At BroadForward we are at the forefront of multi-technology signaling and innovation in core networks at service providers globally. The following four trends are signaled by our team who are out in the field engaging with our customers on a daily basis.
#1: Signaling security.
Assessing signaling security in the network will be on the menu of almost every single operator in 2023. This will cover all access technologies they are currently operating (SS7 for 2G/3G, Diameter for 4G and possibly also HTTP/2 for 5G). In 2019, the GSMA introduced more stringent counter measures against the evolving threats to existing network technologies. These were captured within the FS.11 SS7 Interconnect Security Monitoring and Firewall guidelines as well as the FS.19 Diameter Interconnect Security recommendations. Many operators followed suit and have started implementing these measures, contemplating how to centralize and optimize complex signaling firewall rules consequently looking for ways to achieve integration across the different signaling technologies. This year, the GSMA reminded operators again “that when signaling is compromised, then the integrity, privacy and availability of services is risked. Consequently, signaling security is still viewed as a priority”.
#2: 5G roaming and interconnect.
Although full 5G roaming requires 5G Standalone (5GSA), which is currently live with only 27 mobile operators (according to the GSA), we foresee many operators pushing to go commercial with the 5G Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) by 2023. Not only will mobile operators want to deploy this mandatory (network edge) interconnect function, we expect that the independent IPX providers performing the role of ‘Roaming Hub’ will want to ensure they are up and running in time to serve a growing number of 5G networks globally.
#3: Cloud enablement.
Cloud is a major topic for any operator looking to achieve much lower costs for its core network and IMS infrastructure. Obviously, this goes for 5G, as it is the first network technology to assume a cloud-native software-based architecture by design. But equally in 2023 we see a growing drive to rationalize networks and move legacy signaling functions (such as the STP and DRA) to the cloud and onto containers as well. Reason is that these legacy networks will (need to) exist for a lot longer than most anticipated and the associated cost are getting worse instead of better. In addition, the increased network complexity places much greater demands on flexibility for legacy systems too. The demand for more flexible, cloud enabled, virtualized core network functions is expected to drive a major wave of legacy product replacements in 2023.
#4: Traffic data.
Operators are increasingly realizing they are sitting on a ton of useful network data. It has just been very difficult to get access and turn it into usable network intelligence. This is important in order to get to grips with vital topics such as security, service quality, customer behavior and needs, as well as actual network capabilities. We expect operators in 2023 to push their chosen suppliers to provide them with pervasive (normalized) traffic data associated with their products – from now on by default. This data will increasingly support decision-making, enabling constant optimization, which in turn will accelerate response (rates) to faster and ever-changing market needs.
