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Extensive Testing of EPC Core Replacement for a Leading UK Mobile Network Operator

This EPC Core migration involved

Diverse Customer Base Coverage

Validate EPC Core functionality across all customer types: consumer, business, corporate, Pay-As-You-Go, and MVNOs.

Include testing for corporate VPN, business-critical applications, and MVNO integration.

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Seamless Migration and Live Deployment

Ensure smooth migration with no disruptions to existing services, covering voice, data, and SMS.

Implement in-network cutover strategies for a phased transition.

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Live Testing for Network Resilience

Validate the Ericsson EPC Core’s performance and stability under live network conditions.

Ensure zero impact on live users during testing and provide real-time monitoring.

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International Roaming Testing

Ensure compatibility with global roaming standards, including seamless handover for international inbound and outbound roaming users.

Client Overview

The client, a top-tier Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in the United Kingdom, serves millions of customers across consumer, business, and corporate segments. Additionally, it offers services to Pay-As-You-Go customers and multiple MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). With growing demand and advancements in network technology, the client sought to upgrade its EPC (Evolved Packet Core) infrastructure from a Huawei EPC Packet Core to an Ericsson EPC Core to enhance network performance, reliability, and future scalability

What did this EPC Core migration involve?

Diverse Customer Base Coverage:

  • Validate EPC Core functionality across all customer types: consumer, business, corporate, Pay-As-You-Go, and MVNOs.

  • Include testing for corporate VPN, business-critical applications, and MVNO integration.

Seamless Migration and Live Deployment:

  • Ensure smooth migration with no disruptions to existing services, covering voice, data, and SMS.

  • Implement in-network cutover strategies for a phased transition.

Live Testing for Network Resilience:

  • Validate the Ericsson EPC Core’s performance and stability under live network conditions.

  • Ensure zero impact on live users during testing and provide real-time monitoring.

International Roaming Testing:

  • Ensure compatibility with global roaming standards, including seamless handover for international inbound and outbound roaming users

Our Solution

Service-Based Testing Framework for EPC Core

To meet these goals, we employed a Service-Based Testing Framework specifically customized for EPC Core replacement. This approach enabled comprehensive testing for both functional and operational resilience:

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End-to-End Functional Validation:

  • Designed extensive test cases covering mobile data services, session management, and handovers between 4G and 5G networks.

  • Conducted VoLTE, VoWiFi, and data sessions to confirm seamless transitions during live deployment.

Live Deployment Support and In-Network Cutover:

  • Provided a team of experienced engineers to support live deployment phases, minimising risk during cutover activities.

  • Implemented robust monitoring systems to track live traffic, ensuring zero disruption and enabling rollback if necessary.

International Roaming Testing:

  • Collaborated with global partners to execute inbound and outbound roaming tests, focusing on handover and signalling protocols.

  • Tested compatibility across 3GPP standards, ensuring uninterrupted service for roaming customers.

Customer Segmentation Testing:

  • Performed specialized tests tailored for each customer segment:

    • Consumer & Business: Validated data, SMS, and voice services under typical consumer usage patterns.

    • Corporate: Validate data, SMS and Voice services. Conducted enterprise-level tests, ensuring secure data connectivity and VPN reliability.

    • Pay-As-You-Go and MVNOs: Validate data, SMS and Voice services. Validated billing, service continuity, and roaming integration for MVNO customers.

Automation-Driven Testing Suite:

  • Built an automation framework and specialised packet core testing tools to replicate real-world user loads and ensure system stability.

  • Automated regression and stress tests allowed rapid identification of potential issues, supporting faster release cycles.

Comprehensive Monitoring and Reporting:

  • Established a 24/7 monitoring system to track KPIs like data throughput, session establishment times, and call success rates.

  • Delivered real-time reporting and dashboards for the client’s operational and technical teams, ensuring transparency and timely decision-making.

Testing Methodology

Planning and Strategy

  • Conducted risk analysis and defined test strategies for functional, performance, and roaming tests.

  • Aligned testing timelines with deployment milestones to maintain sync with the migration roadmap.

Execution and Monitoring

  • Executed over 3700+ test cases across pre-deployment, live deployment, and post-deployment stages.

  • Performed continuous monitoring during each phase, allowing rapid detection and rectification of anomalies.

Collaboration with Client’s Technical Teams

  • Engaged with the client’s SPOC, PMs, and technical staff to ensure smooth coordination and immediate response to live testing needs

Results and Benefits

Our testing support resulted in a successful EPC migration with the following achievements:
 

  • Seamless Migration: Achieved a 99.99% network availability rate during the live deployment, ensuring minimal impact on end-users.

  • Enhanced Roaming Support: Improved international roaming handover time by 30%, resulting in uninterrupted service quality for inbound and outbound roamers.

  • Improved Service Quality: Reduced session setup times by 40% and achieved faster data throughput for corporate and business customers, enhancing user experience.

  • Efficient Cost Savings: Automation reduced regression testing time by 50%, enabling the client to maintain regular network updates at reduced operational costs.

  • Future Scalability: Validated the EPC’s readiness for 5G expansion and advanced services, providing a scalable and flexible core infrastructure

Conclusion

  • Our Service-Based Testing Framework and proactive collaboration with the client’s deployment team enabled a seamless EPC Core transition for this major UK MNO. By ensuring high-quality, uninterrupted service across consumer, business, and MVNO segments, our team delivered a resilient, high-performance network infrastructure primed for future growth and technological advancements.
     

  • This case study demonstrates our ability to manage complex network migrations, provide real-time testing support, and ensure network resilience and quality for a broad customer base.

A Leading UK Mobile Network Operator

Extensive Testing of EPC Core Replacement

This EPC Core migration was critical to maintaining high -quality service delivery and involved Diverse Customer Base Coverage, Seamless Migration and Live Deployment, Live Testing for Network Resilience, International Roaming Testing

Read Case Study

Major UK Fixed Line Operator

Delivering a Seamless and Reliable MVNO launch

UTH was entrusted with integration and end-to-end testing of User Migration, Service Assurance, Wholesale Billing, Online Charging and BSS and OSS Integration

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