SOLVING 5G’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS

5G, the fifth generation of wireless telecommunications, is making its debut across the globe. Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are in a race to be the first to offer complete 5G service within their markets. The stakes are high, but so are the potential business benefits. The technology promises faster connections, more reliable data streaming, and a host of new capabilities that bring new opportunities.

Deploying 5G will be a challenge. Dense and complex, 5G networks have potentially high operating and maintenance costs. For certain applications, like connected cars, the latency must be ultra-low and totally predictable. Plus, CSPs must also consider potential security implications.

One area that 5G will directly affect is the design and architecture of the Radio Access Network (RAN). Simply put, the RAN is a collection of edge located functions that connect a mobile device to the CSP’s core network. The latency requirements and network load of 5G will put a great deal of strain on the RAN and the traditional ways of deploying RAN equipment are not well suited for the new needs. A new, cloud-based Virtual RAN (vRAN) approach provides the necessary functionality for 5G; performance, flexibility, and cost-efficiency that isn’t available in fixed-function RAN equipment.