Case Study

Open RAN
African mobile network operator
Open RAN Case Study

As a leading African mobile network operator

continued its innovative drive for cost-effective
coverage, it decided to trial and test Open
Amdocs’ role
RAN technology to determine whether open, Amdocs’ Open RAN solution transforms monolithic
disaggregated technology could play a part in its networks into cloud-based, disaggregated,
plans to take mobile broadband connectivity to intelligent, open powerhouses. Its deployment
populations scattered throughout the continent. enabled the operator to experience the freedom
of flexible network architectures, automating
To do this, the operator tested an Open RAN operations and streamlining innovation, without
ecosystem in a lab environment and conducted being held back by monolithic network systems.
field testing in key areas. The activities focused on
validating standards-based open, interoperable As part of managing the project lifecycle and
and disaggregating network technologies, accelerating the adoption of Open RAN, Amdocs
accelerating deployment of commercially viable minimized the complexity of the new multi-
solutions, expanding the local talent pool of experts, vendor, disaggregated mobile access network
and nurturing a diverse and robust ecosystem of open ecosystem by leveraging its vendor-agnostic
innovative companies. The field trial’s main focus, network expertise to manage them accordingly to
however, was on deploying Open RAN lab use cases, ensure interoperability and on-time delivery.
with Amdocs helping implement the operator’s
decision-making strategy of rolling out Open RAN
on a commercial basis.

Importance of network Partner of Choice

integration
High Complexity Lifecycle Management Independency Reliability and Experience

Vendor Program Choose best of Network expertise

management management breed with Tier-1 MNOs
(roadmap/
Interoperability price model) No vendor lock in Software house for
E2E testing automation and
Network services No conflict of analytics
Automation (design, build, interest
services training and O-RAN member
software support) TIP-certified

Furthermore, as in other deployments where customers partnered with Amdocs for its robust Open RAN
deployment services, systems integration services, service management & orchestration (SMO) and Open RAN
automation, here too Amdocs played a pivotal role in the customer’s deployments in both South Africa and a
country in West Africa, Guinea Conakry.

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Open RAN Case Study

Creating an Open RAN lab environment

Amdocs helped the operator create the best Open RAN solution for its South African-located lab. As systems
integrator, Amdocs provided end-to-end project management, solution assessment, network design, bill of
material, Open RAN deployment services, integration and ongoing testing and validation of solutions across
all areas of the network stack, including access, transport, core and services. This solution stitching included
Parallel Wireless vBBU, HNG & EMS with Comba RRH for GSM, UMTS and LTE technologies connected with
its existing Ericsson core.

Figure 1: Open RAN lab environment architecture design

HNG, EMS & vBBU & Distributer BAND 3 & BAND

RF PATCH PANEL BAND 1 - RRH FARADAY CAGE TEST DEVICES
TOR SWITCH Switch 8 RRH

Figure 2: Lab setup view of network elements and devices

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Open RAN Case Study

Guinea Conakry field trials

In a field trial conducted in Guinea Conakry, Amdocs tested the open RAN ecosystem both in a lab
environment, as well as in a field trial for 3G and 4G. As systems integrator, Amdocs provided end-to-end
project management, assessment, network design, deployment (including logistic movement, field work etc.),
integration and field testing of solutions across all areas of the network stack, including access, transport,
core and services. This solution stitching included Parallel Wireless vBBU, HNG & EMS with Comba RRH for
UMTS technology connected with its existing Ericsson core, while LTE technology was connected with
Athonet open core.

ACCESS

PE Access Router 01
Active

10G Port
MTN Backhaul
Network
HNG Primary (Active)/HNG Secondary
(Standby)
1 x 4x1Gb NIC Intel
1 x 2x10Gb SFP NIC Intel Access link 10G Port
Core link
10G Port
CORE
OAM & Northbound link 1G Port
PE Core Router 01
EMS Southbound Link

Active

10G Port

Remote Site
VRRP / HSRP
+
2G/3G
MLAG core routing
network

EMS 1G Port
1 x 4x1Gb NIC Intel OAM & Northbound link
1 x 2x10Gb SFP NIC Intel

PW Rack
Location – MTN Switch
2G/3G core
Location – MTN Switch

Figure 3: High-level solution architecture designed for field testing – 3G

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Open RAN Case Study

Figure 4: High-level solution architecture designed for field testing – 4G

Figure 5: Guinea Conakry Open RAN POC data center implementation

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Open RAN Case Study

Network design and integration

In both locations – South Africa and Guinea Conakry – Amdocs completed the network design for RAN,
transport and core. Amdocs was also responsible for testing the interoperability between the vast ecosystem
of Open RAN vendors – Parallel Wireless, Comba, and RRH – to ensure Open RAN compliance and facilitate its
fulfillment of requirements in the lab environment before beginning the field deployment.

Network Element & Devices in Test

S.No Vendor Device Name Model Software Version

1 Parallel Wireless vBBU Super Micro 515-R6DX11 6.2.1

2 Hewlett-Packard HNG HP Proliant DL360 Gen 10 6.2.1

3 Hewlett-Packard EMS HP Proliant DL360 Gen 10 6.2.1

4 Comba RRH RRH-440-01-10 2.0.13C

5 Comba RRH RRH-440-03-10 2.0.13C

6 Comba RRH RRH-440-08-10 CT.A01.00.010.01.05

7 Cisco TOR SWITCH Nexus N9K-C93180YC-EX 9.3.1

8 Samsung Test UE Galaxy Note 20 Android 11 

9 Samsung Test UE Galaxy S 20 Android 10 

10 Keysight Test Tool  Nemo Outdoor  9.1.0.19

Figure 6: Open RAN architecture solution components

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Open RAN Case Study

Testing and The major Open RAN tests performed for

2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS) and 4G (LTE) were
verification as follows:
Technology Test Test Cases
O-RAN & 3GPP standards testing guidelines were
strictly followed for all test cases, which were Successful establishment of S1
LTE 4.1.32
planned and drafted to ensure all areas of the connection with MME – LTE

O-RAN architecture were tested and verified. LTE 4.1.33

Verify S1 recovery after Enodeb restart
– LTE
LTE 4.1.34 Cell Selection – LTE

M-Plane IoT Test LTE 4.1.35 Attach/detach Test – LTE

LTE 4.1.36 IMS Registration – LTE
O-CU
S-Plane IoT Functional Test LTE 4.1.37 IMS De-registration – LTE
LTE 4.1.38 Voice Call Test – VoLTE to VoLTE – LTE
O-DU
S-Plane IoT Performance Test Verify CSFB call from 4G to 3G (Vice
LTE 4.1.39
Versa) – LTE

C/U-Plane loT Test O-RAN LTE 4.1.40

Verify CSFB call from 4G to 2G (Vice
Versa) – LTE
Verify CSFB call from 4G to 4G (Same
LTE 4.1.41
cell) – LTE
System Functions O-RU
LTE 4.1.42 CSFB Setup Time – LTE
Fast return – when call is terminated
Features Verifications LTE 4.1.43
– LTE
LTE 4.1.44 SRVCC to 3G – LTE
LTE 4.1.45 SRVCC to 2G – LTE
Figure 7: O-RAN tests and verifications standards
LTE 4.1.46 SMS Test – LTE
LTE 4.1.47 PS Accessibility Tests – LTE
LTE 4.1.48 FTP Download – LTE
LTE 4.1.49 FTP Upload – LTE
LTE 4.1.50 Verify Latency – LTE
LTE 4.1.51 Intra-site Handover Tests – LTE
LTE 4.1.52 Inter-site Handover – LTE

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Open RAN Case Study

Technology Test Test Cases Successful test

GSM 4.1.6
Successful establishment of ABIS link
– GSM
Verify ABIS recovery after Link break
execution
GSM 4.1.7
– GSM
During the proof of concept (POC) trial, Amdocs’
GSM 4.1.8 Cell Selection – GSM Open RAN systems integration team successfully
GSM 4.1.9 Attach/detach Test – GSM executed 47 acceptance test protocols (ATPs)
GSM 4.1.10 IMSI Attach – GSM spanning 2G, 3G and 4G, resulting in several major
GSM 4.1.11 IMSI Detach – GSM achievements, including voice and video calls using
GSM 4.1.12 Voice Call Test – GSM the Open RAN equipment, while connecting to the
GSM 4.1.13 SMS Test – GSM
existing Ericsson core network in the
South African lab.
GSM 4.1.14 PS Accessibility Tests – GSM
GSM 4.1.15 FTP Download (Static Test) – GSM
After completing the ATPs in South Africa, a similar
GSM 4.1.16 FTP Upload (Static Test) – GSM set was tested in a field environment in
GSM 4.1.17 Intra-site Handover Tests – GSM Guinea Conkary.
GSM 4.1.18 Inter-site Handover – GSM
GSM 4.1.19 2G-3G Reelection – GSM

UE Attach and Detach

Technology Test Test Cases

Network Stability & Reliability Tests
Verify UE can perform successful
UMTS 4.1.20 Location
Update with MSC – UMTS
UE UL and DL Speed tests
UMTS 4.1.21 Cell Selection – UMTS
UMTS 4.1.22 Attach/detach Test – UMTS
Voice Call Test – Both devices in the UE Latency Testing
UMTS 4.1.23
same 3G network – UMTS
UMTS 4.1.24 SMS Test – UMTS
Voice Call (VoLTE)
UMTS 4.1.25 FTP Download (Static Test) – UMTS
UMTS 4.1.26 FTP Upload (Static Test) – UMTS

Results
UMTS 4.1.27 Latency – UMTS
UMTS 4.1.28 Intra-site Handover Tests – UMTS
UMTS 4.1.29 Inter-site Handover – UMTS
UMTS 4.1.30 Inter-RAT Handover – UMTS
As system integrator, Amdocs successfully tested
UMTS 4.1.31 3G-2G Reselection – UMTS all use cases associated with 2G, 3G and LTE/4G
in the lab environment, with the results enabling
Figure 8: Major Open RAN tests performed for 2G, 3G & 4G the operator to conduct Open RAN field testing
in Guinea Conakry. This successful trial may open
the door for Open RAN to be deployed throughout
Africa in the coming years.

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