Rural GSM Solutions Brief

It is widely recognized that most of the next 1 Billion cellular phone users around the world will come from the underserved rural populations in developing countries. Reaching these populations with cost effective BTS solutions, though, has been challenging for many cellular network operators. With traditional BTS deployments, both CAPEX and OPEX are too high unless a single BTS can reach many thousands of users, especially given the low ARPUs normally found in these areas. But this is often not feasible, espe-cially in hilly and other difficult topographies, or where villages and towns are relatively isolated from one another. Universal Service Funds (USF) are often available to help subsidize installations in under-served areas, but without a solution designed to meet the unique challenges of serving these scattered populations, total costs will still exceed revenues. It is with these challenges and opportunities firmly in mind that STM Group engineered its new SuperPicoTM GSM base station in partnership with Vanu Inc. With 20+ years experi-ence enabling telephony services for rural populations throughout the world, STM knows well the key physical and operational requirements of a cost-effective and reliable rural BTS installation.

Lowering OPEX and CAPEX with STM SuperPico

In STM’s design of its SuperPico system, all aspects of a typical GSM base station design were re-evaluated, and new, more effi-cient and effective design was created for the target market. Employing a software radio strat-egy and using Vanu’s proven Anywave® soft-ware, STM was able to focus on the critical ele-ments for a successful rural picocell, which include: • Very low power consumption • 100% solar powered (optional) • Excellent RF power efficiency • Good coverage range (up to 15 km) • Integrated backhaul communications options

(e.g., satellite/VSAT) • Local call routing with IP core architecture • High MTBF with high ambient temperatures

(no fans or A/C required) • All-outdoor installation (no shelter required) • Rapid, simple installation process • Remote upgrades and full management Typical configurations range from 1 to 3 TRX, with upgrade paths to larger configurations.

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

“Abis over IP”or

“A over IP”Local Call Switching

Ethernet Inter-connect

To BSC or MSC

Local BSC (optional)

BSS Controller

BSS Controller

Antenna: Type N

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

CellularRadio

“Abis over IP”or

“A over IP”Local Call Switching

Ethernet Inter-connect

To BSC or MSC

Local BSC (optional)

BSS Controller

BSS Controller

Antenna: Type N

Illustration of SuperPico Architecture

SuperPico Highlights

♦ Less than 27 Watts per TRX ♦ Up to 2 Watts RF output directly to the antenna ♦ Small, rugged enclosures, sealed against water & dust ♦ No fans or moving parts ♦ Integrated satellite backhaul option ♦ Soft-radio using Vanu’s Anywave® software

Rural GSM Solutions Brief

STM Group, Inc. | 2 Faraday | Irvine, CA 92618, USA | T +1 949 273 6800 | FAX +1 949 273 6020 STM Norway AS | Vollsveien 21 | 1366 Lysaker, Norway | T +47 6753 5337 | FAX +47 6753

All specifications and features subject to change without notice. SatLink, SuperPico, and the STM logo are a registered trademarks of STM Group, Inc. Anywave is a registered trademark of Vanu, Inc. Document # 200244; Revision A - 090324 © 2009

Vanu designed its innovative software radio technology to perform all signal processing on commercial off-the-shelf hardware using an open architecture. Vanu’s software radio technology provides powerful benefits to rural carriers looking to upgrade to new digital and broadband networks. Compared to tra-ditional hardware-oriented approaches, such as DSP and FPGA-based solutions, a true SDR base sta-tion, like the STM SuperPico system using Vanu’s GSM software radio solution, is highly modular and en-ables a high degree of software portability and reuse, minimizing the amount of code that has to be re-written to keep pace with advances in the underlying technology. Advantages for Mobile Operators

Vanu’s software radio technology brings tremendous flexibility to the STM SuperPico system, providing many advantages to mobile operators. Upgradeability

Allows for the addition of new wireless standards quickly via remote software downloads, eliminating costly hardware duplication when adding new services in an existing deployed frequency band. Speeds time to market through ease of use and cost minimization. Remote Management

The reduction of the number of site visits through remote network diagnostics and software downloads helps operators control administration and maintenance costs. Cost Reduction

The reduction of site rental and electrical utility costs due to a smaller base station footprint with fewer hardware power requirements enables a greener solution.

Vanu’s Software Radio Approach The Benefits for Mobile Operators

Illustration of Anywave Software Radio Access Network

www.stmi.com www.vanu.com

Base Transceiver

Station (BTS)

Base Station Controller

(BSC)

Packet Control Unit/Function (PCU/PCF)

Mobile Switching

Center (MSC)

Packet Data Service Node (GSN/PDSN)

PSTN

IP