Network Sharing
The LTE architecture enables service providers to reduce the cost of owning and operating the network by allowing the service providers to have separate CN (MME, SGW, PDN GW) while the E-UTRAN (eNBs) is jointly shared by them. This is enabled by the S1-flex mechanism by enabling each eNB to be connected to multiple CN entities. When a UE attaches to the network, it is connected to the appropriate CN entities based on the identity of the service provider sent by the UE.
