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Roaming Technical Architecture and Testing

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Learning Time:
18 Hours
Level:
Intermediate
Delivery:
On-demand Live onsite Live online
CPD Credits:
18
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Course Details

This course introduces key aspects of 2G/3G, 4G and 5G roaming, with particular focus on the implications of IREG testing on these technologies. In so doing, the course covers an initial introduction into the fundamentals of roaming, before then defining the concepts, requirements and implications of IREG testing. Following this, the major cellular technologies are each covered in turn, focusing on the key architectural considerations, as well as roaming procedures and their associated IREG test scripts. The course will conclude with a round up of additional considerations for roaming implementation.

This course is not available as a package option.
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Dhiraj is the CEO of ROCCO Strategy and one of the few subject matter experts in the Telecommunications field of Roaming & Interconnect. Dhiraj has spent over 18 years working on Roaming Wholesale, Product Management and Retail Propositions. Dhiraj has had a broad remit, building his telecom career with the Hutchison group, T-Mobile, EE and BT before joining ROCCO. Dhiraj is based in London, UK. Phil heads up Mpirical’s technical development, advising on the latest technologies and assisting the Mpirical team with his wealth of both historical and current knowledge. Phil’s specialist area is the mobile radio and RAN space, originally focussing on 2G and 3G technologies but more recently, heavily embedded with 5G New Radio for both Mpirical and customer specific projects.
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for 12 months access

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Module 1
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Introduction to Roaming

What is Roaming?

  • Introduction.
  • Types of Roaming.
  • Roaming Products.
  • Roaming Revenue Streams.

History of GSM:

  • GSM.
  • Importance of 1987.
  • Milestones in GSM Evolution.

How Does Roaming Work?

  • How can a Subscriber be Identified?
  • Roaming.

Billing of Roaming:

  • Call Detail Records - CDR.

Roaming Launch:

  • Roaming Team.
  • The Launch Process.
  • Outsourcing.
  • Roaming Hubbing.
  • Signalling Providers.

Considerations for Roaming Launch:

  • Factors Influencing Launch Strategy.
  • Partners and Groups.
  • Growth and Plans.

Roaming Agreements:

  • Roaming Process Flow.
  • Why do we need Roaming Agreements?
  • Various other Agreements and Templates.
  • Roaming Agreement Exchange “RAEX”.
  • Types of Information in AA14.

Introduction to RAEX:

  • What is RAEX?
  • RAEX Application Process Flow.

Introduction to IR.21:

  • What is IR.21?
  • IR.21 Contents.
  • RAEX Tool.
  • IR.21 Roles.

Inter-Operator Tariffs (IOT):

  • Defining Inter-Operator Tariffs.
  • Roaming Fraud:
  • Types of Fraud.
  • Fraud Mitigation.
  • Fraud Protection.

Steering of Roaming “SoR”:

  • What is Steering of Roaming?
  • The Importance of SoR.
  • Commercial Considerations and Traffic Commitments.
  • Methods of Steering Traffic.
  • The Role of Quality in Steering.

Roaming Quality:

  • Roaming Quality Of Service (QoS).
  • Global Roaming Quality (GRQ).
  • Testing & Monitoring.
  • SLA Templates.
Module 2
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Understanding IREG and TADIG

Introduction to IREG

  • What is IREG?
  • The Roaming Team and IREG Team

Network (IREG) Testing

  • 2G/3G Testing
  • Stages of IREG Testing
  • IR.24 Tests
  • 4G & VoLTE IREG Tests
  • “How to” of IREG

Introduction to TADIG

  • What is TADIG?
  • End to End Process (High Level)
  • How is Billing Data Sent?
  • BCE (Billing and Charging Evolution)
  • TAGIG End to End Process
  • IREG & TADIG Roles
Module 3
View

4G Roaming Architecture

Introduction to 4G - Why LTE?

  • History Book of Mobile Generations.
  • Why LTE is Needed?
  • The Success of OTT (Over-The-Top Services).
  • The Way We Communicate with People is Different.
  • Our Communication Society.

What is LTE?

  • What is LTE: Introduction.
  • What is LTE: Release 8 vs 13 and beyond.
  • What is LTE: Convergence.

4G Architecture:

  • High Level 4G Architecture.
  • EPS Bearers.
  • LTE Identification.
  • LTE RAN.
  • EPC Components..
  • Control and User Plane Separation

4G Roaming Architecture:

  • 4G Roaming – Home Routed.
  • 4G Roaming – Local Breakout.

4G Roaming Interfaces:

  • Access and Session Roaming Interfaces.
  • Roaming with OCS and Local Breakout.

4G Roaming Protocols - Diameter:

  • Diameter Agents.
  • Diameter Routing.
  • Diameter Protocol Stack.
  • Diameter - DRAs and DEAs Setup.
  • Diameter Messages on S6a/S6d and S9.

Roaming Protocols – GTP:

  • GTPv2-C.
  • GTPv1-U.

4G Roaming Security:

  • Roaming Security.
  • DESS (Diameter End-to-End Signalling Security).
  • GTP and General Security.

IoT Roaming Considerations:

  • IoT Types.
Module 4
View

4G Roaming Procedures

LTE and EPC Roaming Testing:

  • Key LTE and EPC Roaming Tests.
  • IREG Pre-Testing LTE Data Exchange.

Introduction to IR.38 Spreadsheet.

4G Roaming Data Transfer:

  • Roaming Attach and PDN Procedure.
  • Combined Attach.

Bearer and QoS:

  • Default and Dedicated EPS Bearers.
  • QoS Class Identifier.

IREG - LTE Only Services:

  • IREG - LTE Speed Test.
  • IREG - LTE Cancel Location .
  • IREG - Operator Determined Barring.

IREG - CSFB when Roaming:

  • IREG - CSFB Pre-Testing Data Exchange.
  • IREG - CSFB MO Voice Call.
  • IREG - CSFB MT Voice Call.

IREG - CSFB SMS over SGs:

  • IREG - CSFB SMS Pre-Testing.
  • IREG - CSFB SMS over SGs.

IREG - LTE+2G/3G Co-existence Testing:

  • 2G/3G PDP Context Roaming Options.
  • IREG - 2G/3G PDP Context Roaming using LTE HPMN Precondition.
  • IREG - 2G/3G PDP Context Roaming Procedure.

Detailing IR.38 Test Spreadsheet.

Module 5
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VoLTE Roaming

Why VoLTE Roaming?

  • Driving VoLTE Roaming.
  • Advantages of VoLTE Roaming.
  • 5G Shakes up the Telco World.
  • 2G/3G Network Switch-Offs by Year.
  • Decommissioning by Region.
  • The Last Straw… in 2022!
  • Why is This Relevant?
  • Roaming Priorities.

VoLTE Roaming History:

  • Why Did It Take So Long?
  • VoLTE Roaming Modes.
  • S8HR: The Home-Routed Model.
  • Local Breakout (LBO).
  • PROs and Cons of S8HR and LBO.
  • And the Winner Is?

VoLTE Launch Challenges:

  • Technical Challenges.
  • VoLTE Launch - Smaller Issues.
  • VoLTE Launch - Major Challenges.

Commercial Impact:

  • Things to Remember About VoLTE.
  • Three Models of Charging.
  • Charging by QCI or APN.
  • Charging Differences.
  • Voice MO / VoLTE.
  • VoLTE Roaming.
  • Inter-Operator Tariffs.
  • It's Bilateral, Isn't It?
  • Differential Traffic Profiles.
  • Impact.
Module 6
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VoLTE / VoNR Roaming Procedures

Roaming with IMS:

  • IMS Basics.
  • High Level Architecture.
  • VoLTE Network Types and GSMA Test Suite.
  • Main VoLTE Tests.

Introduction to IR.25 Spreadsheet.

VoLTE/VoNR Registration:

  • VoLTE Registration.
  • Third Party Registration.
  • Registration Event Subscription.

VoLTE Mobile Originated/Terminated Call:

  • VoLTE Call Signalling.
  • Roaming Media Flow.
  • Call Termination.

VoLTE Supplementary Services:

  • TAS Responsibilities.
  • Example TAS Supplementary Services.

IMS Emergency Calls:

  • Architecture for IMS Emergency Calls.
  • Local Emergency Number List.
  • IMS Emergency Services Call Flow.

Lawful Interception in IMS:

  • High Level LI Architecture.
  • Lawful Interception IMS - IRI-POI.
  • Lawful Interception IMS - CC-POI.

Wi-Fi Calling when Roaming:

  • VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling.

IREG Testing in VPLMN:

  • IREG Pre-Testing VoLTE Data Exchange.
  • IREG - Roaming Registration.
  • IREG - IMS Calls.
  • IREG - SMS over IP (IMS).
  • IREG - Emergency Call.
  • IREG - LI.
  • IREG - Barring.
  • IREG - CSFB and SMS over NAS.

Detailing IR.25 Test Spreadsheet.

Module 7
View

5G Roaming

What & Why 5G?

  • What is 5G?
  • Why do we need 5G?
  • 5G Deployment Types.
  • How is 5G Different?
  • The Primary Benefits of 5G.
  • 5G Vs previous Gs.
  • Expected use of Frequencies.

5G Roaming Challenges:

  • Roaming Scenarios.
  • Roaming Challenges.

5G Roaming Options:

  • 5G Roaming - LBO.
  • 5G Roaming - Home routed.

Billing in 5G Roaming:

  • Billing 5G Roaming.
  • BCE.
  • Retail Charging for LBO.

Slicing in 5G:

  • Technological Evolution.
  • Network Slicing Overview.
  • Network Slicing for Roaming.
  • Changes We Predict.
  • Impact of 5G/Network Slicing on Roaming Value Chain.
  • Options for Network Slicing for Roaming.

Security in 5G Roaming:

  • SEPP and the New Security Architecture.
  • Roaming Signalling Security built-in 5G by standard.
  • GSMA Security SEPP Deployment Options.
Module 8
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5G Roaming Architecture

5G Roaming Architecture.

  • GRX/IPX.
  • SEPP.

5G Roaming Interfaces.

  • N32 Interface
  • N32c
  • N32f
  • IPX

5G Roaming Protocols:

  • HTTP2.
  • JSON.
  • GTPv1-U.

5G Roaming Security.

  • PRINS.
  • IPUPS.

SoR Protection.

IoT Considerations.

Module 9
View

5G Roaming Procedures

5G Registration when Roaming:

  • 5G Roaming Registration Procedure.

5G Home Routed PDU Session:

  • 5G Home Routed Architecture.
  • 5G Home Routed PDU Session Procedure.

5G LBO PDU Session:

  • 5G LBO Architecture.
  • 5G LBO PDU Session Procedure.

UE Route Selection Policy:

  • UE Related Policy Control.
  • User Equipment Route Selection Policy.

5G QoS for Roaming:

  • 5G QoS Overview.
  • 5G QoS Identifier.
  • Allocation and Retention Priority.
  • Roaming QoS Examples.

SMS and 5G Roaming:

  • SMS over 5G Options.
  • SMS over 5G NAS - Registration.
  • Mobile Originated 5G NAS SMS.
  • Mobile Terminated 5G NAS SMS.
Module 10
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2G/3G Roaming Architecture

2G/3G Roaming Architecture:

  • Circuit Switched Roaming Architecture.
  • Packet Switched Roaming Architecture.

2G/3G Roaming Interfaces:

  • 2G/3G CS Roaming Interfaces.
  • 2G/3G PS Roaming Interfaces.

2G/3G  Roaming Protocols:

  • Mobile Application Part.
  • ISDN User Part .
  • BICC and SIP Migration.
  • Voice.
  • GPRS Protocols.

2G/3G Roaming Security:

  • Roaming Networks.
  • Interconnection Security.
  • Securing SS7 for Roaming.

2G IoT Considerations:

  • 2G IoT Roaming.
Module 11
View

2G/3G Roaming Procedures

Introduction to IR.24 Spreadsheet.

2G/3G Roaming CS Location Update:

  • Location Update Roaming Procedure.

2G/3G Roaming Mobile Originated Call:

  • 2G/3G Roaming Mobile Originated Call Setup.

Mobile Terminated Roaming Voice Call:

  • 2G/3G Roaming Mobile Terminated Call Setup.

SMS Roaming:

  • Roaming Mobile Originated Text Messaging.
  • Roaming Mobile Terminated Text Messaging.

2G/3G CS IREG Testing:

  • Summary of 2G/3G CS Tests.
  • Location and Operator Control Tests.
  • Operator Control Tests.
  • Call Testing - MS1 Calls MS2, Both Roamed In VPMN.
  • Call Testing - Other PSTN to MS1 Scenarios.
  • Call Testing - MS1 Calls to a Premium Number from the Visited Country.
  • Supplementary Service Test Cases.
  • SMS Test Cases.

Detailing IR.24 Test Spreadsheet.

Introduction to IR.35 Spreadsheet.

2G/3G Attach (Roaming):

  • 2G/3G Packet Switched Attach.

2G/3G Roaming PDP Context:

  • Roaming PDP Context Activation.

2G/3G PS IREG Testing:

  • GPRS-Attach of MS1 in VPMN (GPRS Attach only).
  • Intranet-/ISP-Access of MS1 in VPMN using HPMN GGSN.
  • WAP Access.
  • MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service).
  • SMS Delivery via GPRS.
  • Location Cancellation for GPRS Subscription held in VPMN.
  • Operator Determined Barring for PDP Context and SMS.

Detailing IR.35 Test Spreadsheet.

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for 12 months access

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive certification for completing the course?

Yes, all our courses provide a shareable certificate of completion following the test of understanding.

How long do I get access to the course?

On-demand courses are accessible immediately following purchase. Each course will have a different access period ranging from 3-6 months on average. You can continue to access the Mpirical learning platform after your course licence expires; however, you won’t be able to view any course content or learning tools unless you are a paid customer.

What else do I get with a course?

All students benefit from automatic access to our ‘Ask the Trainer’ feature with an on-demand course purchase. You will also get access to our acclaimed network visualisation tool, NetX.*

*NetX is not included with the Mini Telecoms MBA course or partner training.

Can I access the course offline?

Offline access is not currently available. You must use a connected device to access the course and learning tools. However, course pdfs and reference documents are downloadable.

Is there recommended follow-on training?

Yes, we do recommend follow-on training courses within the Mpirical learning platform.

How do I choose between a live course or on-demand course?

Our live courses are generally reserved for teams and enterprises of 10 or more. If you’d like to learn more about purchasing a single course to be delivered at your location or online, please get in touch: enquiries@mpirical.com.