Mobile Access Reaches Polar Research Facility Thanks to Range Networks

Range Networks, Inc. is a U.S. company, founded in 2011. The company provides open-source software products which are used to operate cellular networks. Range Networks is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with satellite offices worldwide.

Range Networks is the creator of the OpenBTS software project. The OpenBTS Project is an open source software defined radio implementation of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) radio access network. It presents normal GSM handsets as virtual Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoints.

Range Networks produces proprietary software packages releasing their source code mostly under the GNU AGPL (these are free software licenses) while holding copyright under single commercial entity selling commercial licenses, support and hardware.

In August 2013, Range Networks announced the release of an update to OpenBTS, providing developers with the ability to incorporate Internet access through a packet-oriented mobile data service known as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

Range Networks is meeting the demand for low cost, easy to install GSM cellular networks for remote rural service, rapid deployment and private industrial networks on ships, oil rigs or in mines. The key ingredient that makes this change possible is OpenBTS.

The defining feature of Range Networks systems is the replacement the conventional 2G/3G network's SS7-MAP structure and all of its various components with a more modern SIP network. This is accomplished without any changes to the handsets.

All of this leads us to the fact that on Dec. 10 Range Networks announced a new deployment. What makes the announcement so exciting is where it was deployed. There will now be a cellular network in Antarctica.

According to Range, this deployment extends the existing communications network of an Australian Antarctic station, to provide cellular communications in one of the most remote and challenging regions in the world.

Some of the outstanding features that help make this new deployment special are as follows:

• Complete Cellular Coverage: By leveraging Range Networks open-source software, OpenBTS and its 5150 base station, a unified private network was created connecting 400 mobile and 800 desktop phones. The network is currently deployed on an island research station and provides the ability for local and global calls and SMS.
• Increased Safety: The Range Networks solution allows for local switching, making communication available even if satellite backhaul is unavailable.
• Reduced Cost and Complexity: Extreme conditions in Antarctica make third-party repair nearly impossible. Functioning as a self-contained network, the new cellular network is managed entirely by existing personnel, reducing the associated costs for equipment, power and maintenance.
• Future Plans: Due to its simplicity and robustness, the network will be expanded to include four additional Range Networks 5150 base stations, connecting three research stations and a research vessel through an existing VoIP system. When completed, the system will provide research teams with cell phone coverage over an operational area of 150 km.
• Maritime Use: A Range Networks base station will be installed onboard a steel-hulled research vessel serving roughly 110 crewmembers and onboard personnel. Satellite backhaul will enable the crew to communicate with colleagues onboard or thousands of kilometers away.

The Range Networks 5150 Series is a family of GSM/SIP access points that allows cellular handsets to interface directly with VoIP networks. Based on the OpenBTS RAN implementation, the 5150 Series presents a standard GSM radio interface to cellphones and then represents these as SIP endpoints to a VoIP network.

Some of the applications for the 5150 Series include the following:

• Rural cellular and WLL services, (Wireless local loop or WLL, is a term for the use of a wireless communications link as the "last mile / first mile" connection for delivering plain old telephone service (POTS) or Internet access to telecommunications customers.)
• Rapidly deployed networks
• Private industrial networks (maritime and mining)
• Enterprise wireless PBX systems

Range Networks offers a lot for rural outdoor deployments. The Snap Network, for instance, is lightweight, weatherproof, low power and can be set up in less than an hour. Snap can either be configured as a standalone system or as part of a larger public or private network.

Snap is a GSM/GRPS network access point that will allow cellular handsets to interface directly with VoIP networks. You can see how the hardware and software solutions that Range Networks has to offer an area like Antarctica can deliver lots of benefits.

Range Networks’ CTO and the co-inventor of the OpenBTS Project, Harvind Samra made the following comments: “We are pleased to assist onsite agency personnel to enable communication in an environment that experiences extreme conditions and unreliable communications. By replacing traditional core network infrastructure we have significantly reduced the associated costs for equipment, power and maintenance, allowing these teams to spend more resources on critical scientific research.”

In addition to the fact that Range Networks will help reduce the cost of communications, which in turn, frees more resources for the actual research, the real benefit is that everyone can keep in touch in an area where communications is far from easy.

The increased safety, mentioned above, is key in a harsh environment and something that should never be taken lightly.