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Intelligent Security - updated

For communication service providers it is essential that security is built-in not bolted-on to protect customers and the network infrastructure. Service management and orchestration (SMO) has a number of threat-surfaces including: third-party developers; rApps; open interfaces; open source software and the SMO platform. The key to intelligent security is security-by-design.

Intelligent Automation

Intelligent automation is essential to meet growing network demands, manage the increasing complexity, operate networks more efficiently to provide the best network performance, and deliver a great customer experience with rationalized capex investments. This guide explores intelligent automation solutions that address the main CSP challenges and provide the highest ROI and shortest time to market, with a future-proof architecture that can meet the ever-changing demands for each service provider.

Intelligent Operations

Increased network complexity is driving the need for a new approach to the operational management of networks. The introduction of 5G hugely increases the number of operational variables including new frequency bands, automated antenna systems, new low-latency services and many more network components. Intelligent RAN automation unlocks advanced automation through increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. It also enables AI operations by using AI and ML to manage the RAN SW lifecycle. 

Intelligent Optimization

Many analysts predict that the earliest rApp use cases will be from the migration of self-optimizing networks (SON) applications to SON rApps. Furthermore the migration from stand-alone SON applications to SON rApps running on a common application platform, the non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT-RIC) enables platform consolidation and consequent reduction in operational costs which may re-invigorate the global SON market.

However, Ericsson believe that SON rApps are just the starting point and that rApps covering other use cases like energy efficiency or cloud RAN support will also help establish a $1.6bn market by 2026.

Intelligent Innovation

Open RAN is driving incredible radio access network (RAN) innovation. The O-RAN alliance architecture is in the process of defining multiple open interfaces which will drive multi-vendor, multi-technology interoperability. In the service management and orchestration (SMO) domain the open R1 interface combined with high-function software development kits (SDKs) will accelerate RAN automation application (rApp) from Ericsson, service providers and other third-parties.

However, there are decisions to be made in terms of approach from simple API publication to open-source project to full industry-body standardization. Each has pros and cons. Which approach is best?

Intelligent Ecosystems

RAN automation applications, or rApps, will become the key components for automation new Open RAN and Cloud RAN networks, as well as the existing purpose-built 4G and 5G networks that make up ~98% of deployed networks today. Within Open RAN service management and orchestration (SMO) the non-real-time-RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT-RIC) runs multiple rApps over an open R1 interface. But who will build these rApps, how will the development ecosystems evolve and will service providers be able to monetize their investment in rApps in a global marketplace?  Find out more.