Expanding horizons with 5G
The next generation 5G mobile platform, with its expanded capabilities, brings new opportunities and potential to mobile applications and the devices they run on. We’ve only begun to see the potential that 5G has to offer with connected things that range in the millions. One of the key issues when talking about connecting devices, is the ability to efficiently interconnect one Mobile Network Operator (MNO) to another, both locally and globally. The right infrastructure components have to be in place to support the devices that will roam from the home network to various other networks. These pieces that are critical to roaming include IPX, signaling, and security.
Connecting with partners is more critical than ever before
5G is all about connectivity. For MNOs, having the correct components, as well as partners, in place, will be incredibly important for successfully rolling out and supporting both 5G non-standalone (NSA) and 5G standalone (SA) implementations. This will be more crucial when putting in place the web of 5G connections with various other operators to support roaming devices beyond the home network.
Having a well-tested and proven telecommunication interconnection in place as a network-to-network roaming interface is an important step in supporting mobile devices as they traverse the globe. This has been true in the early platforms when it was GRX and, today, as it supports 3G, 4G, and now even 5G roaming connections. Now, a quality IP Exchange (IPX) is the foundational element necessary for the connectivity of operators.
IPX’s breadth of capabilities to support newer technologies as the demand for increased capacity and speeds has grown, solidifies its place as a prime foundation for the other critical elements of successful interoperability between operators including signaling and security.
To support existing 4G users as operators migrate services over to new the new 5G platform, it’s important to not only support Diameter Signaling Service for 4G/LTE Roaming, but also incorporate enhancements to further support 5G non-standalone roaming. With enhanced Diameter Signaling Services, active Diameter mediation, testing, and troubleshooting services can be realized by operators, enabling them to progress towards commercial launches of 5G non-standalone roaming.
5G introduces a new cloud-native and web-friendly protocol called HTTP2 to replace Diameter and GTPv2 protocols. It will be critical to implement an HTTP2 based 5G Signaling Controller to enable roaming with a 5G Core, specifically for 5G standalone networks, which promises to deliver the real 5G experiences and market opportunities beyond Enhanced Mobile Broadband.
5G also introduces a new entity called SEPP, or the Security Edge Protection Proxy, to ensure security for interconnection and roaming between networks. This may well be one of the most important functions on the network, given the huge emphasis on security in 5G. SEPP resides at the edge of the network and provides integrity protection, confidentiality protection, replay protection, spoofing protection and topology hiding. It is the application that aggregates all the roaming interfaces into a single interface, then packages it in a tight encryption layer and sends it off to the partner operator. It is one of the key enablers for end-to-end security in 5G.
Using a trusted provider
Having been in the business of connecting operators globally for over 30 years, Syniverse has become one of the few tried and tested developers of connectivity solutions supporting roaming devices including subscriber’s phones and now the numerous internet of things (IoT) devices flooding into the market.
Learn more
In the accompanying tech talk video, Mike Stewart, Vice President of Product Management for Syniverse, further discusses the critical components that are necessary to successfully drive 5G and 5G Roaming.
You can also visit our 5G roaming webpage to learn more about how Syniverse helps MNOS to cost effectively implement 5G roaming services as they establish their position to take full advantage of a 5G core to support 5G standalone.
Mike Rosenbaum joined Syniverse in 2011 and has more than 15 years of experience in working in marketing communication and product management roles in the telecom industry. As Product Marketing Manager, Mike is responsible for leading the communication strategy and content development for Syniverse’s portfolio of connectivity solutions, including services for IPX, IoT, RCS, and 5G and 4G. Prior to joining Syniverse, Mike held various marketing roles with a number of leading technology companies, including OKI Network Technologies, Ubiquity Software and Aicent. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University at Chico.
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