Nokia Siemens Networks

CS Fallback (CSFB)
Enabling seamless voice services
for LTE smartphones
Nokia Siemens Networks CS Fallback (CSFB) 2
Internet

MME

S/P-GW

Operator
IP network


MSS

LTE
2G/3G
CSFB
SGSN
MGW
Data
Data

Voice
SGs
1. Enabling voice for LTE
smartphones
CS Fallback (CSFB) will be the
bridging technology to ensure that LTE
smartphone users can enjoy ultra-fast
data services as well as high-quality
voice services on 2G/3G networks.
CSFB will enable devices in packet-
switched LTE networks to change
over to CS networks for incoming and
outgoing voice calls. In many cases,
CSFB will co-exist with Voice over
Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) well into
the future.
Going forward, IMS-based Voice over
LTE (VoLTE) will be the logical choice
to provide voice services over the
same technology that is driving the
data revolution. There are compelling
reasons, however, to provide
CS-based voice services for LTE
smartphone users, even in markets
were LTE networks have been
commercially launched. The Next
Generation Mobile Networks Alliance
(NGMN) has recommended standards-
based CSFB to enable non-IMS
roaming subscribers to use both LTE
data services and voice services in
Circuit Switched (CS) networks. With
CSFB, when an LTE smartphone
makes or receives a voice call, it
connects automatically to the 2G/3G
network. The ongoing LTE data
session is also transferred to the
2G/3G network. Once the call is
terminated, the smartphone reverts
to the LTE network. This process is
seamless to the end-user.
Nokia Siemens Networks has
provided CSFB solutions to
operators since 2011.
2. LTE-capable smartphones
Operators worldwide are implementing
LTE data networks. During the past six
months, a number of LTE-capable
smartphones have also been
introduced, and as this evolution
continues, end-users will expect to be
able to make voice calls as well as
access data services with their new
devices (Figure 1). To support a
seamless voice and data experience,
smartphone vendors and operators
have implemented standardized CSFB
functionality. Without CSFB in the
network, the LTE data experience
would not be available for LTE
smartphone users as devices with
CSFB capability have to connect to
the 2G/3G network as required by
standard. For operators who have
not yet implemented VoLTE, CSFB
provides a solution to enable both
voice and data services on LTE
smartphones.
With CSFB, operators can provide not
only quality voice for LTE subscribers
but also data continuity, Short
Messaging Services (SMS),
emergency calls, voice roaming and
other CS services currently available
in 2G/3G networks.
The Nokia Siemens Networks
CSFB solution is available now and
has been implemented in many live
operator networks.
3. CSFB operation
CSFB provides LTE voice capability
without requiring significant changes in
the existing mobile CS core network,
for example in routing or charging
configurations.
The interface between the CS network
and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC),
which controls the LTE connection,
is the cornerstone of CSFB. The
standard SGs interface enables CSFB
between these two networks. (Figure 2)
The Nokia Siemens Networks solution
provides the main core network
functions on the same hardware.
The capacity can be dynamically
allocated between functions, which
is a key advantage for future VoLTE
implementation.
CSFB has no impact on SMS or
packet switched data, which is handled
in parallel with voice on the 2G/3G
network.
Figure 2: CSFB connects the CS network and the Evolved Packet Core of the LTE network.
Figure 1: CSFB enables voice and high-speed data
on LTE-capable smartphones.
2
3 Nokia Siemens Networks CS Fallback (CSFB)

MSS 2G/3G
LTE MME
MSS CSFB
MME
MSS 2G/3G
LTE MME
CSFB MSS
MME
MSS
4. Implementing CSFB
Options for configuring the connection
between the CS and Evolved
Packet Core networks are versatile
and flexible. CS Fallback can be
implemented in every Mobile Switching
Center Server (MSS) or in a dedicated
MSS (known as CSFB overlay).
(Figure 3)
With the Nokia Siemens Networks
CSFB overlay configuration, there is no
need to update all the existing MSSs
or software. As the number of users
with CSFB capable smartphones will
be limited at first, the additional traffic
from the CSFB overlay will not cause
changes in the network. (Figure 4)
5. Benefits
As CSFB utilizes current CS networks,
all features related to voice services
are available (e.g. SMS, emergency
calls, roaming agreements, voices
services, charging, etc). With the Nokia
Siemens Networks approach, CSFB
MSS can control the Media Gateway
in the network, which enables smooth
integration of existing ringing and
message tones and announcements
to subscribers.
CSFB does not cause interruptions in
data sessions when subscribers make
a voice call. The data connection
returns to the LTE network seamlessly
when the voice call is over.
In several tests and field trials, Nokia
Siemens Networks has demonstrated
that the call setup time with CSFB is
only a fraction longer than in current
3G networks. The connection time
depends to a large extent on the
network structure and technologies.
Average call setup time with CSFB
is only 1-2 seconds longer than in
current 3G networks.
CSFB is part of the Nokia Siemens
Networks VoLTE solution. Together,
they comprise a highly cost effective
solution that reuses existing network
investments to provide a seamless
experience when 2G/3G and LTE
networks are used in parallel.
Designed to provide full IMS capability
in the same hardware, the solution
helps reduce investment and
operational costs.
CSFB can be provided as a software
upgrade to Nokia Siemens Networks
core network elements, which are
compatible with our IMS-based VoLTE
solution. For this reason and to ensure
a smooth evolution to VoLTE, Nokia
Siemens Networks recommends
implementing CSFB in every MSS
before CSFB traffic reaches a
significant level.
Figure 4: CSFB in every MSS ensures the best voice and data performance for LTE smartphone users
Figure 3: Options to implement the CSFB in every MSS or in dedicated MSSs
CSFB in every MSS
CSFB overlay dedicated MSSs
CSFB in every MSS is the recommended way to implement CSFB
Overlay CSFB is ideal for fast and easy introduction of CSFB
Overlay CSFB is upgradable to CSFB in every MSS when subscriber numbers increase
Enables quick and easy introduction of CSFB in core
networks from all vendors
No changes required in the network
Ensures best performance for voice and data
Software upgrade required in the network
CSFB in every MSS

Overlay CSFB

VLR updates result in extra signaling between VLR
and HLR
Minimizes signaling between Visitor- and Home
Location Registers (VLR and HLR)
No need to update VLR
Two location updates during each mobile
terminated call
Zero location updates during each mobile terminated
call
Two location updates during each mobile originated
call
Zero location updates during each mobile originated
call
3
www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
Nokia Siemens Networks
P.O. Box 1
FI-02022 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS
Finland
Visiting address:
Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland
Switchboard +358 71 400 4000 (Finland)
Switchboard +49 89 5159 01 (Germany)
Order-No. C401-00770-B-201208-1-EN
Copyright 2012 Nokia Siemens Networks.
All rights reserved.
Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation,
Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG.
The wave logo is a trademark of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy.
Other company and product names mentioned in this document
may be trademarks of their respective owners, and they are
mentioned for identification purposes only.
This publication is issued to provide information only and is not
to form part of any order or contract. The products and services
described herein are subject to availability and change
without notice.