Nokia Siemens Networks brings LTE one step closer with EPC launch at Mobile World Congress 2009

Vendor will introduce its Evolved Packet Core products for LTE in Barcelona

Espoo, Finland, Nokia Siemens Networks is launching two new products that will make up the key elements of its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network solution for Long Term Evolution (LTE) allowing operators to modernize their core data network to support a wide variety of access types using a common core network.

The Flexi Network Server and the Flexi Network Gateway* will enable operators to efficiently offer a comprehensive range of voice, data, high quality and real time multimedia services using the same ATCA* base platform and will be available for early field deployment in the second half of 2009.

The Evolved Packet Core offering will ultimately support a full range of 3GPP access, such as 2G, 3G, HSPA and LTE. Nokia Siemens Networks’ EPC can be conveniently deployed as an overlay solution for LTE alongside existing networks with minimum impact on present 2G and 3G services.

This pair of network elements, first of its kind, addresses the two contrasting aspects of next generation mobile networking: mobility management and connectivity. Flexi Network Server provides the higher than ever transaction capacity needed for complex mobility management tasks. Flexi Network Server is a logical continuation of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Combi SGSN leadership in control plane transaction intensity in 2G and 3G networks.

The Flexi Network Gateway addresses the higher than ever demand for broadband connectivity, combined with the intelligence needed for flexible handling of data traffic according to policy rules of the operator’s choice. The Flexi Network Gateway is a logical continuation of the innovative Flexi ISN currently deployed in 2G and 3G networks.

Building this new Evolved Packet Core on open ATCA technology allows Nokia Siemens Networks to tap into a hardware supply ecosystem and focus its own efforts on developing specific value added network functionality. Customers will benefit from a more coherent equipment practice across the market, which brings operational synergies. The modernized Evolved Packet Core comes in a hardware form factor aligned industry-wide.

“Rapidly increasing data volumes in mobile networks and the commensurate pressure to reduce the cost per transmitted bit -- with the prospect of eventually offering all services including voice over this low-latency data network -- are encouraging operators to exploit the greater efficiency of LTE as soon as possible" says Petri Pöyhönen, Head of Converged Internet Connectivity, Nokia Siemens Networks. “For such a key transformational shift, they require a solution that ensures high-quality end-user experience at an optimal cost and that is backed by solid experience in flat architecture 3G and HSPA networks. Nokia Siemens Networks, with our mileage with the largest customer base world wide, our deeper insights in packet core technology implementation and our role in 3GPP standardization, as well as our close co-operation with Nokia, we have a comprehensive, end-to-end view of LTE.”

The Flexi Network Server and Flexi Network Gateway will be demonstrated in Barcelona as part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ LTE demonstration in Hall 8 at Mobile World Congress, February 16th – 19th.

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland.
www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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*Notes to Editor

The Flexi Network Server (NS) functions as the Mobility Management Entity (MME) in the EPC architecture to provide call control for LTE. It is a dedicated control plane element that is optimized to operate in all-IP environments. It utilizes the competencies of implementing flat network architectures that Nokia Siemens Networks has gained through providing Direct Tunnel for current HSPA networks.

The Flexi Network Gateway (NG) functions as the System Architecture Evolution Gateway (SAE) for processing routing call traffic in the EPC architecture, It is designed to serve as a high capacity gateway for mobile broadband networks, and offers high packet processing and signaling capabilities to accommodate high volumes of real-time traffic, especially Voice over IP (VoIP), and to offer high signaling performance in a flat network architecture. It also allows the implementation of policy control to enable operators to stay in control of their usage of network resources. The Flexi NG scales to meet the needs of both distributed and centralized network architectures.

Advanced Telecommunications Computer Architecture (ATCA) is an industry specification for communications equipment envisioned by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG). It defines open standards based guidelines for the design and manufacture of next-generation carrier-grade telecom hardware. AdvancedTCA and ATCA are trademarks of PICMG.