Redefining Networks and Spectrum Usage in the 5G Ecosystem

In Conversation with Jason Inskeep, AVP - 5G CoE Ex - AT&T

Redefining Networks and Spectrum

Usage in the 5G Ecosystem

The growth of 5G is transforming the global network landscape enabled by three key items: spectrum, SDN, and convergence. A major change is underway around new spectrum options. This is particularly evident with the use of Citizens Broadband
Radio Services (CBRS) in the US. CBRS illustrates how regulatory bodies are allowing for more spectrum access. These new
spectrum resources will help drive the next-gen networks made possible by the emerging 5G ecosystem. The second element driving key trends in the domain is software-defined networks (SDNs). SDNs reduce the cost of building and scaling and open up new opportunities for traditional and non-traditional network operators. An SDN is no longer simply an inexpensive alternative for operators; it’s a vital component for business success. The third factor shaping the industry is the growth in convergence.

In the near future, over-the-top applications will require a tighter convergence with the network. This is to help ensure the user obtains the most reliable and high performing experience for its uses cases with as much future-readiness as possible. Thus, the convergence of technology with the ecosystem around it will need to mature and scale to continue to meet the experiential needs of today and tomorrow. The emergence of these key enablers is facilitating the 5G transformation paradigm. Imagine you install your 5G network and
get it up and running, creating your foundation. Then you proceed to create or add the functional internally facing use cases,
then the customer-facing functions, and so on. This has been going on for the last three years in many enterprises, with these
pockets of scale forming around it. Now, we are at the threshold of figuring out how to take it to the next level.

Combining Enterprise and Networking Aspects of Communication Technology

In addition to collaboration in an enterprise network scenario, we need to focus on ensuring integrity. It’s important to leverage the existing capabilities of the network vendors in driving the target synergies – only then can we hope to reach the goals that we have set for ourselves.

Around 2015, Wi-Fi was the predominant non-wired networking technology for an industrial site, regardless of the site type or LAN topology. In that same environment cellular connectivity adoption was yet to take off. Customers could not afford it because of high spectrum costs, lack of management expertise, monolithic software systems, and a host of other reasons.

Even with the clear growth in 5G, Wi-Fi will not go out of circulation; it will remain at whatever level it is in at the moment. This is because Wi-Fi operates in the unlicensed spectrum region, an area that will continue to stay relevant in the future. Combined with the value it can bring to certain site types, we can expect Wi-Fi to continue to deliver benefits for users.

However, when we look at not just the use case, but also the data type and site type, 5G may be a more viable network from a cost and scale perspective than alternatives, including Wi-Fi. This is especially true given the advantages of cellular coverage and thus the associated cost per square foot for cellular coverage is generally better than those of Wi-Fi, especially in large industrial site types.

Evolving Role of
System Integrators

We must focus on knowing and following our swim lane for delivering business success in the 5G landscape. The need of the hour is to focus on the necessary on-the-ground requirements and use cases, rather than going with a ‘brand-recall’/”rip-and-replace” approach. System integrators need to understand and deliver on their customer requirements, rather than continue to build solutions they feel are ideal for the task at hand.

Where the network meets the application layer -- this is often a challenging part, implying that the network provider must be aware of what you are doing in terms of application and vice versa. I say this because of the infrastructure we can use with different spectrum types and different architectures, either in stand-alone or merged networks. Different spectrums and architectures can affect not only the cost, scalability and performance of the infrastructure, but also the application. One of the biggest challenges is the network design can typically be decided much quicker than its scaled implementation. We need to remember it takes a while to install radios and pull fiber cables for large venues. Not to mention, all of this needs to happen without interrupting day-to-day operations. Consequently, the challenge is to work in tandem as part of a synchronized operation, so while the network is being built the application process can iterate to fulfill the network design. The entire engagement should be iterative and agile, so that as the network and relevant applications are ready, they converge at the proper moment. System integrators also need to keep an eye on cost as they design the apps. They must be aware of potential decisions and timing aspects in order to streamline application design, scale and structure to avoid stranded investment. These, factors will have a direct impact on budget, deployment timelines, and return on value.

Leveraging Software in Driving Transformation Journeys

As 5G deployments accelerate, the role of software will grow in defining the forward transformation journey. While the good news about software is that it allows you to do whatever you want, the bad news is software allows you to do whatever you want. As a business operating in today’s highly competitive, global environment, you need to focus on ensuring that your software initiatives are helping you to break siloes, scale and deliver value. One way to achieve this is to take an inside-out approach. In this approach, one can lay out a core network architecture that will scale from a small corner of an enterprise data-only site out to the larger part of the same site, like a factory.

From there the same enterprise can begin to look at sites using both business and consumer data, such as retail stores and eventually citywide environments, all with the core architecture remaining similar or unchanged. As we think about what we have done, and what we continue to do, it is easy to realize the same need for the right people at the front of the process to absorb input, rationalize it, and help software make the right decision whether it’s business or consumer data. The more information we have flowing from the front to the back, the better the products will be, as well as scale over time. This represents a departure from having to get to the end state on the first try to becoming comfortable with an iterative, timed approach.

New operator entrants in this field need to move and show value quickly. Customers want to be able to see, touch, and move the 5G stack. So, we must think differently in that regard. While software is a major driver, getting the optimal build requires iterative interaction with the actual user groups to balance technical and non-technical needs. As customer expectations evolve, operators will need a greater combination of technology with talent to stay ahead of the competition.

Delivering an Effective Value Proposition

I don’t think of 5G as a replacement but as an augmentation of existing networks, especially local area networks. In these augmentation models, customers desire a step change in transformation, while affording a model that will provide a runway for continuous improvement over time. For example, one of our high-tech manufacturing customers is keeping Wi-Fi and fiber while adding 5G.

This is because the cost to augment is more beneficial than the costs to update existing systems. The ability of 5G augmentation to scale into next generation productivity is also a factor. For this customer, stable, secure, coverage and capacity allow greater volumes of near real-time data to be captured. Milliseconds of reduced 5G-related latency could result in hundreds of thousands in new revenues and cost savings. This is a reason to incrementally augment in transition to 5G.

Looking at the Future

I believe legacy networks will continue to grow on the industrial side. However, I think it
won’t be long before businesses augment and leverage cellular in tandem with legacy systems
across industrial sites.

As more businesses start to realize the ways they can leverage their data for higher returns
across the board, they will find ways to operate legacy and cellular systems together and to
deliver cutting-edge features with network slicing and other emerging solutions.

That said, given its inherent benefits, cellular topology may make more sense than Wi-Fi
at industrial sites. When determining the right starting mix of wireless and wired networks,
I recommend businesses first focus on assessing the factory site and needed use cases and
data types and then build upward to the appropriate choice of connectivity type versus
the other way around.

This approach helps capture untapped synergies across the data and connectivity
ecosystem,
creating a useful and solid foundation for future use cases.

And finally, as new edge computing constructs take shape, I believe we will see
advancements in immersive venues, cities, and the like.

It could take a few years for that fully interconnected environment to emerge,
but a high-performing and future-ready 5G network will help transform the landscape.