5G is set to transform the world of Communications Service Providers (CSPs) for one reason: for the first time, the network is going to be defined by software. This virtualisation is different from anything that has gone before, and the impact is going to have unexpected consequences. A software-defined and cloud-native network offers huge opportunities for flexibility and the chance to scale, allowing operators to bring up new capacity or functionality as and when required. In turn, this enables the ability to create truly personalised services, such as unique billing packages or specialised service level agreements for enterprise applications. However, while containers will establish a more flexible, scalable network solution, they also come with a host of new challenges. And complexity in the world of 5G is growing exponentially.
Foundational complexity
A software-defined network (SDN) is a complex technology that is unlike anything the telecommunications industry is traditionally used to rolling out. The challenges are going to be many and various; do you opt for a single equipment provider’s integrated 5G core package or a best of breed approach from a variety of vendors for your various network functions? Each equipment provider takes a slightly different approach to the 5G evolution and Service Providers must choose a solution, or combination of solutions, that allows for the best traffic, application and subscriber intelligence.
One challenge that comes with 5G core is built-in encryption, meaning any single transaction is likely encrypted in multiple ways. With TLS 1.3 set to dominate moving forward, CSPs will have to integrate solutions that decrypt their data in order to ensure all traffic is as secure as possible. As foundational 5G complexity ramps up, Service Providers will need a suite of capabilities with integrated solutions to guarantee best performance and strong security.
Cloud complexity
Complexity doesn’t end with the foundations of 5G implementation. As the SDN is software, it will need to be hosted in the cloud – private, public or hybrid. 5G is intrinsically cloud-native, effectively breaking down monolithic functions into microservices. All 5G networks will be containerised at some level and while this creates a far more scalable and agile environment, it also adds another layer of complexity that the telecommunications operator is not used to managing.
Many Service Providers opted for a private cloud environment, although some operators are now exploring public cloud (which incorporates industry giants like AWS). CSPs need to decide on the infrastructure that best fits their needs and understand how their chosen environment is optimised. Most importantly, it is essential to introduce a deep level of observability into containers – and between containers – alongside visibility into the 5G core.
Organisational complexity
It is not just at the network and packet level that the deployment of SDNs is making changes. Within most CSPs, the deployment of 5G networks is having a knock-on effect on the organisational structures of the operator itself. Many, if not all Service Providers are going through a digital transformation programme to bolster operations. So, what else is now moving to virtual environments? Everything from billing to data centre operations will all soon be running in containers and needing optimal uptime. And with core services, as well as future applications, transitioning to the cloud, this adds yet another layer of complexity for these telecommunications operators.
Observability to manage complexity
To operate successfully, CSPs must have a holistic view of what is happening within the SDN core, and a deep understanding of how the data is being manipulated. With further deployments of more peripheral functions in the 5G core, solutions like container network tapping and decryption tools will be required. Whatever the function, a deep level of observability into data in motion in the 5G core, as well as a clear line of sight into the cloud is essential. This visibility should provide traffic intelligence – gaining a view of encrypted traffic – as well as application intelligence that generates rich metadata for the control and user plane traffic to feed monitoring and security tools.
5G is going to bring complexity on complexity touching nearly every aspect of a CSP’s business, from the network itself, to the services it offers and even the way the organisation is structured. Service Providers are faced with an ‘innovate or die’ scenario in a deeply competitive environment, but the 5G journey will not be simple. To manage the complex landscape, CSPs need to gain actionable insight from the deluge of data-in-motion. This is made possible with deep observability.
