Domestic Platform For 5G Networks – Private Networks On Indigenous Systems

Voice and Data communication will be peripheral use cases in 5G networks. It will accelerate the digital transformation that would include IOT & M2M applications and data services

“Voice”, (Voice of Indian Comtech Enterprises), a society of indigenous telecom design companies recognised the need that customers do not want components of a network. They want an end-to-end solution to meet their requirements.

The customer wants Common management of the network, Common provisioning of the network, a Common facility for taking reports of the entire network, and Common billing or voice logging mechanism. Customer needs a user experience that is simple and user-friendly for all the subsystems and a dashboard from where the entire network can be managed from a central location.

VoICE took the initiative to integrate various subsystems developed by Indian Startups and SMEs to provide a complete end-to-end system that will

open opportunities in Utility companies, Railways, Mines, Oil, and Gas as well as Defense applications. Collectively, this would be a large market that can resurrect the domestic telecom design & manufacturing industry.

VoICE successfully hosted live demonstrations of “end-to-end” Private 5G /4G networks from indigenous technology SMEs and Startups from 16-18th May 2022.

The technology companies, put on display an entire “end to end platform that included two Radio Access networks (RAN), one from Lekha Wireless and another from Signaltron both simultaneously supported using an open source EPC core tweaked by Coral.

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Cosgrid and Dyotis demonstrated the IoT devices. Apart from the live demo of the Private 5G network, on display were standalone products, applications, and chipsets from various domestic companies.

The value of this end-to-end network is that Indian companies own both hardware and software and so control resides with domestic players.

The live demo showcased seamless switching of voice calls not only between smartphones to smartphones but also between smartphones and legacy telephones and IP phones which are a part of the wired enterprise network. Call transfer, call forward and call barge in was shown seamlessly across various devices.

Demo also showcased broadcast calls and “push to talk” calls that can be a better substitute than imported Tetra radios used by utility companies. Seamless functioning of existing train control and communication system (TCCS) as well as emergency control system of Indian Railways working on Quad cable were also showcased where these legacy devices worked with smartphones using the 4G LTE network in the demonstration.

IoT devices were displayed & a model supported on the 4G radio network that was set up showcased an anti-collision avoidance system. Similarly, a private video conferencing solution hosted locally was also on display. The team claims that by acting as a consortium, domestic companies can immediately deliver and meet the requirements of setting up Enterprise / Private 4G networks immediately. With support from the Government, they would be able to commercially deliver 5G private networks in 12-18 months.

Spectrum Allocation

The VoICE team has asked for support in identifying spectrum allocation for enterprises directly to enable the proliferation of private networks, which would enable accomplish $ 5 Trillion economies.

A request was made to the senior officials to identify specific bands (in sub GHz, Mid band, and Millimeter bands) or coexistence bands (along with other Radio services) and asked for national specifications prepared for such networks that will create an enabling ecosystem.

Today Domestic technology companies are marching forward with all the ingredients such as design ownership, and IPRs aptly supported by a robust equipment manufacturing and R&D ecosystem. Indigenous technology companies have made significant strides and have showcased “use cases” for applications in Mines, Railways, and Defense as well as for utility companies like airports & metro projects.

Once high-speed low latency network is established, it would double up for IOT & M2M applications for plant monitoring maintenance and predictive alerts on impending fault.

They claim they would deliver a perfect and better substitute to meet demands that are catered by imported Tetra radios used in these utility companies.

Use cases of Private Networks (both 4G and 5G)

• Campus deployment as an extension of the enterprise PABX where Private 5G can support mobility requirements within a large campus, of an integrated factory with residential blocks, Hotels, hospitals & institutions where some staff is on the move. Offshore drilling rigs, construction, and mining sites are potential customers. Once a high-speed low latency network is established, it would double up for IOT & M2M applications for plant monitoring maintenance and predictive alerts on impending fault
• Ships / Islands and Forest guards need quick deployment of complete networks that may be backhauled on Satellite / UHF or VHF where such 5 G-based private networks would be an ideal choice for basic communication.
• Submarines would need it for communication as well as predictive fault alerts by use of appropriate sensors and AI algorithms. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and real-time-based decision-making are rapidly finding roles in several mission-critical applications across many industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace, and transportation that will require such 5G networks.
• Battery-powered, Tactical Deployments mounted on vehicles in a compact single box for quick deployment of wired and wireless service could be an ideal communication box for Disaster management teams or for defense setups. These could be housed in jeeps or ships with onboard gensets and can cover a 5 to 7 Kms radius. Deployment of half a Dozen such mobile communication systems can cover a larger area seamlessly communicating with each other as part of Tactical deployment. UN peacekeeping forces or troops stationed in any part of the world can be customers for such applications. IoT devices tightly intertwined on the 5G network will help identify, locate threats and protect critical assets as well as enhance predictive preventive maintenance of critical equipment and services.
• Utility companies, Railway stations, Airports & Accident sites will need these private 5G networks for support on all legacy communication including communication on Quad cable, E&M, BWT & even magneto trunks. Railway accident relief trains can provide immediate voice and data communication that will work seamlessly with their laid-out communication system. Railways could use it for specialized Train control and communication system (TCCS).
• It can be an effective replacement for imported Tetra-based communication systems with 5 G-based high bandwidth low latency communication. Metro projects, Airports, Disaster management teams will find them cost-effective and far more efficient. PTT and broadcast communication modes for the system shall address these requirements.
• Disaster Management is expected to cater to emergency services & rapid deployment of mobile networks at sites where existing GSM network is destroyed due to natural calamities such as hurricanes & earthquake. This private network can quickly set up reliable communication facilities that can be used by all agencies working on the site viz NGO, Red Cross, Paramilitary, Army, State departments, Fire service, etc. Security agencies including Police & National Security groups will find many applications to extend emergency services during natural disasters or man-made crises like terror strikes where the need of the hour would be to provide voice, video text, and high-speed low latency data services.
• Construction sites & mining sites in far-flung areas with no or limited existing telecom networks could deploy these private networks to cater to all types of reliable high-speed communication needs within the private campus. Oil rigs, Oil wells, and large construction sites or mining areas could be the ideal customers for such private network deployments. They would need high-speed low latency 5G networks to use IOT devices for automated/robotic or remote managed applications that are sensitive & mission-critical.
• An in-building solution to enhance mobile coverage in the building thereby releasing load on the macro BTS network, local switching, and intelligence will provide enhanced coverage & additional subscriber density. This would also help effective use of scarce spectrum as each private cell would reuse the same spectrum band.
• Greenfield deployments in Rural areas by providing a cost-effective & quick deployment methodology that can help local youth to manage and run these networks on a commercial basis. This will create jobs and entrepreneurs who would ensure upkeep and maintenance at remote locations. These private networks can also be used for temporary deployment in a Games village or for a temporary holiday camp over a few kilometers that can be powered by solar energy.

Greenfield deployments in Rural areas can be provided in a cost effective manner, Quick deployment with the help of local youth to manage and run these networks on commercial basis, will also generate employment.

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Market size

The global private 5G network market size is estimated to reach USD 14.28 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 39.7% from 2021 to 2028,

Enabling higher-order automation in enterprise activities is a critical step to inch toward the USD 5 Trillion economies. The first step to enabling such enterprise-level digitalization and ubiquitous connectivity is to democratize the spectrum, at least in small quantities for enterprise use. These steps characterize towards ubiquitous enterprises:

• Identify enterprise spectrum for enterprises (generally operated at low powers).
• Proliferate spectrum (delicense for specific use / local licensing at nominal costs).
• Enable enterprises to deploy private networks in a big way without any regulatory burden.

VOICE: Key asks from the Government

Reserve small chunks of IMT Band spectrum for setting up Private networks based on domestic technologies as was the case in IND footnotes 50 & 55 in NFAP 2011. Bands are required in High frequency as well as in low frequency. Both ends of the spectrum are required for different use cases and that is what was addressed in NFAP 2011. Bands preferably should be the ones that are commonly available on smartphones costing around affordable costs of say under Rs. 5,000. Also, identify coexistence bands for low-power enterprise operations.

• 5G private networks to be included in PPP MII policy for preference in public procurement by the government agencies.
• Ensure that all 5G private networks / Network in a Box and such other products are procured that are TEC approved and specifications of products under procurement should not discriminate against technologies available with domestic manufacturers while they should meet functional requirements.
• Ensure that TEC makes specifications for 5G private networks are a sub-set of the 3GPP specifications and not full-blown specifications, considering the fact that these private networks will not be connected to PSTN / PLMN as per TRAI recommendations. These networks would also not need any interface with legacy RFCs /devices. Certification for all telecom products should be “Single -window and removal of certification requirements from procurement process that are not relevant to India such as FCC, CE, etc
• Facilitate and fund ten Pilot projects under VoICE in consortium mode to be set up for Power Grid, DOT building, Mining, Railways, and Defence sectors as per specifications and requirements of the customers. VoICE will ensure that these test beds are set up with systems and sub-systems that are completely Indian.
• USO fund to encourage funding of private networks related to agriculture automation, mining and other use cases that generate jobs in rural areas.
• Indian telecom MSMEs should be allowed to participate in Proof-of-Concept (POC) trials for all class of products by BSNL/ Railways so that they can qualify to bid in tenders. Currently, restrictions are placed on Indian telecom MSMEs for POC even though they fully meet the technical specifications defined for the trials.
• BSNL should host all the Radio technology companies to try their products to integrate as part of its 4G trials for technology testing.
• BSNL should waive off Rs 20 Cr as the turnover requirement for impaneling in its recently launched EoI.
• Use USO funds to Incentivise the licensed mobile operators to reserve at least 10% of their network rollout for the domestic player.
• The majority of the telecom Tenders are turnkey tenders. The policy framework should ensure the applicability of PPP MII order on each telecom item that is earmarked for purchase from domestic companies as per PPP MII order, where domestic competence and competition exists, in purchases made as turnkey projects. There is a need to clarify the applicability of PMI policy even on turnkey tenders for all line items.
• Intellectual property (IP) developed in Government labs / academic institutions either fully or partly funded by the Government should be made available at an affordable cost (with zero upfront cost) to the industry from 5G testbed / C-DOT etc. A small royalty may be charged on commercialization of products. Entire details of drawings/technology and source code should be made available to domestic design companies on a royalty basis which is a small percentage of revenue sales.

Converged core will connect mobiles as well as wired devices offering common management and provisioning interface. These private 5G networks, would converge Voice, Data, IOT & M2M communication.

Enterprise communication, in the future, will require reliable, high performance, high bandwidth & low latency 5G networks that are device, media, and protocol agnostic. The converged core will connect mobiles as well as wired devices offering common management and provisioning interface. These private 5G networks, would converge Voice, Data, IoT & M2M communication within the enterprise and will open a plethora of applications to address diverse customer requirements.

Private networks are already being deployed in a wide range of industries for indoor and outdoor applications but private 5G networks will accelerate the process as every industry including mining, ports, automotive, durable goods and chemicals would need them for their digital transformation that would include IOT & M2M applications. Voice and Data communication may be peripheral use cases.

Rakesh Kumar Bhatnagar2

Rajesh tuli

By Rajesh Tuli, MD, Coral Telecom Ltd.

Rakesh Kumar Bhatnagar, Director General, VoICE & Retired Advisor (Technology), DoT

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