A short presentation looking at different ways in which mobile cellular network sharing is done. Different options including MORAN (Multiple Operator Radio Access Network), MOCN (Multiple Operator Core Network) and GWCN (Gateway Core Network) are discussed.

1. Mobile Network Sharing
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2. Site Sharing / Mast Sharing
This is the most basic approach for infrastructure sharing
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CN CS/PS
RNC
NodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Site Sharing
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS
BTS
BSC
Cell/
Frequency
Site Sharing
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN PS only
eNodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Site Sharing
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
2G 3G 4G
Operator 1
Operator 2

3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. MORAN: Multiple Operator Radio Access Network
This approach is not defined by 3GPP
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CN CS/PS
RNC
NodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN PS only
eNodeB
Cell/
Frequency
MORAN
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
2G 3G 4G
Operator 1
Operator 2
Shared Elements
MORAN MORAN
BTS
BSC

7. MOCN: Multiple Operator Core Network
This approach is defined by 3GPP (Specs detail later)
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CN CS/PS
RNC
NodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN PS only
eNodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
2G 3G 4G
Operator 1
Operator 2
Shared Elements
MOCN MOCN MOCN
BTS
BSC

8. MOCN Attach Procedure Signalling
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UE AN OP 1 OP 2
Access Network Core Networks
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)

9. GWCN: Gateway Core Network
This approach is defined by 3GPP (Specs detail later)
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CN CS/PS
RNC
NodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN CS/PS
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
CN PS only
eNodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
2G 3G 4G
Operator 1
Operator 2
Shared Elements
GWCN GWCN GWCN
BTS
BSC

10. 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.
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11. Thank You
To learn more, visit:
3G4G Website – http://www.3g4g.co.uk/
3G4G Blog – http://blog.3g4g.co.uk/
3G4G Small Cells Blog – http://smallcells.3g4g.co.uk/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/3g4gUK
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3g4g
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12. 4G Network Sharing Approaches
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CN PS only
eNodeB
Cell/
Frequency
Service
Platforms
HSS/HLR
Operator 1 Operator 2 Shared Elements
GWCNSite Sharing MORAN MOCN
Defined in 3GPP TS 23.251 and TR 22.951
Not defined by 3GPP standards