Telecommunications

Distributing time sync for 5G networks across any IP infrastructure

Home » 5G Home » Telecommunications

OVERVIEW

Timing is everything in 5G networks

5G presents mobile operators with exciting monetization opportunities, thanks to its enhanced capabilities. With the deployment of mid-band frequencies and the introduction of innovative features like network slicing and URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications), operators can provide faster data speeds and offer new services within both the consumer and enterprise domains. Many of these services are likely expected to not be limited to specific areas but offered nationwide, opening up vast opportunities for revenue generation.

With these opportunities, synchronization has emerged as a crucial aspect of 5G. Whereas in 4G it has mainly been sufficient with frequency synchronization, 5G requires the more complex time synchronization, fueled by several different reasons.

TDD mid-band

4G is largely deployed on frequency bands using FDD (Frequency Division Duplex), only requiring frequency sync. 5G on the other hand is largely relying on mid band using TDD (Time Division Duplex), requiring time synchronization.

RAN functionalities

Features like Carrier Aggregation, Coordinated Multipoint and advanced Massive MIMO functionalities all require time synchronization.

5G standalone applications

5G standalone, introduces new applications like network slicing and URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications), requiring time synchronization wherever these applications are activated.

CHALLENGES

Top 3 challenges we can help you with

How to increase service security and reliability through GNSS/GPS independence

Conflicts and tense geopolitical situations have made operators aware of the vulnerability of GNSS solutions and that satellite signals are easily jammed or spoofed. Several countries have mandated that all 5G deployments need to be GNSS independent for the operator to receive a license. Increase service security and reliability through increased GNSS/GPS independence or redundancy.

How to achieve efficient 5G roll-outs

You need a secure and future proof time synchronization that fully supports your previous investments by optimizing the use of your existing network. Synchronization needs to work independent of underlying infrastructure, including leased-line and various vendors’ equipment to accelerate your 5G roll-out process while keeping costs in track and securing return on investment.

How to take full ownership of your synchronization

Time accuracy and phase synchronisation requirements are much higher in 5G and critical networks, thus time and phase synchronization is a system critical function with high impact on service performance and delivery. Synchronization needs to be handled despite of underlying infrastructure and include leased line and SLA support.

OUR SOLUTION

Distributing time synchronization through overlay sync network

Our synchronization solution Zyntai is designed to address the time synchronization challenges faced by today’s complex networks. The solution creates an overlay sync network that operates independently of the underlying IP and transport infrastructure. This provides precise time synchronization where it is needed without requiring time sync hardware support in routers, switches and transport nodes, while working also over leased capacity. By distributing time sync over the network, your sites also become independent of external GPS/GNSS sources, reducing vulnerability to interference beyond you own control.

Implementing an overlay network-based synchronization ensures a more reliable network performance, increased control over your synchronization, and faster time sync deployment without the need for extensive hardware upgrades. Our solution empowers you to optimize your network’s efficiency and reliability while minimizing costs.

Transport network
agnostic

including for leased capacity

GPS/GNSS
independent

at access edge

Reliable and
resilient

multiple sources and routing

CASE STUDIES

GNSS independent time sync across 5G network with leased capacity

Three Sweden

Europe – Mobile operator

Three Sweden was tasked with implementing a GPS/GNSS independent time synchronization solution for their nationwide 5G network, a critical requirement set by the Swedish regulator PTS for all 5G licenses. Given that 70% of their base stations rely on leased capacity links, finding a suitable solution posed a significant challenge.

“As a 5G operator with a large share of leased fibre capacity in the aggregation part of the network, it was crucial for us to find a synchronization solution that could work independently of GPS and support our existing transport infrastructure. Net Insight’s solution was the only one in the market that could combine all these specific requirements and enable an extremely cost-efficient, fast, and easy rollout.”

HÅKAN SNIS

Transmission Manager, Three Sweden

Open and disaggregated sync solution enables fast 5G rollout process

Türk Telekom

Europe – Mobile operator

Combining forces, telecom operator Türk Telekom and Net Insight revolutionizes 5G networks by developing and rolling out the world’s first GNSS independent overlay synchronization solution which reduces cost and time-to-market for 5G deployments.

“We see a significant potential in the global market for this innovative solution that will reduce costs and increase service continuity for mobile operators and all industries with critical time synchronization requirements. We can meet all these needs with this solution, which has a time deviation far below 1500 nano-second required for the synchronization need of 5G.”

YUSUF KIRAÇ

CTO, Türk Telekom

Want to know more about us?

Get started today.