Mobile Network Sharing
@3g4gUK
Site Sharing / Mast Sharing
2G 3G 4G
Site Sharing Site Sharing Site Sharing
Service Service Service
Platforms Platforms Platforms
HSS/HLR HSS/HLR HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS CN CS/PS CN PS only
BSC RNC
eNodeB
BTS NodeB
Cell/ Cell/ Cell/
Frequency Frequency Frequency
Operator 1
This is the most basic approach for infrastructure sharing Operator 2
©3G4G
Site Sharing
example
A row of cellular columns - 3 (now
MBNL), O2 then Vodafone - O2 column
has been upgraded, likely the new CTIL
site.
Source: Andy Sutton
©3G4G 3
Mast Sharing
example
Union Mill Mast - Isle of Man. A UHF
PSB TV relay of Douglas on channels
46, 43 and 40. It also carries Sure and
Manx Telecom signals.
Source: Peter Clarke
©3G4G 4
Mast Sharing
example
A busy rooftop in Hawaii, an example
of how complex site design is with
multi-operators, multi-RATs & multi-
bands...
Source: Andy Sutton
©3G4G 5
MORAN: Multiple Operator Radio Access Network
2G 3G 4G
MORAN MORAN MORAN
Service Service Service
Platforms Platforms Platforms
HSS/HLR HSS/HLR HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS CN CS/PS CN PS only
BSC RNC
eNodeB
BTS NodeB
Cell/ Cell/ Cell/
Frequency Frequency Frequency
Operator 1
Shared Elements
This approach is not defined by 3GPP Operator 2
©3G4G
MOCN: Multiple Operator Core Network
2G 3G 4G
MOCN MOCN MOCN
Service Service Service
Platforms Platforms Platforms
HSS/HLR HSS/HLR HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS CN CS/PS CN PS only
BSC RNC
eNodeB
BTS NodeB
Cell/ Cell/ Cell/
Frequency Frequency Frequency
Operator 1
Shared Elements
This approach is defined by 3GPP (Specs detail later) Operator 2
©3G4G
MOCN Attach Procedure Signalling
Access Network Core Networks
UE AN OP 1 OP 2
OP1 CN broadcast information
OP2 CN broadcast information
System information messages (OP1, OP2)
Hello, I am UE 1
Hello UE1, please use this channel <…>
Thanks, I am all setup.
Hello, I am UE 1. Want to Attach and let you know that I am now active (to OP2)
©3G4G
GWCN: Gateway Core Network
2G 3G 4G
GWCN GWCN GWCN
Service Service Service
Platforms Platforms Platforms
HSS/HLR HSS/HLR HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS CN CS/PS CN PS only
BSC RNC
eNodeB
BTS NodeB
Cell/ Cell/ Cell/
Frequency Frequency Frequency
Operator 1
Shared Elements
This approach is defined by 3GPP (Specs detail later) Operator 2
©3G4G
3GPP Standards
There are 2 main 3GPP specifications covering network sharing:
•3GPP TR 22.951: Service aspects and requirements for network sharing
• This technical report is aimed to capture the service and user requirements that must
be fulfilled by the 3GPP system in order to enable network sharing in a standardised
way.
•3GPP TS 23.251: Network Sharing; Architecture and functional description
• The present document covers the details of Network Sharing for GERAN, UTRAN and
E-UTRAN. It shows how several core network operators can share one radio access
network and details the impacts on the network architecture. All UEs shall comply
with existing requirements, among them PLMN selection and system information
reception. The present document also defines requirements for network-sharing
supporting UEs.
©3G4G
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©3G4G
4G Network Sharing Approaches
Not defined by 3GPP standards
Site Sharing MORAN MOCN GWCN
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN PS only
eNodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Defined in 3GPP TS 23.251 and TR 22.951
Operator 1 Operator 2 Shared Elements
©3G4G
