Feature: Common BCCH (SF10428)

In General

This feature enables the use of a ”Common Broadcast Control Channel” (BCCH) for both GSM900
and GSM1800 in a multiband network.

Advantages
The main advantage provided by the feature "Common BCCH for GSM 900/1800 Dual Band
Operation" is the improvement of the spectral efficiency for this multiband network as compared to
the present situation, which requires the presence of a BCCH in each band of operation. This
solution helps a multiband network to save radio capacity, to improve coverage, and to avoid new
BCCH planning activities since one BCCH can be used for both bands.

Functional Description

Functionality:
This feature enables operators to be able to configure a single cell with the
frequencies required for both GSM900 and GSM1800 bands, while having a common
BCCH in only one of the bands. The BCCH can either belong to the GSM900 or the
GSM1800 band. The operator can configure a single cell with frequencies in both
GSM900 and GSM1800 bands while the cell still has one common cell identity. In
order to optimise signal reception within the concentric cell feature the BTS selects an
intracell handover from the complete area (GSM900) to the inner area (GSM1800), or
vice versa.
Functional Split:
• BTS
The BTS handles the new handover algorithm and the new O&M parameters. Two
independent branching modules are used from the antenna to the carrier unit, one for
GSM900 and one for GSM1800. Data handling in the BTSE is enhanced to provide
connections to different modules within the same cell. 24 TRX per GSM900/1800 cell
are supported. Alarm handling within the BTSE has been adapted to the new situation
and sends the correct indications to the BSC.
• BSC
The BSC handles the new O&M parameters. The cell channel description information
element of the system information 1 messages provides the frequency list for the cell
that is extended and compatible with phase 1 mobiles.
• RC
There are two new attributes, which indicate that the cell is a concentric
GSM900/1800 cell (GSM900 in the complete area) or GSM1800/900 cell (GSM1800
in the complete area).

Restrictions:
 • Frequency hopping by using the complete area carrier and the inner area carrier is not
supported.
• For adding new band frequencies to the complete or inner areas of an already existing
concentric cell the existing concentric cell has to be reconfigured.

Additional Impacts

Interworking dependencies:
• Resources across the bands must be co-located and synchronized in order to
accommodate this feature.
• SF10331 "Concentric Cell"

Prerequisites:
• Not applicable