What is network convergence and why do we need it? · on the Wireless and Wireline Convergence for...

© British Telecommunications plc 2018

What is network convergence and why do we need it?

Maria CuevasIEEE Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting 20187th June 2018


Contents

Types of convergence

What is network convergence

Benefits to user experience

Architectural vision

Work in standards


Types of convergenceConvergence is a broad topic , different forms of convergence leverage different assets across fixed and mobile domains.

Products & Services1

Channels to Market2

CustomerService3

Platform4

Network5

Location based insight Combined management and operations

Converged Video Networks

Hybrid Routers

Identity Management & Authentication

Combined Analytics

Unified Contact Centres Social MediaSingle Portal

Stores

Service While-u-wait

Universal Loyalty

5G/FWA

A unified platform architecture enabling services across multiple networks

Combing the way we sell services to our customers

An omni-channel approach to enhance customer experience

Seamless user experience and network optimisation - use of best available network

Upsell in-situ

SDN+NFV Converged Software CDN

PooledData Converged Media

Universal Parental Controls

Service bundles

Aggregating consumption of fixed and mobile services


What is “network” convergence…. and what can it offer to end users and operators?

PCP

FTTC

Mobile access (4G, 5G, macro, small cell)

Fixed access:Broadband, superfast, ultrafast

Internet

Operator Services

Converged Core

Back/front-haulAggregation Tx

Customer Domain

Private Services

Core Tx

Simultaneous or alternative access to fixed and/or mobile

depending on user needs

No human intervention to move between access

networks

Consistent user experience/access to all services regardless of access network

Public (Internet) Services

Local Services

Single 5G core to manage fixed and

mobile access

• Best possible customer experience• Single set of identities and

credentials• Consistent policies and services• Best available network for

bandwidth and latency• Seamless mobility

Seamless User Experience Network optimisation

• Best use of networks• Improved reliability• Asset reuse• Simplified OSS• New service and revenue

opportunities


Converged use cases

Hybrid Broadband

Multi-connected Broadband

Multi-access private network

• Bandwidth boost• Failover• Fast provisioning• Symmetric Bandwidth

• Consistent user experience• Bandwidth boost• Failover• Symmetric Bandwidth

• Unified set of identities• Consistent set of policies• Single service set• Access to Intranet / LAN• Seamless mobility


BT – Nokia Bell Labs Research Proof of Concept: best available user experience

Access throughput measured at the core multi-path proxy

Multi-connected Broadband


However, not every service requires convergence…cost effectiveness is key A fully converged 5G architecture needs to be modular and flexible

To• 5G centric with common

infrastructures

• Reduced costs

• Service extension across fixed and mobile easy

• Enables development new converged services

From• 4G centric with separate

infrastructures.

• Service extension across fixed and mobile complex


BroadBand Forum - co-existence, interworking and integration models

Figure 7-1. Wireline Access with a Converged Core network

Source: SD-407 5G Fixed Mobile Convergence Study Broadband Forum





Fixed Mobile Interworking Function

Subscription management ,

Authentication, IP management performed

by the Wireline Core

Residential Gateway remains unchanged

(no 5G support)

5G operator can deliver wireline services over a

wholesale wireline network

InterworkingFMIF

RG

Wireline AN

Wireline Core Network

5G Core





5GRG

Wireline AN

5G CoreNG RAN

5GAGF 5G Access Gateway

Function

End Points must be 5G-capable

The 5G Core performs all core network functions (authentication, session management, subscriber management etc.) (no separate wireline core required)





Co-existence

Multiple models can be deployed by the same

operator, including simultaneous support of

multiple models on a single customer premise


3GPP – trusted and untrusted non-3GPP access integration models

Untrusted Non-3GPP AccessUE

N3IWF

3GPP Access

Data Network

HPLMN

Non-3GPP Networks

UPFN3 N6

Y1

Y2

AMF SMFN2

N2N4

N3

NWu

N11

N1

N1 N3IWF

Non-3GPP InterWorkingFunction

Untrusted = Does not require integration , partnership or awareness between the wireline and wireless access networks

Release 15 – TS 23.501 System Architecture for the 5G System; Stage 2

Tunnelling is typically established between UE and 5G Core (N3IWF) over the untrusted network


3GPP – trusted and untrusted non-3GPP access integration models

Release 16 – TR 23.716 Study on the Wireless and Wireline Convergence for the 5G system architecture

5G-RG UPF

3GPP UE

DN

N1

W-5GAN

N4

N3 N6

AMF SMF

N1

N1

AFPCF UDMNRFNEF

AUSF

Nausf Namf Nsmf

NpcfNnrfNnef NudmNaf

NSSF

Nnssf

NG RAN

N3

N2

FAGF

N2

Wireline AN

UE

3GPP Access

Data NetworkUPF

N3

N6

NWt

AMF SMFN2

N2N4

N3

N11

N1

N1

TrustedNon-3GPP

AccessPoint

TrustedNon-3GPPGatewayFunction

TNAP TNGF

Trusted Non-3GPP Access Network (TNAN)

Yt

Fixed Access Gateway Function

Trusted non-3GPP

Gateway function

Work in Progress : similar approach to BBF’s integration model (5G AGF) no need for a separate wireline and

wireless core, the 5G core performs all functions for all access types.

NOTE: an equivalent architectural solution to the BBF’s interworking model (using FMIF) is also within scope of this 3GPP study item but

solutions are yet to be proposed


3GPP – Access Traffic Splitting, Steering and Switching

UEUntrusted Non-3GPP Access

3GPPAccess

DataNetworkN3IWF

UPF

AMFSMF PCF

AF

AUSFUDM

N2

N3

N3

N2N14

N1N15

N6

N4

N13

N12 N10N8

N5N7N11

N9

Y1

Y2N1 NWu

UE-AT3SF

UPu-AT3SF

CP-AT3SF PC-AT3SF

UDR-AT3SF

N25

UPc-AT3SF

Release 16 - TR 23.793 Study on Access Traffic Steering, Switch and Splitting support in the 5G system architecture

AT3S

Device support

AT3S

Steering: selects an access network for a new data flow and transfers the traffic of this data flow over the selected access network.

Switching: moves all traffic of an ongoing data flow from one access network to another access network in a way that maintains the continuity of the data flow.

Splitting: splits the traffic of a data flow across multiple access networks. When traffic splitting is applied to a data flow, some traffic of the data flow is transferred via one access and some other traffic of the same data flow is transferred via another access.

Handling User Plane traffic

AT3S

AT3S AT3S

Associated Control Plane functions

NOTE: ATSSS support for trusted non-3GPP access is expected to be supported once trusted non-3GPP access is fully specified.


Architectural Target: a fully modular and flexible deployment model

AT3S

AT3S


Summary and Conclusions

5G presents an opportunity for industry to define a flexible and modular architecture allowing network providers to operate and manage a single 5G core network supporting all access types (= network convergence).

Network Convergence has to be economically viable, not just an architectural dream – cost optimisation is key.

Current reality is that : the current cost-base of fixed and mobile networks is radically different not all services need or benefit from convergence

Hence, the 5G architecture should enable operators to deploy a single 5G core network including: Fully converged Fixed-only and, Mobile-only

network slices.

The 5G architecture needs to offer enough flexibility for operators to define their own migration path, maximising their ability to offer new services whilst maintaining cost effectiveness.

It is key that the BroadBand Forum and 3GPP (amongst others) work together to achieve this vision.


Thank you

Maria Cuevas

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