Vital signs in the ecosystem
Dutch signalling specialist BroadForward (BF) has replaced Huawei in the 3G Core network routing for New Zealand’s most creative ‘challenger’ telco, 2Degrees, which recently amalgamated two mobile operators into one. On one hand it revealed how mobile operator’s core network functions for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G routing, interworking, security and number portability can be reformed. BF also offered inspiration to other creative suppliers who are much needed for the heralded ‘5G ecosystem’ that governments are attempting to cultivate trying.
In 2022 2degrees absorbed rival Vocus to form New Zealand’s third largest telco, which operates the 2degrees, Slingshot and Orcon brands. The amalgamation could only consolidate the telco’s position if processes could be re-engineered and operations refined. According to Garry Joyce, Head of Core Network at 2degrees, BroadForward managed the replacement of the legacy systems with “relative ease”. The STP and DRA systems provided both continuity and a simple logical path to new technical possibilities, including 5G, said Joyce.
Global mobile network operators, MVNOs and IPX providers are losing their legacy liabilities, cutting costs and consolidating through BF because it installs intelligent signalling software that refines the processes of mobile operators with products like the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Service Communication Proxy (SCP) and 4G-5G interworking. These reconfigure network functions for the mobile core that work across 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and eventually 6G. It sells these direct or through a range of systems integrators, network resellers and partners that includes Microsoft.
It claims that is software created the first real, standalone, 5G (aka 5G SA) roaming at end of 2022) and its multiple generations of routing and interworking software has secured ‘number portability systems for the likes of comms service providers as diverse as vibrant and virtual mobile creatives and Tier 1 telcos. Clients include US number portability giant iconnectiv, BICS, Vodafone, NTT Docomo, Facebook, Truphone and Lebara, all of which need keep ahead in their own specialist fields.
The Amersfoort, Holland-based developer is one of industry’s few independent network infrastructure providers, competing against titans like Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Mavenir and Oracle. As such, it is precisely the sort of green shoot Europe’s so-called telco ‘ecosystem’ desperately needs to bring quick wit and invention to the 5G technology competition.
Its full software foundation runs intelligent network functions that support most technologies and network generations. Its products can run on off-the-shelf and on bare metal, virtual machines or in the cloud on containers. They are all managed from a standard GUI-based command centre so operators can replace many expensive legacy standalone functions with one software products and manage them as one. This saves operators a fortune while orchestrating the signals that comprise the network’s nerve system.
Like all good engineers, it hides the complexity from the user and makes management less baffling. This belies the fact that under the bonnet, a huge amount of work has taken place to make everything look easy. A prime example is the unification of management under a single license that covers all generations of technology, which allows the telco to phase out functions. “We provide a way more efficient and future proof solution to often hardware based – end-of-life, and standalone legacy products,” said BF’s Steven van Zanen, “We can get any function, no matter how old, to run in the cloud, be it the operator’s or AWS.”
This simplicity has put it in great demand and it’s growing fast by replacing many legacy functions, preparing them for the upgrade to 5G when the time comes. As 5G progresses Broadforward is being asking to secure the connections between rival networks its Security Edge Protection Proxy, SEPP and SCP, both direct and through partners)
GSMA has nominated it seven times for GLOMO technology awards nominee and in 2021 it own Best Mobile & Network Software Breakthrough with its converged signalling.
Taco Schoute, CEO of BroadForward described 2degrees is a great example of a telco pushing the boundaries of technology to strive for the best possible customer experience. “The fact that they chose BroadForward DRA, our STP, Firewalls and Number Portability exemplifies the benefits our systematic integration of all core network signalling, with a clear growth path to tomorrow’s 5G network functions,” said Schoute.