MORAN Multi-Operator Radio Access Network

Introduction

Multi-Operator Radio Access Network (MORAN) is an innovative concept that provides a flexible and cost-effective way to deploy and operate wireless communication networks. MORAN enables multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) to share the same physical infrastructure and spectrum resources, while maintaining their individual network identities and services. This approach allows MNOs to reduce capital and operating expenditures, improve network coverage and capacity, and enhance service quality and availability.

In this article, we will explore the MORAN concept in detail, including its architecture, key components, benefits, and challenges. We will also examine some of the real-world implementations of MORAN and their impact on the wireless communication industry.

MORAN Architecture

The MORAN architecture consists of three main components: the radio access network (RAN), the core network, and the network management system (NMS).

Radio Access Network (RAN)

The RAN is the physical infrastructure that provides wireless connectivity to the end-users. It includes the base stations, antennas, and transmission equipment. In a MORAN, the RAN is shared among multiple MNOs. Each MNO has its own Radio Network Controller (RNC) that controls the base stations and manages the radio resources.

Core Network

The core network is responsible for the processing and routing of voice and data traffic. It includes the switching and routing equipment, the databases, and the application servers. In a MORAN, the core network is also shared among multiple MNOs. Each MNO has its own core network nodes, such as Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), Home Location Registers (HLRs), and Serving GPRS Support Nodes (SGSNs).

Network Management System (NMS)

The NMS is responsible for the overall management and control of the MORAN. It includes the network management servers, the element management systems, and the operation and maintenance systems. The NMS enables the MNOs to monitor the network performance, configure the network parameters, and troubleshoot the network issues.

Key Components of MORAN

The key components of a MORAN include:

Spectrum Sharing

In a MORAN, the spectrum resources are shared among multiple MNOs. This approach enables the MNOs to optimize the use of the spectrum and reduce the spectrum costs. The spectrum sharing can be achieved through various techniques, such as time-division multiplexing (TDM), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), and code-division multiple access (CDMA).

RAN Sharing

In a MORAN, the RAN infrastructure is shared among multiple MNOs. This approach enables the MNOs to reduce the capital and operating expenditures, while improving the network coverage and capacity. The RAN sharing can be achieved through various models, such as active sharing, passive sharing, and hybrid sharing.

Core Network Sharing

In a MORAN, the core network infrastructure is shared among multiple MNOs. This approach enables the MNOs to reduce the capital and operating expenditures, while improving the service quality and availability. The core network sharing can be achieved through various models, such as virtual network operator (VNO), hosted core network, and network function virtualization (NFV).

Interconnection and Roaming

In a MORAN, the MNOs need to establish interconnection agreements and roaming agreements to enable the seamless exchange of voice and data traffic among their networks. The interconnection agreements define the terms and conditions for the exchange of traffic, while the roaming agreements define the terms and conditions for the use of the network resources.

Benefits of MORAN

The MORAN concept provides several benefits for the MNOs, the end-users, and the wireless communication industry as a whole. Some of the key benefits include:

Cost Reduction

MORAN enables MNOs to reduce their capital and operating expenditures by sharing the physical infrastructure and spectrum resources. This approach allows MNOs to avoid duplicating investments in infrastructure and spectrum, which can be significant. By sharing the resources, MNOs can optimize the utilization of their resources, reduce their operational costs, and improve their profitability.

Network Coverage and Capacity Improvement

MORAN enables MNOs to improve their network coverage and capacity by sharing the RAN infrastructure. This approach enables MNOs to expand their coverage and capacity without having to invest in additional infrastructure. By sharing the resources, MNOs can also improve the network reliability, availability, and quality of service.

Service Quality and Availability Improvement

MORAN enables MNOs to improve their service quality and availability by sharing the core network infrastructure. This approach enables MNOs to provide better services, such as voice over LTE (VoLTE) and video streaming, to their customers. By sharing the resources, MNOs can also improve the network resilience, security, and scalability.

Enhanced Competition and Innovation

MORAN enables MNOs to compete more effectively by reducing their costs and improving their network quality and capacity. This approach also enables MNOs to innovate more rapidly by sharing the network resources and expertise. By promoting competition and innovation, MORAN can lead to better services, lower prices, and increased customer satisfaction.

Spectrum Efficiency

MORAN enables MNOs to optimize the use of the spectrum by sharing it among multiple operators. This approach allows MNOs to avoid wasting spectrum resources and enables them to increase the capacity and coverage of their networks. By improving the spectrum efficiency, MORAN can help to address the spectrum scarcity issues faced by the wireless communication industry.

Challenges of MORAN

Despite the benefits of MORAN, there are several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its successful implementation. Some of the key challenges include:

Technical Complexity

MORAN involves sharing the physical infrastructure and spectrum resources among multiple MNOs, which can be technically complex. MNOs need to ensure that their networks are compatible with each other, and that the resources are allocated and managed effectively. This requires a high level of technical expertise and coordination among the MNOs.

Interference Management

MORAN involves sharing the spectrum resources among multiple MNOs, which can lead to interference issues. MNOs need to ensure that the interference is minimized, and the quality of service is maintained. This requires a sophisticated interference management system and coordination among the MNOs.

Security and Privacy

MORAN involves sharing the physical infrastructure and core network infrastructure among multiple MNOs, which can lead to security and privacy issues. MNOs need to ensure that the network is secure and that the customer data is protected. This requires a robust security and privacy framework and coordination among the MNOs.

Regulatory Framework

MORAN involves sharing the spectrum resources and physical infrastructure among multiple MNOs, which requires a regulatory framework that enables the sharing while ensuring fair competition and protecting consumer interests. The regulatory framework needs to address the issues of spectrum allocation, network sharing, interconnection, and roaming.

Real-World Implementations of MORAN

MORAN has been implemented in several countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany. One of the most successful implementations of MORAN is the Shared RAN project in Japan, which was launched in 2014.

The Shared RAN project is a joint initiative of three MNOs, NTT Docomo, KDDI, and SoftBank, to share the RAN infrastructure and spectrum resources. The project involves the deployment of a common RAN infrastructure, which is managed by a joint venture company called the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR). The MNOs share the infrastructure and spectrum resources, but maintain their core network infrastructure and services.

The Shared RAN project has been successful in improving the network coverage, capacity, and quality of service. It has also enabled the MNOs to reduce their capital and operating expenditures, and improve their profitability. The project has been praised by the Japanese government and regulators for its contribution to the country's digital economy.

In the United Kingdom, MORAN has been implemented through the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP), which was launched in 2011. The MIP is a government-funded initiative that aims to improve mobile coverage in rural areas by sharing the physical infrastructure and spectrum resources among multiple MNOs. The MIP involves the deployment of mobile infrastructure, such as masts and base stations, in areas where the commercial business case is weak.

The MIP has been successful in improving mobile coverage in rural areas and enabling MNOs to provide better services to customers. The initiative has also enabled MNOs to reduce their capital and operating expenditures and improve their profitability.

In Germany, MORAN has been implemented through the RAN Sharing project, which was launched in 2019. The RAN Sharing project is a joint initiative of two MNOs, Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone, to share the RAN infrastructure and spectrum resources. The project involves the deployment of a common RAN infrastructure, which is managed by a joint venture company called the TowerCo.

The RAN Sharing project aims to improve the network coverage, capacity, and quality of service, and reduce the capital and operating expenditures of the MNOs. The project has been praised by the German government and regulators for its contribution to the country's digital infrastructure.

Conclusion

MORAN is a promising approach to enable MNOs to reduce their capital and operating expenditures, improve their network coverage, capacity, and quality of service, and enhance competition and innovation. MORAN can also help to address the spectrum scarcity issues faced by the wireless communication industry. However, the successful implementation of MORAN requires addressing the technical, interference management, security and privacy, and regulatory challenges. Real-world implementations of MORAN, such as the Shared RAN project in Japan, the MIP in the United Kingdom, and the RAN Sharing project in Germany, have demonstrated the potential benefits of the approach.