One of the most daunting issues that service providers confront as they move to 5G is an infrastructure upgrade. The old network architectures cannot handle the rapidly advancing technologies and the shortened timeframes for product development, network rollout, and investment return required by shorter technology lifespans. The new network architecture must provide agility, choice, efficiency, and innovation through a disaggregated, open infrastructure. Operators will need to make significant investments in cell site equipment to enable 5G deployment because the majority of changes are required in the network’s access segment and cell sites, and 5G access data speeds are estimated to reach up to 10 Gbps. With the coming of 5G, a disaggregated cell site routing option has arisen as an appealing alternative to this method. By using a Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway (DCSG), providers can expand mobile bandwidth, ensure seamless migration without increasing costs, and maintain compatibility with old networks.
What is a DCSG?
The Telecom Infra Project pioneered the DCSG concept . It was created as part of the Open Optical & Packet Transport (OOPT) project group, which focuses on the creation of open optical and IP networking technologies, architectures, and interfaces. TIP created open and disaggregated specifications for a large number of cell site installations with 5G deployments, taking into account costs, functionality, and speed of deployment. The goal of this project has always been very clear: develop open, efficient, disaggregated IP solutions and make it easier for operators to deploy networks quickly, robustly, and economically.
A Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway (DCSG) is an aggregation of disparate functions that are located at the site and can be accessed from a network. This contrasts with standard cellular architecture which has all the functions located in remote centralized data centers. DCSG is usually composed of hardware and software that may be put in a single room or several rooms at the site, or can be spread out over an entire floorspace. Besides the hardware specifications, the specification defines routing and transport protocols, time synchronization requirements, OAM, telemetry, and management principles to be used for DCSG. By standardizing cell site gateway architecture with open specifications and disaggregation, operators have more options.
The Benefits of DCGS
- The goal behind designing a DCSG is to reduce operational costs and improve quality of service by increasing uptime and reducing latency.
- This type of cell site gateway is important for operators who have a large number of sites across the country because it will allow them to implement their services more efficiently by minimizing bandwidth usage and reducing latency.
- The DCSG enables 5G service providers to avoid vendor lock-in and select more options for deployment scenarios.
- To support massive expansion in mobile and fixed-line systems, data usage, and high-bandwidth services.
- New technologies may be quickly adopted as needed based on operator needs rather than vendor goals.
- Operators have discretion over when new technologies and goods are brought into the network based on their specific demands.
- Network operators can now choose from a wide range of available alternatives that can be easily integrated via open interfaces and thus avoid over-reliance on a single vendor.
- Managing disruption in the supply chain can be mitigated by swapping not only components, but vendors as well.
- Open and inclusive ecosystems may be utilized by operators rather than being controlled by a single dominant vendor.
How do they work?
When telecom networking equipment was first introduced, most components were proprietary, meaning they were built and supplied by a single vendor .As a result, the networking system is both restrictive and costly. This led to the development of Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway.
DCSG is a white-box device for existing 2G/3G/4G and future 5G mobile networks, based on an open and disaggregated architecture. As the software is separated from the hardware, it cannot run proprietary software, but rather can run any software. Open standard software features can be used with any hardware. As a result, more people are developing features, fostering innovation, and offering more choices. In the end, the user receives the most appropriate equipment with features perfectly tailored to the user’s needs. In simple words, the opportunity to disaggregate the network allows many vendors to offer the best technologies for each type of device, which is crucial to lowering the price-per-bit, especially as aggregate capacity greatly expands, as in 5G.
Example of a DCSG is Ufispace S9500-30XS. It is the first DCSG in the industry to be deployed in a live network. North America’s leading telecom company deployed the DCSG and hundreds of thousands of devices have already been deployed worldwide. UFiSpace (S9500-30XS DCSG), IP Infusion (OcNOS), and FHNet (System Integration) worked together on this project. Using the OcNOS from IP Infusion, the new 5G network was integrated seamlessly with the existing 4G network. Installation and maintenance services were performed by FHNet.
Why are they important?
Using Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway , providers can increase mobile bandwidth, meaning an internet connection with a larger bandwidth will move a set amount of data faster than one with a smaller bandwidth. With computers becoming more sophisticated and using more memory and data, fast Internet connections are becoming more important than ever before. Just to keep up with technological advancements, your internet connection must become faster and faster. The following reasons demonstrate the importance of a faster Internet connection :
- The importance of high-speed internet is more apparent than ever in the modern environment, with families working, learning, and playing at home.
- There has been a tremendous increase in subscriber connections and data use because of video conferencing, video streaming, gaming, and video surveillance, to name a few.
- No matter what kind of business you’re in, whether it’s a coffee shop or an import-export company, you need a fast internet connection. A broadband connection is necessary for your business to flourish, so you should search for business broadband providers and request that they install a connection in your office.
- Consumer markets continue to be flooded with Internet of Things devices, including smart homes and Fitbit watches. Technology giants continue to take advantage of the opportunities in IoT, which is experiencing unprecedented growth. Every day, there are millions of devices connected to the Internet that communicate with each other. According to experts, devices with internet connections are included in the Internet of Things.
- For companies, a positive reputation can be built by providing excellent customer service backed by excellent internet access. If a client has a problem with a delivery or a complaint, you should solve it as soon as the consumer brings it to your notice.
- Almost everyone has felt the annoyance of working with a sluggish internet connection. Not only is it frustrating to spend time waiting for webpages to load, but a poor internet connection increases the fear of work not being completed on time. A peaceful, confident work atmosphere will be enhanced by a secure, dependable, and fast internet.
Conclusion
Today and in the future, broadband networks will be disaggregated and open. Operators can reduce costs and deploy new services more quickly by disaggregating components while maintaining the highest levels of service quality. Standards and open integration motivate broad industry participation and the expected cost-savings from an inclusive and open ecosystem rather than a single dominant vendor. In addition, an inclusive and open market places the network operator in center stage.
