Broadband standards development organization Broadband Forum has upgraded solutions to advance next-generation applications through efforts to unify wireless and wired networks, claiming that more efficient operations and reduced total cost of ownership will bring greater value and a better quality experience to end-user customers of IT systems.
The Broadband Forum’s Phase 18.1 specifications build on 3GPP Release 18 standards and aim to improve support for next-generation applications, network resiliency and integrated services by expanding the common value-added feature set, enabling customized quality of service and greater freedom for a smooth transition to a single, unified 5G core with multi-vendor broadband networks.
The Broadband Forum’s Wireless-Wired Convergence (WWC) working area is developing five new specifications under the umbrella of Phase 18.1 of the 5G work. Key use cases include business services support, hybrid access, network data analytics, and support for devices behind the 5G Residential Gateway (5G-RG).
The Forum said network slicing, part of the key enhancements in this latest phase of work, ensures that different subscriber groups, such as remote workers or gamers, can be prioritised and provided with higher bandwidth on demand.
The documents include WT-456 Issue 3 (Functional Requirements for Access Gateway Functions), WT-458 Issue 2 (CUPS for 5G Wireless-Wired Convergence), WT-470 Issue 3 (5G Wireless-Wired Convergence Architecture), and associated extensions to CPE Device Requirements and Device Data Models.
Previous work phases included Control User Plane Separation (CUPS) for Multi-Vendor Support (TR-458), which specified the AGF-5G User Plane Combination (Broadband UPF), designed to allow the broadband user plane to be used flexibly and cost-effectively with the 5G control plane. Broadband Forum technical reports TR-493 and TR-494 have also been published to integrate residential voice support into current 5G networks.
“By defining these improvements and capabilities for multi-vendor 5G broadband networks, the BBF effort will address the needs of both fixed and mobile operators,” said Manuel Pohl, co-director of the WWC Working Area at Deutsche Telekom and the Broadband Forum.
“With a common control plane and streamlined back office support, services can be combined to provide a uniform experience to subscribers regardless of the access they’re using. As standards mature, the industry has a foundation that can be leveraged for mass adoption in residential and enterprise markets,” Paul added.
Christele Bouchat, co-director of Nokia and Broadband Forum WWC Working Area, added: “Our Phase 18.1 work is driven by industry demand and operator priorities, with a focus on improving flexibility, profitability and deployment options. By working closely with 3GPP, we are ensuring synergies for the broadband industry. Leveraging convergence, operators can cost-effectively deliver broadband to homes and offices.”
