Deploying virtualised 5G networks in practice

Brought to you by The Virtual Networks Group

Managing expectations. Rolling out 5G in real life, on-the-ground situations, is of course a multi-step challenge (no more fixed hardware, density, creating standalone networks), but is the ‘dream’ too far-fetched? This is the final event of four in this month's Virtual Network SIG series.

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About the event

The flexible service-based architecture underpinning the full ambition of multi-service 5G requires a step change in the way that mobile networks are deployed.  From migrating existing 5G deployments from non-standalone 4G core networks to standalone 5G core networks, to cost-effectively supporting higher densities of sites and providing these with fibre fronthaul transmission, to migrating from fixed hardware based solutions to virtualising some of the mobile network functions and layers in data centres and edge cloud sites.

This session will conclude our series on “Realising the 5G dream” by looking at the challenges of deploying flexible, virtualised 5G networks in practice.  We will hear from some of the pioneers of deploying virtualised mobile networks and their views on the future shape of mobile network deployments going forwards.

Find out more about other events in the Virtual Networks SIG series: Realising the 'true 5G' dream

You can follow @CambWireless on Twitter and tweet about this event using #CWVN.

Sponsored by UK5G

The national innovation network dedicated to the promotion of research, collaboration and the commercial application of 5G in the UK.

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Agenda

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The information supplied below may be subject to change before the event.

14:00

CW and UK5G welcome by Robert Driver, Head, UK5G

14:05

Introduction to topic by Julie Bradford, Virtual Networks SIG Champion and Managing Consultant, Real Wireless

14:10

‘Implementing virtualized RAN: economic and architectural challenges’: Roberto Kompany, Senior Analyst, Analysys Mason

Mobile operators are planning to deploy virtualised RAN as they migrate their networks to 5G, but there are significant challenges that have to be addressed before they can deploy this architecture at scale.

14:25

‘Intel FlexRAN enabling the vRAN market’: Daniel Lynch, Segment Marketing Director, Intel

14:40

‘Containerized 5G at the Edge’: Richard Hewitt, 5G Product Owner, Metaswitch

We’ll discuss the drivers, opportunities and challenges around 5G deployed at the enterprise edge, making use of virtualization and containerization to simplify and optimize the consumption of 5G.

14:55

Panel session chaired by SIG champion, Julie Bradford

15:30

End of session followed by networking

16:00

Event close

Speakers

Julie Bradford - Head of techno-economic analysis, Real Wireless

Julie has worked in the wireless industry for over 15 years. At Real Wireless, she is a thought leader in 5G business case analysis including understanding 5G use cases, quantifying (in financial terms) the operational and socio-economic benefits of 5G services and understanding network dimensioning and cost implications under 5G virtualised networks.

She has most recently been working with city councils around their wireless strategy and related Green Book outline business case development. She also led Real Wireless’ techno-economic analysis on the EC Horizon 2020 5G-MoNArch project. Inspired by the project’s smart sea port testbed constructed by HPA, Nokia and DT in the Port of Hamburg, this analysis included quantifying the operational benefits of 5G to port authorities and other port users and the cost implications of delivering these industrial grade wireless services from existing mobile infrastructure via network slicing supported via the virtualised 5G-MoNArch network architecture.

Previously, Julie was Communications Engineer at QinetiQ UK, consultant at PA Consulting UK, and Senior Systems Engineer for Airvana UK. In addition to working at Real Wireless, Julie is a CW board member and champion for the CW Virtual Networks Special Interest Group (SIG).

Richard Hewitt - 5G Product Owner, Metaswitch

Richard Hewitt is a 5G product owner and solution architect at Metaswitch. He has designed and developed cloud native voice and data products in roles in Engineering, Customer Support, and Product Management and alongside Tier 1 operators around the world.

Roberto Kompany - Analysys Mason

Roberto is a member of Analysys Mason’s Telecoms Software and Networks research team and is the lead analyst for the Next-Generation Wireless Networks programme focusing on strategy and market research. He is also a Cambridge Wireless Special Interest Group (SIG) mobile broadband champion. Prior to joining Analysys Mason, Roberto worked for Dixons Carphone, where he analysed the effect on the business of shifts in the telecoms market – for example, in terms of mergers, operator KPIs and technology – in Europe and the UK. Previous positions included consultancy, where he helped a variety of clients worldwide with mobile-related projects, such as a capex reduction and developing a 5-year strategy for an incumbent’s wireless infrastructure. He started his career at a leading network equipment vendor, where he served in several different capacities, such as R&D, and deployment and optimisation of mobile infrastructures across multiple continents. Roberto holds an MSc in Mobile & Satellite Communications from University of Surrey and an MBA from IE Business School.

Daniel Lynch - Segment Marketing Director, Intel

Market Segment Director responsible for driving the business, silicon, software and platform strategy for FlexRAN. The FlexRAN reference platform enables a cloud platform at the very edge of the wireless network as the worldwide infrastructure gears up for 5G deployment and network service innovation. Dan joined Intel in 2005 and has held a range of technical and marketing roles mainly focused on networking segments playing a pivotal role in the NFV market transformation.

SIG Champions

Julie Bradford - Head of techno-economic analysis, Real Wireless

Julie has worked in the wireless industry for over 15 years. At Real Wireless, she is a thought leader in 5G business case analysis including understanding 5G use cases, quantifying (in financial terms) the operational and socio-economic benefits of 5G services and understanding network dimensioning and cost implications under 5G virtualised networks.

She has most recently been working with city councils around their wireless strategy and related Green Book outline business case development. She also led Real Wireless’ techno-economic analysis on the EC Horizon 2020 5G-MoNArch project. Inspired by the project’s smart sea port testbed constructed by HPA, Nokia and DT in the Port of Hamburg, this analysis included quantifying the operational benefits of 5G to port authorities and other port users and the cost implications of delivering these industrial grade wireless services from existing mobile infrastructure via network slicing supported via the virtualised 5G-MoNArch network architecture.

Previously, Julie was Communications Engineer at QinetiQ UK, consultant at PA Consulting UK, and Senior Systems Engineer for Airvana UK. In addition to working at Real Wireless, Julie is a CW board member and champion for the CW Virtual Networks Special Interest Group (SIG).

Andrew Palmer - Consulting Director, CGI

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.

Paul Rhodes - Director of OpenRAN, AtlasEdge Data Centres

Paul has a B Eng in Communications Engineering from University of Hull and worked in the wireless industry internationally for over 30 years.

At AtlasEdge 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.

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