• Main
  • Investors
  • 5G Sync
  • Partners
  • Support
  • Careers
  • 0Shopping Cart
Net Insight
  • INDUSTRIES
        • All Industries
        • Media Service Provider
        • Broadcasters
        • Production Companies
        • 5G Synchronization
  • SOLUTIONS
    • Production Solutions
      • For Media Service Provider
      • For Broadcaster
      • For Production Companies
    • Contribution Solutions
      • For Media Service Provider
      • For Broadcaster
      • For Production
    • Distribution Solutions
      • For Media Service Provider
      • For Broadcaster
  • NETWORKS
      • Managed Network Solutions
          • Media Service Provider
          • ProductionRemote and distributed production over managed IP networks as-a-service
          • Contribution Contribution over managed IP networks as-a-service
          • DistributionPrimary distribution over managed IP networks as-a-service
          • Broadcaster
          • Production Remote and distributed production over managed IP networks
          • ContributionContribution over managed IP networks
          • DistributionPrimary distribution over managed IP networks
          • Production Company
          • ProductionRemote and distributed production over managed IP networks
          • ContributionContribution over managed IP networks
      • Cloud & Internet Solutions
          • Media Service Provider
          • ProductionRemote and distributed production over cloud networks as-a-service
          • ContributionContribution over cloud networks as-a-service
          • DistributionDistribution over cloud networks as-a-service
          • Broadcaster
          • ProductionRemote and distributed production over cloud networks
          • ContributionContribution over cloud networks
          • DistributionDistribution over cloud networks
          • Production Company
          • ProductionRemote and distributed production over cloud networks
          • ContributionContribution over cloud networks
  • PRODUCTS
        • Products
        • ProductsFind datasheet to our products here
        • Features
        • IP AppliancesTrust boundary IP Appliances
  • RESOURCES
        • Blogs
        • Case Studies
        • Data Sheets
        • Webinars
        • White Papers
        • Videos
  • Company
        • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Awards
        • Board & Management
        • Memberships
        • News & Events
        • Press releases
        • Resellers
        • Tech Partners
        • Investors
        • 5G Sync
        • Careers
        • Partner Portal
        • Support
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Main
  • Investors
  • 5G Sync
  • Partners
  • Support
  • Careers

CASE STUDY

Three Sweden implements GPS/GNSS independent time synchronization across nationwide 5G network including leased capacity

Three Sweden, one of the leading mobile operators in the country, 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. Net Insight’s open and overlay approach emerged as the only solution capable of addressing all of Three Sweden’s specific needs. The solution allowed for a cost-effective, quick, and straightforward rollout, providing increased visibility of the network, and enabling proactive issue resolution.

This case study covers the background, the evaluation process, the benefits of the chosen solution, and how it has contributed to Three Sweden’s 5G success story. Read on to gain a comprehensive understanding of this innovative GPS/GNSS independent synchronization transformation journey

About Three Sweden

Three Sweden is one of the major mobile operators in Sweden, with a focus on developing best-in-class products and services for its customers. They introduced TDD modulation in their 4G network already in 2011 and therefore have extensive experience on the importance and challenges of time synchronization when they started their 5G rollouts in April 2021. They gained their license for 5G TDD mid-band by a spectrum auction hosted by Swedish regulator Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) in Q1 2021.

“With Swedish regulator PTS’ strict requirement on GPS independent backup for all 5G licenses in Sweden, the transmission team at Three were obliged to find an in-network synchronization solution that performed within the strict time boundaries of 5G TDD. In our case, 70% of all base stations in our network are reached via leased capacity links. Net Insight’s overlay approach was the only solution in the market that could combine all these specific requirements and enable an extremely cost-efficient, fast, and easy rollout.” Håkan Snis, Transmission Manager at Three Sweden

Swedish PTS requires GPS/GNSS backup before 2025 for all 5G licences – For higher security, service availability and increased national independence

In the Swedish 5G spectrum auction in 2021, the Swedish regulator Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) explicitly mandated a GPS/GNSS independent solution to transport synchronization for 5G networks. The main reasons were to increase service security and availability and to protect the 5G mission critical infrastructure from a national dependency on external systems such as GPS/GNSS.

The PTS requirements read: “If the primary source of common time reference is the reception of signals from satellite (GNSS) or if the source is otherwise located outside Sweden, a redundant source located in Sweden must be functionally tested and ready to put into use when required at latest by January 1st, 2025”

To subsidize the 5G licensed mobile operators and assure that they all are operating their 5G TDD networks using the same time reference source even if the GPS/GNSS signal is completely lost, PTS has sponsored connections to atomic ePRTC clocks via the Netnod. In Three’s network, one node in the four main cities Gothenburg, Malmö, Sundsvall and Luleå, and two in Stockholm are connected to an atomic clock reference and can operate autonomously of GPS/GNSS. These are traceable to UTC(SP) and supervised by RISE, which is Sweden’s NMI (National Metrology Institute) responsible for the central measurement quantities.

Three Sweden chose Net Insight’s GPS independent, cost-efficient synchronization for their 5G rollout due to its advanced features and superior performance

70% of Three Sweden’s radio network use transport over leased capacity in the aggregation layer. This created a significant challenge for Three Sweden to implement an in-network time synchronization solution that could work over leased connections and completely independent of GPS/GNSS.

Three Sweden selected Net Insight’s synchronization solution as it was the only solution in the market that could combine their specific requirements and enable a cost-efficient, fast, and easy rollout. Net Insight’s overlay approach is an open solution that works over any network, including leased lines, making it highly suitable for Three Sweden’s 5G rollout.

One strong benefit Three Sweden discovered with Net Insight’s solution was the possibility to monitor not only the full synchronization network but also the performance of the underlying network and in particular the SLAs of the leased links from the wholesale operators. The solution enabled data-driven network analysis and provided detailed metrics for both synchronization and network data. This provided increased visibility of the network and allowed Three Sweden to find and pro-actively address potential issues.

Three Sweden considered several alternative solutions, including PTP synchronization-as-a-service from leased line provider, to rebuild leased line network using dark fiber for possible use of FTS PTP, or to implement cesium clocks across the entire network. However, neither of these options could meet Three’s specific requirements and situation.

PTP synchronization-as-a-service was not an available option. Rebuilding the leased line network was also not a relevant option in reality due to the high cost. Similarly, cesium clocks are also expensive and require continuous maintenance, such as refilling the cesium, which can add up cost over time.

Net Insight’s solution is cost-efficient due to its ability to work over any network, including leased lines, which eliminates the need for additional infrastructure or equipment. The solution is also open and vendor agnostic, reducing the costs associated with vendor lock-in. Moreover, Net Insight’s solution enabled Three to avoid restrictions in coverage and reach, which could have resulted in additional costs and reduced service quality. Therefore, in terms of cost-efficiency, Net Insight’s solution provides a clear advantage over both FTS PTP and cesium clocks.

“Centralized management played a critical role in the benefits provided by Net Insight’s synchronization solution for our 5G network. Its wide range of telemetry metrics provided us with deep insights into our synchronization network, enabling us to quickly analyze and troubleshoot issues before they affect end systems. The centralized management and the timing service orchestration ensure that our synchronization layer operates at maximum efficiency and performance.”, says Håkan Andersson, Mobile Transport System Specialist at Three.

“We are pleased to have our synchronization solution chosen by Three Sweden for their nationwide 5G rollout. Our open and vendor-agnostic solution, with its overlay approach, provides the high accuracy and reliability required for 5G TDD while offering increased visibility and cost savings. Our solution’s centralized management and timing service orchestration ensure maximum efficiency and performance for Three’s synchronization layer, allowing them to quickly analyze and troubleshoot issues before they affect end systems. We are proud to be a partner in Three’s 5G journey and to help them deliver high-quality service to their customers.” – Hans Sjöstrand, Product Manager Synchronization at Net Insight

Håkan Snis, Transmission Manager at Three Sweden

“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. The solution has provided us with increased visibility and reliable synchronization, allowing us to operate our 5G network efficiently and proactively address potential issues. Net Insight’s professionalism has also been appreciated and their team has been very easy to work with and very responsive to our needs, making them a trusted partner for future endeavours.” – Håkan Snis, Transmission Manager at Three Sweden.

Overall, Net Insight’s synchronization solution has proved to be a successful implementation for Three Sweden, providing substantial cost savings in comparison to other alternatives, reliable synchronization combined with increased visibility, allowing us to operate our 5G network efficiently, and proactively address potential issues.

Håkan Andersson, Mobile Transport System Specialist at Three Sweden

In summary, Three Sweden evaluated several alternatives for their synchronization solution, including FTS PTP with dark fiber and new switches/routers, and cesium clocks. However, these alternatives were limited by coverage, reach, and high costs for additional infrastructure and maintenance. Ultimately, Three Sweden chose Net Insight’s synchronization solution because it worked over any network, including leased lines, provided increased visibility, and was vendor-agnostic, resulting in cost savings and a faster rollout. Although not as accurate as cesium clocks, Net Insight’s solution provided reliable synchronization, ensuring that the high timing requirements for 5G were consistently met.

“After evaluating various solutions, we chose Net Insight’s synchronization solution for its ability to work over any network, open and vendor-agnostic design, and its increased visibility of the synchronization network through telemetric and nanosecond-accurate measurements of sync metrics. This allowed us to be proactive in managing our synchronization network and addressing potential issues before they affect our end systems, ultimately delivering the reliability and efficiency needed for our 5G network.”. Håkan Andersson,  at Three Sweden.

Conclusion

Three Sweden chose Net Insight’s synchronization solution due to its ability to meet the high accuracy demands from 5G TDD and future 5G functionalities, even over a nationwide network with large amounts of leased lines. Large benefits were also its open and vendor-agnostic nature, and the solution’s ability to provide increased visibility and cost savings compared to alternative solutions. Net Insight’s solution offered the best balance of cost-efficiency, reliability, and performance for a nationwide 5G rollout meeting all requirements from Three Sweden.

“Net Insight is proud to have been selected by Three Sweden to provide our synchronization solution for their nationwide 5G rollout. Our vendor-agnostic and open solution provides the high accuracy and reliability required for 5G TDD, while also offering increased visibility and cost savings. We look forward to continuing to support Three Sweden in their 5G journey.” – Crister Fritzon, CEO Net Insight.

Download Case Study

Want to contact us? Please fill in the form below.

NEWSLETTER

What’s new at Net Insight

Get the latest news about producing, managing and delivering the future of live sport & events.

  • About us
  • Support
  • Partners
  • Careers
  • Contact us
  • White papers
  • Case studies
  • Blogs
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Data sheets
  • Events

Sweden

BOX 1200, 171 23 SOLNA

+46 8 685 04 00

info@netinsight.net

United States

Net Insight (Aperi)
770 Paseo Camarillo
Suite 320
Camarillo, California, 93010
USinfo@netinsight.net

Singapore

Net Insight PTE.LTD
81 Ubi Avenue 4, #10-15 UB.ONE
Singapore 408830

+65 6636 2350
Fax: +65 6636 3235

APACinfo@netinsight.net

United Arab Emirates

P.O. Box 25906
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Location: Concord Tower, Office 2607, Media City
+971 4 429 8600
Fax: +971 4 429 8615
MEinfo@netinsight.net

Net Insight’s Statement on Cookies and Privacy

Copyright © Net Insight 2023

  • Link to Twitter
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Youtube
Open Insight #16
Scroll to top

Settings for cookies

We use cookies to give you a good experience on our website.

 

Read more about which cookies we use, and how to deactivate them under settings. Under settings, you will also find a link to our privacy policy and cookie policy, where we explain how we use your personal data.

 

Do you accept all cookies?

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Read more on our Privacy policy and Google’s Privacy & Terms

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

3rd Party Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites.

They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance