Word of innovation: network core

A mobile telephone network is made up of four main parts. There are the pylons with the radio, the fiber optic backbones that link the pylons up to the rest of the network, the information system for operating the network, and … the network core.

Operators now wish to go into “standalone” mode, by deploying a network core based on 5G-specific innovations.

The network core has several functions: access and security management, subscriber authentication, quality of service management, call routing and communication control, interconnection with other networks, etc.

Mobile network cores have evolved, adapting to the new uses and techniques that have emerged from each new generation of mobile technology. Examples include the introduction of mobile internet access or broadband.

Today, 5G provides new services to companies and individuals, as well as new possibilities for operators in terms of network management optimization, such as network slicing (the virtual cutting up of networks into logical sub-networks) to dynamically adapt quality of service to different requirements.

For the time being, 5G is based on what is called a “non-standalone” technology, meaning that it runs with a 4G network core. Operators now wish to go into “standalone” mode, by deploying a network core based on 5G-specific innovations.

This deployment will make it possible to free up the potential of 5G with ultra-low latency and higher network reliability. These performances, combined with network automation, network slicing or edge computing, will make it possible to meet the specific needs of the different sectors: industry, e-health, autonomous vehicle, energy, etc.