Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Each Next-Generation Mobile Network Since 2G Has Reduced Latency

As 5G core networks have shifted to a decomposed and virtual architecture, latency can become an issue, since functions can be performed remotely. But SKT and Intel say they have a way to reduce latency in virtualized 5G core networks substantially, by as much as 70 percent for transactions between the session management function (SMF) gateway and packet data unit (PDU) session microservices. 


The approach also enables a 33 percent reduction in gateway CPU usage, the firms say in a white paper


They believe the architecture will be useful for 6G, but the approach also works for 5G, illustrating the ways one mobile generation preps the way for the next, as key features and principles evolve. 


Mobile service providers would like nothing so much as a graceful evolution to “6G” performance, without disruptive changes to platform elements. Obviously, collaboration with device manufacturers, chip suppliers and other stakeholders will happen, to ensure device compatibility, standards alignment, and smooth integration of 6G technologies. 


But we should expect to see many other ways mobile operators will pursue an evolutionary 6G transition. As we have seen with 5G, existing spectrum will be leveraged, even if new spectrum allocations are made. 


Software-defined networks will facilitate network  upgrades that avoid hardware replacements. 


Network slicing might also be used to enable the coexistence of diverse 5G and 6G services on the same infrastructure.


We might also see efforts to conduct Incremental upgrades, where 6G features and functionalities are introduced in stages, in much the way that 4G voice services relied on 3G and 5G relies on 4G for voice. More advanced features, such as network slicing, might be introduced later than basic functions such as new frequency bands for capacity boosts, as happened with 5G. 


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