Digitata Networks

Digitata Networks
NetCM and NPA

Use Cases and Business
Case
Copyright
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© Digitata
Digitata 2017
2017 Commercial
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in Confidence
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Table of Contents
• DIGITATA Networks Product Overview
• NPA (Network Parameter Audit) - Recent Use Cases
• Installed but not configured WBPP/UBPP boards
• Deactivated Cells
• OEM Boundary Management
• Domain Boundary Management (RAN – Core)
• Golden Parameters vs Live Network
• NPA - Additional Use Cases

• Unauthorised Moving of Equipment
• Idle-UMFI not defined
• HSPA+ Feature Not Enabled
• Edge Features Not Enabled
• SGSN-MME Configured verse License Capacity
• SGSN-MME TAC to LAC Mapping
• Low Throughput End-to-End
• SGSN-MME Pool load-balancing
• NPA - Future Use Cases

• NetCM / NPA - General Business Case
Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 2

DIGITATA Networks
Product Overview

Products Overview
Digitata Networks offers both Subscriber Centric and Network Centric Software solutions to to transparently monitor, control
and automate all major mobile technologies (2G, 3G, 4G) across multi-domains (RAN, TX, CS CORE, PS CORE, IP).
Central to our Product Suite is our Data Engine which automatically collects data from multiple sources (configuration,
performance, revenue, assets, subscriber) and consolidates it into a centralised database through a unique ETL process.
The 4 unique Digitata Networks’ products provide different

views and analysis of this collected data within the different
domains in the network.
NetCM is a configuration management product that provides
visibility, highlights configuration inconsistencies in parameter
configurations and allows for corrections to be made
* (automated or semi automated)
NetVU is a Key Performance Indicator Monitoring product

that allows you to monitor KPIs and Revenue* Trends in a
network. It is focussed at management and engineering and
can provide correlation between configuration changes and
network performance.
NetAM is an Asset Management product that can monitor

and track both Live and Passive Assets within a network
(down to board serial numbers).
NetCE is a roadmap product: It’s a Customer Experience

app that resides on the handsets of the subscribers. It
* monitors the customer’s experience of the network and
reports back to a centralised server for further analysis by
network engineers.
*Available Q3 2017

3 Problems with Existing Change Management Process
Monitor: Multi- Vendor,

-Technology, -Domain
RAN, PS-CORE, CS-CORE, TX
Problem 1: Lack of
visibility of network
Performance,
Configuration and
Dimensioning.
Problem 3: The gap
between the Live and
Planned Network
(what it should be vs. Problem 2: Complexity
what it really is). due to sheer volume of
network elements and
parameters that need to
be managed.
TT / email

Digitata Networks’ Products, Services and Solutions in the Network
RAN, PS-CORE, CS-CORE, TX

Automated ETL Process (Multi-
Vendor, -Technology, -Domain)
Solution 1: Provide a Single Clear

Solution 3: Closing the gap Depository of Network Configuration, Visibility
between Live and Planned Performance and dimensioning
Network by automating
MML/XML scripting, scheduling
5 5
and implementation, in line 20 20
with change management Solution 2: Automatic Detection 33
44
33
45 Discrepancy
control processes and of all anomalies Errors and 79

93
79
93
procedures mismatches in Network 107
124
107
114 Discrepancy
Resolution of Discrepancies 138 138

Highlight
providing clear visibility and easy Discrepancies
analysis
Analysis,
Correlation
Accurate and Reporting
Recommendation
Network Integration
BTS Node B ENode B BSC RNC
RAN
ODBC
CSV
Planning
RF TX

Recent use cases

Installed but not configured WBPP/UBPP boards
Tier 1 Operator
Common Scenario: The process to identify these unconfigured boards manually takes many hours,
as commands need to be run on each NodeB in the network, which takes away time from more
important optimisation activities.
Case: In a Tier 1 operator with Huawei Equipment, we identified 519 WBBP and UBBP boards that
were installed in NodeBs but not configured.
Impact: These boards, combined with the relevant licences, provide the channel elements for the
NodeBs, which are needed to assign voice and data resources to the UE. Besides these board are
investment not being used.
Solution: The boards should be activated on sites where there is CE Congestion. If the board is not
needed in the NodeB, it should be removed and installed in a site where it can reduce CE Congestion.
Case ROI: The operator reduced the CE congestion in the network, but more importantly managed
to reduce their budget for new boards for the following year. As each UBBP board costs in the region
of $2600, this meant that the operator had almost $1.35 million worth of equipment in the network
that was sitting unused.

Deactivated Cells
Tier 1 Operator
Common Scenario: Frequently cells are activated and deactivated into the network due numerous
reasons like roll-out, vendor swap, regular maintenance and optimization. Deactivated cells can be
identified per traffic KPI or customer complains, therefore cells still forgotten deactivated into the network.
Use Case: On a Tier 1 operator a report was generated to provide visibility of the multiple activities in
progress, and to highlight configuration discrepancies and mismatches in the MNO’s network. After review
part of the network (One Vendor Only) it was detected 353 cells incorrectly deactivated and 986 cells
disabled due to variable issues. (Over 3900 cells deactivated found because forgotten to delete into OSS)
Impact: The most important impact is revenue being lose due to traffic uptake. Additional impacts into
performance might be experienced respectively to each cell. (Coverage, Mobility, Capacity)
Solution: NetCM detected these non operational cells, and presented it to the Operator in a report format.
It was confirmed that the defined parameters were in line with the prevalent policy, which allowed the
MNO to activate the affected cells the same day.
Data Traffic (UL+DL)
Voice Traffic (ERL)
Case ROI: It turned out that some of these MB
cells in the network, and the combined voice Avg Traffic uptake per cell @
3 ERL 50 MB
Busy Hour
traffic increase and combined data traffic
Avg Traffic uptake per cell @
(UL+DL). Unfortunately the Operator did not 15 ERL 600 MB
Day
provide Digitata Networks with the $ per min/MB $0.10 $0.05
proceeding month’s KPI data to calculate the $ generated per day/cell $90 $60
full revenue increase, but the commercial Cellls were Activated 353
increase could be calculated as follow: Revenue $ due to activation $31,770 $21,180
Estimated TOTAL Additional
Revenue $
$52,950 per day

OEM Boundary Management
Tier 1 Operator
Common Scenario: MNO’s typically have multi-RAN and -CORE vendors deployed. Management of parameters
and neighbours across OEM boundaries are typically not managed by the OEM’s NMC’s/OSS’s, and are generally
problematic. These boundary parameters and neighbours are usually manually planned and operated, which
results in misaligned and incorrect configuration, causing undesirable network performance on the vendor
boundary areas.
Use Case: Reports were generated for a Tier-1 MNO, indicating misalignment of parameters and neighbours
across their 3 RAN OEM boundaries. The reports highlighted multiple Design, Neighbour- and IRAT-discrepancies
and clashes.
Typical OEM Boundary
Impact: The most important impact was undesirable
network quality at these OEM boundary areas, resulting into Parameters Impacted
unhappy subscribers and subsequent revenue losses. • Design Clashes
Solution: With NetCM’s centralised database, reports are • UMTS (Scrambling code)
• GSM (BCCH/BSIC)
automatically generated, highlighting issues with the
• GSM/UMTS/LTE (unique Cell ID)
configuration of neighbours and other parameters across
• Neighbours Handover Definitions
OEM boundaries (Vendor and Technology). Further to this, • GSM (CGI/BCCH/BSIC)
MML/XML scripts can be automatically generated to correct • UMTS (CGI/SC/UARFCN/RNC-ID)
these inconsistencies quickly and accurately. • LTE (ECGI/PCI/TAC/X2)
• IRAT Handover Definitions
Case ROI: Resolving these OEM boundary issues, resulted • UMTS-GSM-UMTS
into noticeable network quality improvements (Accessibility, • GSM (CGI/BCCH/BSIC)
Mobility, Voice and Data traffic increase) • UMTS (CGI/SC/UARFCN/RNC-ID)
• LTE-UMTS and/or LTE-GSM
• GSM (CGI/BCCH/BSIC)
• UMTS (CGI/SC/UARFCN/RNC-ID)

Domain Boundary Management (RAN – Core)
Tier 3 Operator
Common Scenario: Misalignment of parameters and neighbours across MNO domains (RAN to CS-Core and RAN
to PS-Core) are generally problematic. The alignment is usually performed independently by the RAN and Core
departments based on manual processes and procedures that generally leads to misaligned and incorrect
configuration, causing undesirable network performance.
Use Case: Reports were generated for a Tier-3 MNO, indicating misalignment of timers, parameters and
neighbours across domain boundaries (RAN to CS-Core and RAN to PS-Core) resulting in to undesirable network
performance
Impact: The most important impact was undesirable
network quality throughout the network, resulting into Typical Domain Boundary Issues
unhappy subscribers and subsequent revenue losses. • RAN - CS Core (per vendor per
Solution: With NetCM’s centralised database, reports are technology)
automatically generated, highlighting configuration and • T3212 Timer mismatch
design issues across RAN – Core domains. Further to this, • CGI - mismatch
• NRI - pooling function
MML/XML scripts can be automatically generated to correct
distribution
these inconsistencies quickly and accurately.
• RAN - PS Core (per vendor per
Case ROI: Resolving these RAN – Core domain technology)
misalignments, resulted into noticeable network quality • CS-fallback configuration
improvements (Accessibility, Mobility, Voice and Data traffic • Gb/Iu-PS/S1-interface
increase) definition
• NRI - Pooling function
distribution

Golden Parameters vs Live Network
Tier 1 Operator
Common Scenario: MNO’s manage a list of golden parameters with Top 30 Parameters out-of-Policy
the best practices and expects parameters are replicated into overall
Parameter % Out of Policy
network. ClosedLoopTimeAdjustMode 53%
CP1SupInd 53%
ConnIntraFreqReselection 53%
Use Case: A Tier 1 Operator provide a list of 300 parameters to be IdleIntraFreqReselection 53%
BackgroundNoise 53%
compared with live network. BGNULLoadThd 53%
BasedUELocDRDSwitch 53%
HsPdschCodeNum 53%
Impact: Network Quality. CnOpGrpIndex 52%
CellUlEquNumCapacity 51%
DlTotalEqUserNum 50%
TgtRoTAdjPeriod 50%
Solution: A report was provided to the MNO to fix the discrepancies RsvdPara1 47%
or adjust the policy MaxTxPower 47%
LdbDRDLoadRemainThdHSDPA 34%
PathlossThdForCenter 34%
Bronze user Load EQ index 26%
Gold user Load EQ index 26%
ROI: Network performance improvement. Silver user Load EQ index 26%
ISROUTEMODE 25%
QAAL2VER 25%
RTMODE 25%
LdbDRDSwitchHSDPA 24%
Bronze user Load EQ index 23%
Gold user Load EQ index 23%
Silver user Load EQ index 23%
Is IP Pool 23%
ISROUTEMODE 23%
QAAL2VER 23%
RTMODE 23%

Additional Use Cases

Unauthorised Moving of Equipment
Problem Description
A Tier 1 Operator with managed services suspected that they were being charged for the same
pieces of equipment repeatedly, as they were moved from live sites to new sites. They had no
way of tracking the live assets in the network, to see if this was indeed the case.
Problem Resolution
Digitata Networks deployed NetAM, our asset management solution, which was able to identify
all the live assets in the network and was able to track these assets by their serial numbers.
When a board was moved from one site to another site, a report was sent to the operator, who
could then determine whether or not the move was authorised. Any unauthorised moves were
then highlighted to the managed services partner, who had to explain them.
Operator Benefit
The operator was able to penalise their managed services partner for unauthorised moving of
their equipment. When site acceptance documents required signing off, the operator could check
NetAM, to see if the boards installed in the sites were new boards, or if they had been moved
from sites that had already been paid for. The incidences of unauthorised moving of equipment
reduced drastically after these processes were implemented.

Idle-UMFI not defined
Problem Description
A tier 3 operator in the Caribbean contacted Digitata Networks to assist with an issue they were
experiencing in their network.
After completing a call on 3G, the device would re-select to 2G and then experience difficulty
with reselecting back to 3G.
Using NetCM, our specialist team of engineers were able to determine that the Idle-UMFIs were
not defined on more than a 3rd of networks cells, meaning that the 2G cells were not aware of the
scrambling codes and frequencies they needed to monitor in order to reselect to 3G.
Problem Resolution
The list of affected cells, along with the frequencies and scrambling codes that needed to be
defined in the Idle-UMFI list were provided to the operator. After correcting the issues, the
devices started re-selecting to 3G again.
Operator Benefit
Digitata Networks managed to assist the operator with resolving their issue, which resulted in a
better network experience for their customers.

HSPA+ Feature Not Enabled
Problem Description
During a trial of NetCM at a Tier 1 operator in Europe, NetCM detected that a great number of
cells in a major metropole of the operator’s network did not have the HSPA+ feature enabled.
This caused a significant restriction of data throughput in these areas of their 3G network.
Problem Resolution
NetCM automatically generated the corrective MML scripts for the multiple Vendors and allowed
for a quick resolution of the detected problems. The Operator implemented the scripts the very
same evening, which enabled the HSPA+ feature in all cells.
Operator Benefit
Because this was part of a trial, the Operator did not provide Digitata Networks with the affected
KPI stats for the period of the trial, but estimations on the improvement and commercial impact
was made as follows.
The corrected sectors’ data traffic increased threefold. Overall growth in UL/DL data traffic was
estimated at 750 GB per day. The operator’s avg. data cost per Mb was $0.02 and the possible
increase in revenues due to the Data traffic growth could be calculated at $15,000 a day
resulting into a $450,000 revenue increase per month

Edge Features Not Enabled
Problem Description
A multi technology, multi vendor Tier 1 operator in Africa, indicated that they had data throughput
issues on their GPRS network. GPRS and EDGE is still widely accessed by subscribers in rural
areas but also important in built up areas for M2M data connectivity such as PoS, Utility
metering, Car tracking devices, etc.
Problem Resolution
NetCM detected that the GPRS and EDGE features weren’t enabled on a great number of cells
in the network across multiple vendors. In addition to this, transmission features, allowing
sufficient data capacity, were incorrectly defined, and significantly restricted data throughput on
the affected sites.
NetCM automatically generated the corrective MML scripts and allowed for a quick resolution of
the detected problems.
Operator Benefit
Over a period of 30days, the growth in UL/DL Data traffic was 350 GB on the corrected cells.
The operator’s avg. data cost per Mb was $0.05 and the total increase in revenues do to the
Data traffic growth on these cells were $17,500 per month

One Way Neighbours
Problem Description
A tier 3 operator in Africa, utilised Digitata Networks’ NPA services to perform a parameter
configuration audit on their network, to assist with an optimisation campaign to improve network
performance and reduce dropped calls.
Problem Resolution
A number of issues were identified, including over 9000 One Way Intra Frequency neighbours.
These neighbours, which were not defined between 3G cells on the same frequency, were
contributing to the high drop call rate on their 3G network.
The operator added the neighbours that were identified as missing in the opposite direction
shortly after receiving the NPA report from Digitata Networks.
Operator Benefit
By adding the missing neighbours, the number of dropped calls on their 3G network reduced and
handover success rate increased. This led to a better customer experience, which in turn could
assist with reducing the churn.

SGSN-MME Configured verse License Capacity
Problem Description
Adequate capacity and redundancy in the packet core is critical, however most operators
depend on an outdated configuration design and dimensioning. This was highlighted in a Tier 1
African operator’s SGSN-MME pooled network which had ample hardware and licensing
resources, but lacked the correct configuration to realise this investment.
Problem Resolution
NetCM ability to audit the entire packet core, revealed a configuration limitation of temporary
identities (TMSI) compared to the available hardware and licensing capacities of the SGSN-MME
nodes. A corrective service proposal spanning every Radio and Core network element
successively increased the capacity from 4 million subs to a possible 18 million subs per network
element.
Operator Benefit
This capacity limitation would have cause significant attach KPI degradation, resulting in a
prolonged period of emergency troubleshooting and rectification actions. The large scale
customer dissatisfaction would not only have a negative impact on reputation but likely cause
massive churn toward other competing networks.

SGSN-MME TAC to LAC Mapping
Problem Description
With the introduction of LTE Mobile operators need to manage their geographical coverage
between 2G/3G LAC’s and LTE’s TAC for effective IRAT handover and CSFB efficiency. The
Mobile operator in this case only updated this mobility data in to the SGSN-MME from radio
planning inputs and neglected removal of redundant data. This lead to a large amount of
unnecessary data in the SGSN-MME and was causing problems with new definitions coming
from planning.
Problem Resolution
NetCM auditing of the GSM, UMTS and LTE Radio Access configuration against the definitions
in the SGSN-MME quickly highlighted the incorrect data in the TAC-LAC configuration.
Operator Benefit
A significant improvement in mobility and session KPI’s were realised as the RAN configuration
is compared to the SGSN-MME configuration on a daily basis. Event reporting and
troubleshooting was made much easier also.

Low Throughput End-to-End
Problem Description
This operator was experiencing poor throughput on uncongested LTE sites. The HSS
provisioning of the EPS user: AMBR (Aggregated Maximum Bit Rate) UL and DL was correctly
set, however the SGSN-MME and SGW/PGW showed inconsistent AMBR’s for the EPS user.
Problem Resolution
NetCM auditing of SGW/PGW APN and PCRF QoS configuration compared to those held in the
eNodeB and the MME showed inconsistencies.
Operator Benefit
Alignment of QoS setting across the RAN, EPS and HSS network elements resulted in a mark
increase in throughput of the LTE network.

SGSN-MME Pool load-balancing
Problem Description
The operator noticed uneven subscriber numbers on their Pooled SGSN-MME nodes. These
nodes had the same licensed capacity and however one node was at 86% license utilisation
while the others were at less that 30% utilisation.
Problem Resolution
The Pool configuration data in RAN was correct, however historic analysis of the configuration
showed a previous inconsistency in the NRI configuration. The DNS pool configuration was also
audited for correctness. Once the root cause of the imbalance was seen, corrective re-
distribution was implemented
Operator Benefit
SGSN-MME Pool Subscriber imbalances puts the PS Core accessibility at risk as redundancy is
compromised with license, processor and link capacity operate at close to their dimensioned
limits.

Future Use Cases

Regulatory Issues
Digitata Networks, can help investigate the following:
• Illegal Frequencies • Zeroed or duplicated IMEI
• Illegal NCC/BCC • Blacklisted device detection
• Incorrect MNC/MCC • Emergency call testing and

routing
• RICA compliance
• A number barring
• Zero rated numbers

General Business Case

NetCM Automation
Identify Automation of Automation of Automation of

Automation current Manual processes and work processes and work
Priorities processes and flow (open loop) flow (closed loop)
procedures

Existing Operations Process Simplify and Automate
Analyse/
Monitor Schedule
Recommend
Tasks
Process
Procedures
Detect Data Gather Implement
Saving time & Money Creating new revenues

NetCM Business Case
• The NetCM business case is an adaptable model that can

determine potential cost savings when using NetCM in
an operator.
• The efficiencies introduced to the optimisation

processes free up engineers to concentrate on more
complex problems.
• Automated correction of common configuration issues

helps to improve the network KPIs, which in turn helps
to reduce churn.

NetCM Business Case
Network Information
Total Network Subscribers 2 000 000
Subscribers per cell 600
Subscriber replacement cost ($) $50
Estimated # Network Cells 3 333
Reduced Churn (Reduce Churn due to improved KPI's)

Typical annual churn rate 5%
Typically % churn attributable to poor network Quality 20%
Typically QOS network quality improvement achieved by Configuration Automation 5.0%
Cost Savings due to config automation ($/year) $50 000
Cost Savings due to config automation ($/sub/year) $0.03
Cost Savings due to config automation ($/cell/year) $15.0
Reduced Oppex (Reduce manpower cost, Reduce operational costs, due to efficiency)
Estimated P&O annual resource cost $40 000
Additional resource cost ratio 1.4
# Cells Managed per Engineer 600
Operational efficiency due to Automation 10%
Estimated # Optimization Engineers 6
Delayed Investment (Reduce/delay additional hardware investments)

Avg Cost per Cell Equipment $6 000
Avg. Equipment not correctly configured 0.25%
Cumulative Savings Y1 $133 600


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NetCM and NPA

• NPA - Additional Use Cases

• NPA - Future Use Cases

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 2

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 3

The 4 unique Digitata Networks’ products provide different

NetVU is a Key Performance Indicator Monitoring product

NetAM is an Asset Management product that can monitor

NetCE is a roadmap product: It’s a Customer Experience

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 4

Monitor: Multi- Vendor,

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 5

RAN, PS-CORE, CS-CORE, TX

Solution 1: Provide a Single Clear

control processes and of all anomalies Errors and 79

Resolution of Discrepancies 138 138

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Digitata Networks, can help investigate the following:

• Illegal Frequencies • Zeroed or duplicated IMEI

• Illegal NCC/BCC • Blacklisted device detection

• Incorrect MNC/MCC • Emergency call testing and

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 25

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 26

Identify Automation of Automation of Automation of

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 27

Detect Data Gather Implement

Saving time & Money Creating new revenues

• The NetCM business case is an adaptable model that can

• The efficiencies introduced to the optimisation

• Automated correction of common configuration issues

Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 29

Reduced Churn (Reduce Churn due to improved KPI's)

Delayed Investment (Reduce/delay additional hardware investments)

Cumulative Savings Y1 $133 600

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Copyright © Digitata 2017 Commercial in Confidence Page 31

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