Communications Service Providers (CSPs) infrastructure plans are changing fast - despite CAPEX budgets squeezed by spectrum auctions. As 5G races around the world CSPs are discovering the benefits of moving to Cloud Native for service deployment. They are now realizing that Cloud Native software is simply how 5G services will be deployed rapidly and cost effectively.
This report reviews the cloud readiness of the industry and focuses primarily on the opportunities to include smaller but proven independent players specifically:
- Affirmed Networks
- Openwave Mobility (Enea)
- Mavenir
- Metaswitch
- Radisys.
As CSPs move to 5G Service Based Architecture (SBA) with Cloud Native µicroservices they are discovering the benefits of faster upgrades, flexible service creation and easier cloud based interoperability testing. Cloud Native software puts them on the path to fulfilling the original 5G vision of becoming both highly customer responsive and profitable.
Table of Contents
Why has Network Function Virtualization (NFV) deployment been so slow?
- New service software has been hampered by monolithic Virtual Machines
5G Changes Everything
- Service Providers are increasingly aware of the benefits of Going Cloud Native fast for 5G services.
- If Multi-vendor Cloud Native software is essential – Who can deliver it?
- Large infrastructure players – Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia – promoted Dual Mode 5G NSA Core in 2019 - More commercial launches planned in 2020
- Cisco, HPE, NEC and ZTE looking to take a share of 5G Cloud Native software market7
- Proven smaller players can now deliver interoperable VNFs and 5G Service Functions to fulfil the original CSP NFV vision
Small players that are ready for Cloud Native
- Openwave Mobility - now an Enea company
- Mavenir – a Siris Portfolio company
- Metaswitch
- Radisys – now a Reliance Industries company
Implications for CSP 5G Evolution today
- Cloud Native Software Addresses 5G Challenges
- Migration Path from 4G to 5G SA is actually easier
- Smaller Providers can offer ‘Vendor Independent’ options for select Service Functions that are easy to test
- Implications
Appendix A
5G SBA Architecture – Reference Design and frequently used abbreviations