Page 96 - Kaleidoscope Academic Conference Proceedings 2020

2020 ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference

Development Timeline Deployment Timeline
Year 2015-2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Beyond 2015-2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Beyond 2030
2030
5G standardization E5G standardization
5G commercial E5G commercial eMBB
launch launch
5G Evaluation & test IMT 2020 to 2030 mMTC & URLLC
Releases 14-16 requirements
Release 17 Releases 18-20 5G deployment
Technical specifications 6G
(NSA & SA) Enhancement of releases FeMBB & (URLLC+eMBB) service
 eURLLC services ReMBB service
 eMBB services  mMTC power  Services & use cases
 Some URLLC & mMTC services consumption improvement mRMTC service
Use Cases  AR and VR applications  Extension of vertical use  Technologies E5G deployment
 Multi SIM operation
cases
 Provision of wide range of 3 rd
 Holographic
party and vertical services
6G initial
communication
 Highly accurate positioning  Energy efficiency deployment
 eHealth services
 NFV, SDN, and MEC  Next generation SDN Manufacturing
 Network slicing
Key Enablers  Dynamic FS and subcarrier spacing  Starting NGP 5G services / Public transport
 Applying AI in 5GC
 5GC service-based architecture
Retail
 Zero touch network & Service
 Full-duplex communications
Management (ZSM)
 NR for > 90 GHz
Public safety
 Integration of non-cellular
 Integration of satellite
communications in 5G
 MIMO enhancement technologies use cases Healthcare
Figure 1 – Left: 5G and E5G development timeline. Right: 5G and E5G deployment timeline. SDN: software defined
network; NGP: next-generation protocols; AI: artificial intelligence; MEC: multi-access edge computing; eURLLC:
enhanced URLLC; FeMBB: further eMBB; ReMBB: reliable eMBB; RmMTC: reliable mMTC.
Architecture options for 5G deployment are as follows [7]: • Option 2: This option is for the last stage of E2E 5G
• Option 1: This option is the starting point for migration deployment, in which gNBs operate in the SA mode and
from today’s 4G networks, and refers to the standalone CN is 5GC. It supports E2E network slicing [11], needs
LTE radio network under EPC control. CN-level interworking with/without an N26 interface [4],
• Options 3/3A/3X: In these options (NSA mode), CN is and its deployment costs are high. Network operators can
EPC, but eNBs and EPC must be upgraded to support provide independent networks to vertical customers in an
eNB-gNB dual connectivity (DC) and high capacity [8, 9]. efficient and flexible manner. It is completely future-proof
Also, eNBs are the anchor, eMBB services and 5G early for E5G with low evolution costs. Option 2 is adopted after
devices are supported, RAN-level interworking between Option 3 is implemented, where gNBs have already been
eNBs and gNBs is needed, and both deployment time and upgraded to provide interworking between 4G and 5G for
costs are low. These options are chosen by some network session continuity, and URLLC and mMTC services can
operators, e.g., China Mobile and Verizon, as their initial be deployed [11].
step towards 5G using mmWave and mid-band (3.5 GHz). • Option 5: In this option, eNB operates in the SA mode,
Option 3X is suitable for backhaul-limited 4G networks, and CN is 5GC. It does not support mmWave bands and
as traffic can be splitted in the gateway between eNBs and E2E network slicing, and can be used to deploy 5G in
gNBs [8], and is recommended for initial 5G deployment in rural/urban areas to offer low latency services and 5GC
the NSA mode, as its features are supported by eMBB 5G coverage. Its deployment costs are low, but eNBs should
devices [9]. It has the shortest inter radio access technology be upgraded to ng-eNBs to support 5GC NAS and its
(RAT) mobility interruption time and can provide VoLTE interfaces. It is not future-proof with E5G RAN, but
service without RAT fallback [8, 9]. network operators can choose thisoption toprovide flexible
• Options 7/7A/7X: In these options, gNBs operate in the CN to support high-volume 4G traffic.
NSA mode with eNBs, CN is 5GC, and eMBB services and
some URLLC use-cases are supported depending on 5GC A network operator may choose different options for different
capabilities. Also, network slicing is supported, but eNBs locations depending on traffic volumes and future forecasts,
and interfaces must be upgraded to ng-eNBs to support e.g., Option 5 for rural areas, and Options 3/3A/3X in
5GC signaling (i.e., 5G non-access stratum (5G NAS)). mmWaves for hotspots [8]. Selection of options depends
Service-based 5GC is provided via restful APIs and new on some key factors such as TTM, CapEx/OpEx limits,
core functions. Although it takes longer to deploy these utilization of future-proof technologies, business trends, and
options and costs more than Options 3/3A/3X, they are existing facilities. Table 1 shows some suitable sequences
suitable for hotspots or dense areas (mmWave gNBs). of options for different network sizes, e.g., the sequence
• Options 4/4A: In these options, gNBs are the anchor and 1→3→4/2 for tier-one operators, and 1→3→7→4/2 for
operate in the NSA mode with ng-eNBs, CN is 5G, flexible tier-2/3 operators. In each sequence, a number of factors are
network slicing is supported, and deployment time and considered, including geographical locations and coverage,
cost are both high. Moreover, eNBs must be upgraded to availability of 5G enabled devices, and expected demand for
support 5GC signaling and interfaces, and operators can 5G services in different deployment stages. For highly dense
utilize dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) [10] or refarm areas that support NFV and SDN, and with sizable 5G enabled
some 4G bands to deploy 5G in bands below 6 GHz. devices, the sequence 1→4/2 is suitable.

– 38 –