WWW.JOURNALOFCOMPUTING.ORG 39 Implementing Mobile Virtual Network Operations in Bangladesh Md. Whaiduzzaman and Mahfuzul Hoque Bhuiyan Abstract Infact, a full MVNO consists of a Home Location Register (HLR), Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), Authentication Centre (AUC), and Equipment Identity Register (EIR) and associated signaling capabilities. In this Paper we analyzes how the MVNO market has changed and what opportunities,network operators and potentials are likely to face.we implement to plan the model of MVNO in Bangladesh and we are working with the GSM technology like GP, Warid, and Banglalink operator in our country. We also design the MVNO network coverage and named it NEXT ZEN TELECOM. We setup the decoder based on array design NEXT-ZEN numbering plan. This project presents different sectors related to implementation of MVNO in Bangladesh. Index Terms MVNO, Grammeenphone, Banglalink, Warid, NEXT-ZEN 1 INTRODUCTION I Ndeed, all over the world presently, mobile communication market has reached its peak point. Until recently, each national market has consisted of only few operators-mobile network operators (MNOs) providing a mobile network for the purposes of transmitting, distributing, or providing messages and Mobile service operators (MSOs) transmitting messages over a mobile network obtained for use from a mobile network operator. 1.3 CALL GENERATION PROCESS OF AN MVNO Though MVNOs provide mobile voice and data services without owning the access rights to the spectrum they use. Consequently, MVNOs can be described as a subgroup of MNOs. The radio capacity used to provide these services is gained through commercial agreements with licensed mobile network operators (MNOs). MVNOs are a new GSM phenomenon. 1.2 What is an MVNO MVNO stands for mobile virtual network operator. As mentioned above the MVNO is a new emerging model in telecommunication sector. Virtual means that such an operator does not have its own spectrum allocation or license but instead acquires them from already established Mobile Network Operators (host operator). ng of mobile spectrum to MVNOs is analogous to the leasing of unbundled local loop copper wire to competitive broadband providers in the fixed line market. At minimum, these radio elements are: Here we can define it as MVNO is a mobile operator that does not own its own spectrum and usually does not have its own network infrastructure. Instead, MVNO's have business arrangements with traditional mobile operators to buy minutes of use (MOU) for sale to their own customers.. Md. Whaiduzzaman is a Lecturer with the Institue of Information Technology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka M Hoque Bhuiyan is with the Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. Figure 1.1: MVNO MVNO have its own brand name and number. So MVNO has its own subscriber identity module (SIM), which is memory device that store information such as the subscriber s identification number, the networks and counties where the subscriber is entitled to service, privacy keys, and other user-specific information a subscriber. The ID number of the SIM is given by the MNO or GSM network from where the MVNO leased the frequency. The ID number can be different from the MNO s number. With out SIM installed all MVNO mobile are identical and no operational. It is the SIM card that gives subscriber units their identity.
WWW.JOURNALOFCOMPUTING.ORG 40 2 MVNO OVER GSM NETWORK This is the process by which we can make a call form a GSM network. AS we know MVNO doesn t have its own network architecture and have to use a GSM network to subscribe, so the call transition process is as same as the GSM system. In Bangladesh, Grameen Phone is a GSM network provider suppose we have an agreement with Grameen Phone that we can use there frequency. So the mobile with the MVNO SIM card will always paging with the nearest GRAMEEN PHONE BTS. When the MS will make a call the transceiver will convert the frequency in to wave and send to the BTS. Now BTS send the signal to the BSC and BSC send to the MSC. Now the MSC at first check that the number belong to them or not and the other information and send the signal to the BTS where the desire receiver is situated. And the connection established. Figure3.1: Implementation of a MVNO network with three different mobile phone operators. When a MVNO subscriber made a call from its zone at first the NSS will find zone of the receiver. If there are same operator gateway will not needed. But if there are different network it must need a gate way. Figure 2.1: Implementation of a MVNO network with GRMEEN phone network This is the process for establishing a call between two cells of same operator. In this process we don t need any gateway for establishing any call between caller and receiver. Now we are going to establish our MVNO network for different operators. Suppose we can hire frequency from different mobile operator based on there network coverage. As we can see in figure 3.5, a MVNO operator hired its frequency from three different operators for three different districts in Bangladesh (Dhaka, Comilla and pabna). Dhaka zone contain Grameen Phone network coverage, Comilla zone contain Aktel network coverage and Pabna zone contain Warid telecom network coverage. When a subscriber in Dhaka wants to establish a call in pabna there is a gateway needed to connect the call from Grameen to Warid telecom. Because of each network operator have its own gateway. 3 MVNO IMPLEMENTATION IN BANGLADESH Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated country over the world. The density of population in our country is very high. We all need a mobile communication in our day to day life. So there are many mobile operator exist in our country. Grameen Phone, Warid telecom, Banglalink, Robi telecom, Teletalk, city cell is the most known mobile operator in our country. There network is nicely arranged everywhere. It is so expensive and difficult to build a new telecom operator on our country. So MVNO is the right process to build a new operator in our country. In this chapter we will discuss about a total process of building a MVNO network. 3.1 IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING OF AN MVNO Suppose we are going to develop a GSM based MVNO operator in Bangladesh in. We named it Next-Zen TELE- COM. For implementing a new MVNO we have to develop two sectors. 1. Network Development. 2. Management and Maintenance development. 3.1.1 Network Development To developing a MVNO operator we have to develop some steps given below, 1. Agreements and Frequency allocation 2. Equipment setup and 3. Coverage area Selection 4. Numbering plan
WWW.JOURNALOFCOMPUTING.ORG 41 3.1.1.1 AGREEMENT AND FREQUENCY ALLOCATION As we are a MVNO operator we don t have any frequency allocation so we need to borrow frequency from other Telco operator like Grameen Phone or may be Warid Telecom. IN MVNO system we will operate our Next- Zen Telecom totally based on borrowed frequency. As we are working with the GSM technology GP, WARID, TE- LETAK, BANGLALINK is the GSM based operator in our country. They use GSM 900 and GSM 1800 technology. GSM 900 has a bandwidth of 25 MHz (uplink from 890 MHz to 915 MHz and downlink from 935 MHz to 960 MHz) and a carrier spacing of 200 KHz. Duplex carrier separations is 45 MHz. Each carrier contains 8 channels. This means 8*25000000/200000=1000 channels of simultaneous calls per second. And GSM 1800 which s frequency band 1710 MHz to 1785MHz uplink and 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz carrier spacing 200 KHz carrier contain 8 channels. Where we can see 70% to 80% channels are using. So we can hire there the free channels from the operators based on their coverage. In our country circumstance Grameen phone has the best network coverage around the Bangladesh. Say Grameen Phone Charges 10 paisa per Pulse, Banglalink charges 7 paisa per Pulse and Warid charged 5 paisa per Pulse for some specific zone. Based on their coverage and cost we will make a agreement for their network and frequency. As we can see that the call cost is much lower of Warid then Banglalink and GP so we will try to use the network of warid is most then Banglalink and finally where there are no network coverage of Warid and Balglalink we will use the network of GP. Not only that in MVNO technique we are paying cost of call by pulse we will create a backup network of GP. We will not use GP until all the networks will busy. GP will use only when there is no free channel. In this technique we will select frequency and coverage area. 3.1.1.2 COVERAGE AREA A mobile network coverage area means there area covered by the network. It contains some zone/cluster and lots of cells. There are many hexagonal cells in a zone. The amount of cells depends on the size of the area. Each zone has a MSC and VLR, HLR and AUC. And each cell contains a BTS, BSS and MS. The coverage areas call generation and termination will depend on a priority base communication. And the priority will depend on the call cost and networcoverage. In MVNO operator the BTS and MSC we are using is not our own we hired them from the MNO. We also use MNOs network coverage. Figure 3.1.1.2: Next-zen network coverage in Bangladesh We have divided our coverage are based on three priority of the cost per minute from the figure given above. We show the coverage area of our Next-Zen TELECOM. Dhaka, Comilla, Sylhet, and some part of the Rajsahi zone are under warid telecom. In those are we will give Warid as first priority Banglalinik as second priority and Grameen phone as third priority. For Rajshahi and rangpur zone Banglalink is the first priority and GP and Warid will be the second and third priority.and in Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong zone GP will have first priority and banglalink and warid will be the second and third priority. In that way we will create our coverage all over the country. Now we are ready to go for our operation with huge network coverage.
WWW.JOURNALOFCOMPUTING.ORG 42 3.1.1.3 EQUIPMENT SETUP In this part of the planning we will set up our network equipment like MSCs, BTSs, and Decoder etc. when we are in an agreement with the operators and they will allocate the frequencies they will set up our information in to their MSC. So when so whenever we will connect with them there authentication center can detect us. Bangladesh 1712 is the operator s identity number and rest six digit is user identity number. Following this rules we are suggesting our number will be +880141XXXXXX. Where +880 is our country code. 141 is our Next-Zen operator code and the last six digits is our subscriber identity code. We can use a decoder in to their MSC where we will set up an array by which they can choose the priority base operator. Figure 3.1.1.5: NEXT-ZEN numbering plane In this process we can complete the network planning. We have an agreement with the MNO. We have our frequencies we have our network coverage, we fixed our equipment, we have our personal number. So our network is almost ready now we will develop the management and maintenance department then our MVNO operator will ready to run. 4.1.2 MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT Figure 3.1.1.3: Decoder based on Array Another equipment is our server. We must have a server for gather our information. We can store our user information like the amount of time our subscriber user our frequencies, bills, time of call and other important documents. And the most important equipment is our SIM card. SIM card contain our operator information user id and the authentication information. This information is given insider by the manufacturers. There are some other parts of the SIM card is the memory. A shot memory is given in the memory for saving contact number and the SMS. 3.1.1.4 NUMBERING PLAN Figure 3.1.1.4: SIM CARD The last and the most important part of the network development of an operator is the numbering plan. A operator must have a personal identity number. Normally there are 13 decimal numbers for an operator. Like GP number is +8801712 XXXXXX. Where +880 is the country code of To develop an MVNO operator we must have a management department. Where all the decisions and planning will take place by the management. The important part of the management departments are, 1. Tariff plan and 2. Billing system 3. Maintenance 4. Development 4.1.2.1 TARIFF PLAN Tariff planning is the planning for call costing. For Nex- Gen operator we hired the free channels from GP, Banglaling and Warid based on per minute use. Suppose GP will take 15 paisa per Pulse, Warid will take 7 paisa and Banglalink will take 10 paisa per Pulse. Now we will fix an average cost for the MNOs. Then we have to take some charge for our operator service charge and some profit. Like for Next-Zen operator we fixed the call charge 55 paisa per minute. In this 55 paisa 30 paisa for the MNO cast 20 for the service charge and 5 paisa for the company profit. So the total cost per minute will be 55 paisa. Next-Zen Call rate: 0.55 taka/minute Here: 0.30 taka for MNO cost+ 0.20 taka for maintenance cost of Next-Zen+ 0.05 taka profit If our agreement will be like the MNO will charge different for different time slot. Then we can provide our subscriber different offers. Like Day Talker, Night Talker and Executive.
WWW.JOURNALOFCOMPUTING.ORG 43 DAY TALKER OFFER: 5.1.2.2 BILLING SYSTEM Service ON Net OFF Net TIME Day 35 paisa/min 55 paisa/min 06:00am 12:00pm Night 45 paisa/min 45 paisa/min 12:00pm- 06:00am SMS free 1.5 tk * Unlimited 1100+vat NIGHT TALKER OFFER: EXECUTIVE OFFER: 5 GB 700+vat 1GB 300+vat Service ON Net OFF Net TIME 1 month Day 55 paisa/min 65 paisa/min 06:00am 12:00pm Night 35 paisa/min 45 paisa/min 12:00pm- 06:00am SMS free 1.5 tk * Internet Unlimited 1100+vat 5 GB 700+vat 1GB 300+vat 1 month Service ON Net OFF Net TIME Day 40 paisa/min 55 paisa/min 06:00am 12:00pm Night 40aisa/min 55 paisa/min 12:00pm- 06:00am The billing system depends on the subscribers using Next-Zen. There will be an operator service where all the information will stored. All the data base and information about our subscriber will be there. How many time have used by the subscriber will be there. Subscribers have to pay for the call the made. There will be two types of billing system Pre-paid and post-paid service. Pre-paid service: In pre-paid service our subscriber will pay the call charge first. He/she have a balance account, which can be recharged by the recharge card. For pre-paid service subscriber do not have to pay the line rent. Post-paid service: In post-paid service subscriber will pay his/her charge monthly. He/she have to pay line rent with the call charge. There will be a call limit depends on his package. Post-paid user will have some better facility then the prepaid users. Another important service is the MNOs charges. Our server will have the in formations about the minutes used by the subscriber. We will pay them based on our agreement. 5.1.2.3 MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT In this part there will be a server operator who will gather all the in formations and some customers care. All the user information will store in this server. And the customer care will be always for the help of the subscriber. A subscriber can get information and suggestions from the customer care. Subscribers can also complain about there problems in this customer care. Another department will always connect with the MNOs. This department will have all the technical information about the MNOs. They will provide Next-Zen s information to the MNOs and MNOs will provide there information to this department. Maintenance department will observe and the technical terms. All the technical departments, customer care, servicing center will be under maintenance department SMS free 1.5 tk * Internet Unlimited 5 GB 1GB 1 month 1100+vat 700+vat 300+vat
WWW.JOURNALOFCOMPUTING.ORG 44 5.1.2.4 DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT This is the RND department of NEXT-Zen. In this department the managers will take the development planning for the new users, new planning, tariff planning, marketing planning and other plan for the company. In this department we will take plane how to enlarge our company. How we can have more profit from our Next- Zen. What other facilities we can provide to the subscribers. Facilities like 3G, video conferencing and other latest technology. This department will deal for the new technologies and development planning for our Next-Zen operator. In one word this department will research and develop our company. 6 SERVICES NEXT-ZEN OFFERS: Internet service 3G EDGE MMS/SMS/ISMS PUSH PULL FnF Voice mail service International rooming CONCLUSION References [1] htpp://www.mobiliein.com/what_is_a_mvno.htm [2] O Hersent, J Petit and D Gurle, ``Beyond VOIP Protocols`` Wiley publications, 2005. [3] htpp://about.virginmobile.com/about/us/background [4] htpp://en.eikioedia.org./wiki/history_of_mobile_phone [5] www.mortricity.com/pdf/mvno/motricity_mvno_withepap er_nov2005.pdf [6] htpp://www.answers.com/topic/mobile-virtual-network-operator [7] htpp://wwwtakashimobile.com/mvno.html [8] htpp://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/sfr/sfr2/sfr.pdf [9] htpp://www.itu.int/osg/spu/ni/3g/workshop/presentations/lewi n_1.pdf [10] Economic validityof 3G mobile virtual network operators Varutas,D. Katsianis, Th Sphicopouslos (University of Athens) Md. Whaiduzzaman Completed his BSc in Electronics & Computer Science from Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka and MSc in Telecommunication and Compter Networking Engineering from London, UK.He is a member of IEEE and British Computer Society. Mahfuzul Hoque Bhuiyan has completed his BSc in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from Daffodil Inernational University, Dhaka Without a licensed spectrum and having a network infrastructurer Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) can give a super virtual new mobile facility to the customers. In this paper we have studied about MVNO, its types, concepts, network architectures, how it use GSM networks, feature, strategies, business models, effect in market and we give an idea and model about implementation of MVNO in Bangladesh named as (NEX-ZEN).We have a great opportunity for designing and giving business model and technical details of implementating a MVNO network in Bangladesh.