Lessons Learned: Implementing VoLTE Roaming

Lessons Learned: Implementing VoLTE Roaming

Lessons Learned: Implementing VoLTE RoamingMary ClarkChief Marketing Officer, Syniverse @SyniverseCMO

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Global VoLTE Deployments

Commercially launched VoLTEInvesting in VoLTE deployments111 MNOs investing in VoLTE - GSA30 MNOs in 21 countries with commercially launched VoLTE voice service - GSA

755 million LTE connections worldwide - GSA442 commercially launched LTE networks - 147 countries - GSA

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VoLTE Market Forecast

VoLTE connections forecast Analysys Mason, 2015Current state of VoLTE launches Analysys Mason, 2015

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If you are planning to launch LTE/VoLTE on your home network, what is your timeline?

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If you are planning to launch LTE/VoLTE roaming, what is your timeline?

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Keith Dyer, Founder and Editor, The Mobile NetworkFounded The Mobile Network in 2013, introducing a new voice to the media covering mobile network technology. 17 years experience covering the mobile network technology ecosystem as a journalist and editor. Tracked the development of the VoLTE ecosystem since its beginnings.

John Wick, Senior Vice President and General Manager Mobile Transaction Services, SyniverseResponsible for the management and growth of Syniverses IP, SS7 and number portability product lines. Joined Syniverse in 1993 as a senior critical support analyst with the network operations department. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Todays Expert Panelists

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Keith DyerFounder and Editor, The Mobile Network@keithdyer

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#VoLTELessons

VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning9

Clear commitment to the serviceBut its not been easy

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VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning10

Optimisation and tuning of radio network New characterisation and visibility for quality assuranceExtensive and complex testing Intensive efforts in IMSIntegration Billing and BSSDevice supportConsumer education

This is the most complex thing Ive ever worked on in 20 years. #VoLTELessons

VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning11

Our customers love it Customer benefitsSet-up time

SK Telecom customer survey

Call quality

Battery upsideService richness?

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VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning12

Do operators love it more?Long term spectrum turn-offMore efficient use existing spectrumSignalling efficiency of all IP

Potential for new (IMS) servicesSupporting infrastructure enables VoWifi

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VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning13

Limited VoLTE roaming to date why?LG UPlus & KDDILG UPlus & SmartoneNTT and KT

Credit: Ovum Whitepaper, Feb 2015#VoLTELessons

VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning14

Well, why enable VoLTE roaming anyway?Customer access to high quality voice and video callsKeep customers on-brand Ensure quality for high value customers

Long term 2/3G switch off in home/visited networks

Fate its going to happen anyway

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VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning15

The technical hurdlesRAVEL - complexityS8HR lacks feature supportFix it at home first

India Times December 2015#VoLTELessons

VOLTE operator experiences12/8/2015VoLTE I Operator Experiences and Learning16

CONCLUSIONS AND QUESTIONSHow should we do it?Real commitments, it will happen but operators are askingWhen should we deploy?

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John Wick Senior Vice President and General Manager Mobile Transaction Services, Syniverse

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VoLTE Interconnect vs. VoLTE Roaming

IPX MNO A

MNO BVoLTE Interconnect

IPX MNO A MNO B VoLTE Roaming

MNO A Subscriber@ HomeMNO B Subscriber@ HomeMNO A SubscriberRoaming

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ChallengesLawful intercept/Emergency callingLawful intercept allows home network, but not at visited network locationEmergency callingVoice Call Continuity (moving from VoLTE to CS)No service visibility for VPMNDistinguishing data traffic from VoLTE by APN and QCI onlySMS not distinguishable from signalingCannot retail bill based on TAP

VoLTE Roaming Scenarios Home-Based Routing (S8HR)AdvantagesFaster to deploy than LBO Uses same GTP tunnel as LTE Data Roaming trafficUtilizes the same components already in evolved packet core (VPMN does not require IMS Core)Can use same data IOT charges with roaming partners, no need to update roaming agreements for IMS servicesUses existing TAP and RAEX with only minor changes

IPXIPX

E-UTRANMMEVPMN A-PartyHPMN A-PartyB-PartyHSSP-CSCFS-CSCFTAS

SGW

DRA

IBCF

VoLTERoamingInterconnect

IMSIMS eXchange

PCRF

PGW

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VoLTE Roaming Scenarios Local BreakoutAdvantagesSession awareness at the served networkVisibility into the control and media plane of a call or video session taking placeGives ability to offer lawful intercept and emergency call handlingContinuity of a voice call between LTE and CSSupport for billing model - TAP for retail billingChallengesComplexity (flexibility and power, but more complex)IMS interoperability challenges with LBO different vendors/different implementationRequires multiple feeds from many network elements for both VPMN and HPMNLBO for VoLTE with S8HR for data adds complexity New TAP record types (mobile session/messaging event) that are unused today

IPXIPX

xCSCFMMEVPMN A-PartyHPMN A-PartyB-PartyHSSP-CSCFS-CSCFTAS

IBCF

DRA

IBCF

VoLTERoamingVoLTE Interconnect

EPC

IMS

IMS

IMS eXchangeIMS eXchange

PCRF

IBCF

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Lessons Learned:VoLTE Roaming Trials and Implementation

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Connection setup and call quality are better than 3GReal time control of voice traffic - eliminates need for CAMEL, helps control fraudHandsets do not default to VoLTE for roamingOperators must work with handset vendors to modify defaultsAssumed that the home operator would support lawful intercept. Not valid in all cases due to regulations within countries.Charging for VoLTE needs to be worked out by each operator.Example: Some operators charge LTE data IOT rates for VoLTE. If operators prefer a different IOT they must distinguish VoLTE from LTE data using APNs/QCIs.Lessons Learned S8HR

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Operators must understand how their roaming partner(s) supports S8HRHow QCIs are configuredMaximum bit rate for each QCINumber of APNs and which APNs are supported per QCIVideo calls started during voice calls difficult to distinguish by VPMNAppears as another data flow so two separate TAP records are createdHPMN needs to consider correlation of records for retail billingSMS is viewed as signalingIf signaling is not charged between roaming partners SMS is no chargeMay open the door for messaging SPAMGSMA recommends charging for signaling to alleviate potential issuesLessons Learned S8HR

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Q&A

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Thank You!For more information, visit www.syniverse.com or follow us @Syniverse

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