StarHub takes a step closer to flat architecture of LTE and cuts costs by 30 percent with Direct Tunnel

StarHub is one of three major communications service providers(CSPs) in technologically sophisticated Singapore. The company, a quad play operator, offers services in mobile communications, from 2G and 3G through to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), as well fixed broadband, fixed line, and cable TV services.

On the mobile broadband front, it has been phenomenally successful in the last few years, growing at 200 to 300 percent annually. Although it expects growth to continue at 200 percent in the coming year, the company knows it has to stay on its toes to maintain a leadership position in mobile broadband and satisfy an ever-more demanding customer base at the same time.

“Data traffic has increased exponentially over the last two years. Customers are expecting more data bandwidth, but not expecting to pay too much more,” noted Peter Cook, Vice-President of Mobile Engineering, StarHub. “To maintain a profitable business, it's very important that we reduce our capital (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX).”

Solutioneers & product quality win the day

In order to handle the current and future demand for mobile data traffic more efficiently, StarHub determined that it needed to triple its data throughput. The CSP then engaged Nokia Siemens Networks, a communications network solutions partner from the company’s inception, to modernize its 2G/3G converged core network.

“We've had a partnership now for a little over 10 years, and we’ve always been very impressed with the people, and frankly the quality of the products,” explained Cook.

The Nokia Siemens Networks StarHub account team and solution managers held meetings with the StarHub Mobile Engineering team to determine StarHub’s business objectives and projected future demand. Then, based on the discussions, our Solutioneers recommended that StarHub implement Nokia Siemens Networks’ 21 Mbps HSPA+ technology, the Flexi Intelligent Service Node (ISN) Dual Chassis, the Combi-Serving Gateway Support Node (SGSN), and application software for the Home Location Register (HLR) as a cost-efficient way to meet the growth in mobile data traffic now and into the future.

Project completed on time & to budget

As the first operator in Southeast Asia to launch the 21 Mbps HSPA+ technology commercially, StarHub faced a relatively challenging rollout, not just in terms of capability, but also in terms of time-to-market.

“We had to be very balanced in the way we engineered the network. We needed to increase not just the number of the base stations, but also the core network in order for customers to take full advantage of the 21 Mbps service,” recalled Cook.

“It was a very challenging time scale. We were somewhat aggressive in our demands for the network to be rolled out quickly,” added Cook.

While the changes were extensive, Cook was pleased that the Nokia Siemens Networks team rose to the challenge and executed the project on time, even with the aggressive schedule it had been given.

“Nokia Siemens Networks helped us get our break by providing a very fast implementation, on time and to budget. Everything worked, helping our customers achieve speeds if not at 21 Mbps, very close to 21 Mbps, ”he said. “Everything went smoothly with no impact [during implementation phase] at all to our customers, I’m pleased to say.”

30 percent CAPEX & OPEX savings with Direct Tunnel

In addition to the 3G core expansion to 21 Mbps data speeds with HSPA+, StarHub also flattened its network architecture with Direct Tunnel, an innovative, enhanced functionality in 3G networks pioneered by Nokia Siemens Networks that enables operators to simplify their mobile packet data networks.

With Direct Tunnel, user data traffic is routed directly from the radio access network to the core network’s Internet gateway node, bypassing the control node (the SGSN) through which data traffic is routed in existing networks. OPEX is thus lowered and transmission efficiency is improved as fewer data links are required.

Furthermore, by taking the optimized route through the network, Direct Tunnel enables virtually unlimited data throughput capacity in the SGSN. “There is no need to invest substantial amounts of money to build capacity to handle the increased data throughput,“ said Cook.

Cook estimates that it is able to cut its CAPEX and OPEX costs by nearly a third after the implementation. “We're looking at 30 percent in savings,” commented Cook.

Clear path to LTE

More importantly, the introduction of Direct Tunnel ensures that StarHub is now a step closer to Long Term Evolution (LTE). “One of the key things moving forward is that we can see longevity in the platform, and a very clear architectural path to Long Term Evolution in the future,” Cook concluded.

Exclusive mobile TV content at 21 Mbps speed

In addition to the cost savings and clear path to LTE, StarHub can now offer its subscribers an enriched customer experience as they can now enjoy a faster and smoother mobile surfing experience than before, with faster downloads, enhanced video viewing, and a better data exchange experience made possible with the upgrade.

New services can be launched more quickly, too. The company has seen good demand for HSPA+-based services, and the future is bright for its new mobile TV service, with pent-up demand and exclusive content thanks to its cable TV arm.