Page 107 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

Core network aspects 1

(Note 2)

(Note 1)

Core network

Physical wireless network infrastructure
Virtualized wireless access network
Y.3011(12)_FII.3
NOTE 1 – Use case 1: Partitioning of a single wireless network
NOTE 2 – Use case 2: Aggregation of different wireless networks

Figure II.3 – Use cases of partitioning and aggregation of
wireless access network virtualization

The use case 1 in Figure II.3 depicts a use case of partitioning of a single wireless access network.

Explanation: by partitioning a wireless access network across multiple virtual networks, a single
wireless access network can be used concurrently by multiple MVNOs for providing their own
services and those virtualized wireless access networks are completely isolated from each other.
Therefore, it provides an efficient use of existing physical wireless network infrastructure and
facilitates deployment ease of new access networks for MVNOs.
The use case 2 in Figure II.3 depicts a use case of aggregation of different wireless networks.
Explanation: due to the coexistence of different wireless access networks, FNs are expected to be
heterogeneous in nature. However, the problem is how to allocate the most suitable access network
for the user when different access networks are available and it is closely relevant to network
performance, cost and energy efficiency. In addition, another problem is how to reduce the
disruption caused when users move frequently across different access networks. Since network
virtualization allows the coexistence of different networks, the cooperation of different wireless
access networks on demand by aggregating heterogeneous wireless access networks is possible. An
example is that since each wireless access network provides service for a different coverage area,
one wireless access network would cover the whole of the geographical service areas of other
wireless access networks, or the service areas of heterogeneous wireless networks can be
overlapped. In this case, multiple heterogeneous wireless access networks appear to the users as a
single wireless network by aggregating different wireless access networks. Therefore, by
aggregating wireless access networks, it can reduce stress on wireless networks which otherwise
have to handle frequent movement of users. Furthermore, it is able to provide a consistently better
user experience since wireless network connectivity for the users remains unaffected by user
location or access network types. In other words, the user mobility is not handled within a virtualized
wireless access network.

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