The IR-box: A portable lab for roaming tests
International roaming-boxes (IR-boxes) are portable labs. Combined with the remotely accessible test automation software, telecom operators can perform roaming tests with them.
Intended for global network operators, we have developed an innovative, lean test automation solution for global roaming tests. This is important, because only a tested network makes sure that your offered connections work.
Our pioneering solution combines a special portable lab with test automation software. It enables you to test mobile to backend, easy-to-use software, global operation, diverse technologies, remote interaction, scalability, security, reporting, verification, a secure environment, and much more. Roaming testing with the IR-box makes sure that the world is within reach for any of your customers.
Our roaming service streamlines your operations and provides precise, comprehensive KPIs that directly reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.
Hardware enabling roaming tests
The IR-box (international roaming-box) is a further developed version of our successful portable lab, which is already on the market for telecom testing and IoT testing. Any portable lab offers the opportunity to position your test automation lab anywhere in the world.
In the same way, the IR-box revolutionizes roaming testing by enabling testers to remotely interact with the technology. The suite of devices is designed for unparalleled control and troubleshooting.
On the hardware side, we place various IR-boxes at previously defined locations globally. These boxes contain anything needed to run end- to-end tests: Remotely accessible hardware with preinstalled software which does the magic.
Using the IR-box, our service for international can cover test areas such as IR.24, IR.25, IR.32, IR.35, IR.38, IR.50, IR.60 and IR.81.
Video: Introducing the IR-box
In the following video, Can introduces the international roaming box.
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More InformationTranscript
Hello! This is Can from QiTASC. I would like to introduce our international roaming box. It is a wooden box with electronic equipment inside. Let me open it!
It has a front and a back. The front has some stickers on it, the back has no stickers. We have some additional equipment inside.
What do you see here?
In front, we have the phones, then we have a Linux computing element, a QiTASC Phone Hub, which is similar to a USB hub, a Raspberry Pi KVM, a router and a power strip that is remotely controllable and provides power to this equipment.
What do we do with that?
Let’s start with our computing infrastructure. To control the phones, do test automation and stream user interfaces, we have a computing element here – a Linux PC. We run our software on it.
Next, we have the Raspberry Pi KVM, which allows us to expose the monitor, keyboard and mouse of this box to anywhere in the world. So, if you’re in Germany and the box is in the UK, you can remotely see the monitor of this device.
Then we have the QiTASC Phone Hub version 3, which provides audio capabilities. It contains Bluetooth cards, allowing us to connect to the mobile devices via Bluetooth.
We have a cable connection to the USB connector, allowing us to control the devices fully automatically. We also control the power supplied to the phones.
We can emulate a real-time scenario where we power them down – controlled by this system –and once the battery level drops to 20%, the system will automatically power them up and begin recharging.
With this environment, we can run any kind of testing services and any kind of test cases.
One big advantage is – because if these phones are abroad we cannot insert SIM cards because we work with different customers – so we use a SIM array integration.
You see the brown cables here, which connect to where we would normally place SIM cards. They look exactly like SIM cards. These cables connect to a small electronic component, which is connected to our SIM array via the internet.
The SIM cards in this box are in Germany. We can push the SIM information via the internet into this electronic box behind the phone, and from there it is transmitted via cable to the front. So the phone believes there is a SIM card inside.
We can switch SIM cards easily. If, for instance, we have a Vodafone SIM card, we can send the Vodafone SIM information to this here, and from there it is transmitted via cable to the front. The phone reboots and is fully functional with the Vodafone SIM card.
After five minutes, we want to switch to an A1 SIM card from Austria. We follow the same procedure: We push the A1 SIM information, the phone reboots, and it recognizes the A1 SIM card. This allows us to switch SIM cards.
With this setup, we can call from Vodafone to A1, we can call from here to a local number, perform IVR testing, do voicemail testing and run any kind of test. We can also do data sessions, we can open WhatsApp and send messages, we can send SMS and browse the internet.
All of these scenarios will be accessible to anyone around the world via this box.
Thanks a lot! Have a good day!
Interested in more? Visit us online! www.qitasc.com
Software: intaQt framework and tools
To run the IR-box, we use our remotely accessible test automation software intaQt. It is supported by additional software tools to offer the full experience of end-to- end test automation.
To name just a few:
- It includes a smart resource manager and scheduler called sQedule, combined with a web-UI with easy secure (2FA) access and test case management.
- A tool named restriQt offers centralized user roles and responsibilities management.
- Test reports are maintained by conQlude.
- Advanced, automated verifications for CDR & trace verification are handled by cheQ and cdr-linQ.
For the QiTASC-team using intaQt, it is easy to manage our equipment remotely. In day to day-worklive we switch devices on or off, power equipment up or down, or do audio recording without manual interaction. This advantage is also used for roaming testing.
Benefits
Advenced roaming testing service
We empower your network with precision and agility using our comprehensive roaming testing services. They ensure that every interaction is flawless and every connection seamless. We tailor your tests effortlessly across diverse projects and ensure every critical mobile feature is thoroughly evaluated: from voice calls, SMS/MMS, and USSD to data, apps, and telco services.
Remote defect diagnosis
When issues arise, our instant testing capabilities allow for swift defect resolution by remotely diagnosing device behaviour in real time.
AI verification
Plus, our AI-powered rule generation meticulously verifies all basic protocols, including 3GPP, ETSI, and RFCs. It ensures your services are not only compliant but also leading-edge.
Dashboard visualization
Beyond automated testing, our solution offers dashboarding capabilities. This makes it easier for you to keep a watchful eye on your network‘s performance.
Hardware to allow global testing
Innovative hardware that complements our testing software. It enables us to develop products such as the QiTASC box to place small but effective testing labs all over the world.
KPI provided
Our advanced KPI collection integrates seamlessly to provide you with actionable insights. To do this, it sources data directly from the mobile devices, applications, and even during fundamental RAN communications.
Fast development of individual solutions
Our size and mentality mean QiTASC can implement customer specifications quickly. This applies to both strategical and operational decisions.
Simple usage
With our solution, you‘ll experience the perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication, enabling you to streamline your testing procedures while achieving robust and reliable results.
Conclusion:
Stable and affordable international roaming testing
As experts in end-to-end test automation, the step towards roaming tests was a matter of time. Our roaming service empower any telecom network with tools and capabilities needed to maintain an international high-quality standard, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and stay ahead of the competition. With our belief that simplicity should never compromise the quality of results, you will discover how easy it is to achieve powerful testing outcomes.
T. Lammert, project manager Vodafone Germany:
”Using QiTASC‘s test automation services has revolutionized how we manage our international roaming tests, significantly enhancing our service quality.”
Choosing the IR-box, you receive an all-in-one solution that consists of modular software, remotely controllable hardware, AI, worldwide locations, and expert knowledge. With it, network operators can control and monitor their network from our centralized setup, using a single, user- friendly interface only.
