Carrier Partnerships & Shared Networks: Extending Coverage

Carrier partnerships and shared network agreements let mobile operators fill coverage gaps without building new towers. By roaming on a partner’s network or sharing infrastructure, carriers can offer service in areas where they have no spectrum or equipment. This guide explains how these arrangements work and how to set one up.

What You’ll Need

• Understanding of your current coverage map and where gaps exist
• Knowledge of your spectrum licenses and technology (LTE, 5G)
• A list of potential partner carriers operating in your target areas
• Legal and regulatory review (spectrum sharing rules vary by country)
• Technical team for network integration and testing

Step-by-Step

1. Identify coverage gaps. Analyze your network’s signal data to pinpoint areas with weak or no coverage. Use drive tests, customer complaints, and crowd-sourced data.
2. Research potential partners. Look for carriers with complementary coverage—where they have strong signal and you don’t. Check their technology (LTE, 5G, spectrum bands) to ensure compatibility with your devices.
3. Decide on partnership type. Choose between a roaming agreement (your customers use their network when outside your coverage) or a network sharing deal (you share physical infrastructure like towers or RAN). Roaming is simpler but costs per-use; sharing is more complex but reduces costs long-term.
4. Negotiate commercial terms. Agree on pricing (per MB or per minute for roaming), data caps, and termination clauses. For sharing, decide on cost-sharing models (e.g., 50/50 or based on usage).
5. Sign a legal agreement. Include service level agreements (SLAs) for uptime, latency, and data speed. Specify which network is primary in overlapping areas to avoid ping-ponging.
6. Integrate networks technically. Set up inter-carrier interfaces (e.g., for LTE: S1-MME and S1-U interfaces for control and user plane). Configure your home network to route traffic to the partner’s network when needed.
7. Enable roaming on your network. Activate roaming in your HSS/HLR (Home Subscriber Server/Home Location Register) for your subscribers. Ensure your billing system can rate partner network usage.
8. Test thoroughly. Run field tests in the coverage gap areas. Verify that calls connect, data sessions work, and handovers between networks are seamless. Test on multiple device models.
9. Launch and monitor. Announce the extended coverage to customers. Monitor network performance via KPIs like call drop rate, data throughput, and handover success rate. Adjust if issues arise.

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring spectrum compatibility. Partner’s network may use different frequency bands (e.g., 700 MHz vs. 2.5 GHz) that your phones don’t support. Always check device band support.
• Overlooking regulatory approval. Some countries require government approval for roaming or sharing agreements. Failing to get it can void the deal.
• Poor handover design. If handover thresholds are not set correctly, calls may drop when moving between networks.
• Underestimating data costs. Roaming can be expensive if you don’t cap data or negotiate bulk rates. Customers may incur high bills, leading to complaints.
• Lack of fallback. If the partner network goes down, you need a contingency plan or your customers lose coverage entirely.

Tips

• Start with a pilot in a small region to test the partnership before scaling.
• Negotiate for reciprocal roaming—if you have coverage they lack, you can trade access.
• Use network function virtualization (NFV) to simplify integration if both carriers support it.
• Keep customer communication clear: inform them about data limits and any extra charges.
• Review the agreement annually to adjust for changes in coverage or technology.

Troubleshooting

If coverage doesn’t improve as expected:

• Check if partner network is actually live. Use a test phone with a partner SIM to verify signal in the area.
• Verify roaming is enabled on your network. Look at your HSS/HLR logs to see if registration attempts from your subscribers are reaching the partner.
• Inspect handover settings. If calls drop at the edge of your coverage, adjust the handover thresholds in your RAN.
• Test with different devices. Some older phones may not support the partner’s bands. Check device compatibility lists.
• Review billing records. If customers see data usage but no signal, the issue may be in the billing system rating the traffic incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to set up a roaming agreement?
A: Typically 3-6 months, depending on the complexity of the networks and regulatory approvals.

Q: Will my customers notice any difference?
A: They may see a different carrier name on their phone, but calls and data should work seamlessly if handover is configured correctly.

Q: Can I share spectrum with a partner?
A: Yes, some countries allow spectrum sharing, but it requires regulatory approval and technical coordination to avoid interference.

Q: What happens if the partner network is congested?
A: Your customers may experience slower speeds. Negotiate quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees in the SLA to mitigate this.

Q: Is network sharing cheaper than building new towers?
A: Usually yes, especially in rural areas. Sharing infrastructure can reduce capital expenditure by 30-50%.

Q: Can I have multiple partners?
A: Yes, you can have separate agreements for different regions or technologies. Just ensure your network can handle multiple roaming relationships.

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