#1: Transformation to 5G
This will be the year where we will see the first large scale deployments of the 5G Core networks, following earlier 5G Radio network deployments. While most operators are still in the assessment phase of 5G, several of the larger operators will be finalizing their choice and start deploying 5G Core network functions. Many operators will in the first instance choose single-vendor 5G Core network solutions, rather than the best-of-breed. Nevertheless, the scale of the challenge is such that many of these solutions are complemented with products of different specialist vendors. In 2020, BroadForward will deliver various 5G NG Core elements including SEPP, SCP, BSF, EIR and 4G-5G interworking.
#2: Rationalization to the foreground
Steven Van Zanen,
Head of Product Management
and Marketing,
BroadForward
The trend of rationalization will further accelerate as operators turn their sights on 5G. In the case of operators with multi-technology networks, there has been a growing interest for converged software solutions. We expect investment in silo legacy systems to decrease, as demand for multi-functional platforms will increase. Such single engine signalling solutions (e.g. STP-DSC-SCP/SEPP in-one) reduce the complexity and provide a single user interface for configuring, managing, operating and reporting of all traffic regardless of the access network. Additionally, operators will demand a single license pool regardless of the access technology so they can dynamically switch traffic across technologies. Another factor that contributes to the convergence trend is the increase and fundamental change of security threats. The enormous growth of devices, coupled with fraud across different access networks, has already led to a notable rise of regulator involvement in RFPs for multi-technology Equipment Identity Register (EIR) based device authentication. At the same time we see an increased interest of operators globally in all-in-one signaling firewalls which can operate centrally across 2G, 3G, 4G and later 5G networks.
#3: 5G Core
We have seen a steady increase in interest from operators and network vendors for the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Service Communication Proxy (SCP) and Binding Support Function (BSF). The SEPP is not only required to enable interconnections between 5G networks – but also to ensure end-to-end signaling security. IPX providers are looking into this with special interest, keen to be fast-to-market as 5G roaming providers, while discovering their role in the new setup of 5G interconnect with end-to-end security. The SCP is intended as a signaling ‘traffic cop’ ensuring service continuity within the 5G Service Based Architecture (SBA). In the case of larger deployments the Binding Support Function will be needed for managing session binding information in large-scale 5G Core networks with multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs). For all these elements we will see additional requirements emerge for interworking with legacy networks.
