Etisalat ADSL Network

Masoud AlReyami CSE\CD&S V1.0

Introduction
eLife is currently served through the Optical network in UAE with various High Speed Internet (HSI) ranging from 1Mbps to 30Mbps, but still the coverage of GPON network is not reached to areas where customers are demanding more speeds. Formally Etisalat was providing internet over ADSL network with bandwidth range from 128kbps to maximum 4Mbps depending on customer location and ADSL coverage. CM are planning to provide new packages over ADSL network to provide the required higher speed to customers and this study is to check the ability to provide higher bandwidths to customers who are still using ADSL network.

Existing ADSL network topology

We have range of DSLAMs installed in exchanges from different vendors and they are supporting the latest ADSL technology which is providing a maximum range between 8Mbps (ADSL) to 24Mbps (ADSL2+) depending on the copper quality and distance of the end point to the exchange. Typical installation topology in our network for some DSLAMs

Zhone DSLAM

Huawei UA5000

Zhone MALC and Raptor

Etisalat /UAELAB performance measurements

Meeting was held with both teams from FAND and ANM to discuss various points regarding ADSL capabilities, drawbacks and what is the maximum distance provided in UAE. Following are the outcome points: Currently the maximum distance provided for ADSL customer from an exchange is 5km which is reproduced by mini DSLAM after 3km
4

Most of the DSLAMs available in UAE support ADSL/ADSL 2+ (G.DMT G992.1 Max BW 8128kbps/ADSL2+ G992.5 Max BW 24576kbps) ADSL 2+ supports maximum speed of 24Mbps but it depends on the cable type and quality laid in the region because it affects the signal quality at the customer end The lower the cable gauge is the lower bandwidth that can be achieved The attenuation and SNR are tested at the time of installation and can be checked to any ADSL line for faults

UAELAB reports for testing the DSLAMs and ADSL modems using loop simulator to simulate the mixture of cable gauge and noise available in copper network and the results are shown on the below tables extracted from the latest reports:

Huawei UA5000

Zhone MALC 719

Zhone IPDSLAM
6

Aztech Router with different DSLAMs at high distance

On the other hand from the Zhone DSLAM

Manufacturer and Supplier comments

DSLAM Vendors after meeting with some vendors and the points taken are: The increase of the Bandwidth on the ADSL lines has dependencies on the copper distances, copper patches, copper diameter and quality. Some vendors are using ADSL2+ which is the highest BW capability of the ports, and the configuration was optimized to give the highest BW, the synching of the Ports will be negotiated depending on the above mentioned parameters. Thus this requirement has to be studied on the network wise topology and copper quality, furthermore there should be kind of a study of the status of the current ports synching BW.

And a clarification was sent to ADSL Manufacturers and Suppliers in UAE and the reply came similar to the DSLAM vendors but they claim using the ADSL2+ Annex M topology can go for higher distance and still give higher bandwidth. Also another solution is to add a loop extender to maintain the drop of bandwidth while the distance is increasing as shown in the figure below

Conclusion/Recommendations
From the realistic test results shown above the following can be concluded. 1. Existing network with various DSLAMs tested can provide an average downlink speed between (1.5 to 3) Mbps at a distance up to 4Km depending on DSLAM type, Noise and attenuation. 2. At shorter distance between exchange and Customer site, higher downlink speeds are possible; depending on field qualification test (at this point higher bandwidth speed packages can be offered to customers above 2.5Mbps). 3. Reselection of new ADSL modem/Routers is recommended to be tested to find better performing CPEs that can be selected instead of existing CPE. 4. Evaluate and use higher gauge of cables between the exchange side to the customer end (May have lost of expenses for changing the copper cable) 5. The possibility to use loop extender to enhance Bandwidth/Reach in certain areas (cost to be considered as loop extenders can be given to a shorter number of clients) 6. There is no standard method or formula to calculate/evaluate the copper line to the customer end as its only used in the LAB environment with specific machines. 7. Further field surveillance to be conducted on areas covered with copper where HSI is needed. The study may take into account the following.
8

The geographical zones where no Fiber reach plan is in the pipe line at least for near future to cover target area. Cost impact/comparison to existing Fiber. User concentrations and demographics. Sample qualification testing to be conducted by serving exchanges to practically present typical results on maximum bandwidth possible that may be offered. Re- defining of new service offerings/BRDs accordingly.

8. Etisalat strategy to offload legacy and deploy GPON will have a big impact on the study as well capacity, reach, availability and support. Triple play through ADSL is not offered at the moment as it was only offered for IPTV on some areas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai regions only. If we need to offer, then network and C