RAN architecture evolution towards the 6G vision
RAN architecture evolution towards the 6G vision
This event will present an update on the vision for 6G RAN architectures from industry thought leaders in this space. Within this, we are keen to explore the ever growing role of virtualisation in mobile network architectures and how much of an underpinning technology virtualisation is likely to be in the journey to the 6G vision.
This event begin with an update from the mobile equipment vendor community on the latest vision for 6G architectures and the role of virtualisation within these. We will then hear from the mobile service and infrastructure provider communities on how close to this vision today’s mobile networks are and key steps we can take in networks today to make sure we have the right building blocks in place to facilitate future transitions.
Key questions that we aim to explore include:
- What is the latest “vision” for 6G architectures and why is 6G needed?
- How crucial is virtualisation to this future direction?
- How do we get to the 6G vision?
- What can we do in networks today to facilitate future transitions?
- How do we orchestrate these flexible, microservice based networks?
- What does the new ecosystem for network services look like and cost?
This event is taking place in the historic setting of Sydney Sussex College, University of Cambridge and will provide delegates with ample opportunities to network with fellow attendees to explore the themes of this event.
Following this event all delegates are invited to join the CW Founders' Dinner drinks reception, which is being held in the same location. The Founders' Dinner is an invitation-only event and offers business networking opportunities for Founder member organisations within the CW network.
Speakers include:
- Andrew Conway - Group Director, Technology Strategy, Boldyn Networks
- Achilles Petras - Accomplished Engineer & Research Manager, BT
- John Naylon - Senior SA Manager – Telco, Amazon
- Andrew Palmer - Consulting Director, CGI
- Paul Rhodes - Head of Strategic Consultancy, Evolved Networks
Virtual Networks SIG Champions
Julie Bradford
Julie has worked in the wireless industry for over 20 years. She has held a member elected place on the Cambridge Wireless (CW) board since 2022, is a champion for the newly formed Mobile Networks Special Interest Group (SIG) and was formerly a champion for the Virtual Networks SIG as well as the conference chair for CWIC 2021 and 2022.
At Real Wireless, she is a thought leader in business case analysis for wireless infrastructure including understanding emerging use cases, quantifying the operational, socio-economic and environmental benefits of enhanced wireless services and understanding network dimensioning and cost implications under different architecture options (including network virtualisation and slicing, public vs private mobile and shared vs dedicated infrastructure).
Julie currently leads Real Wireless’ involvement in the European Sustainability Lighthouse project, SUSTAIN-6G. Working alongside tier 1 European vendors and operators, this includes leading the development and application of frameworks for evaluating sustainability in 6G covering the dimensions of economic, societal and environmental sustainability with each of these considered from the perspectives of both direct infrastructure and device impact and indirect implications from usage of wireless (particularly in the smart energy, healthcare and agriculture sectors).
Julie has also worked with clients to understand the impact of investment in wireless infrastructure to their region or business, including local authorities (such as Belfast City Council), neutral hosts and transport hubs.
Prior to joining Real Wireless, Julie was Communications Engineer at QinetiQ UK, consultant at PA Consulting UK, and Senior Systems Engineer for Airvana UK.
Andrew Palmer
Andrew has more than 33 years of experience in IT, Telecoms and TV and Media, having worked in various roles for IBM, AT&T, Ericsson, Motorola and Arris. Andrew's present role is to leverage existing CGI capabilities that match the needs of our clients in the Space, Defence and Intelligence sectors, as well as building new capabilities that will support the emerging and changing needs of our client base. Andrew has proven experience in developing and delivering complex SI and Services solutions that meet both business and technology needs. Andrew has co-authored "UK Telecoms For Dummies", an essential guide to the complicated UK Telecoms sector as well as articles for publications such as the Cambridge Wireless Journal including "How do we build the new world of 5g?". He frequently speaks at conferences and provides media commentary on industry topics like 5G, IoT and Smart Cities, as well as being a member of the techUK Spectrum Policy Forum and the Cambridge Wireless Virtual Networks Special Interest Group.
- Twitter:
- @AndrewPalmerCGI
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpalmercgi/
Paul Rhodes
Paul has a B Eng in Communications Engineering from University of Hull and worked in the wireless industry internationally for over 30 years. At Evolved Networks he is responsible for RAN and Open vRAN Public and Private network architecture, strategy. He has deployed 4G and 5G small cell networks in both classical architecture and as dark-fibre disaggregated RAN networks and is currently refining the technical and cost implications of centralised classic and virtualised networks. During his career Paul has worked in Telco Vendors and Infrastructure Providers, significantly for Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, CityFibre and World Wide Technology in Technical and Commercial roles in both Europe and North America. He is also an Expert Working Group Member in Wireless Networking at UKTIN.
