Page 237 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

Core network aspects 1

MNO Mobile Network Operator

MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operator
NFV Network Function Virtualization

OPEX Operating Expenses
QoE Quality of Experience

QoS Quality of Service
RAN Radio Access Network
SAME Soft network Architecture for MobilE

UE User Equipment
URL Uniform Resource Locator

VCN Virtualization of Control Network entities
VM Virtual Machine

5 Conventions
In this Recommendation:

The phrase "is required to" indicates a requirement which must be strictly followed and from which no
deviation is permitted if conformance to this Recommendation is to be claimed.

The phrase "is recommended" indicates a requirement which is recommended but which is not absolutely
required. Thus, this requirement need not be satisfied to claim conformance.

6 Soft network architecture for mobile and its design principle
Facing growing mobile data traffic and the rapid change of new applications, new user requirements, new
service requirements and operating policies, operators need to improve the flexibility of their networks, such
as using network resources more efficiently and enhancing their network capabilities more quickly.

In current mobile networks, it is often difficult for operators to quickly meet market requirements, because
functions are implemented on dedicated equipment and adding new features into the current network
usually takes a long time to complete through test, trial and deployment. In addition, new service function
entities have to be added statically, which is not flexible. Last but not least, control and forwarding functions
are coupled such that they cannot be deployed flexibly and independently.
To achieve the above goals, this Recommendation proposes soft network architecture for mobile (SAME), a
mobile core network to be designed as an enhancement of International mobile telecommunications-
advanced (IMT-Advanced) mobile packet core network, to realize an even more flexible mobile packet core
network that bridges the current legacy mobile network towards future networks. Although SAME does not
aim to cover key requirements of IMT-2020 core network, the key requirements of SAME may be adopted in
IMT-2020.

Based on the analysis of the scenarios and problems mobile operators face today, which are described in
Appendices I and II, SAME focuses on implementing the following design principles:

– Efficient traffic steering: Traffic can be flexibly steered to go through necessary service function
entities to support quick addition of new capabilities.
– Efficient resource usage: Infrastructure can be shared among different network functions and slices.

– Flexible deployment of network functions: Control and forwarding functions can be deployed in a
centralized or distributed manner with minimum effect to other related functions.
– Flexible network scaling: Network functions can be dynamically adapted to users' demands.

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