Network sharing is emerging as a mechanism for operators to substantially and sustainable improve network costs and to efficiently utilize network capacity. The traditional model of single ownership of all network layers and elements is being challenged and more and more operators are adopting network sharing as a means of cutting the heavy costs involved in initial roll-out, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX). In general, increasing number of operators are sharing their mobile networks. Main arguments presented are:

• Increased rollout speed;
• Quickly expand coverage to meet customer demand for wider coverage;
• Sharing low-traffic areas gains long-term cost advantage;
• Sharing high-license burdens;
• Cost efficiency (CAPEX and OPEX);
• Joint effort to offer availability of services at more affordable price.

Network sharing has some major implications on the operations of the network. Alignment on operational priorities, common network planning/evolution strategy, sharing end-user data/subscriber data, sharing performance data, alarms etc. in the shared network need to be considered carefully. Privacy, security and competitive information are also important for the operations of a shared network.

The present document is aimed at addressing the operational implications of network sharing. There are a wide variety of deployment scenarios for network sharing. Scenarios identified in TS 23.251 and TR 22.951 are taken into consideration to identify OAM impacts. 3GPP TS 23.251 "Network sharing; Architecture and functional description" specifies the stage 2 descriptions which are also considered to address OAM aspects. NGCOR defined RAN sharing requirements are taken into account as input for this study.