NEC has unveiled its new Compact EPC system, a core network system which incorporates Mobility Management Entity (MME) to manage the location and paging process of LTE systems, and Serving-GW to process users’ voice and data packets for 2G/3G and LTE systems or PDN-GW to manage the interface between EPC and external networks, into an area measuring 483mmx222mmx497mm that fits within the 5U-height of a standard 19-inch rack.
EPC is a core network system that controls LTE base stations. Both EPC and LTE are currently moving towards standardisation promoted by 3GPP, a standardisation body for mobile communication systems. NEC’s EPC are built in compliance with 3GPP mobile communications standards.
The company said that each compact system is capable of simultaneously accommodating nearly 300,000 subscribers while controlling more than 1,000 LTE base stations. All functions are loaded into blade integrated AdvancedTCA, chassis, which provides the operator with a flexible way of moving to 4G.
According to the company, the Compact EPC system can support LTE trials and small scale LTE commercial services. When the number of subscribers increases, large scale network expansion can easily be implemented by adding more blade capability, which provides deployment flexibility for growing operators.
Dr Shahram Niri, director of Global LTE/SAE Strategy & Solutions at NEC Europe, said: Our new EPC aims to provide a flexible platform that offers operators a smooth, simple and seamless evolution from their existing networks at the lowest total cost of ownership possible.
“NEC’s new EPC enables a variety of options, such as centralised or distributed deployment, as well as different degrees of EPC node integration (MME, S-GW and P-GW) from a compact all in one package.
