Distributed core mobile network in a software for highly resilient telecommunications

Project Information

MeshFlow

Grant agreement ID: 816607

DOI

10.3030/816607

Project closed

EC signature date 7 May 2018

Start date 1 June 2018

End date 30 September 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

CORE NETWORK DYNAMICS GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MeshFlow (Distributed core mobile network in a software for highly resilient telecommunications)

Reporting period: 2018-06-01 to 2018-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

MeshFlow is a distributed telecommunications network, where each node is an autonomous core mobile network, and can freely move. Smartphones, tablets, desktops can connect to any of this moving node via a radio access layer (2G, 3G, LTE base station, Wi-Fi, etc.) for voice and data services. MeshFlow solution is very versatile, the “node” can be placed in various type of objects, for instance in buildings, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, or ad-hoc hardware that can be carried out in a backpack. MeshFlow, which is based on OpenEPC, comes as a solution where high resilience of the telecommunication is a priority, and in particular as a solution to establish a communication network in case of natural disasters, public security attack or any other scenario where the traditional communication infrastructure is not available or cannot be accessible.
The technical and business viability was confirmed during Phase 1. Further steps to develop the technology will be decided later and most probably will involve own financing means. Therefore, the Phase 2 of the Horizon 2020 grant scheme is not considered at the moment

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During Phase 1, CND performed a technical and business feasibility assessment on MeshFlow. It compared the concept of the technology to other network types and means, as well as known competing solutions in the area of mesh topology, to able to distinguish MeshFlow from current state of art.
Also, the challenges and problems that could be addressed by MeshFlow were analysed in more deptst to confirm the clear business need and case. The need to replace old TETRA systems and the emergence of IoT accelerates the startup of novel technologies in the field of telecommunication, which are more resilient, provide platform for new audio/video/VR applications and present lower TCO.
CND prepared a draft product development plan, to assess the resources needed and its costs. The direct cost of the pure product development over 2 years is estimated around €1.18M. An additional 25% of indirect cost will be needed. The total project cost would be then €1.478M.
Overall, Phase 1 provided time and resources to research the market, and better understand the use cases of the technology. CND performed a market research by own means to scout OEM distributors and integrators who have outreach to the public safety and security and defense market. Based on the potential market size in 2020, and the assumption that most of the sales will happen in the civil segment, we project at least a €125 million annual sales opportunity. The socio-economic impact of MeshFlow is also important. Our society is under threat by criminalism and terrorism and is challenged by natural disasters and migration crisis. Meshflow provides a solution platform for public safety organizations (police, ambulance and fire brigade), civil protection and disaster response organizations (governmental or NGOs) and the military, to address these needs.
During Phase 1, in August 2018, CND has been acquired by Twilio, inc, a U.S.-based public company focused on cloud communications software. Core Network Dynamics GmbH is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Twilio and will from now on focus on providing cloud-based and hosted communication services based on OpenEPC.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

MeshFlow is highly innovative in comparison to the existing solution on the basis of relevant features and costs. The table below summarize the key value proposition and compare the advantages of MeshFlow to the state-of-art in Europe: MeshFlow will close the current digital gap of the critical communication compared to the traditional communication.
During 2005-2014, more than 700.000 people died in natural disasters, 1.7 billion people were affected, and €1.3 trillion damage was caused. Disaster response worldwide and on EU level needs to improve, so that more life can be saved, and quicker recovery can be achieved. Unfortunately, terrorist attacks on public places, and against urban and critical infrastructures including telecommunications networks, became part of the daily life in Europe and in the U.S. The European Commission urges the prevention and preparedness efforts of participating states, focusing on improving the quality of and accessibility to disaster information and encouraging research to promote disaster resilience and response effectiveness (Communication − The EU Approach to Resilience). MeshFlow is a highly resilient solution that can replace today`s telecommunications networks, which are highly vulnerable and clunky.

MeshFlow concept