

In my earlier two blogs about MORAN (Multi Operator Radio Access Network) and ICR (Intra Circle Roaming) we have discussed about how MORAN and ICR can be used for coverage expansion.
Both technologies are used for sharing of network between two operators.
There is always a seeker and a provider network.
For the seeker operator the ICR or MORAN sites are new sites for their network.
If both technologies can be used for coverage expansion then why we use MORAN in some cases and ICR in some other cases.
There are some major differences we found when we implement these technologies practically.
For theoretical concept you please go through my earlier two blogs of MORAN and ICR-Intra Circle Roaming.
MORAN and MRO:
One major criterion when we use MORAN instead of ICR is Minimum Roll Out Obligation (MRO).
MRO is Minimum Roll out obligation that is set by DoT (Department of Telecommunications).
When an operator gets operating licence for a particular frequency band, e.g. 1800 MHz band there is an obligation set by Government that the Operator has to do roll out (site roll out and provide network services) in District Headquarters (DHQ) and BlockHead Quarters (BHQ).
This roll out obligation is separated in phases and in each phase number of DHQ or BHQ to be covered is different.
E.g. 1st phase of DHQ roll out obligation required 10% coverage of total DHQs.
Suppose in a circle there are 33 districts, then to meet 10% DHQ roll out obligation an operator has to complete services in 4 DHQs.
10% of 33 DHQs is 3.3. We can’t do 3, instead we have to complete 4 District Head Quarters.
Minimum Roll Out Obligation (MRO) itself is a huge topic. I shall discuss this topic separately.
For now we understood that after getting License Telecom Operator has to complete minimum roll out in some areas as per DoT (Department of Telecommunications) guidelines.
In the end final testing for Quality check of coverage of network of the operator in District Head Quarter (DHQ) or Block Head Quarter (BHQ) is conducted by TERM Cell (Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring).
During testing TERM Cell representative check the received signal in Drive Test tool.
In drive test tool it shows through which ARFCN (Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) we are getting received signal.
ARFCN is directly related to frequency spectrum.
So if we want to complete MRO in a town/ DHQ/BHQ with the help of Network sharing from other Operator we must adopt MORAN (Multi Operator Radio Access Network) instead of ICR (Intra Circle Roaming).
In MORAN only, we use PLMN/ BCCH+TCH of the seeker network. But in ICR we use PLMN/ BCCH+TCH of Provider network only.
So during final testing of MRO it will clearly visible ARFCN/BCCH of the seeker network if we use MORAN.
But in ICR case, testing will be failed as it will show ARFCN/BCCH of provider network only.
This is one major noticeable point in MRO, where we must go for MORAN in lieu of ICR.
There are some basic noticeable differences between MORAN and ICR when we see practical implementation of these technologies.
Some points are tabulated below-

There are lot many differences during configuration and design of MORAN and ICR.
For more details you may please visit my other blogs on MORAN and ICR-Intra Circle Roaming.
So MORAN and ICR both can be used for coverage expansion based on different scenario.