MOCN vs MORAN

9/8/20243 min read

MOCN (Multi-Operator Core Network) and MORAN (Multi-Operator Radio Access Network) are two network-sharing models that allow mobile operators to reduce costs and improve efficiency by sharing infrastructure. Both models enable multiple operators to use the same radio access network (RAN), but they differ in how much of the network is shared and what remains distinct for each operator.

1. MOCN (Multi-Operator Core Network)

MOCN allows multiple operators to share the entire radio access network, including base stations, antennas, and spectrum. However, each operator maintains its own core network. This means that the radio network (RAN) is shared, but the connection to each operator’s core network remains separate.

Key Characteristics of MOCN:

  • Shared Radio Network: Operators share all elements of the RAN, such as towers, base stations (eNodeBs/gNodeBs), and antennas.

  • Shared Spectrum: Operators also share the same frequency spectrum, which means they can operate on the same radio frequencies.

  • Separate Core Networks: Even though the radio access is shared, each operator has its own core network, where services like authentication, call routing, and billing are handled independently.

Benefits of MOCN:

  • Cost Savings: By sharing both the RAN infrastructure and spectrum, operators can significantly reduce costs associated with building and maintaining separate networks.

  • Efficient Spectrum Use: Sharing spectrum allows operators to maximize its use, as it can be dynamically allocated depending on each operator’s traffic needs.

  • Faster Network Deployment: Since infrastructure and spectrum are shared, MOCN can enable faster deployment of networks, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Challenges of MOCN:

  • Complex Spectrum Management: Sharing spectrum requires coordination to ensure efficient use and avoid interference.

  • Less Control Over Network Features: Operators have less flexibility to customize RAN features, as they share it with others.

Example:

A common example of MOCN is in rural areas where operators collaborate to provide coverage without the need for each to deploy their own infrastructure. This is especially useful for 5G rollouts where the cost of deploying new infrastructure is high.

2. MORAN (Multi-Operator Radio Access Network)

MORAN also involves sharing the radio access network, but unlike MOCN, each operator retains its own frequency spectrum. In this model, operators share physical infrastructure, such as base stations and antennas, but each operator uses its own spectrum and maintains separate core networks.

Key Characteristics of MORAN:

  • Shared RAN Infrastructure: Operators share physical network components like towers, base stations, and antennas.

  • Separate Spectrum: Unlike MOCN, each operator uses its own licensed spectrum. The shared RAN equipment is configured to operate on multiple frequency bands.

  • Separate Core Networks: As in MOCN, each operator has its own core network for managing customer services and routing traffic.

Benefits of MORAN:

  • Infrastructure Cost Savings: Operators save money by sharing physical infrastructure like base stations, which can be particularly beneficial in rural areas where deployment costs are high.

  • Greater Control Over Spectrum: Each operator retains full control of its spectrum, allowing for independent network performance management.

  • Network Customization: Operators have more flexibility to manage and optimize their own network performance compared to MOCN, as they are not sharing spectrum.

Challenges of MORAN:

  • Infrastructure Sharing: While costs are reduced, infrastructure sharing can lead to coordination challenges between operators in terms of equipment management and upgrades.

  • Potential Duplication of Spectrum: Each operator must still manage its own spectrum, which may lead to inefficiencies if the spectrum is not used optimally.

Example:

In urban environments where there are multiple operators but limited physical space for deploying network equipment, operators may choose to use a MORAN model to share infrastructure while maintaining separate spectrum bands.

Key Differences Between MOCN and MORAN:

FeatureMOCNMORANShared InfrastructureYesYesShared SpectrumYesNo (each operator uses its own)Shared Core NetworkNo (each operator has its own core)No (each operator has its own core)Operator Control Over SpectrumNo (shared spectrum)Yes (each operator manages its own)Cost SavingsHigher (due to shared spectrum)Moderate (due to shared infrastructure only)

Conclusion:

  • MOCN is an effective solution for operators looking to share both infrastructure and spectrum, offering significant cost savings and faster network deployments. However, it requires careful coordination in spectrum usage.

  • MORAN, on the other hand, provides operators with more control over their spectrum, while still offering cost benefits through infrastructure sharing. It is a suitable option for operators who want to maintain more independence in managing their networks.

Both models are commonly used in the deployment of modern mobile networks, including 5G, as they provide operators with flexible ways to reduce costs while expanding coverage.

Serving Node

Serving since 2018