NGMN Champions New AI Framework for Autonomous 5G Networks
Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) has outlined a new artificial intelligence (AI) led framework for autonomous networks.
Designed for the mobile communications industry, the organisation has provided guidance on what is required for autonomous networks that encompass AI.
Named ‘Automation and Autonomous System Architecture Framework – Phase 2’, NGMN offers guidance and direction on the use cases, requirements and architectural principles to embrace a broad range of interoperable, multi-vendor and standards-based autonomous networks that will help to manage the increasing complexity of the 5G Advanced ecosystem.
5G Advanced refers to the next phase of 5G technology that aims to bring new capabilities, performance and efficiency to the mobile industry. The hope is that it will support a wider range of applications, including extended reality (XR), industrial automation and 5G devices.
What is NGMN?
The NGMN Alliance (NGMN) is a forum founded by world-leading Mobile Network Operators. Consisting of companies like BT, China Mobile, T-Mobile and Vodafone, among others, it is open to all partners within the mobile industry, with its partners consisting of operators with more than 200 networks serving more than 60% of customers worldwide.
Its overall goal is to ensure that next generation network infrastructure, service platforms and devices will meet the requirements of operators and ultimately will satisfy end user demand and expectations.
Likewise, it aims to offer impactful industry guidance to achieve greater innovation and sustainability, as well as ensuring that mobile telecommunications services are affordable for all end users. On the path towards future networks and 6G, the organisation continues to support the full implementation of 5G.
As disruptive technologies like AI continue to transform the telecommunications landscape, having up-to-date guidance on how best to utilise it is becoming essential. Not only does this keep companies and customers safe, it also keeps business competitive.
“AI has huge potential to revolutionise the way we plan, build, operate and maintain networks, the services we offer and our ability to respond rapidly to customer needs,” explains Arash Ashouriha, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and SVP Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom.
“This publication provides a further foundation for the mobile industry to move forward together by developing and embracing a standards-based approach to autonomous networks.”
Enhancing AI progress via a framework
The new framework by NGMN outlines architectural considerations for enhancing operational capabilities through AI and machine learning, with the organisation wanting to enable operational capabilities beyond typical human response times.
Amid growing networking complexities, NGMN states that its framework could help to guide new standards and development for organisations who seek to deliver a more customised user-centric experience.
- Management of complexity
- Network, service and device evolution
- Autonomous System Management and Orchestration and the role of Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Co-operative technologies and processes
- Use cases
- Security and privacy
- Role of industry standards
The autonomous system architecture framework is intended to serve as guidance, as the development of interoperable and market enabling specifications is developed. Likewise, it aims to serve organisations as automated and self-adaptive 5G ecosystems continue to advance.
“With the ever-increasing complexity of networks and the move towards disaggregated and cloud-based architectures, it is more fundamental than ever that we manage that complexity by introducing AI at all levels of our networks and operations,” says Michael Irizarry, Member of the NGMN Alliance Board and Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at UScellular.
“UScellular is proud to have led this activity working alongside our partners at NGMN. We strongly encourage the industry to adopt this guidance when developing the industry standards that are necessary to ensure autonomous networks can be delivered through open and interoperable standards.”
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