Spectacular broadband growth means networks must be ready to cope with personal data consumption of more than 1GB per mobile user per day. Demand is also highly unpredictable, fluctuating between locations at different times as people use broadband at home, at work, and on the move. Abrupt changes in broadband use can also occur when, say, new device software is launched, or updates to popular applications and over-the-top services are released, leaving operators no time to prepare.
"Capacity in today's conventional networks is typically frozen in separate places; at individual base station sites, in parts of the core network that manage voice and data services, or in the optical and IP transport networks," said Marc Rouanne, head of network systems of Nokia Siemens Networks. "Each is a potential bottleneck to someone getting the broadband service they want at a particular moment. Fluctuating, unpredictable demand in one part of the network means that huge chunks of capacity can be left idle elsewhere, making poor use of existing investments. For example, as much as 50 percent of a conventional core network's capacity can be dormant. Instead, Liquid Net unleashes frozen network capacity into a reservoir of resources that can flow to fulfill unpredictable demand, wherever and whenever people use broadband."
Nokia Siemens Networks has created Liquid Net2 to free up unused capacity and allocate it instantly across the whole network, wherever and whenever it is needed. Liquid Net uses automated, self-adapting broadband optimisation to deliver services and content to ensure the best customer experience by always being aware of the network's operational status and the services being consumed. In addition, Liquid Net channels traffic in the transport network along the path of least resistance and lowest cost between operator sites.
Liquid Net also opens up new business opportunities.
Liquid Net builds on the principles of Nokia Siemens Networks' Liquid Radio architecture3. It adds Liquid Core and Liquid Transport functionality to the network which can be implemented either separately in multi-vendor environments or in concert across an operator's entire network to bring the full benefits of Liquid Net to bear.
"Whereas Liquid Radio was about supporting capacity growth and flexibility in the Radio Access Network (RAN), Liquid Net smartly carries the theme forward to transport and core networks promising an optimisation of not only user traffic but CAPEX investments", said Peter Jarich, current analysis, service director of Service Provider Infrastructure. "Perhaps most importantly, Liquid Net speaks to a need for solutions rather than point products; while components can be deployed as part of a multi-vendor solution, the combination of Liquid Radio, Liquid Core and Liquid Transport into Liquid Net speaks to holistic thinking around operator concerns and demands."
Liquid Radio, Liquid Core and Liquid Transport can be implemented together or separately in the network for fluid capacity, coverage and services at any time, which can be advantageous in multi-vendor networks. Yet by evolving the whole network, the full potential of fluid capability can be achieved.
"In short, the more fluid thinking that can be applied, the better," concluded Rouanne.
For further information on Liquid Net, go to www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com/liquidnet.
