Ensuring Public Safety Operating and managing TETRA networks
In the public safety field, mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death. To respond rapidly and deploy essential personnel, public safety organizations rely on their TETRA communications networks. Today, public safety agencies are under growing pressure to enhance network performance and reliability while holding down costs. Alcatel Lucent s Operations Support Systems solutions enable them to do just that, saving lives and reducing operational costs. Mission-critical communications for public safety Around the world, public safety organizations rely heavily on telecommunications networks to ensure mission-critical operations. Police forces, fire departments, emergency medical services, government authorities and others often operate Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) networks for vital communications. Public safety networks are frequently shared by several disciplines the police, firemen, ambulance services, etc. and combine multiple radio networks, including TETRA networks, paging systems, etc. These nodes are interconnected by a transmission network, which can include microwave, optics and IP-based transport. In this complex environment, public safety organizations need robust Operations Support Systems (OSS) to manage the infrastructure, enhancing network reliability and performance. They also need flexible Business Support Systems (BSS) to bill the various users, if required. An advanced OSS/BSS also enables public safety organization to hold down costs, a crucial consideration in a time of sharply reduced budgets in the public sector as result of the recent global recession. Alcatel-Lucent has a strong background as the trusted partner of public safety organizations to design and deploy, operate and maintain the optimal OSS solution, improving network reliability and performance while reining in costs. 2 Ensuring Public Safety
Role of the OSS/BSS OSS/BSS solutions are composed of an array of functions, including responsibility for fault, configuration, accounting, performance, provisioning, billing and security. Advanced Operations Support Systems provide end-to-end network service and process support, enabling system stakeholders to enhance system performance and reduce the total cost of ownership. Figure 1. OSS/BSS building blocks Business Fault Security Service Accounting Configuration Network Performance Element A comprehensive, or umbrella OSS/BSS suite for Public Safety includes the building blocks shown above, as well as provisioning, billing and other functions. Ensuring Public Safety 3
The public safety challenge For public safety organizations, the paramount challenge is to ensure their readiness to act, any time, anywhere. Meeting this challenge depends heavily on emergency communications, which are vital to mission-critical operations. In fact, internal police surveys show that police officers rely more on their portable handhelds than on their pistols! This places a heavy burden on the communications network, which must provide high systems availability, particularly in times of crisis. ENHANCING NET WORK PERFORMANCE TETRA networks are difficult to manage and operate, as they are usually linked to a complex infrastructure with multiple vendors, technologies and domains. This environment will become even more complicated with the integration of information technology (IT) applications and data requirements. The future addition of wireless broadband and new video and data services will create even greater complexity. To manage and operate the network efficiently, an OSS solution must integrate all operated systems, services and applications. The OSS then can improve network performance and reliability by delivering end-to-end service and process support, and by optimizing work processes. LOWERING THE COST OF OWNERSHIP Public safety organizations face serious, ongoing constraints in public spending. In this environment, cost-reduction efforts are essential. Advanced OSS solutions have a major impact, reducing operational expenditures (OPEX) by streamlining work processes through end-to-end service and process support. Mission-critical networks are generally operated over extended periods of time often 10 to 25 years. Any savings achieved in annual OPEX can therefore result in significant long-term savings for the police force or even the central government. By reducing the network s OPEX, OSS solutions can reduce its cost of ownership. DEVELOPING THE SERVICE ORIENTATION To incorporate a large and increasing number of new services, it is essential to develop the service orientation of the network. Service-oriented architectures, which mirror real-world operational activities, are highly adaptable to change. Currently, many TETRA networks remain organized in silo form, in which various network operations and systems address separate silos, or applications. The various components must be consolidated into a single OSS/BSS system, through a transition that implements best practices and enables the of new and legacy services. ADDING WIRELESS BROADBAND TETRA networks are narrowband networks designed to support voice services. Increasingly, public safety organizations are facing pressure to provide critical video and data services, to enhance capabilities in the field. This will mean adding a broadband overlay to the TETRA network. The introduction of broadband will allow the mobile terminal to be used as a multimedia device, providing user applications such as patient hospitalization, location tracking, car crash recovery services, police criminal register checking, video and picture dispatch, and biometric data transfer. Here again, a robust OSS is essential for successfully integrating the broadband overlay and end-user services. 4 Ensuring Public Safety
The Alcatel-Lucent solution Working as the trusted partner of your public safety organization, Alcatel-Lucent designs, integrates, deploys, operates and maintains a powerful OSS solution customized for your particular environment. The solution is designed to integrate all systems, services and applications associated with your TETRA network. This is particularly crucial for network infrastructures with multiple vendors, technologies and domains. Called an umbrella OSS, this comprehensive solution enhances performance by delivering end-to-end network service and process support, optimizing work processes. Our methodology Alcatel-Lucent s OSS solutions implement a middlewarebased service-oriented architecture (SOA). The introduction of SOA principles and governance enables us to design the appropriate OSS and determine the most effective transitioning strategy. In concrete terms, this approach provides a top-down view, enabling us to analyze current processes, verify that the processes fit organizational needs, and ensure that the technology precisely aligns with operational process needs. Alcatel-Lucent can help you with developing your service-oriented architecture. Our approach is governed by adherence to Alcatel-Lucent best practices and to industry standards, including the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Enhanced Telecommunications Operations Map (etom). Ensuring Public Safety 5
A best-of-breed solution Alcatel-Lucent supports a best-of-breed umbrella OSS solution for public safety that enables customers to operate and maintain a nationwide mission-critical radio system in the most effective and efficient way. We build our OSS solutions from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products, customizing them for the particular TETRA network and then integrating them end-to-end. The OSS solutions are designed to handle the full range of operational processes, as shown in the diagram below. To integrate components for different vendors and technologies, Alcatel-Lucent has designed a series of pre-integrated adaptors, called tech-packs, which reduce overall integration cost and risk for you. Figure 2. Alcatel-Lucent s Umbrella OSS UMBRELLA OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEM Help desk Third-party service desk User level Alarm and service monitoring Trouble ticketing Network performance and SLA monitoring Service level Network events Service impact analysis Event integration Event collection Services Inventory Logical resources Physical resources Users Data aggregation (metrics) Data collection Network data Resource level Infrastructure Resource domain Configuration TETRA EMS Transport EMS IP EMS LTE EMS Domain level IT Applications LTE RAN Transmission IP core TETRA CORE Network level EMS: Element Management System RAN: Radio Access Network Alcatel-Lucent s umbrella OSS solution directly supports operational processes, providing a vendor- and technology-independent layer. 6 Ensuring Public Safety
Operating a mission-critical radio network Mission-critical radio networks for the public safety market have very specific operating requirements. With this in mind, Alcatel-Lucent s OSS solutions are designed to ensure: g Service availability of 99.999% g Management of priority access, resiliency and redundancy g Full network coverage and fallback strategies g Security, interoperability and scalability g Multi-tenancy capabilities Our network approach provides a single network view, enabling: g Real-time monitoring of events and impacts g Efficient root cause analysis, alarm correlation and alarm filtering g Streamlined processes for mission-critical operations g Use of automated data g Effective of service level agreements (SLA) g Improved workforce efficiency, to reduce first responder reaction time and on-scene time Ensuring Public Safety 7
Reducing operational expenses Alcatel-Lucent s OSS solution reduces OPEX by optimizing work processes, making them more efficient end-to-end. The OSS hides the complexity of multiple element systems, providing automated operations and automated alarm correlation. This enables a more efficient use of human resources in managing the network 24/7. In a typical example, Alcatel-Lucent s OSS solution enabled UMS, the Netherlands police organization, to automate the handling of network alarms, reducing the number of alarms and identifying the cause of breakdowns. There was a corresponding reduction in the number of NOCs required, significantly lowering the network s total cost of ownership. It also generates significant cost savings in the Network Operations Centers (NOCs), as: g Fewer regional NOCs are needed g Fewer skilled employees are required in each NOC Figure 3. Automated alarm handling for the Dutch police Statistical coverage of automatically treated alarms in UMS MoL Rel. 1.0 Manually treated Automatically treated 70,000 60,000 50,000 Frequency 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 ~30% not auto. ~70% auto. 0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120... >8,000 Sorted events (from historical list) Alcatel-Lucent s OSS solution enables de-duplicated, suppressed and automated alarms in the Netherlands UMS police network. 8 Ensuring Public Safety
Case study: Managing Austria s Tetron network Alcatel-Lucent has broad experience operating and maintaining TETRA networks for public safety organizations. In Austria, for example, the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) commissioned the Tetron public-private partnership to implement and operate the nation s TETRA network for its public safety organizations. Under the terms of the partnership, Alcatel-Lucent is responsible for OSS design, implementation and maintenance. The company has turnkey responsibility for network rollout, including 1250 aboveground sites and 60 sites in Vienna s subway system. Moreover, as end-to-end integrator, Alcatel-Lucent is to maintain the network for 25 years. In this capacity, its responsibilities include Level 1 and 2 maintenance 24/7; interface to Level 3 support; hardware and software upgrades; support for field operations and performance analysis. Ensuring Public Safety 9
Alcatel-Lucent: Your trusted partner Developing a service partnership based on trust is crucial. You need a partner with a flexible portfolio of services to create just the right balance between in-house capabilities and added value from the service partnership. With vast experience in networks, operations and business support systems, as well as in applications integration and all major IT and telecom technologies, Alcatel-Lucent is your natural partner for complex multi-vendor, multi-technology projects. Alcatel-Lucent covers the full spectrum of service needs throughout the network lifecycle. Alcatel-Lucent engagements are structured as customer-driven solutions with full scalability to satisfy current and future needs. Our commitments to you are defined in terms of service scope, risk transfer and skills transfer, key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables. The role of the network integrator in OSS As a network and applications integrator, Alcatel-Lucent provides the expertise, leadership and breadth of capabilities needed to design, develop, integrate, deploy, operate and maintain OSS solutions for your public safety organization. Given the complexity of TETRA networks and the criticality of the missions they support, OSS integration is a key factor for network performance. The seamless, end-to-end integration of an advanced OSS solution presupposes a vast range of skills and capabilities, including: g In-depth knowledge of IT and telecommunications subsystems g Thorough understanding of TETRA services and support system requirements g The ability to manage multi-vendor networks, multiple technologies and multiple domains g The skill to migrate from legacy OSS solutions g A commitment to program and process excellence to reduce risk g The skill to develop a service-oriented architecture (SOA) Based on long experience, Alcatel-Lucent has this combination of expertise, making it uniquely qualified to implement a turnkey integration solution. As network integrator, we can also offer a single point of contact for all network issues, to ensure quality of service and speed of execution. 10 Ensuring Public Safety
Alcatel-Lucent to operate Germany s public safety network In an unprecedented partnership, Alcatel-Lucent was awarded a 10-year contract by Germany s Federal Agency for Digital Radio of Security Authorities and Organizations (BDBOS) to operate the nation s public safety network. With some 500,000 users, the Germany safety network will be the largest of its kind in the world. The multi-disciplinary network the BOS (Behörden und Organisationen mit Sicherheitsaufgaben) includes the police forces, fire brigades, rescue services, customs authorities and intelligence services. Of vital importance to Germany, the network is designed to ensure inter-authority communications for daily operations and during crisis and emergency situations. Figure 4. Deployment of the German public safety network Alcatel-Lucent will be responsible for operating the TETRAbased network. The scope of work includes: g Network operations (24/365) from 2 fully redundant NOCs Approximately 4500 TETRA base stations 62 switching centers, including 4 transit switching centers IT systems and applications Data equipment Testing platform g Integration of the OSS/BSS environment g Security g SLA Ensuring Public Safety 11
The Alcatel-Lucent Services portfolio CONSULT AND DESIGN Designing the most cost-effective and flexible network begins with a targeted analysis of the client s business, service vision, operational environment, and network security and reliability. Alcatel-Lucent s consulting and design services encompass all the essential functions necessary to ensure implementation of a cost-effective, flexible network infrastructure. INTEGR ATE AND DEPLOY Whether it s a minor upgrade or a complete overhaul, getting the network up and running with minimal or no service interruption is critically important for clients and their users, both of whom rely on the network Figure 5. Alcatel-Lucent Services Lifecycle ONGOING MANAGEMENT 5 MAINTAIN & OPERATE CONSULT 1 ALCATEL-LUCENT SERVICES 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From site engineering, multi-vendor system integration and equipment installation and commissioning, to full integration of end-user applications into your network, Alcatel-Lucent s Services portfolio is designed to provide a customized set of integration and deployment options specific to the requirements of each project. OPER ATE AND MAINTAIN To compete effectively, it s imperative to ensure a high level of network availability and performance while reducing costs. However, maintaining these quality standards while achieving aggressive CAPEX or OPEX objectives can be a monumental challenge. ANALYSIS & PLANNING 2 DESIGN Having access to the right parts, advice, support and operational assistance is a key factor in enabling better service to the users who rely on the network day after day. Alcatel-Lucent helps clients achieve these objectives, whether through simple maintenance support models or through more sophisticated operations partnerships. Global presence, loc al knowledge Alcatel-Lucent s services engagements are backed by a dedicated, worldwide organization of experts and a global network of integration, technical support and operations centers. Employing field-proven methods and tools developed by our centers of excellence (including the renowned Bell Labs), our clients benefit from practical application of our worldleading R&D to maximize the value of their business. No other services organization in the industry can offer a greater level of commitment and support to successfully design, optimize, deploy, integrate and manage multi-vendor, multitechnology solutions. 4 DEPLOY 3 INTEGRATE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & EXECUTION www.alcatel-lucent.com Alcatel, Lucent, Alcatel-Lucent and the Alcatel-Lucent logo are trademarks of Alcatel-Lucent. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The information presented is subject to change without notice. Alcatel-Lucent assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein. Content: Editech. Copyright 2010 Alcatel-Lucent. All rights reserved. SBG5677100105 (05)