How can you make 5G network architectures more user-friendly?

We know that there will be countries, states and cities that will quickly have this technology implemented, but we also know that there are places where this technology will take years to be implemented and when it is, it will not serve everyone. We need to educate users and operators not to sell a product based solely on the idea, as we all know how difficult it will be to migrate to 5G technology.

SBA Architecture which is the DNA of 5G SA networks is helping significantly to simplify the design. If operators will decide to get a hard cut to the legacy parts and no longer migrate them into the futurem this will simplify the design of the networks.

5G SA architecture is natively built to have Micro-services based architecture. Best approach to harness the true benefits of an SBA is to use modern and open source tool set, cloud native technologies and DevOps based approach for Buidling and Delivering the NFs. Another important aspect is to have more visibility for all network functions and services, to have a more predictable and robust network service. Remember the most important aspect of 5G should be to provide seamless service to the user, followed by easy to operate and easy to deploy network functions.

Offer a simplified cloud based design platform that streamlines the user experience. In the context of 5G network architecture, the user isn't a consumer. Users of 5G network architecutre include developers, APIs, machines, enterprises utilizing both private and public 5G, and CSP teams engaged with 5G networks. Progress is being made through O-RAN, the integration of generative AI across all 5G network and software components, edge compute, and the provision of 5G network APIs.

1. True 5G SA architectures have fundamentally stirred the telecommunication network architectures. The very heart of 5G networks is it's service based architecture which is driving force behind creating the digital master piece. 2. Cloud Native design principles gives enormous flexibility in creative mammoth digital infrastructure powered by 5G. Cloud native infrastructure adds power of pervasive automation which in turn creates solid platform for making network infrastructure highly distributed and spread from center to consumer for unprecedented on demand performance in terms of latency, throughput and capacity. 3. With standardized API first approach, 5G network architectures has harnessed the power of large ecosystem

Bad actors love when you encrypt their data for them. I have seen 5G security architectures that are a nightmare for legitimate users and a joy for bad actors. Edge architectures can properly implement software defined perimeters not based on nodal firewalls with complex rules. Bad traffic is stopped where it enters the network rather than the "close the barn door after the horse has left" approach taken by network firewalls.

El 5G es la solución más agil que asemeja el rendimiento de un buen wifi. Latencia reducida, más penetración, y por ende, más practicidad y más dificultad de corrupción del dato.

La hiérarchisation du réseau permet de faciliter les usages en fonction des besoins spécifiques des utilisateurs (visio, IoT, médecine connectée avec la téléconsultation...) ce qui rend la 5G facile à utiliser en offrant des vitesses de données plus rapides, une latence plus faible et une capacité accrue.

Encryption, quantum communication, Artificial Intelligence will be new areas of Security to be addressed with higher efforts.

Much people ask me if when a new generation of mobile networks arrives, the previous one ends, and what we observe in mobile cellular communications is that there is a smooth migration to the new generations, and the previous ones continue to be supported. A famous term among operators, suppliers, and regulators is the term IOT, different from the Internet of Things (IoT). IOT is designated for interoperability; interoperability test setups ensure that all standards, protocols, and network operator configurations are being used correctly, ensuring reliability, security, and compatibility in the network.

Out of first hand experience one of the difficult challenges that face 5G networks especially private 5G is the interoperability, where you already have an existing network with different stakeholders such as IT, industrial and wifi infrastructure. And to give an edge for the 5G we should make the interoperability easier, to be able to interconnect the different infrastructures already in place and thus you get an ecosystem, and not an isolated network. To be able to reach this level a standard should be adopted such as O-RAN and 3GPP by doing so we facilitate the integration of different vendors in the network and also facilitate the integration of this 5G network into the full big picture already at hand and thus achieving an ecosystem

I've identified a common error in connecting new platforms to the 5G core using outdated methods like parsing reference points (e.g., N11) for KPIs or integrating platforms using 4G paradigms. In 5G core, where Network Functions (NFs) sooner or later will be dynamically managed per slice, it's crucial to integrate new platforms from the start using the Service Based Interface (SBI) approach and registering them in the Network Repository Function (NRF). Other methods pose significant risks. Later on, when adopting the native cloud approach and managing slicing, the earlier adoption of the SBI approach will ensure seamless migration for existing platforms and use cases, whether they initially involve slicing or dynamic NF instantiation.

The transition to 5G builds on the success of 4G putting 5G at the centre of personal communication. However, this has necessitated the refarming of 3G network frequencies with loss of older circuit-switched services. In many cases this is a small inconvenience requiring some new hardware which then delivers vastly improved performance for a relatively low outlay. One exception to this is with embedded services such as eCall for vehicle crash reporting and also some wide area telematics. 5G replacements already exist for these systems, but typically are not available as drop-in replacements.

We cannot work in islands of excellence in 5G equipment and for complete end to end 5G solutions, interoperability is key for success.

5G SA and the unique capabilities to implement Network Slicing, is the key to provide the best possible characteristics to the different 5G Use Cases that we expect to see in the near future. Network Neutrality regulation in certain areas of the world, may need additional clarifications to clear the way for the operators that need to invest heavily on 5G SA and TDD deployment to offer optimized traffic packages using Network Slicing. The grater ecosystem is ready, both Android and IOS have announced support for Network Slicing and URSP. The frontrunner operators have already established APIs for App developers to use dynamic slicing. Being able to sell these capabilities is the key for the 5G networks evolution.

We always need to think from the customer/subscriber perspective. Well monitored performance of the network will eventually lead to better customer experience. As for human body and health, we can diagnose / prevent diseases. The same applies to networks, services, and applications efficiency. As much we will invest (Capex, Opex, Skills uplifting, Learning and Development of our engineers) regarding performance management of any network part and elements of entire topology, as less corrective maintenance will be required. Consecutively usage of delivered services will be more appreciated by society. Eventually, it will lead to better satisfaction indexes, as a “service” is what differentiates nowadays players in competitive markets.

Network slicing allow customization for specific user needs, making 5G user-frendly by providing faster data speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity.

Unlike 4G where content has to be fetched over a large distance, implement multi-edge access compute and bring applications close to the user as possible. Thereby reducing latency.

With 5G slicing, we can now prioritize important features for users, such as increased bandwidth for applications that require higher traffic, latency prioritization for autonomous vehicles and high connection density for industrial applications.

From a user perspective mobile networks either work or they don't and are either fast enough or too slow. Expenditures beyond availability and speed are likely not worth-while.

I endorse that user control, flexibility and transparency are important for empowerment of the users and user is always interested in cost effective qualitative solutions

Stop advertising and talking speeds as compared to competitors the first network to advertise real world advantages in application uses will win the customers heart as speed is rarely the answer

The general opinion and consensus among average (non-technical) users is that 5G - and why not 6G - is just a technology that provides higher download speeds and lower latency. It is necessary for service provider marketers (telecom operators) to make it clear what the advantages of 5G are over other access technologies, especially in the B2B environment. Only in this way will the operators’ ROI occur smoothly.

Develop comprehensive educational materials, including tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides, to help users understand 5G technology and address common issues. Offer responsive customer support through various channels, such as chat, phone, and email, to assist users with any concerns or questions they may have.

Every time a new generation of telecommunications architecture arises, there is a lot of confusion and fear of the unknown among the people. A better approach to this challenge is to demystify the complicated architecture by breaking into high level black boxes. Just put together BSS/OSS as one black box, 5G Core as another, RAN as 3rd and 5G devices as 4th box. Once the functions of each of these boxes and their interconnections are explained, then you can peel the next layer and introduce all the components that constitute each of these bigger boxes and then get into the high-level flow of provisioning and activations of the IT and network components, registration, authentication, separation of control and user-planes and so on.

In my experience users will view 5G simply as a speed increase and nothing more. They will resist being instructed otherwise, because a speed increase is the only apparent advantage in wireless evolution.

In my experience when we talk about users, the term "users" is quite broadening and not be specific, they could be 5G consumers that using 5G on their devices, 5G enterprise users that have very specific requirement, and also the students in university those are studying in 5G technology as one of their subject, etc. To educate those users to understand 5G, we should identify those targets clearly before building awareness, because different targets will have different requirement and understanding. That could help to simplify and make user-friendly to their understanding.

Everytime we adopt a new telecommunication standard, RF radiation levels gets lower as the government requirements are more and more stringent. At the end of the day this translates into a safer environment to be in. Besides, 5G already offers high throughout and new low-latency services. Bottomline, the sooner we embrace the new telecommunication generations, the better this will be for our own health.

Easy enrollment is the key to adoption. Building the infrastructure is well understood and repeatable. Joining the network is the tricky.

Why should architectures be user-friendly? 5G architectures and the telcos should facilitate good business cases for service providers!

From user's perspective, architecture shall be transparent, it is none of their business. On the other hand, experience shall be positive and performance shall show advantages through proper user cases deployment. Also cost effectiveness is a must for adoption of technology. As a summary, architecture would be easier to adopt if appropriate use cases are implemented, improving user experience and creating a sustainable business case that dinamize the technology usage.

The situation in most third world countries is such that network providers have not been able to roll 5G connectivity out. However most Mobile phone manufacturers have devices that support 5G connection in these same third world countries. Mobile phone consumers can better understand and embrace if the network providers roll 5G out for 5G Mobile users to experience what it's like to be on a 5G network.