Mobile Networks Probably Never will be as Easy to Upgrade as Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Though it seems quite unlikely, mobile network architects and C suites would probably love it if mobile platforms could be upgraded as easily as Ethernet or optical fiber transmission systems. In principle, that would allow for more-evenly-paced capital investment and probably lower levels of capital investment as well.

There are many reasons why this has not happened. Cellular wireless networks require a fair amount of planning and coordination to handle session handoffs while avoiding signal interference. Ethernet and optical fiber use waveguides that do not face significant spectrum management issues.

Optical transmission systems operate at the physical layer (Layer 1) and the data link layer (Layer 2) of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. Mobile networks operate at layer three.

In principle, upgrading a layer 2 connection is a matter of swapping transceivers or radios. While upgrading a layer 3 mobile connection also involves swapping network elements, there is much more frequency coordination and planning required, especially when shifting to new and different radio frequencies. 

Layer	Protocol	Description
Physical layer	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Responsible for the physical transmission of data
Data link layer	Ethernet, 802.11, 802.15	Responsible for framing data and error correction
Network layer	IP, 5G, IPv6	Responsible for routing data between different networks
Transport layer	TCP, UDP	Responsible for ensuring the reliable delivery of data
Session layer	Session layer	Responsible for managing the communication between two applications
Presentation layer	Presentation layer	Responsible for formatting data for presentation to the user

Software-defined networking might help by allowing decoupling the control plane from the data plane. This means that new features and functionality can be added to the network without having to replace the physical infrastructure.

Virtualization in general, plus open source, also offer advantages. 

But mobile networks, with the obligation to support voice, messaging and call handoff between adjacent cells, will always be more complicated than Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Mobile networks have 

To operate at the presentation and session layers, for example, to support their own voice and messaging operations.

Wi-Fi and Ethernet networks have no such needs. So perhaps upgrading of mobile networks will get a bit easier over time. But other requirements will make it unlikely a mobile network will ever be as simple to upgrade as Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks.