Hutchison 3G Austria has enabled 3G Direct Tunnel on its network following an upgrade supplied by Nokia Siemens Networks. The so-called direct tunnel functionality is a software upgrade that simplifies the packet core network and the data flow between the end-user and the Internet.

“To provide our subscribers with state-of-the-art online services, along with high-quality voice, we needed a solution that would help expand network capacity without major infrastructure expansion,” said Jan Trionow, CTO of Hutchison 3G Austria. “The flat network solution from Nokia Siemens Networks means fewer network elements, better performance, greater flexibility and lower operational costs.”

With direct tunnel functionality, data traffic is able to bypass the Serving Gateway Support Node (SGSN), which in traditional core setup is responsible for the signaling and user data at the same time. Thus the direct tunnel feature, by bypassing SGSN, reduces the load on its capacity and lowers transmission network costs. It allows operators to balance the use of network resources and prepare for LTE and the streamlined core networks of the future.

In addition to the SGSN and the direct tunnel feature, Nokia Siemens Networks also is providing 3G Austria with the NetAct network management and service management solution for maximizing network performance as well as implementation services.

Source:cellular-news