After the universally recognised NGMN 5G White Paper published in 2015, the NGMN Alliance followed up with another leading message to the mobile industry demonstrating how NGMN continues to drive the ecosystem forward.
Whilst initial 5G services have been launched, there is much more underway to realise the full potential of 5G. The NGMN White Paper lays out how 5G is expected to increasingly enable new business models and many new use cases, and gives its recommendation on how to realise the full benefits of virtualisation, cloud, edge computing and more.
Key elements
One of the obvious conclusions is, that the industry must avoid fragmentation by adopting global standards with open, interoperable interfaces and application programming interfaces, thereby delivering the promise of agility and scalability.
Some of the key elements the 5G White Paper 2 highlights are that a common operator platform architecture is desired in order to allow edge computing to be used on a global scale. Mobile Network Operators are uniquely placed to provide a fully integrated solution for verticals that encompasses networks, clouds, and platforms, with dynamic customisation, partnerships, end-to-end management, carrier-grade security, and efficient spectrum use. Mobile network operators and verticals should increase their engagement to develop meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships and business models in order to fully deliver the 5G potential.
The white paper also highlighted the need for increased focus to further improving energy efficiency, sustainability, social wellbeing, trust, and to digital inclusion.
Continuing delivery
Drawing on some of the challenges and actions identified in the White Paper, the NGMN Alliance recently launched two projects: Future Networks Cloud Native Platform, to create a holistic view on how network cloudification should be exploited, and Future Green Networks, to drive energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
“Building on NGMN’s first 5G White Paper, this document emphasises key actions to support the continuing delivery of the 5G promise, in terms of enabling new business models and opportunities, and achieving the required agility to meet a myriad of requirements from existing and new users,” Nick Sampson, director, wireless access and core network standardisation, Orange, and co-editor of the White Paper, said.
Javan Erfanian, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Bell Canada, and co-editor of this White Paper explained that following the 5G launch it was continuing to work with the global industry and the entire ecosystem to drive and realise the full 5G vision for the benefit of all our customers. “The NGMN White Paper 2 targets the next phase in this journey both to outline key requirements and success factors, including the new and extended value created and delivered by the mobile network operators working together with a broad partner ecosystem,” He added.
The 5G White Paper 2 provides a guideline for the 5G evolution with new visions, new use cases and new challenges. Engagement with verticals is identified and highlighted to fully realise the NGMN’s 5G vision.
