Nokia Siemens Networks has beefed up its base station controller (BSC) portfolio with a high capacity product that introduces IP networking capabilities between the base station and BSC, and the BSC and mobile switching centre (MSC).
Its new Flexi BSC (base station controller) introduces Packet Abis to give IP capability on the connection between the base station (BTS) and the BSC. IP networking between the BSC and the MSC is supported by the introduction of A over IP. (The A link is the link between the BSC and the MSC.)
The introduction of both technologies is intended to support operators as they move to all-IP radio networks, and to IP over Ethernet transport for backhaul.
The product has the capacity to support 4,200 transceivers and over 25,000 Erlangs in a compact and single cabinet. NSN said that could mean operators would be able replace up to 32 existing base station controllers in the field giving up to 80% reduction in energy consumption along with a 40% increase in capacity over existing base station controllers.
With the benefits of an optical interface, fewer connections are required, meaning reduced installation effort, faster rollout, and lower maintenance costs. The new Transcoder TCSM3i configuration also offers 40% more capacity while maintaining the compact size.
“Higher voice capacity with fewer base station controllers reduces energy consumption, a major cost for operators, along with simplifying operations and maintenance resulting in lower OPEX,” said Prashant Agnihotri, head of GSM/EDGE product management, Nokia Siemens Networks.
NSN added that Flexi BSC also provides an evolution path to its Multicontroller BSC, to extend the capacity of Flexi BSC. The latest software for Flexi BSC and Transcoder TCSM3i is based on 3GPP Release 8 and commercial deliveries are in progress, NSN said.