The deployment of 5G technology is set to revolutionize the telecommunications industry — addressing the needs of both consumers and businesses — bringing faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect more devices at once. From choosing the proper deployment strategy, to understanding the new technologies, and offering new services, it’s more important than ever that carriers and providers have a billing and operations support system (B/OSS) that can handle the increased complexity and new business opportunities that come with 5G deployment.
Focus Early On Spectrum
As 5G requires more spectrum than 4G, deploying the necessary spectrum is a critical step. However, acquiring spectrum is not an easy task. Spectrum is the limited resource that enables wireless communications, and with 5G technology, the need for a significant amount of spectrum is even more pronounced. The importance of acquiring spectrum early and in large quantities cannot be overstated.
In many regions, spectrum is scarce and already in use by other entities, and government regulations and auctioning off the spectrum makes it a competitive and often costly process for carriers. The technical specifications for the spectrum may vary from region to region, which can add further complexity and cost to the acquisition process. By acquiring spectrum early, carriers can plan and prepare their network infrastructure and equipment to ensure that it is optimized for 5G. The more spectrum a carrier has, the more capacity they can offer to their customers, which in turn enables more reliable and faster connectivity.
Choose the Right Deployment Strategy
When it comes to upgrading, 5G offers two main network deployment strategies: Non-StandAlone (NSA) — which allows for a faster rollout and lower initial investment as it leverages 4G network assets, and StandAlone (SA) — which calls for a much higher initial investment but unlocks full 5G capabilities and new features, right away.
5G Non-Standalone
Non-standalone architecture is the more incremental approach to 5G deployment, as it utilizes the existing 4G Core with the 5G New Radio (NR) to provide 5G coverage. NR is designed to support a wide range of spectrum bands, from low-band to millimeter wave, and to enable higher data rates, lower latency, and better reliability than 4G. It also supports massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology which uses multiple antennas to increase the capacity and reliability of the wireless link, allowing more data to be transferred simultaneously and reducing the impact of interference.
Non-standalone networks are typically used as a stepping stone towards standalone networks as they’re more cost-effective, offer faster deployment times, and are more easily integrated with existing 4G networks. While 5G speeds can be achieved with NSA architecture, the full capabilities of 5G cannot be realized as it’s less flexible and scalable than SA architecture and it is more difficult to develop new applications and services on top of it.
5G Standalone
Standalone architecture is a completely new network architecture that is made up of the new 5G Core and NR, allowing for more flexibility and scalability as it operates independently from 4G networks.
The 5G Core provides the control plane and management functions for the entire network, including user authentication, network slicing, traffic routing, and billing. Its cloud-based structure allows operators to scale their networks more easily and cost-effectively, as they can add or remove capacity as needed. Several new technologies are incorporated with the 5G Core, such as network functions virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN). NFV enables network functions to be run as software on commodity hardware, rather than dedicated hardware appliances. This reduces costs and increases flexibility, as operators can deploy new services more quickly. SDN allows operators to centrally manage their networks, programmatically controlling network traffic and routing.
5G SA architecture requires more planning and infrastructure and therefore takes longer to deploy and is more expensive the 5G NSA. However, 5G SA provides greater flexibility, lower latency, increased security, and allows mobile carriers to fully realize the benefits of 5G.
Ensure Your B/OSS Is 5G Ready
5G is more than an evolution of previous technology; it is a whole set of new networks for different applications. As this technology increasingly becomes the fabric of connectivity that shapes our collective future, it requires much more than just upgrading existing networks. In this evolving space, new technologies continue to create more complex operations that need advanced solutions — which makes it all the more important to think of your B/OSS from the lens of the future rather than the past.
That’s why it’s pivotal to employ a system that is adaptive and flexible for meeting the demands of the 5G-enabled space. At IDI Billing Solutions, we employ a world-class, cloud-based platform that enables carriers making the leap to 5G to meet the demands of their subscribers today — while delivering the power for future scalability. Our cloud-based B/OSS solution is designed to:
Automate Operations and Maximize Efficiency
More complex than its predecessors, 5G relies on a combination of different technologies, including small cells, massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple- output), and beamforming. This complexity requires mobile carriers to have a B/OSS that can handle the additional data and traffic generated by these new technologies, as well as the ability to monitor and manage the network in real-time.
Expand Services and Quickly Grow Revenue
As data usage increases with the growth of 5G and IoT, mobile carriers have the opportunity to take advantage of new charging models. A robust system that can track usage in real-time and provide accurate billing information is essential to ensure that customers are charged correctly and that carriers can generate revenue from their services.
Enhance the Digital Customer Experience
5G networks are not standalone systems and need to be integrated with other technologies and systems, including cloud computing, edge computing, and virtualization. A B/OSS that can integrate with these other systems is essential to ensure that carriers can offer a seamless digital experience to their customers.
Seamlessly Scale as Your Business Grows
In this evolving space, new technologies continue to create more operations that need advanced solutions. That’s why it’s pivotal to employ a system that is adaptive and flexible for meeting the demands of the 5G-enabled space.
Ready To Build A Better Experience? Talk To IDI Today.
Bottom line — it’s an exciting time to be a mobile carrier as the benefits of 5G are innumerable. And while many organizations are working hard to wrestle their blueprints to the ground, having the right strategy, coupled with a strong B/OSS partner with the expertise to help you navigate the complexities of migration, will put you on the path to unlocking the true potential of 5G.
Through innovative technology, people, partners, and systems, IDI is committed to providing the insightful counsel and specialized expertise you need to streamline operational efficiency, monetize services, automate operations, and seamlessly scale as your business demands.
To learn more, call 888.924.4110, or contact us here.