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Solution Sheet
IPSTAR Mobile Network Backhaul Solution
Cost-effective Trunking for the Telecom Industry
The need for global cellular communication is rapidly increasing as nations industrialize, coupled with the fast-changing mobile
phone technology, yet millions of people have limited or no access to mobile telephony service. For most network operators,
bringing mobile communications to the remote area presents an opportunity to expand network coverage and to acquire millions of
new subscribers, but the problem lies in the cost of deploying cellular network in the rural area where wired infrastructure rarely
exists.

IPSTAR is a viable platform in overcoming distance and geographic barriers to deliver mobile network service to the rural area. A
broadband satellite like IPSTAR is used to backhaul the network traffic from the remote Base Transceiver Station (BTS) - oftentimes
located in areas with low population density, and where it is costly to install fiber and microwave links. Its unique IP-based
technology allows operators to share network capacity across multiple locations, thus reducing the bandwidth cost and expanding
their coverage to areas that were previously unprofitable.

Mobile Network with IPSTAR Backhaul

IPSTAR is capable of delivering bandwidth-efficient and scalable
mobile network service. The robust IPSTAR backhaul solution can be
deployed in areas with low population density on a point-to-point,
multipoint or mesh network configuration. The IPSTAR platform can
reduce transponder capacity needs by sharing a single IP stream
between multiple links and by assigning access to base stations in an
on-demand basis.

IPSTAR also enables network operators to quickly and seamlessly

expand mobile service in the remote area. Extending mobile network Benefits
service to accommodate higher traffic loads or to cover more Wide coverage and quick deployment anywhere
geographical areas can be done economically via satellite, since Cost-effective alternative to microwave links
IPSTAR-enabled cell sites only require minimal additional and fiber optic
infrastructure. Lower bandwidth and equipment costs in
providing mobile network solution for
Therefore, IPSTAR can provide many benefits to telecom operators geographically dispersed subscribers
seeking to reduce their network's capital and operating expenses, Interoperable with most mobile network
while enabling them to offer mobile network service and to expand equipment
their coverage in the remote area. Works either in point-to-point, multipoint or
mesh network topology
May 2009
 IPSTAR Empowering Asia-Pacific

Coverage Area 1

Leased Line
IPSTAR Gateway
IPSTAR IP-Mux BTS
IP-Mux
User Terminal

BSC
MSC
PSTN IPSTAR IP-Mux BTS Coverage Area 2
User Terminal

MSC = Mobile Switching Center

BSC = Base Station Controller
BTS = Base Transceiver System

Mobile Network with IPSTAR Backhaul Configuration

Satellite technology can deliver low installation cost due to its inherent efficiency and flexibility as a one-
to-many medium. Specifically, it is used to:
Launch a new network or extend an existing network in markets with low subscriber density
Connect isolated locations into a regional network when terrestrial backhaul is too expensive or not available
Quickly expand coverage for special events or provide communication backup in the wake of a disaster, without the need of
building permanent mobile network infrastructure
Provide special or ad-hoc services for disaster management, mobile vehicle and other related applications

Bandwidth on Demand Cost-effectiveness of IPSTAR

IPSTAR is a superior solution for mobile network backhaul. It The graph below illustrates the cost-effectiveness of a mobile
transparently connects mobile subscribers to the network in an system that uses IPSTAR as network backhaul compared to a
economically efficient manner, while maintaining high quality microwave link.
voice and data traffic. IPSTAR can also be used in a shared access
environment, as part of the services provided by a network For a base station located 50 kilometers away from the Mobile
operator. Switching Center (MSC), a telecom operator will need USD 9,000
to activate a microwave-enabled BTS, while a cell site that uses
IPSTAR dynamically allocates satellite resources only when they IPSTAR with 1 or 2 TRXs will only cost service providers USD
are needed, statistically multiplexing bandwidth to reduce the 4,000 to 6,000. The capital expense of installing base stations is
resources required by Abis signals. In addition, IPSTAR optimizes significantly reduced by using the IPSTAR system, allowing
the traffic, such as idle frame suppression and discarding silence network operators to expand service coverage and to acquire
frames, thus reducing the amount of traffic transmitted on the new subscribers - especially in isolated, rural areas with low
satellite network. population density.

IPSTAR vs. Microwave Link

Microwave link is a communication system that uses a beam of
Total Backhaul Cost per Link (USD)

radio waves in the microwave frequency range to transmit video, 25,000

audio or data between the BTS and Base Station Controller 20,000
(BSC). A microwave link requires line-of-sight between base
15,000
stations, making it difficult to implement in heavily forested
areas, mountainous regions and valleys. The line-of-sight 10,000
problem can be partly solved through building a higher mast, but
5,000
this can raise the deployment cost by up to 30 percent or more.
In addition, the technology requires a repeater to be installed
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
for every 50-kilometer distance from the main link. Thus, in
difficult to reach locations in countries with many islands, such Distance from MTSO (km)
as Indonesia, this poses a significant problem. Therefore, the Microwave Fiber Optic IPSTAR 1 TRX IPSTAR 2 TRX IPSTAR 6 TRX
IPSTAR satellite platform is the only cost-effective solution to
interconnect geographically distant base stations.

About IPSTAR
IPSTAR is the world's largest and most advanced commercial satellite serving up to 10 million users in Asia-Pacific. The breadth of IPSTAR's geographical reach in
the region - covering an area inhabited by 4 billion people or roughly 60 percent of the world's population - positions IPSTAR as the preferred gateway in 14
countries across Asia-Pacific. IPSTAR has achieved a critical milestone in its pursuit to bridge the digital divide in the region. With a combined 70,000 subscribers
in Australia and New Zealand alone and still growing, IPSTAR has become the single largest VSAT network operator in both countries. Across the region, IPSTAR
has sold nearly 200,000 user terminals.
For more information, visit www.ipstar.com.
Whilst the above information has been prepared in good faith, and all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy, THAICOM makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose or use of
information. THAICOM shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind, including indirect or consequential loss, arising from the use of information and all warranties and conditions, whether expressed or implied by the statute, common law, or
otherwise, are hereby excluded to the extent permitted by the English law. IPSTAR is a trademark of and licensed to THAICOM Public Company Limited. (C) THAICOM Public Company Limited 2009. All rights reserved.