Open 5G Beta

JANUARY 2021 www.open5G.live

Produced by

Open5G: Why Open is the Key to 5G

in Collaboration with

Table of Contents 3

14

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS OPEN RAN?

4

17

WHAT IS 5G?

7

A VIRTUAL OVERVIEW

10

WHAT DOES ‘OPEN’ MEAN?

12

OPEN RAN POLICY STATEMENT

WHAT ARE DATA CENTERS?

19

WHAT DOES CLOUD NATIVE MEAN?

21

WHAT ARE CONTAINERS?

23

WHAT ARE MICROSERVICES?

2 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

SPONSOR ARTICLES 26 AIRSPAN 30 ALTIOSTAR 31 AMDOCS 35 COMMSCOPE 39 INTEL 44 MAVENIR 50 NOKIA 54 ROBIN.IO 55 SYNIVERSE

Introduction 5G networks are more complex to deploy and operate than their 4G LTE predecessors due to a number of factors. On top of the more complex radio and core architectures, 5G networks are also being deployed in virtualized environments. And there is an increasing focus on open interfaces between the key components in the 5G architecture, allowing mobile operators to combine components from multiple vendors into a single deployment.

It is important to understand that 5G does not require virtualization in order to be deployed; likewise, 5G does not need open interfaces; and ‘virtualization’ and ‘open’ are not synonymous with each other. But all of these trends are impacting the mobile industry at the same time, resulting in a perfect storm of disruption, innovation and change.

The move to virtualized deployments started with 4G LTE — it is now accelerating. The Open RAN movement also started with 4G LTE but is starting to peak with 5G deployments. So, just as the major mobile operators, and new greenfield entrants, are deploying significant 5G networks, new options are available to them.

An added disruption comes from the enterprise 5G deployments — enterprises are now deploying their own mobile networks to support a wide variety of applications across all vertical industries. With the advent of new spectrum such as CBRS in the U.S., enterprises and organizations have access to spectrum allowing them to deploy and operate 4G LTE and 5G networks without the involvement of a mobile operator.

This eBook explores the concepts and technologies driving the transition in mobile networks from closed to open and from intertwined hardware/

Iain Gillott President, iGR iain@iGR-Inc.com

3 |

software products to virtual services that run on commercial off the shelf computing equipment.

Interviews with leading executives covering the major issues, benefits and opportunities for the industry are included from Amdocs, CommScope, Intel, Mavenir, Nokia and Syniverse. And these leading vendors also cover a range of subjects in the accompanying articles.

2021 will be a big year for Open 5G networks, technologies, ecosystems and architectures. We will keep this eBook updated throughout the year.

And we welcome any questions — do not hesitate to contact us.

The 2030 Project LLC is a collaboration of SmartGig Media and iGR, wireless industry veterans whose focus is the application of next generation digital infrastructure to enterprise audiences, industry sectors and individual organizations..

Our programs (conferences, E-Books, webinars and technology exhibitions) are designed to bring together technology solution suppliers with enterprise decision makers: CTOs, CIOs, and IT executives, and their integration partners to understand new opportunities in wireless, 5G, edge computing and next generation digital infrastructure.

Tim Downs President, SmartGig Media tdowns@smartgigmedia.com

What Is

5G?

5G networks are the next step forward in mobile/cellular networks and are, obviously, the next evolution from 4G LTE networks. 5G networks are characterized by very high downlink (and uplink) speeds, low latency, a flat network architecture with split control and user planes, and a services-oriented focus.

5G networks will gradually begin to leverage a bevy of new technologies: fronthaul, cloud RAN, virtualization (NFV), software defined networking (SDN), multi-access edge computing (MEC), Massive MIMO, etc. 5G networks do not require Open RAN or O-RAN architectures to function.

Most initial 5G networks use a mix of low and high band spectrum — the former for coverage, the latter for capacity.

The 3GPP has standardized 5G in two releases:

Release 15 (Rel-15): Finalized in June 2019, Rel-15 introduced the new air interface (that is still OFDM-based) called New Radio (NR). There are two versions of NR: Non standalone and Standalone.

The former si mply means that 5G NR NSA relies on the LTE EPC for control plane functions.

Release 16 (Rel-16): This is Phase Two of 5G. It was finalized in July 2020.

Rel-16 focuses on massive machine type communications (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC).

4 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

There are three initial use cases for 5G: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), mMTC and URLLC. Some of the expected initial improvements in live Rel-15 networks include:

URLLC 5G NR introduces multiple

Spectral efficiency: 3x improvement over values set for LTE IMT-Advanced

User plane latency (one way) of 4 ms in eMBB but 1 ms in URLLC (Rel-16)

Peak data rates: 20 Gbps on downlink; 10 Gbps on uplink Lower power consumption in networks and terminals Lower latency: One-way user plane latency is expected to be 4ms for eMBB (for URLLC the target latency is 1 ms).

Control plane latency: the 3GPP targeted 10 ms with a minimum requirement of 20 ms. This refers to a device going from idle to transmitting packets.

eMBB Initially, eMBB will be enabled

via the interworking of 5G NR Non standalone (NSA) and the 4G LTE network. This is also known as Option 3/a/x or colloquially as MultiRAT Dual Connectivity (or MR-DC or DC for short) because the user device is connected to both LTE and 5G NR at the same time.

Dual Connectivity relies on the 4G LTE core for signaling while the 5G portion of the solution, typically deployed in the mmWave bands, will deliver the high throughputs mentioned above.

The actual implementation of this solution is complex and can involve the use of Massive MIMO antennas although it appears that both AT&T and Verizon are currently using 4x4 MIMO in 39 GHz and 28 GHz, respectively, for their 5G deployments. Sprint/T-Mobile has said it is using 64T64R antennas in a portion of its 2.5 GHz holdings as it deploys 5G in that band.

5 |

physical layer changes that will enable 5G networks to deliver URLLC which is defined by the 3GPP standards in two main ways:

Control plane latency of 20 ms (although 10 ms is encouraged); this is from the device idle state to the start of continuous data transfer (at which point the user plane latency target would kick in).

Reliability is defined in several ways: Capability of transmitting a certain amount of data within a time duration with high probability of success Reliability per node and control channel reliability Availability: Five “9s” probability that a given service is available (has coverage).

Note that both the 3GPP and the ITU define latency as being over the 5G radio network while end to end latency (from device to media server, as an example) could potentially be much higher and dependent on many factors outside of the mobile network operator’s control.

mMTC Officially, massive machine type communication is defined in terms of connection density:

4G LTE-Advanced: approximately 60k devices/km2 (this is Narrow Band (NB) – IoT) 5G: one million devices/km2 (or one device/ m2) for urban environments. And, terminals are required to operate for 10 to 15 years without changing or charging of batteries.

In iGR’s opinion, mMTC is largely a continuation of NB-IoT and LTE-M and will continue happening gradually – i.e., less a sudden shift and more a slow creep of machines talking to each other over the next five to ten years.

Note that “machines” include everything from smart thermostats and smart watches, smart manufacturing and smart cities to connected vehicles and autonomous driving.

5G Services and Use Cases

There are multiple examples of 5G-based services and use cases, such as:

Fixed wireless access services to a home or business. The potential is to replace the traditional wired broadband connection (DSL, cable modem, fiber, etc.) to a location and provide competing services. At the time of this writing, it appears that both mmWave and CBRS are good candidates for providing FWA.

Connected car, autonomous driving, and automotive, more generally, with vehicular internet/infotainment, pre-crash sensing and mitigation, cooperative vehicles, and inter-vehicle information exchange. This also includes the ability for the auto manufacturers and dealers to connect to and monitor the car.

Multi-person (cellular) video calls.

High speed Internet access from a wide range of devices.

Mobile video delivery, including streaming on demand and support for 4K and 8K HD formats.

Gaming with extreme video and virtual reality, including 4K and 8K video.

One other central promise of 5G networks is the implementation of a new technique called network slicing in which it becomes possible to dynamically (and perhaps automatically) divvy the network up into service-specific, end to end slices each with its own QoS and KPIs. In iGR’s opinion, the industry is a long way away from being able to do this in mobile/5G networks let alone also “stretch” the slices across wired networks and not just the 5G RAN. n

6 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

A Virtual Overview

I

n cellular, the term virtualization is typically heard in the context of network function virtualization (NFV). This is the process of taking existing network functions that were built in hardware and software and virtualizing them so that those network functions can run independently of the hardware.

Sometimes the acronym is flipped around as virtual network functions (VNFs) to refer to the functions themselves. And, sometimes the end result is referred to as network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI).

That product is the ultimate goal of what many mobile operators and others have been working toward – a cellular (core) network that runs VNFs on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. Note that in the cellular world NFVI means a little more than what “virtualization” means in IT.

7 |

In IT, virtualization refers to software that creates an abstraction layer (software) that allows a computer (processors, memory, storage and potentially other hardware components), to be divided into multiple virtual machines (VMs). Each VM runs its own operating system (OS) and runs a single application. This is typically what is meant by server virtualization.

This approach does several things.

First, it avoids the risk of running multiple applications on the same, non-virtualized OS and server hardware. If there are five missioncritical apps, then if one crashes it could destabilize the other applications on that non-virtualized server. One solution to this

problem is to run all the various applications on different servers, one per server. But this creates inefficiencies since each app might only consume a fraction of that server’s capabilities. It also requires more five servers, which means more physical space, cooling, cables, more points of failure, more time spent managing the servers and the applications on those servers. Scaling the deployment up would mean additional dedicated servers.

Virtualization allows IT staff to split the difference. In this example, assume that the single server could run five VMs — i.e., five “bundles” of an OS plus applications (this is not the same as containers). If one app in one VM fails, then it is unlikely to affect the other instances.

8 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

From the computing hardware owner’s and/or the service provider’s perspective, virtualization offers several benefits including improved hardware efficiency, lower service downtime, easier and more automated software and policy management, and the faster provisioning of services. These latter two benefits are not delivered by VMs themselves, but by management software (beyond the hypervisors) that enables IT staffers to automate tasks and integrate them into existing workflows.

With the introduction of multiple VMs onto a server comes a new software layer called the hypervisor. The hypervisor is the interface between the VMs and ensures that the five VMs, in this example, have the physical resources (compute, storage, etc.) they need to operate and that they do not interfere with each other. There are two types of hypervisors.

Type 1 or “bare metal” hypervisors replace the traditional OS and interact directly with the hardware resources.

A Type 2 hypervisor runs as applications on top of an existing OS.

9 |

Other types of IT infrastructure can be virtualized — desktop, network, storage, applications, CPUs and GPUs. A combination of many of these different types of virtualization is what has helped drive the cloud computing model.

Cloud computing allows a data center, through virtualization, to offer different types of services. Perhaps the most well-known category is software-as-a-service (SaaS) in which a software application (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) is based “in the cloud” and accessed, typically, through a Web browser.

Other services include infrastructure as a service (IaaS) which provides virtualized server, storage and network resources; and Platform as a Service (PaaS) which provides virtualized development tools, etc., that allow customers to build their own cloud-based applications and services. n

What Does “Open” Mean?

In its most general sense, the word “open” refers to the intentional capability of software, hardware and/or interfaces to comply with an agreed upon standard so that equipment/software from multiple vendors all works together and can be interchanged.

Often, open is used in the context of standards. But standards can also be closed – a.k.a., proprietary. An open standard is one that is not completely controlled by a single vendor; many vendors participate in the creation of a standard with which everyone agrees. Closed (or proprietary) standards are specifications for hardware or software that are controlled by one company.

According to opensource.org, the concept goes beyond the above.

That organization states that: Open source software is software that can be freely accessed, used, changed, and shared (in modified or unmodified form) by anyone.

“Open hardware” or “open source hardware” refers to the design specifications of a physical object which are licensed in such a way that said object can be studied, modified, created, and distributed by anyone.

Open interfaces: A public standard for connecting hardware to hardware and software to software.

With regard to hardware, open interfaces imply that there is more than one brand of product that can be hooked up to the device with the open interface. For example, a SIM card made by any company will work in any SIM slot and a USB drive made by any company will work in any USB slot. In the case of software, open interfaces imply that more than one application (from different companies) can interface with the application that has the open interface. Put another way, the companies develop software that complies with the interface. Then, the software can communicate across that interface to other applications that comply with that interface.

Note that neither the hardware nor the software on either side of the open interface must necessarily be open. That is, those systems could be proprietary/closed but use an open interface to communicate.

So, what is an interface?

10 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

In computing, to paraphrase similar language on various Web site, an interface is typically defined as a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a computer system exchange information. The exchange can be between software, computer hardware, peripheral devices, humans or some combination thereof.

In cellular, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) are referred to as the “air interfaces” because they are the physical (radio) link between the base station and the user equipment. These air interfaces are themselves examples of “open” standards in that they are developed and agreed upon by multinational bodies comprised of representatives of the wireless/cellular industry. Namely, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). (LTE is also referred to as “Fourth Generation” or 4G while NR is “Fifth Generation” or 5G.) The 3GPP is the engineering organization that developed the LTE technical specification and 5G New Radio. To skip over all of the intermediate effort, the 3GPP’s specifications are organized into Releases.

Release 15, for example, is the first phase of 5G NR while Release 16 (Rel-16) is the second phase of 5G NR. When each release is finalized, the 3GPP designates it as “frozen.” This means that all of the features in that release are ready for implementation and that anyone with the wherewithal can build a cellular system based on the given set of frozen specifications. The 3GPP’s specifications detail what to build not how to build it. So, an equipment vendor is free to make their solution completely closed, completely open or somewhere in between.

11 |

To date, the vast majority of cellular networks in operation today used closed/proprietary hardware and software produced by a small number of vendors. These networks have functioned well, but cellular/telecom networks now stand to benefit from the rapid advances in IT over the past twenty years.

As part of that effort, the 3GPP created a Service Based Architecture (SBA) for 5G that defines the core network components as a set of interconnected (virtual) Network Functions (the functions do not have to be virtual). In fact, a 5G network could be built in exactly the same way as the LTE network it will (eventually) replace — i.e., proprietary hardware/software running on equipment that is essentially custom-built.

However, the IT and data center worlds have pioneered multiple technologies and implementation strategies that can be leveraged by the cellular/telecom world to, ideally, lower costs, speed-up deployment times and enable companies to innovate on the delivery of cellular service.

This ebook explores the concepts and technologies driving the transition in cellular networks from closed to open and from intertwined hardware/software products to virtual services that run on commercial off the shelf computing equipment.

Some of the trends that will be covered include: virtualization, containers, microservices and cloud native. The goal of those sections is twofold: provide a high-level overview for those who might be unfamiliar with those terms and concepts while also painting the picture of what it means to say that 5G networks will be open. n

Open RAN Policy statement

S

ince our launch on May 5, 2020, the Open RAN Policy Coalition has sought to educate global policymakers on the “who, what and why” of open radio access networks—Open RAN. The unifying principle for our membership is the belief that by “opening” the protocols and interfaces between the various subcomponents (radios, hardware and software) in the RAN, we will move to an environment where networks can be deployed with a more modular design, and without being dependent upon a single vendor.

We believe that open interfaces will help ensure interoperability across different players in the ecosystem and lower the barrier to entry for new innovators.

In order to promote this technological evolution and accelerate a stable, sustainable, and successful transition, the Coalition promotes initiatives and policy priorities that (1) support new and existing technology suppliers, as well as small and large network operators, offering open and interoperable RAN solutions as well as integration of those open

12 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

components, (2) creating a competitive global ecosystem of diverse trusted suppliers and service providers, and (3) investing in, building and maintaining U.S. and technological allies’ leadership both in 5G and future wireless network development.

Of course, there are others working in this space to develop Open RAN standards and protocols. Our goal is to bring a policy-focused complement to what others are developing in terms of technical standards.

We believe that there are a variety of steps that policymakers can take to facilitate a vibrant marketplace of suppliers based upon open interfaces, including: Support global development of open and interoperable wireless technologies; Signal government support for open and interoperable solutions; Use government procurement to support vendor diversity; Fund research and development; Remove barriers to 5G deployment; and Avoid heavy-handed or prescriptive solutions.

The Coalition was pleased that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2021 included four important initiatives to help spur Open RAN deployment. The USA Telecommunications Act, which was incorporated into the NDAA, authorized the creation of the

Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund which seeks to award grants to “promote and deploy technology that will enhance competitiveness in 5G supply chains that use open and interoperable-interface RANs.� These funds will help accelerate the deployment of Open RAN technologies here in the United States while promoting system compatibility.

The Act also includes the Multilateral Telecommunications Security Fund which requires the State Department to establish a grant program to assist foreign partners in adopting secure and trusted technologies.

Beyond funding, the NDAA also requires the Department of Defense to undergo a demonstration project to evaluate virtualized and disaggregated radio access network technologies. This project will supply rigorously tested new options providers of advanced wireless networks.

Finally, the defense spending bill recognized the importance of leadership at global standards bodies by directing relevant U.S. agencies to enhance their participation.

Agencies will be required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing their progress towards this objective. By working collectively with standards bodies, industry and government stakeholders can shape a strong policy foundation and support the next generation technologies driving the 21st century economy. n

www.openranpolicy.org 13 |

What Is Open RAN? Fundamentally, the Open RAN concept is about building networks using equipment that separates the vendor-specific software and vendorspecific hardware associated with the vast majority of radio access network (RAN) equipment that is available today from a handful of cellular equipment vendors. Open RAN, then, uses RAN software on commercial, off-the-shelf hardware (COTS).

In this case, being “open” means that there are reference designs and standards for hardware and software such that there are open interfaces exposed such that Open RAN-compliant software/hardware from different vendors can work together. For example, an open remote radio head/unit (RRH/U) from Vendor A will be able to talk via open interfaces to software running on a COTS server with (virtualized) network functions from Vendor B. Today, there are many Open RAN-related work centers developing reference designs for hardware that can be used to run cellular telecom equipment. The purpose of the reference designs is to standardize the hardware so that any vendor (software or hardware) can build equipment that interoperates with all the other relevant parts of the cellular network.

The main goal is to keep the interfaces open, so that hardware and software will interoperate no matter which company creates it. (Note that the existence of open interfaces does not preclude the use of proprietary techniques deeper within the hardware/software solution.)

There are a great many moving parts in these standardization efforts, along with technical “showdowns” among different groups pushing different ideas that will become standards. Usually, support coalesces around a handful of these competing proposals and one becomes the standard. In the end, there is a diversity of approaches to implementing the given standards in reference designs.

The Open RAN ecosystem There are two main organizations driving Open RAN movement:

14 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

O-RAN Alliance Architecture

Source: O-RAN Alliance, 2019

CP: Control Pane MAC: Media Access Control MANO: Management And Orchestration NFVI: Network Functions Visualisation Infrastructure ONAP: Open Network Automation Platform PDCP: Packet Data Convergence Protocol

OpenRAN refers to the project group that is a part of the Telecom Infra Group (TIP). The main objective is the deployment of fully programmable RAN solutions based on GPPP/ COTS and disaggregated software so that operators and vendors can benefit from the flexibility and faster pace of innovation capable with software-driven development.

The O-RAN Alliance is the other main driver of the OpenRAN concept, especially the efforts to standardize interfaces, in addition to the TIP. Founded in 2018 by AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, NTT DOCOMO and Orange, the O-RAN Alliance’s goal is to foster the development of reference designs and

15 |

PHY: PHYsical Layer RAT: Radio Access Technology RF: Radio Frequency RLC: Radio Link Control RRC: Radio Resource Control SDAP: Service Data Adaptation Protocol UP: User Data Plane

standards such that current and future RANs can be built with “virtualized network elements, white-box hardware and standardized interfaces that fully embrace O-RAN’s core principles of intelligence and openness.” (Note: The O-RAN Alliance was created by merging the C-RAN Alliance and the xRAN Forum.)

The above graphic summarizes the components of the O-RAN Alliance’s reference architecture.

An important step in the development of the Open RAN ecosystem was an alliance agreement between the two organizations to ensure they were in alignment in developing

interoperable, disaggregated and Open RAN solutions. The new agreement allows the two groups to share information, reference specifications and conduct joint testing and integration efforts.

In addition, in April 2020, the Open RAN Policy Coalition was formed in Washington DC to “to promote policies that will advance the adoption of open and interoperable solutions in the Radio Access Network (RAN) as a means to create innovation, spur competition and expand the supply chain for advanced wireless technologies including 5G.� Membership includes a wide range of RAN vendors, systems integrators, and mobile operators.

Inherent in Open RAN is support for existing radio access networks in addition to 5G Nonstandalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) networks. There are many parts of the world where all of these various technology generations must be supported; Open RAN actually allows that to happen on the same infrastructure.

To achieve this goal, the Open RAN movement helps enable a broader and vibrant open ecosystem of complete solutions and solution components that take advantage of the latest capabilities of GPPs, both at a software level and also using readily available programmable offload mechanisms such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and open interfaces. n

16 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

What Are Data Centers?

A

data center is a physical facility that houses computing, networking and storage equipment. It also contains, to name a few, power supplies, electrical switches, backup generators, air conditioning and server cooling devices.

Compute resources are typically defined as the memory and processing power needed to run applications, operating systems, virtual machines, etc. These compute resources can be deployed as standalone server towers, as racks of servers or in a blade server.

A standalone server tower looks and functions, basically, like a standalone desktop computer. A rack server looks like those standalone towers turned on their sides and slotted into a rack. A blade server is different in

17 |

that the blades typically consist of processors, network controllers and memory, though some may have internal storage drives. These blades are slotted/plugged into a chassis.

Other components (switches, ports, power) are shared through the chassis. Each blade can be its own server or clustered together. Blade servers are also hot swappable.

Each type of server design has its pros and cons and use cases. The type of server used depends on the footprint and architecture that best suits an entity’s computing needs.

Data centers are more likely to use racks and/or blades while a small- to mediumenterprise (SME) with its own IT staff might use a standalone, on-premises server for its computing needs.

Data centers also feature heavy duty environmental control equipment. Optimal server operations require active cooling, excellent airflow and humidity control, along with sensors to monitor conditions. Other key issues include cable management, access to (scalable) electricity, and connectivity both within the data center and to the public Internet and/or a private network.

Wired and cellular networks share many similar features including the reliance upon physical sites – central offices, cell sites, roadside boxes, etc. – that are distributed across the carrier’s service area. The names of these physical sites and the equipment installed at them varies by the type of carrier (e.g., cellular, fixed wireless, fiber optic, HFC, DSL). The point is that these sites have much of what is required for a data center.

This is where edge compute enters the picture.

throughout the network can also be leveraged into “mini” data centers. These could be small facilities or, more simply, collocated or integrated with indoor/outdoor small cells.

As with the full-fledged data centers, hyperscaled or otherwise, small-/micro-/edgedata centers need several things to be viable: Electrical power, along with backup power Backhaul, probably fiber but microwave/ mmWave could also serve.

Physical security and protocols regarding where user data is kept. If that data is at the edge, then it must be secure — which is particularly true as the world of V2X draws closer.

Location: The outdoor small cell market is a quagmire with many local governments fighting tooth and claw against those trying to install small cells. But, those companies have other options — e.g., private rooftops, below-ground solutions, enterprisespecific deployments and/or siting with tower companies.

As with hardware and software, there are also standards for data centers. The most widely adopted standard for data center is ANSI/ TIA-942. There are four tiers of compliance to that standard, ranging from limited protection against physical events and non-redundancy to tier four which provides the highest level of fault tolerance and redundancy.

Introducing data center-based services throughout the RAN also means ensuring the uptime of those services, particularly those related to first responders and other critical communications. n

Not only are telco/cellular core networks coming to resemble data centers – if not operate from them – but the various sites

18 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

What Does

Cloud Native Mean?

One would think that cloud native means: applications that are native to the cloud. As far as it goes, that definition is accurate.

As cited in the microservices section of this ebook, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) states that containers, service meshes, microservices, immutable infrastructure, and declarative APIs are all examples of ways to build and run scalable applications in public, private and hybrid cloud environments. Immutable infrastructure basically means that the hardware can be swapped in and out with no impact on applications. Declarative application programming interfaces (APIs) are APIs that describe what will be done rather than how (which is a very high-level definition).

So, being cloud native also means that the application is coded in a particular way. There are a variety of other terms associated with the term “cloud.” These include:

19 |

Cloud-enabled: Typically refers to applications that were developed for deployment in a traditional, non-cloud data center, and then altered so they could also run in a cloud environment.

Cloud-ready: Typically refers to software that is either cloud-native from inception or has become cloud-enabled.

Cloud-based: Refers more to applications that are delivered over the Internet.

Cloud native, by contrast, refers to the “philosophy” of how cloud-based software is created and maintained.

Cloud first: A strategy in which the business plans to leverage the capital and operational savings associated with cloud resources. The business could either be starting up by delivering/basing its services on cloud resources or by migrating services to the cloud.

From a business perspective, a cloud-first or cloud-native computing strategy helps an organization: Respond more quickly to customer requirements: CI/CO, DevOps, microservices, etc., all mean that the enterprise can change what they offer, or how they offer it, much more quickly. And if something happens to not be working as intended, then it be iterated on and redeployed.

Scale more quickly up or down: Not only can portions of a service be scaled (as in the “payment” example in the Containers section of this ebook), but that scaling can happen when necessary so that the business is paying for what it uses

Offer more reliable services: containerized microservices running on immutable architecture basically means that if server blade Y fails, server blade Z can take over — i.e., the show goes on. This has implications for business continuity and disaster recovery.

Hyperscalers are relevant here not only because they are rooted in the cloud native approach, but because they likely represent at the least the first iteration of what the open 5G network of the future will look like.

A search on “hyperscalers” returns some confusion about what the term actually means.

In essence, the term refers to a very large number of servers networked together into a cloud computing system such that adding capacity means dynamically adding more servers and then removing them when the workload recedes. These servers typically span multiple data centers at a regional and even global level. The tech giants — Microsoft, AWS, Google, Facebook — all operate as hyperscalers either for their own traffic or on behalf of their clients. n

20 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

What Are Containers?

A software container is home to an application and enough other “stuff” (e.g., configuration files, libraries, etc.) so that the code in the container can be run on any host OS and hardware.

Consider the following (imperfect) analogy: A shipping container modified with heat, AC, running water and electricity. It is just enough for someone to live in. Think of the ship carrying the containers as the computer hardware and OS. Any shipping container can be carried by (or plugged into) any container ship.

Containerization is an alternative to virtual machines (VMs). The main difference is that a VM contains a complete OS (along with an application) which is managed by a hypervisor and runs on top of a host OS. Containers lack a complete OS. Instead, they share the OS kernel of the host computer/server.

The benefit to containerization is that the application is “written once and run anywhere.” This is different from an application inside a VM because that application needs the OS that is inside the VM. (Note: A container can run inside a VM.) The following figure illustrates the difference between containers and VMs. Docker is a containerization platform; Docker also provides the runtime environment for Docker containers to interact with the host OS. There are other options besides Docker (e.g., CoreOK rkt, LXC Linux Containers, Mesos Containerizer).

Containers versus Virtual Machines

Source: Docker, accessed December 2020

21 |

Containers offer other advantages including, but not limited to:

Greater efficiency and utilization: As the above figure shows, the Guest OS is not replicated in each VM. And, application layers inside the containers can be shared (assuming they are all the same) across the containers which would would help reduce the total footprint on the system which, in turn, could mean more resources are available to run additional containers.

Portability: Because the container incorporates everything needed for its application to run, the containerized application can function on any hardware or OS regardless of where that hardware is (e.g., on premises, edge, cloud).

Support for microservices: Microservices are about breaking monolithic applications into smaller standalone “services” (applications) each with its own database and business logic that can then communicate with each across common interfaces. By their very nature, containers are good solutions for this architecture.

The microservices trend has led to an increase in the total number of applications, and interfaces, that have to be supported. If one monolithic app is deconstructed into three, then having done nothing else there are three times as many applications for the same function that have to be rolled out, supported and maintained. Containers are a good way to implement a microservices architecture.

If the monolithic app is going to be broken into component services anyway, then reworking them into ‘write once, run anywhere’ containers makes a great deal of sense.

Regardless, the proliferation of applications (thanks to the microservices trend) has played a large role in the development of orchestration systems (e.g., Kubernetes) that allows administrators to manage large numbers of containers. n

22 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

What Are Microservices?

M

icroservices are a way to build modern applications that are typically deployed into cloud (native) environments. Rather than create a single, monolithic application that is composed of a layered architecture, uses a relational database and then executes in a single process, the microservices approach splits and segregates the functionality of the monolithic app into independent services (that can function independently of the whole) that include logic and data with independent datastores. For example, a payment microservices could be written once and, if containerized, run on any platform.

That microservice could then be re-used and “attached� to other microservices that require payment.

23 |

Microservices work together to comprise an application and communicate with each other via open interfaces. By breaking apart an existing monolithic app (or developing an entirely new application), a microservices approach enables each individual service to be:

Developed by itself: If bugs need to be fixed and/or new functionality added, then that can happen per microservice and since each microservice is self-contained, there is less risk of destabilizing other aspects of the overall application.

Deployed by itself: As those changes are added and finalized, they can put directly into production without bringing everything else down as well.

Scaled independently of the other microservices. If a single payment microservice is overtaxed, then another instance could be spun up (and taken down) as needed.

Understood more easily in part — the microservice is a discreet function — and overall, since it easier to see where the function plugs into the whole.

All of these benefits play into the modern IT philosophy of agile deployments that leverage the development/operation (DevOps) and continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) approaches to application development and iteration.

24 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

This web is managed by a group of products referred to as service meshes. Examples of products include Istio, Lankerd and Cosul. Just as containers are themselves abstracted from the operating system, service meshes abstract communication protocols from the applications (containers) so that those communications can be managed and handled independently (in an infrastructure layer that sits atop TCP/IP).

This allows developers to specialize/focus on improving single tasks without also worrying about the overhead associated with how one microservice will talk to another.

The communications among microservices can get complex very quickly. Imagine a room full of people, each with a single task, who must interact with each other to accomplish a greater task. Simple communications one way or the other would not be unmanageable (despite the perils of the “telephone game), but then if some people must talk to others at different times or out of sequence, or if layer another “application room” is layered on top of the first — that is complexity upon complexity. And that is why communications among microservices is typically referred to as a “web.”

25 |

Typically, many containerized microservices will be deployed across public and private cloud hosts. These microservices will also be (re)deployed as features are added/removed, scaled up/down, etc. Reportedly, Netflix has more than 600 microservices in use and it deploys iterations on them (or new ones) hundreds of times per day. Similarly, Uber has more than 1,000 microservices in production and it deploys several thousand times per week.

Given the volume and speed at which all of this is required to happen, automation and management plays a huge role. This is typically referred to as orchestration, and Kubernetes is perhaps the most widely adopted orchestration platform. n

Building Future 5G OpenRAN Networks

A

irspan’s OpenRANGE 5G fully end-to-end cloud-native solutions adopt an OpenRAN architecture approach that follows technical specifications from the O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP. It lays the foundation for ‘futureproof’ 5G networks that will deliver three key elements: faster innovation, lower total cost of ownership, and will also provide enhanced levels of security.

The O-RAN Alliance was formed by 25 Tier 1 MNO’s and over 200 vendors and is fully focussed on making OpenRAN a reality. The RAN is a key component in any mobile network and Airspan, as an O-RAN member, is actively involved in helping to develop a more intelligent, open, virtualized, and fully interoperable mobile networks of the future.

26 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Traditional

OpenRAN

An OpenRAN architecture will also allow for a more diverse and agile RAN supplier ecosystem, thanks to the definition of open interfaces, which in turn will lead to the faster delivery of breakthrough innovation for mobile networks. In addition, the introduction of a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) will open the RAN to 3rd party software vendors creating xApps to optimize, support, and customize how the RAN reacts automatically following the market requirements for specific use cases.

microservice-based containers (Dockers) which will allow for ‘real-time’ live upgrades.

This will minimize network disruption and will allow also for the rapid implementation of innovation using CI/DI (Continuous Integration and Deployment).

By disaggregating the software (vCU, vDU, RIC) from the radios (RU’s) and adding it to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) servers, will not only reduce the cost of the radio’s but, as the software will manage multiple radios running in the network via resource pooling, it will also lower the overall total cost ownership of the software.

When compared to traditional ‘legacy’ networks an OpenRAN architecture will by design have advanced levels of security. The O-RAN Alliance proactively releases technical specifications for opensource code and interfaces and by working with a vast number of experts within the multi-vendor ecosystem, the O-RAN Alliance ensures the overall robustness of the network code which provides the highest levels of security possible through the faster delivery of innovation via its open and more competitive landscape. This will also remove any vendor lock-in or backdoor threats.

A cloud-native open architecture network simplifies ongoing maintenance thus reducing upgrade costs due to software running on

3GPP features such as Network Slicing opens new opportunities for MNOs or Non-Public Networks (NPN) providers by providing extra

27 |

levels of security and privacy. It also creates an independent network (slice) inside an existing Network by using new or shared functions from the existing network. OpenRAN disaggregated architecture leverages Network Slicing by enabling the positioning of sensitive parts of the RAN functions (User Plane) in specific locations, for example in customer premises (NPN), increasing privacy and security, and enabling ultra-low latency services (URLLC services).

OpenRAN delivers further disaggregation to network access within its new cloud-native architecture. This will further extend the multivendor ecosystem and lead to a more agile and competitive landscape that will deliver faster innovation but will also further underline the need for Interoperability Tests (IoT). Therefore, IoT is another core aspect of OpenRAN networks and a key area of focus for mobile operators. Historically, IoT has been a challenge with each of the previous cellular generation releases, for example, in 4G, the introduction of a new IP based Core Network and transport required operators to manage large-scale changes to the IoT and transformation structure to deliver a fully operational end-toend network architecture.

To make OpenRAN architecture a success, IoT between vendors is a must, not only RAN vendors, but it must also include all entities related to the network: 5GC, COTS servers, RIC, Orchestrator, EMS, transport devices, and synchronization elements. The OpenRAN industry is aware of the IoT needs and it’s approaching IoT at different levels:

Vendor level, e.g., Airspan, is actively running IoTs in our labs covering all areas of the network such as the RAN, 5GC, RIC, Network Management and Orchestrator Organization level, such as O-RAN, TIP, or ONF, of which Airspan are members, are already providing IoT labs, POC’s and a number of projects to promote IoT

End Customers, such as MNOs (e.g., Rakuten) or System Integrators, are selecting their portfolio of OpenRAN vendors and also providing a fully operational lab environment to collaborate on developing and testing advanced IoT features.

Following O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP Technical specifications, Airspan has released its OpenRANGE portfolio, a fully end-to-end 5G software and hardware solution based on a cloud-native architecture. Airspan’s OpenRANGE software includes a virtualized Distributed Unit (vDU) and virtualized Central Unit (vCU) along with a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and Element Management System (ACP: Airspan Control Platform) that includes RAN Orchestration and VNF-M. In addition, Airspan develops and builds its own 5G Radios (RUs) including both outdoor and indoor, macro and small cells for Sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies.

For more information about Airspan’s 5G OpenRANGE product portfolio please visit: www.airspan.com

28 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Providing 4G and 5G Open Virtualized RAN

A

ltiostar provides 4G and 5G open virtualized RAN (Open vRAN) software that supports open interfaces and virtualizes the baseband unit to build a disaggregated multi-vendor, web-scale, cloud-native mobile network.

Operators can add intelligence, quickly adapt the network for different services and automate operations to rapidly scale the network and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Altiostar collaborates with a growing ecosystem of partners to support a diverse Open RAN supply chain. The Altiostar Open vRAN solution based on O-RAN standards has been deployed globally, including the world’s first cloudnative commercial-scale mobile network with Rakuten Mobile in Japan.

Contact: marketing@altiostar.com • www.altiostar.com

30 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Why An Open Network Is Central To Maximizing The Value Of 5G

T

o address the speed and latency needs of emerging innovative services, 5G networks need to support strict QoS requirements. Every operator is unique, with each network location, subscriber, service and usage pattern generating data that can be leveraged to provide a differentiated experience and support new services and industry verticals.

At the same time, with the introduction of technologies such as SDN, NFV and network slicing, networks are becoming increasingly flexible and programmable. Yet with these benefits, also comes the necessity for extreme automation of subscriber, service and network management.

31 |

Amdocs Ad To Come

32 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

O-RAN: Opportunities & Imperatives

To enable 5G networks to be adaptive and responsive to end-user needs, 5G systems need to provide an information set that enables analytics based on context (radio & capacity conditions) for each individual slice, cell (group), subscriber (group), device (group) and location.

This is where 5G open network architectures become a necessity. With their ability to take full advantage of the programmable 5G network, they enable operators to deploy multivendor solutions, innovate and deploy new network capabilities faster, as well as drive extreme automation in all parts of the network – including CI, CD, network management and network optimization.

O-RAN: open, programmable and intelligent The O-RAN alliance is a major industry initiative for defining the architecture and interfaces for an open, programmable and intelligent RAN, comprising a worldwide community of mobile network operators, vendors, as well as

33 |

research and academic institutions. 5G is the initial target for standardization of interfaces in O-RAN alliance.

The community believes that to fully realize the benefits of 5G open architectures, operators need to follow through with key imperatives.

The figure below highlights the major opportunities and imperatives for fully realizing the benefits of the O-RAN open architecture.

O-RAN architecture also provides standardized open interfaces, management protocols and newer data sets to drive service awareness and extended control in the RAN. Furthermore, the RAN Intelligent Controller with northbound interfaces, which accepts operator policies, enables the RAN to be service-centric and vendor-agnostic.

O-RAN specifications also allow flat management models (in addition to traditional hierarchical management models), where O-RAN elements expose O&M interfaces for data collection. Such models allow for

service-based management architecture and distributed deployment of data collection and analytics systems closer to the network elements. So, for example, vendor-agnostic automation components can be deployed to support data collection and ML training. In the future, an interface (A1 in O-RAN terminology) is envisioned to support subscriber and slicespecific feedback and control.

their 5G networks, operators should drive their 5G vendors to propose and adopt open architecture systems, such as the ones proposed by the O-RAN alliance. At the same time, they should ensure their suppliers can provide open, standardized interfaces that allow access to the necessary operations and management interfaces to drive extreme AI/ML driven automation.

Open is the way to go To enable the flexibility needed to deploy and upgrade best-of-breed solutions across

Visit Amdocs Open Wireless Network to learn about our end-to-end open ecosystem solutions. n

Interview November 17, 2020 Interview with Parag Shah, Customer Business Executive for Amdocs Play Video

34 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Working Toward A More Open And Connected Future

“

“Over time, OEMs large and small will become Open RAN compliant. During the next five years, I believe wireless operators will make it a roadmap requirement. By the time we get to 6G, the interoperability between the various network elements will be universal.”

— Morgan Kurk, CommScope CTO

P

erhaps nowhere is the need for network interoperability more keenly felt than in the drive toward Open RAN in mobile cellular networks. By supporting open and interoperable interfaces among the various RAN subcomponents, Open RAN seeks to replace the traditional vendor-specific RAN model with a more sustainable, innovative and continuously evolving multivendor ecosystem. The benefits of such an approach extend across the mobile ecosystem—encouraging the adoption of next-generation applications and services, enabling new business models, and creating additional revenue streams.

As a leading provider of RAN elements—including small cells, base station antennas and backhaul/fronthaul connectivity— CommScope is committed to advancing Open RAN principles.

Toward that end, we’re partnering with industry organizations and OEMs to develop new industry standards and interfaces while incorporating more interoperability into our own products. The following highlights our position and some of our efforts with regards to realizing wide-scale Open RAN adoption.

35 |

Open RAN for in-building wireless and 5G CommScope sees Open RAN as a key enabler of in-building wireless-optimized solutions. For OEMs and customers, Open RAN means RAN systems can be optimized for in-building use without having to adopt a proprietary model.

For mobile operators, a more open environment offers the following advantages: Enables use of lower-cost commercial off the-shelf (COTS) processing equipment for the baseband unit (BBU) and commoditization of the RU hardware Allows software to be disaggregated from proprietary hardware—facilitating the creation and deployment of new services and operational solutions Supports a more robust supply chain as new vendors enter the market.

Open RAN can also accelerate 5G small cell deployments by making it easier and less costly for MNOs to roll out 5G infrastructure by broadening the use cases and facilitating macro and metro 5G deployment. Thus, Open RAN can enable 5G’s potential for new revenue: delivering latency services to enterprises and consumers via public or private networks, fixed wireless broadband and ubiquitous connection of machines and sensors.

Contributions and collaborations As an active member of the Open RAN Policy Coalition, O‑RAN Alliance, and the Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP), CommScope is at the forefront of Open RAN enablement. In conjunction with ONAP, our engineers are developing a 3GPP standardscompliant base data model for 4G RAN

37 |

management. Within the O-RAN Alliance, our work on the 7.2x fronthaul specification— which, among other things, enables fronthaul over IP/Ethernet—is critical for integrating small cells into enterprise networks.

CommScope, AT&T and Intel successfully demonstrated the 7.2x interface using an over-the-air mmWave link to feed a low-latency virtual reality application.

Since 2018, much of our efforts around Open RAN have been focused on small cell applications.

Serving as work item lead and editor, CommScope was a major contributor to the white paper, Small Cell SON and Orchestration from 4G to 5G, produced by the Small Cell Forum. Currently, we’re working to provide private enterprises and neutral hosts a blueprint for managing 5G small cells alongside legacy 4G small cells.

CommScope also works alongside mobile network vendors and operators to enable macro networks based on Open RAN principles.

Working closely with Intel, for example, our outdoor wireless group developed the first mmWave radio with an ORAN 7.2 fronthaul interface. By leveraging the expertise of multiple industry stakeholders, like RU and BBU OEMs, we are working to ensure the best-fit solution for each application and customer.

At the same time, we are incorporating Open RAN concepts into our own commercial products, like ONECELL®—an in-building 4G/ LTE and 5G wireless solution. Leveraging open interfaces, ONECELL supports virtualized 5G NR baseband functions that run on standard x86-based server platforms and support 5G network slicing. It includes an O-RAN 7.2x fronthaul interface to support fronthaul over Ethernet, along with ONAP framework support.

Strategically positioned to add value As an end-to-end infrastructure solutions provider, we believe CommScope is uniquely positioned to play a key role in Open RAN development. This includes paving the way for O-RAN-compliant fronthaul, open management and orchestration interfaces, and baseband innovations. Our RUCKUSÂŽ Wi-Fi and structured cabling sales and distribution channels further strengthen these enterprise market offerings.

By paying special attention to RAN use cases

outside the usual scope of mainstream OEMs, CommScope enables unique opportunities for owners of cellular systems inside the enterprise and across large venues.

Even as CommScope and other industry stakeholders make significant strides toward Open RAN solutions for 5G and enterprise wireless, issues such as R&D, standardization and implementation loom large. Solving them will require continued collaboration across the industry ecosystem. n

Interview November 20, 2020 Interview with Mike Wolfe, VP of Wireless Network Engineering for CommScope Play Video

38 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Intel Positions Itself For 5G Tipping Point

“

“The real success of 5G will depend on the move towards more software-defined, agile and scalable networks, “utilising some of the tools and technologies that have been honed in the cloud and the data centre,” — Dan Rodriguez, corporate VP and GM of the Network Platforms Group at Intel

T

he coronavirus pandemic has placed mobile and fixed telecommunications networks under huge strain during 2020, with video streaming, gaming, video calling, as well as education and collaboration tools, all competing for capacity at the same time.

It’s fair to say that the networks have performed better than perhaps anyone would have expected. As explained by Dan Rodriguez, corporate VP and GM of the Network Platforms Group at Intel, networks have proved to be “incredibly resilient” in the way they are designed.

Becoming more agile 5G in still in the early stages of deployment, especially standalone 5G core networks, but rollouts are gathering pace.

Spectrum auctions are also now taking place following delays caused by the pandemic.

39 |

The real success of 5G will depend on the move towards more software-defined, agile and scalable networks, “utilising some of the tools and technologies that have been honed in the cloud and the data centre,” Rodriguez said.

In one example, Intel partnered with Korean operator SK Telecom to “maximise the 5G core network performance, utilising our Xeon scalable processor as well as our Ethernet adapters. In this case, we were able to tune up that core network, resulting in a 78%-88% reduction in latency and jitter”, noted Rodriguez.

He added: “Think of consumer services that are enabled by 5G. Think about cloud gaming.

Think about video streaming: with lower latency and jitter, you’re going to improve those overall experiences. And then for enterprises, think about immersive, visual services, like augmented and virtual reality: you can see that a reduction in latency and jitter is going to have a meaningful impact in terms of the effectiveness of new immersive use cases.”

Looking further ahead, Intel believes that the next wave of transformation will benefit from a “perfect storm” of 5G, edge buildout, and the pervasiveness of artificial intelligence (AI).

some time. CoSPs typically operate across very diverse environments and geographies and will require different deployment options for some time to come.

“We are starting to see a lot of traction in the marketplace that really shows CoSPs and the ecosystem are driving the network all the way to the RAN to become much more virtualised, to use more cloud technologies to be able to have that agility at the far edge of the network,” he said.

Rodriguez pointed to examples of operators that are already deploying virtual RANs, such as Rakuten Mobile and Verizon.

Intel is also partnering with satellite TV operator DISH on the deployment of virtual RAN and open RAN. Intel’s 5G infrastructure technology will create the foundation for a greenfield 5G network at DISH, including the Intel Xeon scalable processor, the Intel Ethernet 800 Series network adapter, the Intel vRAN Dedicated Accelerator ACC100 and Intel FlexRAN software reference architecture.

“This is really driven by the need to deliver network services as well as new AI-based edge services across multiple network locations, across multiple vertical markets. These vertical markets include everything from industrial, retail, education, healthcare, smart cities, smart venues and many more,” Rodriguez said.

Furthermore, China Unicom has announced the launch of large-scale edge cloud field trials in collaboration with Intel, as well as Tencent.

The China-based operator ultimately plans to provide differentiated network capabilities and services in vertical industries using its EdgePOD platform. The platform is based on servers using the Intel Xeon scalable processor family, along with OpenNESS, DPDK, SR-IOV and other optimisation technologies.

Going to the edge In the radio access network (RAN) area, Rodriguez said Intel expects to see a mix of traditional and virtualised RAN solutions for

“That’s a good example of a customer saying I’m going to put compute and a multi-cloud environment right at the edge of my network that can easily tap into that 5G network to

41 |

“

“We are at a tipping point in the industry.

We are seeing the new wave of network transformation driving a rapid transition to virtualisation and cloudnative technologies as well as edge computing.”

— Dan Rodriguez

deliver some amazing services across a wide variety of verticals,” Rodriguez said. “We are definitely expecting to see many more of these examples coming into play over the next few years.”

Reaching a tipping point Intel is also working hard on delivering new technologies, including software tools, to support this new virtualised, agile 5G era.

For example, its OpenNESS edge computing software toolkit and OpenVINO developer toolkit focus on fostering open collaboration and innovation. OpenNESS enables highly optimised and performant edge platforms to be able to on-board and manage applications and network functions with cloud-like agility across any type of network. Rodriguez pointed out that OpenNESS is at the heart of the cloud environment that powers Rakuten’s 5G network. OpenVINO offers a development

environment for inference, computing vision applications and hardware acceleration, which is driving innovations in edge AI acceleration.

“We obviously need to bring a full suite of feature-rich silicon,” Rodriguez said. “We’re investing in everything from CPUs, to FPGAs and ASICs, and a host of other platform ingredients such as ethernet, to really bring a wide variety of solutions together for the various CoSP networks to be able to hit their performance and power as well as their cost goals. Additionally, the general-purpose nature of our silicon also supports that movement towards network transformation, being more software-defined, being more agile, and more scalable.”

Rodriguez also pointed out that Intel is spending “a ton of effort” on really creating a rich set of software and tools, “allowing our customers to get the most out of our silicon and also doing it

42 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

in a way that allows them to create a really open and standards-based network where they have plenty of agility and scale.”

At the same time, of course, Intel is participating in standards bodies from ETSI through to the Linux Foundation and the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) to help drive virtualisation and open network agendas.

It’s now up to the CoSPs to ensure they will build 5G networks that support today’s needs and the future demands of both enterprises and consumers.

In his view, it is essential that CoSPs “deliver a diverse set of use cases for consumers but also for a wide variety of enterprises across multiple vertical markets”.

“It is critical that CoSPs build a network from the ground up with the right flexibility, scale, and agility in mind, and this will help them not only better manage their total cost of ownership in future but also deliver all sorts of amazing experiences to consumers and businesses and set them up for long-term success,” Rodriguez concluded. n

“We are really at a pivotal moment,” said Rodriguez. “We are at a tipping point in the industry. We are seeing the new wave of network transformation driving a rapid transition to virtualisation and cloud-native technologies as well as edge computing.”

Interview November 20, 2020 Interview with Cristina Rodriguez, VP and GM of Wireless Access Network Division for Intel Play Video

43 |

OpenRAN Is Changing The World Today

G

overnment and operator entities are looking for competitive alternative mobile network suppliers. Companies and countries are looking to demonstrate that there are alternative suppliers for end to end virtualized and OpenRAN solutions and advanced 5G use cases makes network security ever more critical.

Mavenir understands the government and stakeholders’ concerns that the industry is excessively reliant on a small number of vendors, and that having high risk vendors makes this situation worse. And relying once more on an ever-smaller group of legacy

vendors of closed systems is not the answer.

The telecommunications supply chain is not just a national security issue, but also an economic one. The best solution is one that provides as secure a network as possible while also boosting the economy and providing better services for consumers.

Opening the proprietary fronthaul interface with O-RAN has given us the ability today to restructure the telecommunications industry.

Mavenir as the industry’s only end-to-end cloud-native network software provider, and a pioneer of OpenRAN, brings a unique perspective. Mavenir is convinced that

44 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Figure 1: Legacy vs Next Generation networks

OpenRAN can help diversify the supply chain for mobile networks by bringing in a wide range of competing innovative providers.

Open Interfaces vs Legacy Networks Traditionally, mobile networks have been built with closed, proprietary software and purpose-built hardware, which has led to vertical silos and technological lock-in. But today, mobile networks can be disaggregated and based on open interfaces that are interoperable on the basis of open standards and are technically and operationally more efficient. By standardizing these interfaces, and incentivising implementation of open standards, “Next Generation” networks can be deployed with a more modular design without being dependent upon a single vendor. There are a variety of groups working to develop standards for these interfaces as well as the management and orchestration of networks.

45 |

Figure 1 illustrates the difference between legacy and Next Generation networks.

The forward-looking OpenRAN concept is an example of such open and interoperable interfaces. Under OpenRAN, radio networks are comprised of hardware and software components from multiple vendors operating over network interfaces that are completely open and interoperable.

Fundamentally, the OpenRAN concept is about building networks using a fully programmable software-defined radio access network solution based on open interfaces — radios, base stations, etc. — that runs on commercial, offthe-shelf hardware (COTS) with open interfaces.

The economic benefits from a diversified supply chain The development of mobile networks leading to 5G are expected to deliver immense economic

benefits which will be particularly important for communities that lack good access to digital services, thus helping’ governmental ambitions to “level-up” across the regions.

Given the potential benefits at stake, most governments have justifiably become increasingly concerned that the supply chain for 5G has become excessively reliant on a small number of vendors.

New challengers prospering from adoption of OpenRAN could help create skilled jobs.

Furthermore, R&D and manufacturing of hightech OpenRAN solutions would also contribute to productivity growth.

By standardizing and developing open interfaces, OpenRAN can ensure interoperability across different players, lowering the barrier to entry for new innovators. It is worth noting that competitors only compete at the element level – they do not have to invest in the complete end to end solution.

For example, the O-RAN Alliance considers “open interfaces as essential to enable smaller vendors and operators to introduce their own services or customise the network to suit their own unique needs. Open interfaces also enable multi-vendor deployments, enabling a more competitive and vibrant supplier ecosystem.”

Open interfaces enable multiple vendors to provide different portions of the RAN, providing operators the freedom to manage their networks and flexibility to draw on the innovations of a variety of suppliers.

The security benefits of open interfaces There have been security concerns raised as communications networks evolve to be more like IT infrastructure. The National Cyber

Security Centre (“NCSC”) has recognised the importance of diversification in the supply chain to enhance security and the role of OpenRAN in cutting R&D costs and reducing operator costs related to custom hardware In our view, the ability to have a more modular design, with different suppliers providing different network components via open interfaces, can improve — not diminish — security and vendor accountability. This is because: Open interfaces allow multiple independent operators to continuously test the security of the network elements and the system, making it quicker to detect, react to, replace or address suspect vulnerabilities on equipment.

Open architecture also allows operators to choose and apply up to date security patches available for Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) components deployed in their networks (e.g., operating systems, Network Function Virtualization infrastructure, BIOS, firmware, etc.), and to address the security vulnerabilities pro-actively vs. being dependent upon individual vendors to make these updates The shift to cloud-based solutions enabled by “virtualisation” of the network elements allows several new security controls like sandboxing, containerization and network slicing. These controls make networks more resilient and equally stable even at large scale, as proved by the experience of Rakuten and other operators using virtualised elements such as Deutsche Telecoms and T-Mobile.

The policy support required OpenRAN is still in its infancy and gaining acceptance in its product lifecycle. Getting the open standards and regulatory regime

46 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

right has the potential to be an incubator for next generation communications, as well the many current and emerging downstream markets that rely on it.

Policy errors will forego substantial benefits and will be costly to correct as countries play catch-up. The OpenRAN community has made great progress in producing standards that fix the gaps of 3GPP. Until there is broad global consensus to ensure standards groups produce open standards and operators purchase equipment to open standards, the opportunity for closed interfaces and divergence will continue.

The opportunity is now Taking all these issues together, we believe that changing the approach and facilitating the development of OpenRAN solutions will be of significant benefit: OpenRAN can bring much-needed competition and product innovation to the 5G roll-out which should lower costs to mobile network operators and result in lower prices OpenRAN can enhance security of the system and give confidence to both the government and users that their communications are secure and unseen by others.

OpenRAN can, by facilitating investment and jobs creation stimulate a resurgence of a hightech sector with all the benefits that can bring for the wider economy.

Mavenir company profile Mavenir is the industry’s only end-toend, cloud-native Network Software and Solutions/Systems Integration Provider for 4G and 5G, focused on accelerating software network transformation for Communications

47 |

Service Providers (CSPs). Mavenir offers a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio across every layer of the network infrastructure stack. From 5G application/service layers to packet core and RAN, Mavenir leads the way in evolved, cloud-native networking solutions enabling innovative and secure experiences for end users. Leveraging innovations in IMS (VoLTE, VoWiFi, Advanced Messaging (RCS)), Private Networks as well as vEPC, 5G Core and OpenRAN vRAN, Mavenir accelerates network transformation for more than 250+ CSP customers in over 120 countries, which serve over 50% of the world’s subscribers.

Mavenir Systems was founded in Richardson, Texas in August 2005 and was acquired by Mitel in 2015 and rebranded to Mitel Mobile.

In February of 2017, Mavenir Systems was formed by the combination of Xura, Mitel Mobile and Ranzure, and establish itself as the global leader in fully-virtualized, 5G ready software solutions across every layer of the network infrastructure stack, helping Communications Service Providers (“CSPs”) drive revenues, efficiencies, flexibility and scalability as they adopt the cloud and virtualize their networks.

Mavenir has over 4200 global employees. The research and development team is comprised of 2000 employees, with an additional 400 in operations & support roles. The remaining employees comprise the executive team, finance, administrative, and sales organizations.

Our headquarters is located in, Richardson, TX in the heart of Dallas’ Telecom Corridor.

We have R&D labs and Centers of Excellence in Richardson, Texas; Brno, Czech Republic; Bangalore, India; United Kingdom and Sweden.

Our support facilities for world regions are located as below:

Americas Support Centers: US (Dallas, Seattle), Canada, Mexico

and managed are fundamentally different from those of our peer group.

EMEA Support Centers: UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden

Due to the modularity of our software architecture and key design decisions that made very early on, Mavenir offers flexible network deployment options of its products and solutions. We deploy products as either very tightly integrated running in a single virtual machine instance, or with a decomposed and distributed approach with each software module running in its own virtual machine instance.

APAC Support Centers: India, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia Company experience Without question, the mobile networks being built today look nothing like the networks of even the recent past. Acknowledged as a leader in the delivery of virtualized solutions, Mavenir -- from its inception -- set out to create software-based solutions designed to run on Common Off the Shelf (COTS) based hardware or equally in a virtualized environment. More increasingly, our customers look to deploy our solutions in a virtualized environment for ease of management, flexibility in network design, and as a way reduce cost.

Re-engineering a product from a proprietary hardware form factor to run as a softwarebased product presents numerous challenges to network product suppliers. Often times, designs that were architected for specific hardware components simply don’t map easily to software. Mavenir believes that it has a distinct advantage over its peers that deliver products via traditional proprietary hardware in that we’ve designed out products to be completely software based. Our assumptions of how our products are to be deployed, used,

Few suppliers have the experience of deploying advanced, 4G/LTE/5G solutions in a virtualized environment. Mavenir is one such company – while others are working out how to transition from legacy product delivery approaches and attempt to reconcile their product roadmaps and eventually bring their support teams on line, we’ve gained valuable deployment experience in these new environments that our competitors simply do not have.

Our customers are able to benefit from our experience and core strengths and ascend the learning curve much more quickly. We believe that, by selecting Mavenir as a partner, they can avoid their supplier “learning as they go” and can avoid design mistakes as they roll their networks out. As our customers are ready to step into virtualization and cloud architectures, we’ve been able to provide them guidance every step of the way.

48 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Mavenir has a long history of developing and deploying products at scale: Mavenir is a proven market leader and market disrupter: #1 in NFV / IMS Market Share Technology Innovator with world’s firsts in RCS, VoLTE, VoWiFi, 4G EPC, and vRAN

Mavenir embraces disruptive, innovative technology architectures and business models that drive service agility, flexibility, and velocity. With solutions that propel NFV evolution to achieve web-scale economics, Mavenir offers solutions to help CSPs with cost reduction, revenue generation, and revenue protection. n

640 patents and applications

Interview November 19, 2020 Interview with John Baker, Senior VP of Business Development for Mavenir Play Video

49 |

Open to More

A

s stated in our latest announcements, Nokia firmly believes in Open RAN and is advancing to deliver commercial solution in 2021. However, we still get questions about the reasons that made us take this decision. This is not an unexpected question. Being an established and leading radio networks supplier, we enjoy the benefits of a large installed base and a long list of customers. The market is very competitive, and it could be tempting for a supplier like us to exploit a proprietary RAN ecosystem for the maximum time possible. However, Nokia decided to endorse the foundation of the original Open RAN consortium when it consisted of only five operators. We have since contributed to many Open RAN working groups. One of our key contributions was the eCPRI7-2 specification. In July 2020, we shifted gears, shared more ambitious Open RAN roadmaps and release plans, and joined the Open RAN Policy Coalition. Some people have suggested we are shooting ourselves in the foot with this, but I guarantee this is not the case. In fact, these moves make complete sense for Nokia. Here’s why.

First of all, make no mistake, Open RAN will happen. It will happen with or without us, and it will happen with or without some of our traditional competitors. The question is whether we should just wait and see, or actively contribute to Open RAN and shape our own destiny. We opted for the latter. This should be no surprise to our customers. They say, almost without exception, that “you guys have great ideas, you innovate and try to create something new, whereas the other guys are conservative and try to protect the past.”

Now, why do we think Open RAN will happen?

Here are some reasons: Customers want it — Major operators are pushing for open solutions to reap the benefits as soon as possible. Last time I checked, there were 27 operators in the Open RAN Alliance.

As many as 23 of these are among our largest RAN customers. They are true leaders with strong technical competence.

50 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Governments want it — Some countries (and operators) are looking at Open RAN as a way to introduce new suppliers to the market, as Open RAN dramatically reduces entry barriers for new players. For some countries, it is important to have more options if some suppliers have to be excluded or limited in their presence. Some countries are even looking at Open RAN as a mechanism to drive local 5G innovation. We take no part in politics, but these are the geopolitical seas upon which we must sail.

It is an opportunity to drive innovation — An Open RAN ecosystem will accelerate innovation due to a wider diversity of players and to the nature of the open architecture.

RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) - a new network function exposing an open API for AI/ML - is a great example of this. 5G is creating new possibilities in both evolved mobile broadband and ever better Internet-of-Things (IoT) with URLLC and eMTC functions. Open RAN will further catalyze this process.

Cloud computing enables Open RAN and reduces entry barriers — New entrants making Open RAN baseband cannot afford to develop custom silicon, nor should they. Cloud computing continues to evolve to be more feasible and competitive for vRAN. With all the above and more considerations, it is clear that there are enough reasons for the market to evolve to open standards and that Nokia’s best move is to lead the transformation. We believe the Open RAN ecosystem needs a strong player to help drive this process and Nokia, with its long history in supporting open initiatives, is working to take this leadership position.

51 |

Let’s now dive a little bit more into how this will be done. While Open RAN provides flexibility in supplier selections, it brings some challenges in end-to-end radio optimization. Nokia studies show that today the best radio performance can be achieved by using a Massive MIMO (M-MIMO) active antenna and baseband from the same supplier because it enables more processing to be integrated into the M-MIMO antenna. It is conceivable that the ultimate radio coverage and capacity performance are achieved with full, end-to-end Nokia RAN solution and with optimized fronthaul interface between radio and baseband. However, we recognize that in an open environment, multivendor scenarios will be common and thus we must serve and optimize them.

In RAN disaggregation cases where Nokia is selected as the preferred baseband or radio unit supplier, we will ensure that operators get high quality radio performance with Nokia-recommended interoperability profiles.

These profiles represent the Nokia Open RAN product strategy to support open interfaces and integration with third party products. A comprehensive RAN feature set makes the end-to-end Nokia O-RAN solution complete.

Many of our customers may want to use allNokia products in dense urban areas (Open RAN compliant, of course!) and a mix of Open RAN suppliers in other coverage areas. Such a mix may or may not include Nokia Radio Units (RU), Distributed Units (DU) or Centralized Units (CU).

Another important point of discussion is an alleged contradiction between building Open RAN solutions and investing in System on Chip (SoC) development. This is definitely not true. Silicon technologies will actually help

significantly the optimization of the Open RAN environment and will consequently help accelerate adoption.

For the foreseeable future, we will need custom SoCs for RU Digital Front Ends (DFE).

You can’t really virtualize the DFE. In M-MIMO configurations, we will also need custom SoCs for so-called L1-Low or digital beamforming. It therefore makes sense for Nokia to continue investing in its ReefShark SoC family for DFE and L1-Low (for M-MIMO).

Let’s move to the baseband. L2 (especially non-real-time sensitive L2) and L3 processing can be done reasonably well with General Purpose Processors (GPPs) in any Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) cloud computing platform. This means the CU is the first candidate to be virtualized, and this is what we call vRAN1.0 (vCU + DU).

acceleration solutions are not particularly efficient in the heavy-lifting of L1 processing in the DU. Custom SoCs outperform GPPs approximately tenfold in CAPEX and power consumption per unit of cell throughput, cell connectivity and subscriber connectivity.

But be careful! A recent business case study we completed with a major carrier in a large market with good fiber infrastructure revealed that the overall benefits of cloud computing in the vRAN use case outweighed the cost disadvantages of cloud computing in vRAN L1 CAPEX efficiency and power consumption. It is important to always look at the bigger picture!

In brief, Nokia firmly believes that Open RAN will happen. We are investing in Open RAN, and is taking the necessary steps, including the development of Open RAN software and silicon solutions, to assume a leadership position in this open ecosystem. n

It must be said that today’s GPP and associated FPGA- or eASIC-based hardware

Interview November 19, 2020 Interview with Sandro Tavares, Global Head of Mobile Networks Marketing for Nokia Play Video

53 |

Cloud-Native Software-Defined Orchestration for 5G Service Delivery

R

obin.io provides cloud-native capabilities that help with automating deployment, scaling and lifecycle management of enterprise and 5G applications on Kubernetes.

At Robin, we see the need for a new approach to managing software applications and services inside enterprises and telco operators. That need is driven by the speed of innovation, the proliferation of devices, new applications and big data. We understand the burden that applications and software architecture teams struggle with in order to manage the complexity of their infrastructure because of the shortcomings of existing tools.

That’s why we built Robin.io.

Robin empowers global enterprises and service providers to put the power of application automation into the hands of the experts actually building, deploying and managing the life cycle of the applications.

In the world we are creating, Robin manages application infrastructure so developers and IT operations can focus on higher-value work.

We accomplish this through application bundles and application pipelines, which are automated through patented infrastructureand application- topology awareness technology that power the Robin Cloud Native Platform. Global customers like BNP Paribas, Palo Alto Networks, Rakuten Mobile, SAP,

Sabre and USAA chose Robin to automate their application pipelines for their vital business processes.

World-Class Team and IP Robin.io has assembled a team from leading global technology innovators like Cloudera, Veritas, Cisco, Nutanix, VMware and Netapp. Together, the Robin.io team has been awarded more than 50 U.S. patents in the areas of application and infrastructure awareness, application orchestration and storage architecture and data management — all critical components of the innovative technology Robin.io bring to market.

Partnerships As an innovator in application automation for the enterprise and 5G, Robin.io participates in these industry organizations: Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), LF Networking and the Intel Network Builders Program. Robin. io supports the Open Network Edge Service software and is a partner with Parallel Wireless for 5G service delivery. Robin.io also makes its product available on the IBM RedHat Marketplace, and has achieved the Anthos Ready Storage qualification through a new program launched by Google Cloud. Learn more about Robin.io’s partnership strategy here. n www.robin.io info@robin.io

54 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

Monetizing New 5G Services

Adapting mobile standards to evolving customer use cases and ecosystem The 5G mobile evolution was conceived to bring about a flexible, yet robust mobile ecosystem that will further drive the digitalization of global industry. Industries have been involved in this digital transformation for more than a decade, adopting new innovations to improve efficiency, developing new delivery models to streamline the implementation of new products and services, and driving a higher level of utility from interactions with customers.

While the benefits of 5G are often expressed in terms of speed and latency, the true value

55 |

of 5G comes from the new open architecture and network function virtualization (NFV) of the 5G system. Network control is adapting to broad IT standards, such as NFV orchestration and common API frameworks that expand developer bases and utilize new vendor and partner ecosystems. This ultimately bringing about innovation to networks and new services to businesses and consumers. Commercial exchange technologies, such as blockchain, facilitate the assembly and authentication of multi-party services and compensation of service providers and other ecosystem participants for delivering value to customers.

Additionally, new advances in distributed

computing (e.g., multi-access edge compute, or MEC) push data analytics and applications closer to devices, enabling artificial intelligence, automation, and augmented reality for more efficient and enhanced experiences for users.

Helping service providers and enterprises deliver new services The emergence of 5G and related technologies enables MNOs and other service providers to assemble new network services from multiple sources of network functions and assets.

As an example, service providers can build a low-latency network experience through a network slice by combining isolated radio spectrum and RAN assets as well as MEC assets to decrease the roundtrip latency for sensor data and resulting actuation direction from the use case application. This network slice is comprised of specific network functions and micro-services as well as data center and software applications to deliver against the customer’s requirements. Further, these functions, services and assets can be supplied by multiple MNOs, service providers, and vendors securely and in compliance with agreed commercial models.

But it is not just service providers adapting to 5G. The enterprise IT ecosystem is evolving rapidly to deliver IoT services and is also ramping up the ability to deploy and operate mobile networks, or portions of these networks, and interact with the public mobile network. While there is a vast expanse of these emerging interactions between public networks, private networks and specialty service providers, the public network ecosystem must adapt to these new interconnect and commercial service requirements.

The facilitation and monetization of 5G Over the next five years, it will be critical for the mobile ecosystem to evolve from a system designed to interconnect hundreds of mobile network operators to include the tens of thousands of potential ecosystem participants. And it must deliver services and capabilities that facilitate the interconnectivity of mobile networks at different stages of the generational lifecycle in addition to networks, network components, and services that are operated by non-traditional operators. As more of these types of networks are implemented the need for devices to move seamlessly between them will be greater. It takes the concept of roaming we have always known between public mobile networks to a whole new scale – which has the potential to increase the complexity and resources required to implement and support it to a new level.

Our first step on this journey at Syniverse is the creation of a new 5G signaling controller and Security Edge Protection Proxy service to create the new 5G standalone roaming environment. In this environment, we enable devices visiting other 5G networks to maintain connectivity and the benefits of 5G service.

Over time, this capability will extend to enable roaming on specific network slices that deliver specific capabilities for new, high-performance end-user use cases. This will then require slice continuity across multiple operator networks and services.

But it is not enough to facilitate the technology; we also need to monetize these services and do it in a way that is efficient and simple for those ecosystem players to participate. At Syniverse, we have developed

56 | Open 5G | www.open5G.live

a new charging system in line with GSMA’s new Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE) standard to facilitate the creation and implementation of new business models.

Named Universal Commerce, our service also incorporates blockchain to provide additional capabilities around authentication of service participation, verification of service utilization, and ultimately validation of the clearing and settlement of data records and payments—all important elements as commercial models become more complex.

With over 30 years of experience interconnecting mobile networks, Syniverse helps ensure that businesses and their customers have great experiences when connecting their mobile and IoT devices through public and private mobile networks ‚— allowing them to retain control of their own mobile experience no matter where in

the world they are or where their devices are traveling. We do this by helping mobile operators interconnect with each other across network generations (3G, 4G, 5G) and by interconnecting with new private networks and devices. Our solutions simplify the many-tomany network connections – making it more cost and operationally efficient for MNOs and enterprises who own private networks or connect devices through IoT service providers.

As a trusted partner Syniverse ensures that no matter what the networks are used for, they are always secure. When enterprises and application providers have high-value or sensitive data they can be sure it is transported over a private, secure network. And when private networks and non-traditional service providers are interconnected with the public networks, MNOs can be confident of the integrity of devices connected to their network. n

Interview December 1, 2020 Interview with John Merchant, Senior Director of Product Management and Strategy for Private Networks and 5G for Syniverse Play Video

57 |