Nokia expands Packet Core portfolio to IoT, Smart Cities Deployment

Nokia has expanded its Cloud Packet Core offering with a solution tailored specifically for global enterprises, the public sector and smaller operators.

Nokia Cloud Packet Core, based upon cloud native technology, will help accelerate the move to Smart Cities, improve the safety and efficiency of employees and expand mobile applications across a variety of industries.

The introduction of LTE and the move to 5G and cloud technologies provide a new and viable mechanism to more effectively support mobile broadband, IoT and machine-type communications (MTC).

Private LTE networks are increasingly becoming the preferred approach to deliver business and mission-critical services in industry segments such as railways, aviation, the energy sector and with governments. Estimated by some analysts to surpass $800 million in global investment by the end of 2016, the private LTE network market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 32% by 2020.

Nokia is expanding its offerings for private LTE networks by optimizing its innovative Cloud Packet Core solution to allow for the delivery of business and mission-critical services and applications.

The solution ensures reliability and functionality for secure service delivery at a size that makes it accessible to a diversity of markets. It provides the scale and performance for MTC and mobile broadband users and devices, supporting 50,000 simultaneous access users/devices and 100 eNodeBs.

Mobile broadband and IoT/MTC applications have differing service characteristics based on their operational and business requirements. These can include bandwidth, latency, and number of endpoints, users and devices. The Packet Core must be sufficiently flexible and scalable to satisfy those criteria at all times to support private LTE applications such as:

•Transportation: In railways, the new Cloud Packet Core can support operational services such as Train Control (an important safety feature) and real-time CCTV video feeds and alarm notifications, as well as passenger services such as mobile ticketing, broadband access for infotainment services and more.

•Oil and Gas: Enhance productivity with MTC for control and monitoring of oil/gas processing in the refinery, with real-time processing and relaying of rig production information to Nokia's Network Operations Center (NOC). Provide mission-critical Push-to-Talk voice, video and data services for end users. Improve safety with biometric clothing to monitor rig workers - and take advantage of a 'flotel', a floating hotel for workers - to access the same services they have at home.

•Mining: Provide end-to-end visibility for controllers and schedulers at the NOC. Offer a high-bandwidth, low-latency CCTV view of operational plant equipment, real-time alarm notifications and control equipment monitoring, and optimize vehicle movement throughout the mine with real-time positioning as well as automating mining operations via driverless vehicles and other measures.

•Utilities: Establish Field Area Networks (FAN) to provide high-speed data links to connect sensors, sub-stations, facilities, intelligent electronic devices and other grid components; help ensure the safety, reliability and resiliency of electrical distribution grids.

This new offering leverages the Cloud Mobility Manager (CMM) and Cloud Mobile Gateway (CMG) software from Nokia's Cloud Packet Core solution, which is already deployed by the world's largest communications service providers.

It delivers a comprehensive 3GPP feature set along with deployment flexibility, and enables private and regional networks to interconnect with Tier 1 operators to extend coverage and provide network operational continuity. The proven Nokia Tier 1 software and pre-integrated Nokia Airframe server help accelerate deployment and reduce the risks of operational integration.

Speaking on this, Sri Reddy, general manager of IP routing business at Nokia, said: "Our Cloud Packet Core solution leverages a native cloud architecture to purpose-fit smaller business and critical communications networks without sacrificing the ability to scale as needs dictate. All operators - regardless of size - get the same software foundation, rich capability set, field-proven software and high reliability. This allows them to fully embrace LTE today - and 5G in the future - to assure an optimal, secure and reliable experience and fully realize new mobile broadband, IoT and MTC opportunities for their business."