Main US carriers are rethinking impartial host networks. Whereas MOCN guarantees multi-operator protection on shared spectrum like CBRS, Verizon avoids it completely and T-Cell has withdrawn. However what are the alternate options? Right here, we check out MOCN, MORAN, and an MNO-led neutral0host various.
MORAN is commonly used when the host supplies shared Radio Entry Community (RAN) infrastructure – towers, base stations, and so forth – however lets every cellular community operator (MNO) use its personal frequency licence. MOCN is most well-liked for indoor impartial host deployments – in airports, enterprise districts, campuses – as a result of it helps spectrum pooling and makes it simpler for a single shared RAN to serve a number of operators’ subscribers seamlessly. Let’s talk about.
1 | MOCN (multi-operator core community)
MOCN permits a number of MNOs to share the identical RAN – which means they share base stations (gNodeBs/eNodeBs) – however maintain their very own core networks. The RAN gear (antennas, radios, baseband models) is shared. Spectrum will also be shared, or MNOs could contribute completely different frequency bands. Be aware that is nonetheless completely different from the choice MORAN mannequin, outlined beneath – on the grounds the completely different frequencies are pooled, and never separated.
Even the place MNOs contribute completely different licensed bands, the RAN setup in a MOCN system dynamically manages and presents them as a single, shared useful resource. The distinction is in how the spectrum and RAN assets are logically built-in and managed – not merely in who owns which frequencies. Like with MORAN, the core community (EPC/5GC) is separate for every operator, so every controls its personal subscribers, companies, and insurance policies.
A impartial host supplier can deploy and handle the shared RAN infrastructure in a constructing, campus, or stadium and join it to the core networks of a number of MNOs. This implies all MNO subscribers get companies by way of the identical shared RAN system – in flip, enabling environment friendly spectrum and website utilisation, whereas preserving operator-specific management of companies and subscribers. It is usually regulatory-friendly as a result of the core networks usually are not shared.
2 | MORAN (multi-operator radio entry community)
MORAN additionally permits a number of MNOs to share the identical RAN gear, however every makes use of its personal spectrum, which stays separate per operator – in contrast to MOCN, the place spectrum will be pooled and collectively managed by a single shared RAN. In MORAN, every frequency block belongs to at least one MNO; scheduling is per-operator and unbiased. Like with MOCN, operators share the bodily RAN infrastructure, however every runs its personal logical RAN occasion on high.
In every case, that is tied to its personal licensed spectrum. Every MNO broadcasts a single Public Land Cell Community Identifier (PLMN ID), the code a tool makes use of to recognise the community (and distinguish from others when a number of networks can be found), and connects solely to that operator’s core community. There isn’t any want for multi-PLMN broadcasting or inter-operator signalling throughout the RAN. MORAN is easier to deploy and function.
It doesn’t require shared spectrum, inter-operator scheduling logic, or requirement to coordinate equity and quality-of-service (QoS) between PLMNs. Its simplicity makes it enticing the place laws restrict spectrum sharing, or the place operators desire clear separation between their air-interface belongings. It’s typically used for rural protection partnerships, shared small-cell roll-outs, or early-stage impartial host programmes to cut back website and capital prices.
3 | MOCN vs MORAN – complexity and value
Whereas MOCN delivers effectivity by consolidating spectrum and gear, it additionally introduces complexity on the grounds {that a} shared RAN should deal with simultaneous connections to a number of core networks and handle site visitors from customers of a number of PLMNs throughout the identical cell. As above, this requires inter-PLMN equity insurance policies so no operator dominates the RAN assets, scheduling algorithms to coordinate customers on the identical service and spectrum pool, and QoS enforcement to map every operator’s KPIs and SLAs right into a shared RAN scheduler and buffer administration.
These mechanisms make the RAN multi-tenant by design, demanding superior software program options and complicated orchestration. Integration and testing are extra concerned, since faults or upgrades within the shared RAN can have an effect on a number of operators concurrently. Efficiency monitoring, fault isolation, and SLA assurance should all be dealt with per operator, regardless that the infrastructure is frequent. This drives increased engineering and administration overheads. MOCN additionally requires rigorously outlined agreements round spectrum use, service ranges, and governance.
However the payoff is a extra compact and environment friendly community that may ship constant multi-operator protection in dense indoor environments – the place duplicating full RAN stacks per operator could be impractical, arguably. MORAN, against this, retains issues easy. Every operator manages its personal air interface and QoS, and coordination between cores and schedulers is minimal. It reduces capital and website prices, however not spectrum duplication. So take your decide: one minimises complexity and the opposite maximises effectivity. The selection relies on this trade-off.
4 | MOCN in shared spectrum (CBRS)
The place MOCN is deployed in a shared spectrum setting corresponding to within the CBRS band within the US, the economics and engineering necessities shift considerably. As a result of all taking part operators can use the identical shared spectrum, the RAN {hardware} doesn’t have to host a number of separate radios or antennas for every MNO. This reduces gear prices, simplifies antenna design, and lowers website energy and backhaul necessities.
That is in stark distinction with MORAN, the place every operator’s licensed bands require separate RF chains and multi-band help. MOCN in a shared band like CBRS permits the impartial host to keep up the multi-tenant software program options that deal with inter-PLMN equity, shared scheduling, and QoS enforcement, however with out the price and complexity of supporting a number of parallel frequency chains.
The identical shared RAN can broadcast a number of PLMN IDs, route site visitors to separate cores, and dynamically allocate assets throughout all customers whereas counting on one pool of spectrum. This mannequin makes indoor deployments extremely environment friendly and simpler to handle than duplicating separate MORAN stacks for every operator. However there’s a wrinkle, in fact, as a result of most operators don’t prefer it – not less than within the case of CBRS.
5 | MNO-led impartial host networks
T-Cell has simply pulled again from supporting MOCN in CBRS, citing higher efficiency in its licensed mid-band spectrum. Licensed spectrum is the inspiration of its neutral-host technique, it has mentioned, with CBRS enjoying a task solely in selective complementary eventualities. Verizon has by no means (publicly) supported MOCN deployments in CBRS spectrum, additionally focusing by itself licensed bands for impartial hosts techniques.
Which leaves AT&T because the CBRS outlier, presently. This development makes clear their (apparent) choice for the management and efficiency benefits they get from their very own licensed spectrum, versus a shared entry mannequin – even regardless of their varied help, till not too long ago, for a well-oiled provider ecosystem to attach indoor venues (and cargo their networks, and placate their subscribers) on well-worked MOCN techniques.
An MNO-led neutral-host mannequin is completely different from a real MOCN setup because the neutral-host RAN works totally on the service’s personal bands. The service with the host contract – and host spectrum – controls the RAN, scheduler, and core connectivity, so subscribers robotically obtain service. The positioning is “impartial” insofar as it’s hosted by a 3rd get together and accessible to different tenants, however the indoor spectrum and radio assets are underneath one MNO roof.
Different carriers can be part of on a roaming deal or a spectrum lease. Roaming permits rivals’ subscribers to attach by way of one other’s community; a spectrum lease lets a second operator deploy its personal service over the identical {hardware}, just like a MORAN configuration. Each approaches keep separation between operators’ spectrum and companies, however they require extra coordination, operator-specific configuration, and probably separate RF chains.
