As 5G continues its rollout, communications service providers (CSPs) are gaining the ability to accelerate innovation and dynamically create services that were previously unfeasible. Critical to a CSP’s success in the 5G world is their ability to transform complex manual service provisioning into dynamic end-to-end service automation.
To exploit and monetise 5G opportunities, CSPs are adopting a new operational approach. One that combines cloud-native orchestration, real-time inventory, configuration management, assurance, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and analytics to make network domains fully autonomous and self-sufficient. The first step of this process begins with CSPs automating specific network domains such as the core, transport, B2B edge, and Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN).
Most services, however, will cross multiple domains, requiring them to be ‘stitched’ together and provisioned manually – which is complex and time consuming. Unless automation is taken up to the service level, it virtually eliminates the possibility for CSPs to offer and monetise dynamic 5G services and network slices.
Operations transformation starts by automating cross-domain services
Making cross-domain services a reality requires a unified view across all domains, automation of the entire service lifecycle, and a closed-loop policy that spans domains. This second step is truly transformational in that it:
- Hides complexity and simplifies operations by eliminating silos.
- Delivers a real-time view of the network for immediate understanding of network changes and provides the ability to instantly push demands and requests.
- Promotes agility by providing the ability to orchestrate any type of workload on any cloud platform.
- Provides zero-touch automation, from planning and design through to assurance.
- Allows networks and domains to continually learn, experience, and adapt.
Each of these build off the previous to develop the unprecedented levels of automation needed to create an autonomous operations environment. However, getting to this point is a journey and cross-domain service orchestration is a key enabler for 5G success.
The heart of operations automation is service orchestration
Attaining the full potential of 5G requires networks, services, and slices to be dynamic and have the ability to rapidly deploy, scale on-demand, continuously optimise to meet service level agreements (SLAs), and resolve issues without impacting services. Realising this goal requires end-to-end service orchestration.
At the heart of operations automation, service orchestration automates end-to-end service life-cycle management with a single pane of glass, and provides a comprehensive real-time view across all technology and cloud domains. All aspects of cross-domain services, including high performance multi-access edge computing (MEC) services and network slicing needs to be automated – from design and deployment to lifecycle management, optimisation, and assurance. This approach is what CSPs need to strive to attain to be able to drive effective deployment, management, and monetisation of 5G and edge services – while supporting full-lifecycle automation and systems integration for 5G networks.
End-to-end service orchestration, however, is complex and its effectiveness relies on three essential elements:
- Intent-based orchestration: Provides the ability to define the desired service target state and requirements (e.g. bandwidth, termination points, SLAs etc) in simple business terms without the need to specify implementation details. Dynamic service models, together with policy and context, are required to execute service intent to manage the increasing complexity and scale of networks and deliver on-demand services.
- Cloud-native architecture: As CSPs continue to migrate to public and hybrid clouds, microservices architecture and container-based components will enable them to adopt different cloud environments to meet rapid deployment, scale and upgrade needs and requirements.
- Open ecosystem: Service orchestration forms the unifying layer between legacy and modern BSS/OSS environments as well as the underlying core, edge and transport network domains (comprising physical, virtual and cloud-native functions) hosted on CSP cloud, hyperscaler cloud and traditional infrastructure. As an integral part of a CSP’s ability to integrate and automate multiple vendor’s networks and services, adhering to open application programming interfaces (APIs) and standard service models will be essential.
Service orchestration is the foundational process that harmonises diverse resources across a variety of cloud platform, enables full-service lifecycle automation, and provides end-to-end integration. It establishes the basis that enables CSPs to explore innovative and profitable 5G business opportunities.
Capture 5G monetisation opportunities
5G, the cloud, and edge applications have the potential to transform industrial and service sectors on a global scale. Limited only by imagination and the ability of ‘something’ to be connected, CSPs now have the ability to diversify into a variety of vertical markets (manufacturing, smart cities, transportation, healthcare, etc.) by offering private or shared 5G networks with differentiated network slicing and specialised partner services. One example is Etisalat UAE who offers a comprehensive range of managed cloud-based offerings for the industrial IoT market by combining a private 5G network with specialized MEC applications hosted on hyperscaler edge platforms. Additionally, 5G has become the catalyst in rising consumer demand for innovative services ranging from immersive gaming, smart homes, remote security, and more. However, to take advantage of 5G opportunities, CSPs must first achieve the highest levels of automation.
Autonomous operations is extremely powerful and a game changer. Nevertheless, getting there is a journey and should be done in stages. Stage one begins the process by automating specific domains. Once autonomy within domains is accomplished, stage two – cross-domain automation – can commence. The end goal of this stage is for CSPs to realise end-to-end automation and gain the ability to deliver dynamic network slicing and services. It’s only through autonomous operations that CSPs will become more agile, innovative, and profitable in the 5G world.
