accelerate attenuation of the interfering
signal and guarantee normal operation of the
two systems.
For this purpose, Huawei has developed
an innovative Co-Frequency Buffer Zone
Solution, resolving co-frequency interference
between any two systems. The solution
has already seen successful commercial
application by Optus in Australia.
Summary of Huaweis SingleRAN based
900MHz Refarming Solution:
Optimize base station RF filters using an
advanced algorithm to provide frequency
refarming solutions for small frequency
spacing in various scenarios; minimizing
the impact of the UMTS900 on existing
GSM by making full use of scarce 900MHz
frequency resources.
Adopt SDR technology to enable GSM and
UMTS to output on one power amplifier
and share antennas, reducing network
construction costs.
Summary of Huaweis SingleRAN based

900MHz Refarming Solution, continued:
Integrates GSM and UMTS networks on
the same hardware platform. Co-RRM
(Radio Resources Management), CoO&M (Operation & Maintenance), and CoRNP/RNO (Radio Network Planning/Radio
Network Optimization) are realized with
software, consolidating two independent
networks to deliver user enjoyment of
high-end 2G and 3G services without any
impediments.
Flexibly allocates GSM/UMTS Co-RRM radio
resources. Channel allocation, power control
and handover policy are optimized according
to service and capacity requirements of
various standards, maximizing the utilization
of available radio resources.
Enables GSM/UMTS Co-O&M. A unified
operation & maintenance interface,
configuration control commands,
normalized measurement and statistics
reports combine to reduce the complexity
and cost of maintenance. With the GSM/
UMTS Co-RNP/RNO tool, planning and
optimization of the GSM and UMTS
networks can be carried out in a unified
way to improve the accuracy of network

planning, and boost construction of
high-quality networks, while reducing
maintenance costs.
Leverages Huaweis independently
developed interference pre-elimination and
interference reduction technologies for
network performance improvement and
the sustainable development of the GSM
network.
Especially helpful in scenarios with high
traffic challenged by low network capacity,
the tight frequency reuse solution from
Huawei, together with the optimized channel
allocation policy, can effectively suppress
network interference, increase system
capacity up to and over 200% with limited
frequency resources, and guarantee voice
quality across the entire network.
Working in harmony, these innovations yield
substantial advances in every major category:
network performance; network capacity;
spectrum utilization; user experience; and
revenue generation. The capacity and quality
of GSM networks can be improved despite
limited spectrum resources.
Huawei Technologies
New Opportunities
Generated for Carriers
by Refarming
Sharifah Amirah
Principal Analyst Telecoms Europe Frost & Sullivan London
t lower frequencies radio signals propagate further so that fewer sites are needed
for network roll-out. At 900MHz, networks can be built and operated with the
cost savings of about 50-70% when compared to networks deployed in the
2.1 GHz core-band third-generation (3G) spectrum. These coverage and costsaving benefits allow carriers to bring 3G services to less-densely populated areas that were
previously uneconomical to cover.
Although refarming is recognized as one of the most significant regulatory applications,
those with 900 MHz of assets consider refarming as a threat to both their competitive
advantage and network quality. In time carriers will see the benefits far outweigh the
challenges.
Huawei Technologies
Restraints for the Development of the Refarming Industry

This is a complex and difficult task. The occupants of the frequencies
to be reassigned will not be pleased by the change for fear of
disruptions to their activities. In addition, refarming will make the
equipment previously used in those frequencies completely unusable,
at least in that country. This implies that they must be compensated
on a replacement-cost basis. The funds for compensation must be
raised from the beneficiaries of refarming, ideally as part of auction
proceeds.
With mobile broadband already replacing fixed-line service, the
expanded 3G coverage and eventual price reductions of UMTS-900
pose a real threat to fixed-line carriers.
In Europe, the refarming of 2G spectrum for 3G services is not currently
allowed, although the European Commission has made the relaxation
of these rules a key part of its recent telecom reform package.
The situation is further complicated as 4G services are best rolled out
over two types of spectrum - high bands such as 2.6 GHz for high
bandwidth, and low bands such as 900 MHz or 800 MHz for longdistance propagation.
Drivers for the Development of the Refarming Industry
Customer challenges include GSM coverage reductions when UMTS
shares the same antenna, and the increase of Capital Expenditure
(CAPEX) and Operating Expense (OPEX) as a result of UMTS
introduction. Protecting legacy investment of GSM equipment
becomes increasingly important.
Refarming presents both technical and financial opportunities for
carriers worldwide. The use of low-frequency spectrum to deliver
3G services will ensure greater coverage and network capacity at
the pivotal point of the market. With the number of 3G handset
subscriptions set to increase exponentially through 2014, moving
3G service to the 900MHz spectrum will provide a solution to the
inevitable growth in data usage and network traffic.
Although carriers may feel threatened by the prospect of losing their
existing spectrum assets, the opportunity to expand coverage and
reduce costs outweighs any hesitation they may have about service
deterioration or loss of market share from reduced spectrum holdings.
According to Frost & Sullivans research, refarming will be a key
enabler of rural mobile broadband coverage. Liberalizing the usage of
the 850/900MHz frequency bands, in which 2G GSM/CDMA services
currently operate, to allow carriers to evolve their networks in these
bands to newer technologies such as UMTS/HSPA is a significant
emerging trend. It will extend the reach of 3G services such as mobile

broadband to suburban and rural areas not covered by carriers
existing 2100MHz 3G networks.
900 MHz carriers can utilize the frequency for any technology, at their
own discretion, without license restrictions.
Geographic Development of the Refarming Industry
The countries in Europe that have cleared 900 MHz refarming are
Finland, France, Romania, Estonia, Iceland and Italy. In the Asia
Pacific region (APAC) Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand
have cleared 900MHz refarming, while Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in
the Middle East and Africa have also cleared 900MHz refarming. To
date, other countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and the
U.K. have also launched public consultations on refarming the 800
and 900MHz spectrums for 3G services.
Apart from refarming, carriers are interested in software-defined
radio (SDR) to prolong the life of existing equipment and achieve at
least High Speed Packet Access+ (HSPA+) or LTE capacity at low cost.
There are performance and efficiency trade-offs for implementing the
advanced standards in this method.
Profiles of Major Refarming Vendors
Many cellular companies are evaluating LTE migration strategies, but
need to keep them flexible, in line with uncertain market demands
and spectrum availability. This shifts the focus to software-defined
architectures that support overlay approaches for existing networks.
The world refarming market is anticipated to be stable from now
on, with a small group of equipment vendors providing complete
refarming solutions. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei), Ericsson,
and Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. (NSN) constitute the first tier of the
world refarming market measured by total convergence capability.

They are likely to enjoy continued potential for increased exposure
to market opportunities. In the second tier of the world refarming
market, ZTE Corporation (ZTE) and Alcatel-Lucent are competing with
other pioneers.
Ericsson is also working on adapting its SDR platform to target GSM
refarming. The companys radio product manager has reported that
the company has been waiting for standards to be finalized on how
the radio technologies should coexist.
Huawei, a leading next-generation mobile network solutions provider,
launched the 900 MHz refarming solutions based on its SingleRAN,
which could let carriers use the GSM frequency to rapidly deploy a lowcost UMTS network with wide coverage. Users receive seamless 2G and
3G services with two networks integrated on the same platform.
NSN has completed the successful trial of their Enhanced Data Rate
for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Downlink Dual Carrier (DLDC), both of
which positively influence GSM/LTE spectrum refarming, ensuring a
better overall usage of resources.
ZTE expanded Communication Services, Ltd.s (CSL's) Next G network
capabilities with the roll-out of UMTS in the 900 MHz band, and the
building of a 4G LTE network. ZTE supplied the equipment for CSLs
conversion of its mobile network to an all-IP network with base stations
supporting SDR technology. This in turn enabled CSL to refarm its 900
MHz spectrum for 3G as well as trial LTE on its own network.
Alcatel-Lucent recently released a new software-defined radio module,
dubbed MainStay Income Builder C (MCTRX), which will allow wireless
carriers to run multiple wireless technologies on the same frequency
band, offering faster mobile broadband technologies such as HSPA
and LTE on frequencies.
Huawei Technologies
How Convergent SingleRAN

Delivers Seamless UMTS Coverage
Romanias Telecom Market
With six mobile operators providing five GSM
networks, four UMTS networks and one EVDO network, Romania is a very competitive
market. With market shares of 38.93% and
36.95% respectively, Orange and Vodafone
dominate the market. In April 2009, SIM
market penetration reached 130%.
Figure 14: Market Share of Romania Telecom
As of November 2009, carriers reported

a customer base of more than 9.5 million
permanent customers; 38.4% of which were
post paid customers.
Vodafone Romania
Romanias second-largest mobile phone
network operator launched in April 1997
with the countrys first GSM network.
In November 2004, Vodafone Romania
was awarded a 3G license, subsequently
launching a UMTS network in mid-2005.
Following form with other markets, since
the introduction of smart phones Romanias
mobile subscribers have enjoyed multiple
new mobile applications, including social
networking, which continue to spur dramatic
increases in data usage.
Developed Data Service in Rural Areas

In 2008, Vodafones 3G network was
deployed mainly in urban areas that house
approximately 50% of Romanias population.
All five 3G service providers are active in
these cities and competition for business is
intense. In the rural areas mobile penetration
remained around only 10%, making rural
demand on data services more comparable
to available network capacity.
In July 2009, when UMTS 900 was approved
by the European Parliament,
COSMOTE, Orange and
the other Romanian 3G
operators were already
prepared to deploy
UMTS networks with
900MHz spectrum
in rural areas.
Facing fierce market competition while in

the restraints of a global economic crisis,
Vodafone Romania urgently needed a costeffective solution to rapidly respond with
mobile broadband services for the countrys
rural population.
Adding to the redundancy factor, this older

equipment could not satisfy the increasing
data service demands of multiple new mobile
applications. Vodafone Romania was the
ideal candidate for a 2G and 3G convergence
future-oriented solution.
Vodafones GSM and UMTS networks

were previously independent of each
other. Many large, energy consuming base
stations enabled each of these networks,
contributing to considerable operation
and maintenance costs. Over the years,
equipment rooms had become overcrowded with devices and supporting
apparatus, complicating essential network
capacity expansion. Due to the high costs
of electricity, labor, and equipment room
rent, Vodafones CapEx was snowballing
and OpEx was also on the rise.
Vodafone and Huawei have partnered

around the world for many years. Based on
the extensive experience of this cooperation
and with great confidence in Huaweis
innovative refarming solution, Vodafone
chose Huawei to modernize its network
and develop data services to rural areas
throughout Romania.
As much as 60% of Vodafone Romanias

2G base stations had been in active service
for more than six years and were now
approaching the end of their life cycle.
With Huaweis industry leading SingleRAN

SDR (Software Defined Radio) solution, one
frequency unit can support both 900MHz
GSM and UMTS standards. The BSC6900 for
GSM and UMTS is the first commercial dual
mode BSC in the world. Quickly deployed,
Huaweis advanced 4.2M spectrum solution
brought seamless coverage of data services
to Romanias rural areas, and Vodafones
total coverage expanded from 50% to an

astounding 95% of the total population.
4.2M Refarming Solution
GSM
UMTS
GSM
Sandwich spectrum allocation with 4.2M solution

and 2.2M frequency gap between GSM and UMTS
including guard band.
Figure 15: 4.2M Refarming Solution
Traditionally, one UMTS carrier needs 5M

bandwidth of spectrum. Since voice represented
the primary ongoing service expectation from
Vodafone, removing 5M bandwidth to deploy
UMTS network would negatively impact the
carriers core GSM voice service.
Huawei Technologies
To maintain voice service capacity, Huawei

took only 4.2M in bandwidth for 900MHz
refarming, saving 0.8M bandwidth for
continuing GSM. Compared to a traditional
5M solution, Huaweis 4.2M solution actually
created additional GSM carriers for Vodafone
Romania. The same GSM configuration was
ensured after refarming without any impact
to the existing network.
Field Test Verification
Cost-Effective Refarming Solution
Before refarming construction began,

Vodafone Global and Vodafone Romania had
spent almost eight months testing Huaweis
refarming solutions to maximum limits; both
in lab environments and existing network,
including GSM KPI comparison, GU and GSM
only performance comparison, UMTS900 and
UMTS2100 performance comparison.
Huaweis SingleRAN base station may be small

in size but it is acknowledged as being massive
in capacity. The SingleRAN base station
was at the heart of Vodafone Romanias
modernization of GSM and UMTS the
smaller footprint saved approximately 30% in
equipment room rental fees for each site. In
addition, because the UMTS900 system has
larger cell coverage, the site space was reduced
by 50-70% compared with the UMTS2100.
Former
Vendor
3.60%
Huawei
97.12%
Former
Vendor
95.80%
Former
Vendor
Huawei
0.50%
0.30%
Huawei
0.57%
SDCCH Drop Rate
TCH Call Drop Rate

(including Handovers)
Better results for Huawei

GSM system compared
with Vendor X, running
in the current network.
Immediate Assignment
Success Rate
Figure 16: GSM KPI Comparison Before and After Modernization

0.40%
0.36%
99.35% 99.36%
0.29%
97.84%
0.21%
GSM only
97.05%
0.08%
GU mode
0.02%
SDCCH
Drop Rate
Thanks to the 40% improvement in efficiency

afforded by Huaweis power amplifier,
Vodafone Romanias power consumption cost
also decreased more than 50% for both BTS
and air conditioned indoor sites. This added
efficiency now contributes approximately
Euro1.41 million in savings each year.
0.34%
0.28%
SDCCH
Congestion Rate
(Overflow)
With an average rental fee of Euro 600

annually for each of 300 sites, Vodafone
realized an immediate yearly rental cost savings
of Euro 0.18 million.
TCH Congestion
Rate (Overflow)
TCH Call Drop

Rate (including
Handover)
TCH
Assignment
Success Rate
Immediate
Assignment
Success Rate
Figure 17: GSM KPI comparison before and after activating GU refarming
Seamless UMTS coverage, greater

reach and efficiency, plus lowered
cost of ownership and operation
now allow Vodafone Romania to
introduce customers to enhanced 3G
applications at competitive rates with
no impairment of existing service.
The combined GSM/UMTS mode was shown to have no adverse impact at all on GSM performance
UMTS2100
Figure 18: Propagation measured on UMTS2100
UMTS900
Figure 19: Propagation measured on UMTS900
Drive test results comparison: UMTS900 was shown to have better propagation than UMTS2100
Telenor - Accelerating MBB

Coverage with SDR
Huawei Technologies
"This is the biggest upgrade of the mobile network in Norway. It will create a solid and
flexible base for further developing the services offered by the Telenor mobile network.
Selection of Huawei was a combination of technical quality, reliability in terms of
handling a large-scale equipment replacement operation"
-- Ragnar Krhus, CEO, Telenor Norway.
Operator Objectives
Old Equipment, Slow Speeds and Slender

Revenues
Cost-effectively replace redundant

equipment while allowing for
broadband business expansion
Contain CapEx and OpEx
Enhance competitive position
Project Highlights
Swap all the 2G/3G sites nationwide
Roll-out of LTE & HSPA+
Benefits to Telenor
Apply Telenor Norways MBB
strategy to roll out nationwide
2G/3G/4G sites
Modernize the 2G&3G with
optimized TCO
MIMO ready enables smooth
evolution to HSPA+
Telenor Norway
With headquarters in Fornebu near Oslo,
Telenors original base of operations
has expaned from Norway to provide
telceommunications services in 14 countries
across Europe and Asia. In addition to voice,
Telenor provides a wide range of services
including broadband and content. As the
foremost subnet of Telenor Group, Telenor
Norway launched GSM operations in 1994
and UMTS operations in 2004. By Q2 2009,
the operator served over 3 million subscribers
and secured 54% of the mobile market
with ARPU of USD55. With a focus on
improving network quality, Telenor Norway
accounts for 30% of the group's annual
capital expenditure (CapEx). Prior to sourcing
from Huawei, Telenor Norway purchased
its 2G and 3G network equipment from
regional vendors Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens
Networks.
Despite booming data services driven by

the increasing popularity of 3G internet
access cards, Telenors data service revenues
remained anemic. As older vendors failed
to improve operational efficiency, outdated
network equipment, including near obsolete
ten year old GSM gear, impeded the operators
business development. A new technology
roadmap was required for continued success.
When archrival TeliaSonara announced plans
to deploy an LTE network for commercial use
in Norway with projections of higher-quality
data services by 2011, Telenor was confronted
with the challenge of remaining competitive
with an HSPA network operating at a meager
3.6 Mbps. Telenor Norway faced a complex
dilemma.
Antcipating the Norwegian governments
eventual 2009 issuance of 900MHz licenses,
Telenor Group had been researching the
use of UMTS technology on networks
utilizing this band. All that was neeed was
an equipment supplier with proven strong
expertise and rich experience in UMTS900
network deployment.
Huawei Technologies
Telenors MBB Conundrum Answered by a

Cutting-Edge HSPA+ Catalyst
New 3G networks support a host of
multimedia services such as video calls,
mobile internet access and interactive games,
all of which carry the allure of new revenue
streams. But for operators such as Telenor,
with existing voice-based 2G networks and
earlier 3G networks, added data and traffic
mean the puzzle to be solved is one of
bandwidth constraint. With a bandwidth of
only 3.6 Mbps, only a small portion of Telenor
Norway's existing 2G and 3G network
devices was capable of supporting HSDPA
capabilities, far behind the requirements for
realizing new revenues from MBB.
After lengthy testing and rigorous
comparison, Telenor Norway decided on
Huawei's fourth-generation base stations to
construct a viable MBB bearer network. With
the advanced 64QAM technology, an HSPA+
network built on Huawei's BTS3900 can
provide downlink speeds of up to 21 Mbps,
boosting networking speed and quality
considerably as a high-speed data platform
for MBB services.
To further improve the performance of
HSPA+ networks, Huawei recently unveiled
an HSPA+ version incorporating a range of
cutting-edge technologies such as MIMO
and Dual Cell. This enhanced version enables
Telenor to upgrade its HSPA+ network
smoothly to 28 Mbps, 42 Mbps and up to
56 Mbps.
Containing Costs through Integrated, High
Efficiency, Green, Intelligent RAN
Until they partnered with Huawei, Telenor
Norways only option had been to continously
add network nodes in an attempt to support
demand for data services. This ad hoc
approach offset possible gains with increased
costs, including added site acquisition and
leasing, and installation and maintenance
for 2G and 3G networks. To make matters

worse, rapidly rising data throughput brought
the burden of increased transmission costs.
Like other leading operators around the
world, Telenor wanted a green solution that
would minimize their carbon footprint while
reducing equipment power consumption.
Responding to precisely these trends and
requirements, Huawei had previously
launched a series of fourth-generation
BTS3900 base stations. Built on a unified
hardware platform, these base stations use
SingleRAN (combining site sharing, cabinet
sharing and SDR module) for both 2G and
3G networks to fully utilize and save on
base station site footprints and equipment
room space. The SingleRAN hardware
platform features high integration, multiple
transceivers, and low power consumption,
reducing the size of BTS3900 series
equipment by half, power consumption by
70%, and increasing capacity by 300% when
compared with traditional equipment. As
a result, Huaweis BTS3900 base stations
allowed Telenor to significantly simplify
equipment room acquisition, reducing room
rents and costs for equipment transportation,
installation and maintenance.
and software management and upgrading.

This allows operators to cut network OpEx
substantially while also improving network
performance.
With compelling simplicity, networks that
build on Huawei's BTS3900 series can
provide high-speed network bandwidth,
while simultaneously and significantly
reducing operator TCO.
Ensuring Smooth Evolution with Huawei
BTS3900
In combination with Huaweis unified
hardware platform and the industry-leading
SDR technology, the BTS3900 series supports
varied network standards over one platform
while ensuring smooth evolution.
Huaweis BTS equipment enables
operators like Telenor to evolve easily
from GSM to UMTS, HSPA+ or LTE,
protecting their investment, faciliating
launch of new services, and helping to
maintain competitive strengths despite
aggressive market activity and global
economic challenges.
Huawei's BTS3900 series also provided

operators like Telenor with IP backhaul capacity
to differentiate telecom and Internet services,
allowing Internet services to be transmitted
cost-effectively over public networks. In
addition to increasing transmission bandwidth
and delivering QoS assurance for telecom
services, this solution helps slash the unit cost
of data transmission.
Conventional base stations usually
necessitate large amounts of human and
material resources for data configuration and
maintenance during later operations. Based
on an advanced concept of self-adaptive
networking, Huawei's BTS3900 series
supports smart BTS management in terms of
data configuration, adjacency maintenance,
SFR - Successful
900M Refarming
There are three major operators in France:
France Telecom, SFR and Bouygues Telecom.
With more than 34% market share, SFR is
the second largest mobile communications
operator in the country. As of January 2009,
the carrier reported more than 20 million
customers of which over 4.7 million were
3G subscribers. Currently, the French group
Vivendi and Vodafone respectively hold 56%
and 44% ownership of SFR.
On completing full ownership of Neuf Cegetel

in 2008, SFR became a signficant European
operator, with its own mobile and fixed
infrastructures, capable of meeting the needs
of a customer base ranging from residential
and business enterprise to operator re-sale.
The launch of the "neufbox" by SFR in early
October 2008 is a key example of how SFRs
emphasis on quality has strengthened the
group's broadband service offerings.
Huawei Technologies
Wider Coverage / Fewer Sites

SFR wanted to expand existing 3G coverage
(mostly metropolitan) from 76% to 98% of
the total population. Considering the 12.5/10
MHz of continuous spectrum for urban/
rural markets respectively, deploying UMTS
in the 900 MHz band for rural areas was
much more cost-effective when compared to
deployment of UMTS in the legacy 2.1 GHz
band. Additionaly, Frances telecom regulator,
ARCEP, had already approved applications
by SFR (and Orange) to offer 3G services in
the 900 MHz band. For SFR, the remaining
question was which vendor best enabled
refarming.
Future Oriented Broadband
Long-term practice has proven the strong
vitality of an IP network. IP technology
is widely applied in a myriad of Internet/
WWW and LAN scenarios, driving down
costs of IP network equipment, IP network
maintenance, QoS and security, while at the
same time stimulating extensive research and
subsequently considerable advances in IP
technologies.
Through IP base station implementation,
Huawei has allowed a service bearer network
and mobile maintenance network to be
merged into one, driving down operator
maintenance costs. With the application

of MPLS (Multi-protocol Label Switching)
and DiffServ technologies, a Huawei IP
network is divided into several private
networks of different QoS to meet the
requirements of differentiated services.
Application of VPN and VLAN technologies
ensure a secure network. For SFR, it was
the natural continuous self-evolution and
smooth capacity expansion capabilities of
Huaweis IP technology that made it easy to
expand planning to embrace a mobile bearer
network.
From the perspective of various networking
protocols, IP is the only protocol that can be
applied to all transport networks. Following
this logic, Huawei believes future transport
networks will gradually converge into IP
networks.
Application of the Industrys First
Converged BSC
The rapid development of mobile
communications technology has accelerated
the upgrade of radio communication
products. GSM has developed towards EDGE
and EDGE+, while UMTS is evolving towards
HSPA, HSPA+, and LTE. SFR was consequently
challenged by such issues as increase of
operating costs, accelerated upgrade of
GSM products, constantly increasing service
Operator Objectives
Strengthen control of CapEx & OpEx
Improve network efficiency and
coverage
Maintain leadership of Mobile and
Fixed Broadband
Project Highlights
Exchange base station to roll-out
GSM900/1800M and UMTS2.1G
Deploy UMTS900M with the first 900M
Refarming in France
Introduce a unique, ETSI compliant,
RRU3908 SDR Module
Benefits to SFR
Huaweis SingleRAN allows for easy
and economic deployment, network
simplification and optimization as well
as overall, immediate and ongoing
CapEx & OpEx savings
SFR is guaranteed smooth SDR
evolution; Huaweis unified solution,
addressing varied technologies (GSM,
UMTS, and LTE), provides for at least
ten years of network evolution
By providing leading edge mobile
broadband (HSPA+, 64QAM, MIMO,
All-IP RAN), SFRs time to market can
be shortened and their competitive
position increased
requirements and advancing pressure from

competitors. Looking to the future, SFR was
especially concerned about high integration,
ease of maintenance, all-IP, and the dual
mode support functionality of conventional
base station controllers (BSC).
As a result, for SFR and other operators, the
BSC6900 represented a key part of Huaweis
SingleRAN solution. Adopting leading multistandard, all-IP and modular design, the
BSC6900 features high capacity, integration,
enhanced performance, and lowered power
consumption.
Uniquely Meeting Multi-Standard Radio
(MSR)
Huaweis SDR product is the only one
currently meeting ETSI standards. Effectively
reducing investment risks when compared
with traditional products and equipment,
the ability to design and implement fourth
generation radio communication system and
equipment with SDR has obvious advantages
for operators such as SFR. A base station that
works in the GSM network can be upgraded
to 3G or 4G mode by simply upgrading
software. Smooth migration in a very real
way prolongs the life of system equipment,
providing a flexible and convenient hardware
platform for deployment of new services.
Huaweis SDR has the ability to generate
more profit for operators than alternative
traditional products.
Positive Partner Progress
Driven by SFRs plan to extend 3G coverage
and offer 3G services in the 900 MHz for rural
areas from October 2009 to the beginning
of 2010, a series of in-house and field
acceptance tests were successfully conducted
with Huawei. At time of publication, SFRs
enhanced network deployment was well
underway.
Huawei Technologies
Huawei is the only vendor capable
of delivering ETSI compliant 2G and
3G RRU products. The SFR case
study illustrates that because of this
competitive advantage, Hauwei is
uniquely positioned to effectively
respond to multiple operator challenges
related to convergent needs. From
operational management and cost
controls, to meeting current and future
end user expectations, Huawei is poised
to set the standard in performance.
Through the cooperation with Huawei,

Belgacom can further propel its flexible mobile
convergence strategy, and consolidate its
leading position in the Belgian telecom market.
Huawei has contended with several competitors
for this strategic agreement and succeeded in
the fierce competition.
-- Didier Bellens, President and CEO of Belgacom
About Belgacom
Belgacom S.A. is the primary
telecommunications company in Belgium and
market leader in a number of areas, including
retail and wholesale fixed-line telephony,
mobile communications, broadband data and
Internet services.
Belgacom A Nationwide
Partnership for an
LTE Future
Belgacom currently has 4.62 million mobile

subscribers and controls about 42% of the
total mobile market in Belgium.
The company has a long history. In 1930, the
countrys national telegraph and telephone
company (RTT) was founded and in 1992,
dissolved and replaced by Belgacom, an
autonomous public-sector company. In
1996 the Belgian Government strengthened
Belgacom by selling a 50% stake in the
company to the ADSB Telecommunications
consortium, composed of Ameritech (SBC),
Tele Denmark and Singapore Telecom, plus
three Belgian financial institutions: Sofina,
Dexia and KBC.
Belgacom is dedicated to offering intuitive
end-to-end solutions, combining fixed
and mobile telecom, IT and media, and
empowering its customers to master and
enrich their professional and private lives.
Huawei Technologies
Green Construction / Easy Maintenance

Belgacom is very aware of its social
responsibility and constantly looks for new
ways to save energy and reduce emissions;
contributing to improved harmony between
technology and the environment. In keeping
with this initiative, Belgacom has established
exacting standards for auxiliary facilities,
network building, environmental protection
and use of resources. The fourth-generation
base stations of Huawei provided a perfect
match with Belgacoms wish for green,
convergence, broadband and evolution.
operators therefore face the question of

how to improve the capacity and quality
of their GSM networks with what will be
more limited spectrum resources after
refarming. Answering the question, Huawei
has independently developed a series of
technologies addressing interference presuppression and impact reduction; effectively
improving network performance, increasing
network capacity, enhancing spectrum
utilization and user experience, allowing for
continued increase of operating revenues.
Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but

also the capital of Europe and headquarters
for multiple related international
organizations including the European Union
and NATO. The capital is consequently
home to an exceptional number of high-end
subscribers who depend on a reliable mobile
network with outstanding performance to
consistently complete critical tasks.
Addressing limited frequency resources with

a premise of ensuring the voice quality of an
entire network, Huaweis refarming solution
includes an optimized channel allocation policy
to effectively reduce and suppress network
interference while increasing system capacity
by over 200%. Especially relevant in scenarios
with low network capacity, high traffic and
insignificant improvement of frequency
hopping, Huaweis refarming solution is
capable of generating extensive benefits.
Continuously improved network performance

and enriched user experiences are goals
shared by both Belgacom and Huawei. With
Huaweis SingleRAN solution, Belgacom
found a way to realize their goal of
convergence while simplifying the network,
thereby improving performance and reliability
to meet current and future end-user
expectations.
The refarming solutions optimized channel

allocation policy also enhances network
quality and capacity from added points
of view including voice/signaling antiinterference, interference pre-suppression,
and interference impact elimination. This
policy refers to when Broadcast Control
Channel (BCCH) takes precedence over others
during channel allocation.
8,800+ 2G/3G sites were required to

cover all of Belgium:
Replacing 4,200+ 2G BTSs, and 2,800+
3G NodeBs with approximately 300
new 2G BTSs and 1500 3G NodeBs
Unique ETSI compliant SDR product:
G&U@900 Mhz
3,000+ LTE sites planned for future
roll-out
Based on a concept of customer-oriented

Innovation, Huaweis innovative SingleRAN
solution features a unified fourth-generation
Base Station (BTS), a multi-mode Base Station
Controller (BSC), and features such as CoOperation and Maintenance (O&M) and CoRadio Network Planning (RNP)/Radio Network
Optimization (RNO), which facilitate an end to
end easy solution for the operators network
installation, planning and maintenance.
An LTE-oriented Future
Benefits to Belgacom
Enhance Utilization of Frequency Resources

UMTS900M refarming applies to limited
GSM frequencies. Belgacom and other
Since Huaweis fourth-generation base stations

enable smooth evolution and can be software
upgraded from GSM/UMTS networks to LTE,
it was comparatively easy for Belgacom to
plan deployment of an LTE-based network for
the near future. Throughout their partnership,
Huawei and Belgacom have focused on a joint
network building strategy with approximately
3000 LTE base stations planned for the
nation. The companies combined efforts
have injected new energy into the future
development and evolution of Belgiums
broadband future.
Operator Objectives
Resolve end of life-cycle network
Reduce and contain high OpEx and
power consumption
Future-proof equipment
Respond to escalating demand for
data services
Project Highlights
TCO Savings
- Power consumption savings of 60%
- Transmission savings with Hybrid
IPRAN capability
- OpEx savings from Co-O&M, CoTransmission and Co-RNP/RNO
Smooth Evolution to Future
Technologies
- Hardware ready and smooth
evolution to HSPA+ and LTE
- Sustained leadership with cutting
edge mobile broadband
- HSPA+ 64QAM/MIMO, All-IP RAN
Copyright Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. 2010. All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Trademark Notice
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are trademarks or registered trademarks of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Other trademarks, products, services and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
NO WARRANTY
THE CONTENTS OF THIS MANUAL ARE PROVIDED AS IS. EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAWS,
NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE IN
RELATION TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY OR CONTENTS OF THIS MANUAL.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO CASE SHALL HUAWEI
TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, OR LOST PROFITS, BUSINESS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS
ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THIS MANUAL.
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

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Tel: +86-755-28780808
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Spectrum Refarming For New Growth

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Spectrum Refarming

for New Growth

16 New Opportunities Generated for

22 T elenor - Accelerating MBB Coverage

26 S FR - Successful 900M Refarming

Why Refarming is Essential

04 Spectrum Refarming for New Growth

A900MHz Refarming Advantages

Figure 1: Decline in Voice ARPU as Represented by 4 Independent Nations

Interest in the mobile telecommunications revolution continues. Eying the potential of

Global Cellular Subscriber Forecast 2008 - 2013

900MHz Refarming Challenges

Source: Informa, July, 2008

Figure 2: UMTS Growth & GSM Decline

Spectrum Refarming for New Growth 05

For many years now, industry operators have

allows an operator to employ the same cells

Refarming Yields a Better Network at Lower Cost

Cell Coverage Comparison

The Refarming Eco-system is Ready

Figure 3: Varying Frequency Comparison of GSM and WCDMA Coverage

06 Spectrum Refarming for New Growth

the 3G mobile communications industry.

Spectrum Refarming for New Growth 07

The Refarming Eco-system is Ready

Huaweis SingleRAN Based Refarming

Commercial References & Commitment

Network & Technical Solutions

900MHz was approved by

3 vendors (Huawei, Ericsson, NSN) commercially

13 countries outside of the

Figure 4: Refarming Eco-system Components

(CapEx & OpEx)

08 Spectrum Refarming for New Growth

Affordably Expanding Coverage

Cost of Rural/Suburban Coverage

This solution introduces critical advances

Huaweis SingleRAN SDR UMTS900 solution

from GSM to UMTS with nothing more than

Figure 6: Huaweis Solution Permits RRU Evolution with Software Upgrade

Huaweis SingleRAN SDR solution can also

investment in legacy equipment receiving

GSM A/C UMTS A/C

50%+ power savings

Figure 7: Huawei SingleRAN SDR GU900 Solution

The expanded coverage and cost saving

3G services to less densely populated areas

Spectrum Refarming for New Growth 09

Enabling Added Revenue Streams

3G Mobile Network Obstacles:

For successful broadband network

Reducing Interference while Maintaining

GSM Capacity to Bandwidth Table

TFR (70% load)

Figure 8: GSM Capacity to Bandwidth Table

10 Spectrum Refarming for New Growth

56% less spectrum bandwidth for GSM.

coding and Interference Cancellation (ICC). These

Other advances that are unique to the Huawei

Reduced interference: 4.8MHz is improved to support up to S4/4/4

Figure 9: Maximize GSM Capacity on Given Spectrum

Minimized interference between GSM and

and helps operators meet customer

22 T elenor - Accelerating MBB Coverage

26 S FR - Successful 900M Refarming

Reducing Interference while Maintaining

Because the coverage radius of a UMTS

Cost-effectively replace redundant