New Base Station Router That Dramatically Simplifies and Reduces Cost of 3G Data Networks

Europe : Lucent Technologies unveiled the Lucent Base Station Router (BSR), a Bell Labs innovation that integrates key components of third-generation (3G) mobile networks into a single network element, thus "flattening" what is typically a more complex architecture.

Inset shows the BSR.

By combining a base station, radio network controller and core network router functionalities into one system, the Lucent BSR can dramatically simplify and reduce the cost of operating IP-based mobile networks, cut the cost of upgrading 3G networks - including HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) and CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access) - to support high speed data services, and noticeably improve the quality of service as perceived by subscribers.

Designed with data-intensive IP services in mind, the Lucent BSR - especially when paired with Lucent's IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution - forms the heart of a more simple, flexible and efficient network architecture that can better support next-generation converged services such as voice over IP, broadcast/multicast and wireless broadband services.

"Lucent's Base Station Router will help mobile operators extend the value of their 3G network investments by helping them prepare for the evolution to IMS-based multimedia applications, and enable them to cost-effectively meet growing customer demand for high-speed data services," said Mike Iandolo, president of Mobility Access Solutions for Lucent Technologies' Network Solutions Group. "The Lucent BSR will enable operators to fill in coverage gaps more quickly and at lower cost, and introduce new mobile broadband and IP services and expand into new markets, all while offering the benefit of seamless access to the broader 3G network."

Lucent's Worldwide Services arm, a recognized leader in helping customers transform their networks, is uniquely positioned to support Lucent BSR customers as they implement new architectures for converged networks and content-rich blended services. Lucent services will enable customers to reap the benefits of Lucent's BSR technology by providing its vast portfolio of capabilities, including network planning, design, deployment (including backhaul), optimization, and operations support systems (OSS). Lucent services also provide expanded capabilities for Lucent BSR deployments via customized IMS and related IP applications and other services.

The Lucent BSR offers a variety of benefits for operators and end users alike. It brings the IP network closer to mobile subscribers, helps reduce latency (the time it takes for information to travel from the end-user to the network and back) and makes it easier to ensure a consistent, end-to-end quality of service for subscribers. Because it uses standard signaling interfaces defined by the 3G Partnership Project (3GPP) and 3GPP2 (standards-setting bodies responsible for defining the characteristics of 3G networks), the Lucent BSR can be easily integrated into any IP network deployed and managed by a 3G mobile operator.

It also enables a variety of capital and operational cost savings. For example, the BSR reduces the need to invest in, upgrade or reconfigure other network elements in the radio network architecture, thereby cutting down on the time and cost associated with expanding the coverage and capacity of a given network. In addition, by eliminating the need for multiple network elements, the Lucent BSR will help reduce maintenance and backhaul costs.

Lucent is demonstrating a UMTS version of the Lucent BSR at the 3GSM World Congress trade show and exhibition in Barcelona, Spain (Feb. 13 - 16).

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