Page 76 - ITU-T Focus Group IMT-2020 Deliverables

3 ITU-T Focus Group IMT-2020 Deliverables

The objective of the study is to design a system architecture for “5G”, which is called as the next generation
mobile network or NextGen aiming to support at least the new RAT(s), the evolved E-UTRA, non-3GPP
accesses and minimize access dependencies.
The study is being done based on the following studies on the requirements for the next generation mobile
networks which have been carried in 3GPP SA1.
– 3GPP SA1 (FS_SMARTER): TR 22.891
• Feasibility Study on New Services and Markets Technology Enablers (Rel-14)
– 3GPP SA1 (FS_SMARTER-mIoT): TR 22.861

• SMATER – Massive Internet of Things (Rel-14)
– 3GPP SA1 (FS_SMARTER-CRIC): TR 22.862
• SMATER – Critical Communications (Rel-14)
– 3GPP SA1 (FS_SMARTER-eMBB): TR 22.863
• SMATER – Enhanced Mobile Broadband (Rel-14)
– 3GPP SA1 (FS_SMARTER-NEO): TR 22.864

• SMATER – Network Operation (Rel-14)
A total of 30 high-level architectural requirements have been derived as a guidance for the architecture study.
The following requirements, among others, are directly and indirectly related to network softwarization.
– Support a separation of Control plane and User plane functions
– Leverage techniques (e.g., Network Function Virtualization and Software Defined Networking) to
reduce total cost of ownership, improve operational efficiency, energy efficiency, and simplicity and
flexibility for offering new services

– Support network slicing
– Support network capability exposure
Based on the requirements, they are also coming up with key issues to be solved and their solutions; as of
now (i.e. September 2016), a total of 22 key issues are being discussed. The following key issues are related
to network softwarization.
– Support of network slicing
– Network function granularity and interactions between them
– 3GPP architecture impacts to support network capability exposure
– Architecture impacts when using virtual environments

6.1.1.1 Terminologies
Network Capability: Is a network provided and 3GPP specified feature that typically is not used as a separate
or standalone "end user service", but rather as a component that may be combined into a telecommunication
service that is offered to an "end user".
NOTE – For example, the location service is typically not used by an "end user" to simply query the location
of another UE. As a feature or network capability it might be used e.g. by a tracking application, which is then
offering as the "end user service". Network capabilities may be used network internally and/or can be
exposed to external users, which are also denoted a 3rd parties.

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