Many mobile operators plan to migrate their core networks over time to a full stand-alone 5G core network, relying on 4G evolved packet core for a time, says Rethink Research. That approach allows for a more-graceful capital investment strategy that supports early requirements at lower cost.
The transition to a full stand-alone 5G core then happens later, allowing more time for use cases to develop that require a stand-alone 5G core and its features.
The other big change is a migration to cloud-native and virtualized 5G core networks. Mobile operators have a few choices to make, in that regard. Service providers can build their own cloud-based network or source it from a hyperscaler. Essentially outsourcing the core network command and control function might have been anathema in the past, but seems increasingly a reasonable choice.
Beyond the “build versus buy” decision, mobile operators also have to decide whether the 5G cloud core network is designed to support network operations only, or whether the telco cloud also should include support for customer applications as well.
Perhaps one reason more operators are choosing a hyperscaler-supplied core is that doing so also allows support of enterprise customer applications.
As always is the case, upgrade strategies tend to favor infrastructure provided by existing suppliers. The switch to a brand-new stand-alone core network opens the door to different vendor choices. That arguably is easier than ever in the case of the 5G virtualized core, which, by definition, allows easier support for multiple vendors.
Network functions then can be sourced at the application layer rather than necessarily being bundled with physical infrastructure.
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