Converged Packet-based Solutions in a Realistic Metropolitan Network Scenario

Behind the headline "Fixed Mobile Convergence" (FMC), network operators are busily trying to consolidate their separated fixed and mobile service platforms in the metropolitan domain to a single converged packet based network. The special challenge is to cover both, residential and business customer services which typically differ strongly in terms of quality requirements in the same aggregation network as preferred option. Traffic demand dramatically increases at the fixed and mobile subscribers' end with new rich media content offerings. Hence the main goal for operators is to design a consolidated aggregation network ensuring efficient transport of Terabits of traffic at lowest total cost of ownership (TCO). Inherently smooth migration of existing services onto that new network needs to be ensured as well. This paper will present a set of relevant metro network architectures considering evaluation of the above mentioned requirements with respect to the transport and switching layers of the network. Needed switching capabilities in the aggregating metro nodes, resource utilisation and cost will be analysed and compared for the different architectures based on a realistic German metropolitan area.