Following its 3G TD-SCDMA launch and resultant explosion in mobile data usage, China Mobile Group Henan Company Limited (Henan Mobile) is working with Nokia Siemens Networks to successfully conduct China’s first Direct Tunnel trial. Direct Tunnel based on the existing packet core delivers an improved 3G data communications experience. Thanks to its flat IP architecture it also provides the operator with reduced operating costs. After the successful results of the trial, Henan Mobile plans to commercially deploy the solution in the near future.

Direct Tunnel, as the name suggests, allows data traffic to bypass the packet core network\'s control node and move directly through the network. Not only does this reduce operation and maintenance expenses of the network, but it makes scaling with increased traffic much easier. Furthermore, Nokia Siemens Networks’ Direct Tunnel is key to operators’ network evolution, providing the first step towards the flat architecture that will be used in the next generation of mobile networks.

“As China opens up to the benefits of 3G technology, subscribers will demand ever increasing bandwidth,” said Petri Pöyhönen, Head of Converged Internet Connectivity at Nokia Siemens Networks. “In such a scenario, operators need an efficient and simplified architecture to cost efficiently deliver the increased traffic volumes. Our Direct Tunnel technology simplifies the network architecture and also significantly reduces OPEX.“