Creating New Field of “Quad-play" in Service Operation – ZTE MSAN Serves PCCW

Hong Kong is one of the most competitive telecom markets in the world, with all its telecom services opened up for competition. In this island territory of just a 7 million population, 15 telecom operators vie for business. How could an operator maintain its leading edge in such fierce competition? In light of the conditions, PCCW formulated a “four-networks-in-one” strategy.

“Quad-play” means the same information or entertainment content, application software, and transaction service can cross four platforms as needed – fixed network, broadband Internet, mobile telecommunications, and TV – and be delivered to the user. The user can decide how to use them in a way that fits his/her preferences and lifestyle.

It is very difficult for traditional PSTN to implement “Quad-play” and offer new services without full-IP network reconstruction. In light of this, PCCW selected MSAN from a number of options to replace its existing access equipment so that it could provide multi-service access on a unified access platform and lower O&M costs.

ZTE assists PCCW in implementing “Quad-play”

As a brand-new technical innovation, “Quad-play” allows various services to flexibly switch between mobile and fixed networks. The user can use different terminals to enjoy the data streaming services brought by a broadband network.

Thanks to strong R&D capability, fast response and an outstanding solution, ZTE won the trust of PCCW. It became the operator’s strategic partner in its “four-networks-in-one" project as the supplier of core Softswitch and integrated access equipment.

Starting from 2006, ZTE cooperated with PCCW in fixed-network optimization. In the access layer, the ZXMSG 5200, an MSAN device based on an IP + TDM dual core, was employed to build an integrated service assess platform that simultaneously delivers narrowband and broadband services through one system. ZTE’s equipment can be directly deployed at the user side as outdoor cabinets, drastically reducing dependence on equipment rooms and cutting PCCW’s OPEX and CAPEX.

PCCW reaps stable yields from its “Quad-play” strategy

PCCW’s fixed-network reconstruction project was completed and put into commercial use in June 2007. It has now offered integrated service access for more and more users, making PCCW’s “Quad-play” service available to users in the wider region.

 As a large number of PSTN switches were replaced by the ZXMSG 5200, PCCW was able to cut a large number of equipment rooms and much occupied land in Hong Kong, which shortened the distance between access equipment and users and saved copper cable resources. Meanwhile, PCCW's access layer network was improved on bandwidth provision capability, “Quad-play” and NOW service deployment.

Nowadays more and more users are being cut over from the original PSTN network to the reconstructed integrated access network to enjoy better services.