What is network convergence and why do we need it?

Transcription

1 What is network convergence and why do we need it? Maria Cuevas IEEE Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting th June 2018

2 Contents Types of convergence What is network convergence Benefits to user experience Architectural vision Work in standards

3 Types of convergence Convergence is a broad topic, different forms of convergence leverage different assets across fixed and mobile domains. 1 Products & Services Service bundles Universal Parental Controls Pooled Data Service While-u-wait Converged Media Aggregating consumption of fixed and mobile services 2 Channels to Market Upsell in-situ Universal Loyalty Stores Combing the way we sell services to our customers 3 Customer Service Unified Contact Centres Single Portal Social Media An omni-channel approach to enhance customer experience 4 Platform Identity Management & Authentication Combined Analytics Location based insight Combined management and operations A unified platform architecture enabling services across multiple networks Converged Video Networks 5 Network 5G/FWA SDN+NFV Hybrid Routers Converged Software CDN Seamless user experience and network optimisation - use of best available network

4 What is network convergence. and what can it offer to end users and operators? Seamless User Experience Network optimisation Best possible customer experience Single set of identities and credentials Consistent policies and services Best available network for bandwidth and latency Seamless mobility Simultaneous or alternative access to fixed and/or mobile depending on user needs Best use of networks Improved reliability Asset reuse Simplified OSS New service and revenue opportunities Mobile access (4G, 5G, macro, small cell) Converged Core Single 5G core to manage fixed and mobile access Operator Services Private Services Customer Domain No human intervention to move between access networks Local Services Fixed access: Broadband, superfast, ultrafast PCP FTTC Back/front-haul Aggregation Tx Consistent user experience/access to all services regardless of access network Core Tx Internet Public (Internet) Services

5 Converged use cases Hybrid Broadband Bandwidth boost Failover Fast provisioning Symmetric Bandwidth Multi-connected Broadband Consistent user experience Bandwidth boost Failover Symmetric Bandwidth Multi-access private network Unified set of identities Consistent set of policies Single service set Access to Intranet / LAN Seamless mobility

6 BT Nokia Bell Labs Research Proof of Concept: best available user experience Multi-connected Broadband Access throughput measured at the core multi-path proxy

7 However, not every service requires convergence cost effectiveness is key A fully converged 5G architecture needs to be modular and flexible From 4G centric with separate infrastructures. Service extension across fixed and mobile complex To 5G centric with common infrastructures Reduced costs Service extension across fixed and mobile easy Enables development new converged services

8 BroadBand Forum - co-existence, interworking and integration models Figure 7-1. Wireline Access with a Converged Core network Source: SD-407 5G Fixed Mobile Convergence Study Broadband Forum

9 BroadBand Forum - co-existence, interworking and integration models 5G Core 5G operator can deliver wireline services over a wholesale wireline network Wireline AN Interworking FMIF Fixed Mobile Interworking Function RG Residential Gateway remains unchanged (no 5G support) Figure 7-1. Wireline Access with a Converged Core network Wireline Core Network Source: SD-407 5G Fixed Mobile Convergence Study Broadband Forum Subscription management, Authentication, IP management performed by the Wireline Core

10 BroadBand Forum - co-existence, interworking and integration models The 5G Core performs all core network functions (authentication, session management, subscriber management etc.) (no separate wireline core required) NG RAN 5G Core 5G RG Wireline AN 5G AGF 5G Access Gateway Function End Points must be 5G-capable Figure 7-1. Wireline Access with a Converged Core network Source: SD-407 5G Fixed Mobile Convergence Study Broadband Forum

11 BroadBand Forum - co-existence, interworking and integration models Co-existence Figure 7-1. Wireline Access with a Converged Core network Source: SD-407 5G Fixed Mobile Convergence Study Broadband Forum Multiple models can be deployed by the same operator, including simultaneous support of multiple models on a single customer premise

12 3GPP trusted and untrusted non-3gpp access integration models Release 15 TS System Architecture for the 5G System; Stage 2 3GPP Access N2 N3 AMF N2 N11 SMF N4 Non-3GPP InterWorking Function N1 N3IWF N3 UPF N6 Data Network HPLMN N1 NWu Y2 Non-3GPP Networks UE Y1 Untrusted Non- 3GPP Access Tunnelling is typically established between UE and 5G Core (N3IWF) over the untrusted network Untrusted = Does not require integration, partnership or awareness between the wireline and wireless access networks

13 3GPP trusted and untrusted non-3gpp access integration models Release 16 TR Study on the Wireless and Wireline Convergence for the 5G system architecture NSSF NEF NRF Nnssf Nnef Nnrf Nausf Namf Nsmf PCF Npcf UDM Nudm AF Naf 3GPP Access N2 AMF N11 SMF AUSF AMF SMF N1 N3 N2 N4 3GPP UE 5G-RG N1 N1 Wireline AN W-5GAN N2 N2 Fixed Access FAGF Gateway Function N3 N3 N4 UPF N6 DN UE NWt Yt Trusted Non-3GPP Access Point TNAP N1 Trusted non- Trusted 3GPP Non-3GPP Gateway Function function TNGF N3 UPF N6 Data Network NG RAN NOTE: an equivalent architectural solution to the BBF s interworking model (using FMIF) is also within scope of this 3GPP study item but solutions are yet to be proposed Trusted Non-3GPP Access Network (TNAN) Work in Progress : similar approach to BBF s integration model (5G AGF) no need for a separate wireline and wireless core, the 5G core performs all functions for all access types.

14 3GPP Access Traffic Splitting, Steering and Switching Release 16 - TR Study on Access Traffic Steering, Switch and Splitting support in the 5G system architecture NOTE: ATSSS support for trusted non-3gpp access is expected to be supported once trusted non-3gpp access is fully specified. AUSF N12 N13 N8 AT3S UDR-AT3SF UDM N10 N25 Associated Control Plane functions 3GPP Access N1 N3 N2 N1 AMF N2 N3IWF NWu Y2 N11 N14 AT3S CP-AT3SF SMF N15 N3 N7 PCF N4 UPc-AT3SF AT3S UPu-AT3SF UPF N9 AT3S PC-AT3SF N5 N6 AF Handling User Plane traffic Data Network AT3S UE-AT3SF UE Y1 Untrusted Non- 3GPP Access Steering: selects an access network for a new data flow and transfers the traffic of this data flow over the selected access network. Switching: moves all traffic of an ongoing data flow from one access network to another access network in a way that maintains the continuity of the data flow. Device support Splitting: splits the traffic of a data flow across multiple access networks. When traffic splitting is applied to a data flow, some traffic of the data flow is transferred via one access and some other traffic of the same data flow is transferred via another access.

15 Architectural Target: a fully modular and flexible deployment model AT3S AT3S

16 Summary and Conclusions 5G presents an opportunity for industry to define a flexible and modular architecture allowing network providers to operate and manage a single 5G core network supporting all access types (= network convergence). Network Convergence has to be economically viable, not just an architectural dream cost optimisation is key. Current reality is that : the current cost-base of fixed and mobile networks is radically different not all services need or benefit from convergence Hence, the 5G architecture should enable operators to deploy a single 5G core network including: Fully converged Fixed-only and, Mobile-only network slices. The 5G architecture needs to offer enough flexibility for operators to define their own migration path, maximising their ability to offer new services whilst maintaining cost effectiveness. It is key that the BroadBand Forum and 3GPP (amongst others) work together to achieve this vision.

17 Thank you Maria Cuevas