GSA 5G Security Primer vs Cisco 5G Security Challenges

The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), today issued a 5G Security Primer whitepaper, providing the industry with a top-level overview of the security considerations and required approaches necessary for securing next generation networks. 5G is expected to see huge growth in both the number of different types of applications, as well as the volume and diversity of devices that will connect to the network. These two factors have the effect of broadening the potential “attack surface” for 5G networks – introducing potential new risks and meaning that security best practice has never been more important. Drawing on research from GSA member vendors and industry security sources, the whitepaper outlines the potential issues as well as architectural approaches to securing 5G networks. It is available for download from The GSA website.

The whitepaper includes detail on trust models and assumptions within 5G networks compared to their LTE counterparts. It also outlines how 5G’s architecture and features enhance security including: Service-Based Architecture (SBA) and network slicing, Authentication, Identity Management and Privacy, Security Assurance, Inter-operator Security and Signalling Protection, the role of multi-access edge computing (MEC), the potential security impact on user experience and the hardware protection of endpoints, servers. Finally, it also considers approaches to standardization and future developments in the field.

“5G is not just about faster speeds, it’s also about an order of magnitude increase in the number of connected devices and potential applications. This significantly increases the potential attack surface, and means that adopting security best practice will be critical to building models of trust between the parties using and supplying 5G networks,” said Joe Barrett, President of the GSA. “Drawing on broad research and experience of our membership, this whitepaper provides a primer for the industry to highlight the challenges and encourage secure thinking to be central to network design and implementation.”

About GSA

GSA is the voice of the mobile vendor ecosystem representing companies engaged in the supply of infrastructure, semiconductors, test equipment, devices, applications and mobile support services. GSA actively promotes the 3GPP technology road-map – 3G, 4G, 5G – and is a single source of information resource for industry reports and market intelligence. Its Executive board comprises of Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Nokia, Qualcomm, and Samsung as well as a range of members and associates including Viavi Solutions and ZTE.

Membership of GSA is open to any supplier of products; systems or services related to the mobile industry and brings many benefits including access to the GAMBoD database. The range of benefits includes enhanced discussion, networking and influencing opportunities on the key industry topics, and unique promotional/visibility opportunities for your company name, capabilities, positioning and messages. More details can be found at here.

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According to Cisco:

The security challenges facing service providers are set to soar with the development of 5G networks. … Unlike 4G and previous generations, 5G will support specialized use cases like e-health and connected cars. Security in these scenarios could be a matter of life and death.

Your security architecture must evolve as you move to 5G. This whitepaper offers a roadmap for your journey

Advanced malware must be stopped and fixed. For this, you need to go beyond signature-based tools to spot the stuff designed to evade basic filters. Behavior-based checks on endpoints, possibly using sandboxing, are important. And once a threat has been detected, you need to be able to remove all instances of it on the network, and block it going forward.

Anomaly detection uses packet capture, big data, and machine learning to identify threats not spotted by basic filters. When embedded into network switches and routers it’s far more effective, as it turns those devices into security sensors.

DNS intelligence is important, as this is a major threat vector today. There’s great value in tools which monitor DNS activity and protect against anything malicious. But this is extremely expensive and resource-intensive to develop in-house. So look for an expert provider who can help.

Threat intelligence should be at the heart of any effective 5G security strategy. Service providers must look for vendors which profile hackers to better understand their efforts. Try and get intelligence from the widest range of sources possible. Ensure your provider only offers actionable intelligence and that it’s sent to you rapidly.

Security threats are only going to accelerate as 5G networks become a reality. AT&T sees 11 billion incidents each day currently. But it predicts this will rise to five billion every 10 minutes in the future.

That’s why service providers must plan now for the future. And remember, the first step towards control is network-wide visibility.

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Three use cases for IMT 2020 (the real 5G standard to be completed end of 2020) showing application examples for each use case:

Image result for 5g security

 

 

 

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Cignal AI: Long-Haul WDM Deployment Growth Sets Stage for Increased Spending in 2019

After a weak 2017, long-haul WDM deployments rebounded in the fourth quarter of 2018 (4Q18) with growth of nearly 20 percent; bringing it up almost 8 percent for the year, according to the 4Q18 Optical Hardware Report from research firm Cignal AI. Growth was fueled by a reversal of almost two years of terrestrial spending decline in North America and a year-over-year surge in Japan.

“There have been several announcements of next-generation coherent optical system deployments leading up to this week’s OFC conference, and more are expected before the event concludes,” said Scott Wilkinson, Optical Hardware Lead Analyst at Cignal AI. “These new generations of coherent optical hardware will spur long-haul and SLTE spending increases, which we expect will continue into next year.”

Cignal AI’s Optical Hardware Report is issued each quarter and examines optical equipment revenue across all regions and equipment types. The analysis is based on financial results, shipment information, and guidance from individual equipment companies. Forecasts are based on overall spending trends for equipment types within the regions.

Key findings in 4Q18 Optical Hardware Report:

  • North America Rebounds – After eight quarters of declining revenue, North American terrestrial spending (excluding SLTE) turned positive in 4Q18, led by long haul and cloud & colo spending. Ciena saw double-digit growth in the region and was responsible for most of the turnaround, with ADVA posting a similar growth percentage. While 2018 was down year over year, modest growth is predicted for 2019.
  • Japan Posts Impressive Returns – A stronger-than-expected third quarter combined with a 4Q18 surge resulted in regional growth of nearly 45 percent year-over-year, led entirely by non-Japanese vendors. Nokia, Ciena and Huawei posted larger gains at the expense of traditional Japanese vendors Fujitsu, Mitsubishi and NEC. While spending was up double-digits in 2018, it is expected to normalize to single-digit growth for 2019.
  • EMEA Quarterly Spending Lags – Traditional EMEA fourth-quarter spending growth was not as large in 2018 as compared to previous years, resulting in a quarterly YoY decline. For the year, EMEA is up slightly and should grow well into 2019.
  • China Experiences Slowdown – Growth in China continued in 4Q18 but decelerated as more moderate growth becomes the new norm as large percentage gains cannot be sustained indefinitely. Nokia had a strong quarter, though Chinese sales are still dominated by the local vendors such as Huawei and ZTE. The loss of ZTE revenue in the 2Q18, however, resulted in flat Chinese spending for the year. Single-digit growth is expected into 2019.
  • CALA Returns to Growth – Recovering from a negative third quarter, CALA had a small increase in 4Q18. The region remained down in double-digits for the year.

 Interactive Optical Hardware Market Share Tracker

 In mid-2018, Cignal AI launched its Optical Hardware Market Share Tracker, which presents the quarter’s up-to-date market data, providing real-time visibility on individual vendors’ results as soon as they are reported to enable well-informed market analysis. With the 4Q18 results, Cignal AI debuted a new, interactive format that enables users to manipulate data online and see information in a variety of useful ways. The interactive Market Share Tracker is available to clients of the Optical Hardware Report.

About the Optical Hardware Report

The Cignal AI Optical Hardware Report is published quarterly and includes market share and forecasts for optical transport hardware used in optical networks worldwide. In addition to the interactive tracker, analysis includes an Excel database as well as PDF and PowerPoint summaries. Subscribers to the Optical Hardware Report also have access to Active Insight, Cignal AI’s real-time news service on current market events.

The report examines revenue for metro WDM, long-haul WDM and submarine (SLTE) equipment in six global regions and includes detailed port shipments by speed. Vendors in the report include Adtran, ADVA, Ciena, Cisco, Coriant, ECI, Ekinops, Fiberhome, Fujitsu, Huawei, Infinera, Juniper Networks, Mitsubishi Electric, MRV, NEC, Nokia, Padtec, Tejas, Xtera and ZTE.

Full report details, as well as articles and presentations, are available on the Cignal AI website.

About Cignal AI

Cignal AI provides active and insightful market research for the networking component and equipment market and the market’s end customers. Our work blends expertise from a variety of disciplines to create a uniquely informed perspective on the evolution of networking communications.

[email protected]
Web: Contact us

OFC 2019: Importance of Software and 5G Related Sessions

As optical networking evolves, industry changes emphasize the increasing importance of software in optical communications. Today’s software research extends beyond SDN/NFV to address control and optimization of transmission systems, network planning, and device design, and OFC’s Demo Zone picks up on this trend.

“OFC allows to us explore the latest software developments and discuss emerging trends,” said Laurent Schares, IBM Research, USA, an OFC 2019 general chair. “Now is the time to address operational strategies, use cases and field deployments — and demonstrations drive that point home.”

OFC 2019 expanded this year’s Demo Zone to reflect industry evolution. The Demo Zone will feature live demonstrations of key software functions and tools for optical communication devices, systems and networks. From AI engine cooperation to an open dis-aggregated transport network and beyond, the OFC Demo Zone addresses topics of coordination and collaboration between systems and organizations. These proof-of-concept and research demonstrations offer an opportunity for small group, interactive dialogue, featuring real-time exchanges between attendees and presenters.

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5G related symposia at OFC 2019:

5G Trials, Pilots, and Demonstrations, Monday, 4 March, 08:00 – 16:00

Organizers: Thomas Pfeiffer, Nokia Bell Labs, Germany; Jun Terada, NTT, Japan; Shan Wey, ZTE, USA

The fifth generation mobile networks (5G) have promised to transform mobile broadband services through a new network architecture that will enable significantly faster access speed, ultra-reliable low latency communications, and massive machine-to-machine communications, not only for mission critical applications but for everyone everywhere. As the industry is progressing towards 5G standards and 5G capable technologies, the deployment of 5G networks is about to become reality as evidenced by the flood of new product announcements and field trial reports by network operators.

This symposium is intended to update the OFC community about the latest progress of 5G trials, pilots, and demonstrations. Use case scenarios involving a wide range of relevant vertical sectors, e.g., mobile broadband access, connected transport, digital health, smart cities/venues, creative media, will be discussed. By reporting on recent progress, we hope to highlight the role of photonic technologies in delivering 5G network solutions and further inspire and challenge the photonics industry to advance developments targeting the future mobile communication networks.

The symposium is divided into three sessions. The first session will focus on 5G requirements and how major system vendors will realize x-haul transport over optical systems. The second session will provide insight into the perspectives and first experiences of leading telecom network operators and industrial players using 5G technologies. The third session finally will showcase future applications and field trials related to public sector initiatives.

Session 1 – 5G Trials: Vendor’s Perspective
Monday, 4 March, 08:00 – 10:00

Francis Dominique, Nokia, USA
Requirements of 5G Radio Netwoks on Optical X-haul Transport

The high data rate and very low latency applications supported by 5G require an appropriate transport network to meet the requirements of these applications. This paper provides an insight to the requirements imposed by 5G radio access networks (RAN) on front/midhaul transport.

Li Mo, ZTE, China
ZTE’s 5G Trials

Stefano Stracca, Ericsson, Italy
Network Convergence in 5G Transport

Soundarakumar Masilamani, C-DOT, India
5G Rural Strategy in India

Session 2 – 5G Trials: Network Operators’ and Vertical Industries’ Perspective
Monday, 4 March, 10:30 – 12:30

Kent McCammon, AT&T, USA
Recent Progress of AT&T’s 5G Trials

Yukihiko Okumura, NTT DoCoMo, Japan
5G Trials in Japan

Walid Mathlouthi, Google, USA
Regulatory Aspects for 5G to Enable New Business Models

Yuji Inoue, Toyota InfoTechnology Center, Japan
Industry 4.0

Session 3 – 5G Trials: Public Sector Initiatives
Monday, 4 March, 14:00 – 16:00

Dimitra Simeonidou, University of Bristol, UK
Test Bed and Trials for 5G Content Delivery in England

Harald Haas, University of Edinburgh, UK
5G Rural Trials in Scotland

Dan Kilper, COSMOS-PAWR, USA
COSMOS: An Advanced Optical and Wireless Networking Testbed in NYC

Moises Ribeiro, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Brazil
5G Research and Testbeds in Brazil

https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/program-speakers/symposia/

MWC 2019: KT Corp. Debuts New 5G Services; Who is “Mr. 5G?”

KT Corporation, South Korea’s largest telecommunications network provider, is preparing for the world’s first full-scale commercialization of 5G in March. The South Korean telecom leader is demonstrating its latest 5G technology and services, from AI robots to a flying rescue system, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019, held this week in Barcelona, Spain. KT’s slogan at MWC is “Now a Reality, KT 5G and the Next Intelligent Platform.”

During a keynote speech at MWC, KT Chairman and CEO Hwang Chang-Gyu said that the new 5G era will transform the world into a better place for everyone. The next mobile revolution will benefit and create more businesses and enterprises, and it will also elevate the user experience to a new level of maximum versatility and immersion, he said. “In March, KT will be the first in the world to introduce ‘True’ 5G mobile services,” said Chairman Hwang, who is now often referred to as “Mr. 5G” for his passion and dedication to launching the next-generation wireless.

KT Chairman and CEO Hwang Chang-Gyu displays the world’s first 5G smartphone during his keynote speech at MWC 2019, held February 25 to 28 in Barcelona, Spain.

KT Chairman and CEO Hwang Chang-Gyu displays the world’s first 5G smartphone during his keynote speech at MWC 2019, held February 25 to 28 in Barcelona, Spain.)

“In the 5G era, neckband cameras, AR glasses and all kinds of devices will be connected to 5G, contributing to a better life for mankind.” Mr. 5G was the first to mention the future of 5G back at MWC 2015, where he spoke about a commercial 5G network by 2019. “Today, I would like to announce that the promise I made four years ago has finally been fulfilled,” he said during the speech at MWC 2019. World’s First 5G Trial Services at PyeongChang Olympics KT, formerly known as Korea Telecom, showcased the world’s first 5G trial services at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in February last year. The company’s plan for the trial services, such as 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) live steaming, was later approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as an international standard. After launching the full-scale commercial 5G network, KT plans to focus on five key areas, including smart cities, smart factories, connected cars, 5G media and the 5G cloud. It is collaborating with various companies and the Korean government to develop 5G services for both Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) industries. KT deployed the first phase of its 5G network in late November 2018. The new service has been launched in the greater Seoul metropolitan area, in the country’s most populated, major metropolitan cities outside the capital city and in isolated areas including Jeju, Ulleung and Dok islands. Korea’s leading telecom company plans to expand its nationwide 5G network to 24 major cities, key transport routes such as expressways, subways, high-speed railways, large universities and neighborhood shopping areas. A commercial 5G network in South Korea is expected to create at least 30.3 trillion won in socioeconomic value in 2025, 1.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to a report released last year by the KT Economic and Management Research Institute).

The report forecasts that number will increase to at least 47.8 trillion won, 2.1 percent of GDP, in 2030. KT and Nokia Agree to Collaborate on 5G Future As the global leader in 5G, KT is actively seeking to expand collaborations with innovative ICT companies around the world. Its 5G Open Lab (https://5GOpenLab.com), a collaborative testbed, has already attracted major local and global corporate partners, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Mobis, Posco, Intel, Ericsson and Nvidia. KT plans to forge 1,000 partnerships by 2020. It also has signed agreements with Cisco, Intel and Qualcomm to cooperate in preparing commercial 5G services. On the sidelines of MWC 2019, KT and Nokia on February 24 signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on various 5G technologies, including NFC and network slicing, in order to develop new applications and business models for the operator’s enterprise customers. The joint work, which will take place in Seoul later this year, includes Service Orchestration and Assurance for the 5G era, with the aim of delivering end-to-end automation and new revenue opportunities. “We are excited to partner with Nokia to conduct these path-breaking trials,” said KT Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Jeon Hong-Beom.

“This collaboration will ensure that we are able to leverage Nokia’s proven solutions and best-in-class professional services to provide a superior and differentiated experience to our subscribers.” Bhaskar Gorti, President of Nokia Software, said, “With Korea, one of the lead countries in the early deployment of 5G, we are delighted to be working with KT to help them build a future-ready network. Nokia’s end-to-end portfolio will empower KT to improve its customer experience and network efficiency.” KT has also partnered with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to upgrade fixed-line and mobile networks in Saudi Arabia and collaborate on next-generation telecom services. The Korean telecom company plans on exporting its ICT-based services such as GiGA Wire high-speed internet service, GiGAeyes visual security service, 5G services, VR & AR, as well as its big data services to the Middle East. 5G Robots, Skyship, VR, Remote Cockpit Showcased at KT’s Booth At MWC’s Innovation City exhibition zone,

KT is presenting its latest 5G innovations and services from AI-powered robots to a flying emergency rescue system, offering visitors a chance to see how the next generation of wireless network will transform their lives both today and in the future. “Hey Genie, bring me a bottle of Water,” says a guest interacting with KT’s AI-supported voice assistant device for hotel room. Soon after, an autonomous butler robot makes its way to deliver the water to the room’s doorstep. A customer orders coffee through KT’s 5G-powered AI barista machine, b;eat 2nd Evolution (b;eat2E), which uses a robot arm that autonomously provides 47 tailored drinks. In partnership with Dal.Komm Coffee, Korea’s first robot cafe operator, the new 5G cafe can offer faster service than it could with wired internet service. These are some of many future services visitors can watch and experience at KT’s state-of-art exhibition booth at this year’s annual MWC, where some 25,000 global companies gathered to present technologies powered the 5G network. The SKYSHIP platform, an emergency rescue system, is demonstrated to connect Korea’s port city of Busan to Spain’s Barcelona. Utilizing 5G’s super-fast, ultra-low latency and massive connectivity, the Korean telecom company is also showcasing the new era of autonomous driving like the 5G Remote Cockpit system and immersive media services such as holograms, AR, and VR-based content. New 5G smartphones will enable “True mobile live communication” through one-person broadcasting and cloud-based games, KT’s Hwang said during his speech at MWC 2019. KT to Open More AI Hotel in South Korea with Accor, Hyatt, Marriott Pioneering a new era in the hospitality industry with its innovative AI technology, KT opened the first AI hotel in South Korea, Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences. The company plans to open three more similar hotels across the capital city of Seoul by 2020 in partnership with major global hotel chains such as Accor, Hyatt and Marriott. The new AI service platform — named GiGA Genie Hotel — is a customization of GiGA Genie, the world’s first AI-powered smart home media hub developed by KT in 2017. As a multi-functional, voice-recognizing infotainment system, users can command the hotel rooms’ lights, temperature controls and TV with voice.

For example, guests can say, “Genie, please set the room temperature to 20 degrees.” Boasting more than 1.4 million subscribers in South Korea as of January this year, KT’s voice-activated AI platform allows users to see what they command on touch screen devices or UHD TV screens in various languages, mainly Korean and English. Additional languages, including Chinese and Japanese, will be added to attract more international users. KT Wins 3 GLOMO Awards at MWC19 for Sales and Customer Service KT is receiving worldwide recognition for its achievements developing the 5G network and information and communications technology (ICT) sector, having won many international awards over the past years.

This week KT won the Best Mobile Innovation for Payment and Fintech with Genie Pay, the world’s first AI-powered, voice-certified payment service, and the Best Network Software Breakthrough, with its Integrated Orchestrator Platform, a core 5G technology for network slicing, during the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMOS) 2019 at MWC. The GLOMOS showcases companies and individuals that are driving innovation in the rapidly evolving mobile industry. For its excellent sales and customer service, KT also received four 2019 Stevie Awards from the American Business Association on February 25. It is the third consecutive year the company has been honored in four categories. The awards included three Bronze awards for the Contact Center Solution (New), the IVR or Web Service Solution (New Version), the Best Use of Technology in Customer Service (Telecommunication Industries), and the Customer Service Team of the Year (Recovery Situation, All Other Industries). The Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service recognizes the achievements of the contact center, customer service, business development and sales professional worldwide.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kt-corp-debuts-new-5g-services-at-mwc-2019-300804026.html

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MWC 2019: 5G smartphones are expensive, power hogs, and not interoperable!

MWC 2019 in Barcelona marked the debut of the first batch of 5G smartphones. Indeed, 5G was all anyone talked about at the mobile trade show. Except for Apple, every major handset maker plans to launch a 5G phone early this year.  Here were the 5G smartphones at MWC 2019:

Huawei Mate X
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Samsung Galaxy S10
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G

OnePlus, which promised last year that it would be among the first to hop on the 5G train, didn’t have a handset to announce, but it did demo a prototype and announce an initiative for 5G app developers.

Samsung, the world’s biggest smartphone vendor, unveiled its first 5G phone just days before MWC during its Unpacked event in San Francisco. Oppo on Saturday at MWC 2019 talked about its first, not-yet-named 5G phone.  Samsung, which is on the other end of the spectrum with premium pricing, hasn’t said what it will charge for its Galaxy S10 5G or the version of its Galaxy Fold that runs on the faster network. The 4G versions of those devices start at $749 for the Galaxy S10E and $1,980 for the Galaxy Fold.

Huawei showed off its Mate X foldable on Sunday, while Xiaomi detailed its Mi Mix 3 5G that same day. mwc 2019 also marked the debut of LG’s V50 and ZTE’s Axon 10 Pro, while Sony and OnePlus showed off prototypes for devices they’ll launch this year.

OnePlus wants to keep the cost of its first 5G phone “within $1,000,” CEO Pete Lau said during an interview on Monday. In December, he had said OnePlus’ first 5G phone could be $200 to $300 higher than the OnePlus 6T, which starts at $549 (about £499 or AU$774) for the 128GB model with 6GB of RAM.  “From the perspective of OnePlus devices, the [higher] cost is [because] the cost of technology has also risen this year,” Lau said Monday. “From our perspective, there’s no better value proposition in the market than a OnePlus device.”

Device makers need to use pricier components like 5G radios/antennas and bigger batteries. Those higher costs will likely flow down to you through more expensive service and phones. The shift to 5G gives carriers and phone makers the chance to charge more for those top speeds at a time they’re not selling as many devices. Last year, smartphone shipments fell for the first time ever in history, according to Strategy Analytics. Globally, they dropped 5 percent to 376 million units, something the research firm called “a landmark event.”

Ultimately, more of the 5G phone price increase could come from the new features that are added. There are higher costs overall for the 5G devices, from the chipset to the antennas, batteries and other components.

“Initially, the price of 5G phones will be higher than 4G phones, that’s for sure,” said Yenchi Lee, senior director of product marketing for MediaTek’s wireless communications business, in an interview Monday. The company this week unveiled its first 5G modem, which will be in smartphones in early 2020.

“I do believe it should be priced at a small premium to 4G,” said Marc Allera, chief executve of UK carrier EE, during a 5G panel at MWC. “But not so much that it slows adoption down.”

https://www.cnet.com/news/5g-from-samsung-huawei-xiaomi-is-here-but-it-will-cost-you/

AJW Comment

None of these pre-standard 5G smart phones will work on any 5G network other than the one they are announced for.   No interoperability and no roaming!

The pre-standard 5G carriers all use different frequencies while the smartphone vendors use different chip sets- all of which are variations of 3GPP release 15 New Radio (NR), Non Stand Alone (NSA).  They use LTE siignaling/control plane and EPC rather than IMT 2020 control plane and mobile packet core, which has yet to be defined, let alone standardized by ITU-R WP 5D.

All the non radio IMT 2020 standards from ITU-T are works in progress.  Hence, all the network slicing, virtualized RAN, software defined network and network virtualization for 5G are all proprietary and will be for at least the next 2 years!  So eavery 5G smartphone must be matched with the 5G base station chosen by the network provider for its 5G network.  There will be many variations in functionality until the IMT 2020 standards are completed and implemented.  Until then, 5G smartphones and other 5G endpoints will only work on a single carrier’s 5G network and not any other!

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Gartner: Magic Quadrant for Global Network Services has Orange Business #1

Summary:

Driven by cloud IT service adoption, the market for global enterprise network services is undergoing a generational shift in both technologies and the provider landscape. Infrastructure and operations leaders must adapt their network sourcing approaches to reflect this transformation.

Market Definition/Description:

The market for global network services continues its rapid evolution. In response to enterprise demand for WANs that can support cloud IT delivery and achieve much higher levels of agility, network service providers (NSPs) have been deploying a range of new software-based networking services. They are also changing their business models to allow for more flexible sourcing. This Magic Quadrant focuses on these transformational technologies and/or approaches that deliver on the future needs of the enterprise, rather than simply concentrating on legacy services. However, delivering a consistent set of service features and user experiences across all these elements on a global basis remains a challenge that requires scale and operational maturity.
Gartner defines the network service global market as the delivery of fixed corporate networking services with worldwide coverage. Services that are evaluated in this Magic Quadrant include both established and emerging global network service categories, such as:
  • WAN transport services, used to form hybrid WANs and underpin managed software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) services — These include MPLS, Ethernet services and internet services, including dedicated internet access (DIA), broadband and cellular.
  • Carrier-based cloud interconnect — This refers to direct MPLS, internet and/or Ethernet connections to leading providers of cloud services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a Service (SaaS). These services improve the performance, availability and security of connectivity to critical cloud services, compared with generic public internet access. The option to insert network functions, such as firewalling and WAN optimization (which are often virtualized), into these connections is increasingly common.
  • Managed software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) services — While some enterprises are renewing their existing MPLS or hybrid WANs, virtually all new managed global network deployments seen by Gartner in 2018 were managed SD-WAN networks, a trend we expect to see continue through 2019 and beyond. These services are based on edge devices with zero-touch configuration, able to dynamically route traffic over different links based on policies under central policy management control (see “Technology Insight for Software-Defined WAN [SD-WAN]”). SD-WAN improves WAN agility by allowing easier and faster deployment of new sites, flexibility in the link types used, and simplified addition of new applications to the network. In addition, SD-WAN services typically provide significantly enhanced levels of application visibility compared to traditional managed router services.
  • Network on-demand services — Network on-demand services from NSPs enable enterprises to make real-time changes to access/port bandwidth, change the WAN service types delivered over a network port and, in some cases, even add and remove endpoints, such as connections to cloud providers all under software control. They are controlled by the enterprise, via the provider’s web portal or APIs. Many providers are using software-defined networking (SDN) to deliver this functionality.
  • Network function virtualization (NFV) services — This functionality is the replacement for purpose-built hardware devices, such as routers, security devices or WAN optimizers, with software running on industry-standard hardware equipment (see “Network Function Virtualization Will Enable Greater WAN Agility and Flexibility”). It can be run in virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE), which consists of on-site x86-based servers, supporting multiple virtualized network functions. Alternatively, some functions can run NFV service nodes, located in the provider’s network; although, in this case, some form of on-premises device will still be needed. NFV allows network functions to be activated on demand and consumed on an “as a service” basis, seeking to improve both the agility and cost-effectiveness of the enterprise WAN.
  • vCPE — vCPE is the use of industry-standard, x86-based servers, rather than function-specific appliances, at enterprise premises to deliver enterprise network edge functions, such as WAN edge routers, including SD-WAN, WAN optimization controllers (WOCs), and security functions such as firewalls. (See “Innovation Insight for Virtual CPE.”)

What’s Changed?

In the past 12 months, Gartner has observed continued evolution of enterprise requirements and buying criteria for global networks. Enterprises are focusing on increasing the agility of their networks and on services that can enable their adoption of cloud IT delivery and eventual adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT). This is leading to most new global networks being based on SD-WAN and making greater use of the internet as a primary WAN transport.
Additionally, enterprises are more willing to utilize smaller providers and innovative services consumed on an as-a-service basis. This places less emphasis on larger providers, network scale and the availability of large numbers of provider staff to deliver customized capabilities to address site- or application-specific requirements.
Both enterprises and network service providers are taking advantage of the marketplace created by colocation hubs, such as Equinix and Digital Realty, to allow them to source access that is distance-insensitive at the national or even regional level. This simplifies the overall design and reduces the need for the deployment of large numbers of network points of presence (POPs; see “Five Key Factors to Prepare Your WAN for Multicloud Connectivity”). However, coverage for at least the country level is still important, both to reduce costs and to improve performance when accessing cloud services and network-based virtual functions. The trend of moving away from customized solutions toward standard off-the-shelf managed services continues, with more and more services consumed on an as-a-service basis. Although uptake of NFV and vCPE has been slower than expected due to relatively high prices and technological limitations of some early implementations, the momentum behind these services is increasing, as enterprises see the value of the increased agility they can bring. (For example, in the 2018 iteration of this Magic Quadrant, less than 50% of providers offered these services. In this 2019 edition, that number is almost 90%.)
Network on-demand services are gaining in popularity, not to reduce costs by varying WAN bandwidth over the course of the day or week, but rather to dynamically adjust the capacity of different network services (e.g., Shrink MPLS and grow internet access as SD-WAN is rolled out). This allows enterprises to accommodate new applications and even create connections to new destinations, such as additional cloud providers, on demand, potentially allowing for dynamic load balancing of cloud providers and cloud performance optimization. However, these offerings are in their infancy in terms of functionality and coverage.
While delivering against a strong technological roadmap is important, it must be combined with good operational performance to deliver and sustain these services. Some service providers have been struggling to deliver the new capabilities they are offering with the levels of quality enterprises require.
To strengthen the focus of this research on these key trends and capabilities, Gartner is no longer evaluating SIP trunk services, managed LANs or wireless LANs (WLANs). SIP trunk services will be covered in a separate Market Guide.

The inclusion and exclusion criteria for this year’s Magic Quadrant, although similar to prior years, have been adjusted to reflect these trends.

Magic Quadrant

Figure 1. Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global

Source: Gartner (February 2019)

Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global

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https://www.gartner.com/document/code/354862?ref=ddisp&refval=354862

 

AT&T tests 5G and network edge computing with Microsoft Azure; Partners with Vodafone Business for IoT

AT&T  announced  at MWC 2019 that it is working with Microsoft on a proof of concept to integrate network edge compute (NEC) capabilities with its 5G network and Microsoft Azure cloud services.  The solution would be important for the industries and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases of retail, healthcare, public safety, entertainment, and manufacturing, AT&T said, as it would provide businesses with lower latency, access to high compute power, and network routing without needing on-premises hardware.

“We’re testing our ability to substantially reduce latency and improve user experience by deploying advanced cloud services in specific geographic locations closer to business sites. A fully-scaled deployment will give businesses access to compute power, lower latency and optimized network routing without the need for dedicated on-premises hardware.”  These advantages will be important for the low-latency cloud and IoT solutions used by retail, healthcare, public safety, manufacturing and entertainment.

Last month, AT&T* announced its approach to 5G for businesses, laying out three key pillars: mobile, fixed and edge computing.

“Our collaboration will pave the way to enable Microsoft Azure cloud services to connect to more customers and devices across the US through AT&T’s nationwide wireless network,” Microsoft corporate VP of Azure Networking Yousef Khalidi said.   “Our two companies are working together to achieve the low-latency connectivity needed for the explosion of devices and immense amount of data being created by computing at the edge,” he added.

AT&T is using drones to test the network edge compute capabilities with Azure, working with Israel-based startup Vorpal in its foundry in Plano, Texas.  Vorpal’s VigilAir product detects and geo-locates drones in real-time, which could be used by law enforcement agencies and airports.

“By running their VigilAir application using Azure cloud services delivered through the Plano AT&T test environment, and connecting their drone-tracking sensors using AT&T LTE and 5G networks, Vorpal could achieve the low latency and compute scalability required,” the carrier said.

AT&T expects to share more details about NEC services with Microsoft Azure later this year. NEC is part of AT&T’s broader edge compute strategy that also includes AT&T Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC).

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Earlier at MWC 2019, AT&T announced it’s working with Vodafone Business on IoT applications for the automotive space, including safety, security, and entertainment.

“This alliance with Vodafone Business is a natural extension of our existing relationship,” said Chris Penrose, President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. “We each have rich experience in connected vehicle technology.  By working together, we can innovate faster and help our global customers bring connectivity, entertainment and telematics to more vehicles across our respective footprints.”

“Our work with AT&T will benefit automotive manufacturers and their customers around the world as we simplify processes and provide a consistent experience to accelerate IoT adoption in this fast-moving market,” said Stefano Gastaut, IoT Director, Vodafone Business. “As technology complexity increases, this is the right time to make technology adoption easier for the automotive industry to help them achieve their business outcomes. This is the goal of this alliance.”

The two companies said they would develop connected car solutions across 5G and autonomous vehicle technology; vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities; in-vehicle entertainment; connected car applications and services; global service quality models; and the intersection of connected cars and smart cities.

The companies will prioritize projects to enhance safety, security and entertainment capabilities. Key areas of focus will be:

  • 5G and autonomous vehicle technology
  • V2X capabilities (vehicle-to-everything)
  • In-vehicle entertainment
  • Connected car applications and services
  • Global service quality models
  • Connected car/ smart cities intersection

AT&T and Vodafone Business each provide connected car services and products for the automotive, fleet and insurance industries. They integrate electronic and telematics systems into complex vehicles, both at the point of manufacture and beyond. Together, the companies bring more than 50 years of experience in the automotive industry. And they collectively work with nearly 50 global automotive brands and connect more than 43 million cars and trucks on the road today.

References:

https://about.att.com/story/2019/att_nec.html

https://www.zdnet.com/article/mwc-2019-at-t-tests-5g-and-edge-computing-with-microsoft-azure/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-and-vodafone-business-team-up-to-drive-internet-of-things-iot-connectivity-in-the-automotive-industry-300800916.html

AT&T tests 5G and network edge computing with Microsoft Azure; Partners with Vodafone Business for IoT

AT&T  announced  at MWC 2019 that it is working with Microsoft on a proof of concept to integrate network edge compute (NEC) capabilities with its 5G network and Microsoft Azure cloud services.  The solution would be important for the industries and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases of retail, healthcare, public safety, entertainment, and manufacturing, AT&T said, as it would provide businesses with lower latency, access to high compute power, and network routing without needing on-premises hardware.

“We’re testing our ability to substantially reduce latency and improve user experience by deploying advanced cloud services in specific geographic locations closer to business sites. A fully-scaled deployment will give businesses access to compute power, lower latency and optimized network routing without the need for dedicated on-premises hardware.”  These advantages will be important for the low-latency cloud and IoT solutions used by retail, healthcare, public safety, manufacturing and entertainment.

Last month, AT&T* announced its approach to 5G for businesses, laying out three key pillars: mobile, fixed and edge computing.

“Our collaboration will pave the way to enable Microsoft Azure cloud services to connect to more customers and devices across the US through AT&T’s nationwide wireless network,” Microsoft corporate VP of Azure Networking Yousef Khalidi said.   “Our two companies are working together to achieve the low-latency connectivity needed for the explosion of devices and immense amount of data being created by computing at the edge,” he added.

AT&T is using drones to test the network edge compute capabilities with Azure, working with Israel-based startup Vorpal in its foundry in Plano, Texas.  Vorpal’s VigilAir product detects and geo-locates drones in real-time, which could be used by law enforcement agencies and airports.

“By running their VigilAir application using Azure cloud services delivered through the Plano AT&T test environment, and connecting their drone-tracking sensors using AT&T LTE and 5G networks, Vorpal could achieve the low latency and compute scalability required,” the carrier said.

AT&T expects to share more details about NEC services with Microsoft Azure later this year. NEC is part of AT&T’s broader edge compute strategy that also includes AT&T Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC).

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Earlier at MWC 2019, AT&T announced it’s working with Vodafone Business on IoT applications for the automotive space, including safety, security, and entertainment.

“This alliance with Vodafone Business is a natural extension of our existing relationship,” said Chris Penrose, President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. “We each have rich experience in connected vehicle technology.  By working together, we can innovate faster and help our global customers bring connectivity, entertainment and telematics to more vehicles across our respective footprints.”

“Our work with AT&T will benefit automotive manufacturers and their customers around the world as we simplify processes and provide a consistent experience to accelerate IoT adoption in this fast-moving market,” said Stefano Gastaut, IoT Director, Vodafone Business. “As technology complexity increases, this is the right time to make technology adoption easier for the automotive industry to help them achieve their business outcomes. This is the goal of this alliance.”

The two companies said they would develop connected car solutions across 5G and autonomous vehicle technology; vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities; in-vehicle entertainment; connected car applications and services; global service quality models; and the intersection of connected cars and smart cities.

The companies will prioritize projects to enhance safety, security and entertainment capabilities. Key areas of focus will be:

  • 5G and autonomous vehicle technology
  • V2X capabilities (vehicle-to-everything)
  • In-vehicle entertainment
  • Connected car applications and services
  • Global service quality models
  • Connected car/ smart cities intersection

AT&T and Vodafone Business each provide connected car services and products for the automotive, fleet and insurance industries. They integrate electronic and telematics systems into complex vehicles, both at the point of manufacture and beyond. Together, the companies bring more than 50 years of experience in the automotive industry. And they collectively work with nearly 50 global automotive brands and connect more than 43 million cars and trucks on the road today.

References:

https://about.att.com/story/2019/att_nec.html

https://www.zdnet.com/article/mwc-2019-at-t-tests-5g-and-edge-computing-with-microsoft-azure/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-and-vodafone-business-team-up-to-drive-internet-of-things-iot-connectivity-in-the-automotive-industry-300800916.html

MWC 2019: Korean companies set to present new world of 5G connectivity & smart phones

Wireless network providers/ telcos, telecom equipment, industrial giants, and smart device companies have arrived in Barcelona, Spain for the Mobile World Congress (MWC) that kicks off on Feb. 25th. Under the theme of “Intelligent Connectivity,” the four-day event features companies demonstrating how new technologies will change everyday lives.

There has been so much hype surrounding 5G in the past few years, it’s deafening.  Yet the world still needs to wait for full-fledged 5G standards and associated services.  Hopefully, this year’s MWC will paint a clearer picture about a world powered by 5G networks.

“I have never seen tech companies at MWC rallying behind a single banner. And that is 5G,” said a senior official from a South Korean telecom giant, who visited the MWC venue in Fira Barcelona before the event officially kicked off.

Some mobile device manufacturers, such LG Electronics and Huawei, unveiled their first 5G-based smartphones on Feb. 24, a day before the official launch of the MWC. Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G will be demonstrated to the public after its debut in San Francisco on Feb. 20.  South Korean telecom giants (like SK Telecom, Korea Telecom, and LG U+  –formerly LG Telecom) will also unveil platforms that capitalize on the hyper-speed, low-latency network. These are expected to include futuristic hotel services, smart factories and unmanned blimps.

Leading telecom companies at MWC include Verizon, AT&T and NTT Docomo, along with IT giants like Microsoft, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Service, Huawei, Xiaomi, Nokia, Ericsson, Renovo, Intel and Qualcomm.

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Approximately 222 South Korean firms have come for the event, with combined investments of 100 billion won ($89 million) and some 3,000 officials. They will join some 2,500 companies from around the world in presenting technologies that span eight areas: connectivity, artificial intelligence, industry 4.0, immersive content, destructive innovation, digital wellness, digital trust and the future.

LG Electronics’ first 5G-powered smartphone, the V50 ThinQ (pre-standard) 5G, will be on display at MWC.  The company joins Samsung in having a (pre-standard) 5G-capable smartphones in the market.   Samsung will live broadcast the MWC 2019 Barcelona’s official media channel using its prototype 5G network on big screens throughout the Fira Gran Via venue and about 280 hotels in Barcelona, as well as stream the event live globally.

China’s Huawei, the world’s second-largest smart phone maker after Samsung, is expected to unveil its 5G foldable smartphone, the Mate X, during a press conference at the MWC.

During the MWC sessions, SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus said they would demonstrate how the 5G network can transform business and leisure when the first 5G-based smartphones hit the market this March.

KT will demonstrate the extent to which seamless communication is possible regardless of distance. Using its remotely controlled blip, called 5G Skyship, the company showed images sent in real time to Barcelona all the way from South Korea’s southern port city of Busan.   As the 5G Skyship’s high-definition camera is capable of delivering flawless images sent from halfway around the world, the company said the technology could be used in search-and-rescue missions in the event of natural disasters and other emergencies.

KT said Sunday it will be remotely controlling its KT 5G Skyship airship drone in the skies above Haeundae in Busan, South Korea from the location of the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, through a (pre-standard) 5G network.

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“Signals capable of controlling the blip’s camera are sent from Busan to Barcelona through international circuit lines. … Visitors can control the blip’s movement whatever they see fit and enjoy the night scenery of Busan from Barcelona,” said KT officials.

KT is joining the GSMA Innovation City exhibition alongside leading brands such as Google and Huawei to present its connected devices, immersive content and services under the theme “5G becomes reality.”

The company will exhibit Skyship, a 5G-enabled real-time airborne platform for disaster management, and provide a hands-on experience for remote autonomous driving and inspection of a 5G factory zone.  It will also present 5G-connected robots, AR glasses, remote support solutions for enterprises, a VR baseball park, a 360-degree video zone and a robot hotel.

KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu plans to deliver his third MWC keynote speech to unveil his 5G vision, following similar addresses in 2015 and 2017.  Hwang plans to visit the exhibition halls of Samsung Electronics, Ericsson and Nokia to explore business opportunities with the major wireless equipment manufacturers.

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Meanwhile, KT’s biggest rival, SK Telecom, plans to show how 5G can greatly improve productivity in factories and offices by using AI, robots, connected devices and security solutions.  It unveiled the 5G Hyper Space platform that could blur the line between the virtual and real world by allowing users to toggle back and forth between the two.

“Having copied the images of hotels and offices in the real world, those wearing the VR machine can hardly feel the difference in the virtual world,” said an official from SK Telecom. “In accordance with the commercial rollout of 5G, we will expand the service.”

According to SK Telecom, users can visit a restaurant and see a hotel room “virtually” via virtual reality goggles before making reservations. Reservations made in the virtual world would also be effective in the real world.

“Commercialization of 5G is speeding up technology integration, highlighting the importance of cooperation at the global level,” SK Telecom said. “As only a few companies have shown 5G solutions for the commercial market, we expect global telecom and ICT companies to show interest in partnerships with SK Telecom.”

The two Korean telcos will also show a system for “smart factories” connected by a 5G network. By processing enormous volumes of data at hyper speed, the system can reduce the amount of defected products and the risk of safety accidents, they said.

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Korea’s third-biggest mobile carrier, LG Uplus, will push for strategic partnerships with global telecom firms, handset makers and media companies during this year’s MWC. It revealed a service that allows consumers to enjoy sports events and music performances with advanced quality. The company said the hyper-speed network allows users to watch footage with minimum latency.

The #3 South Korean mobile carrier will present remote-controlled robots, smart drones, smart CCTV and a block chain payment service for businesses. Visitors can, moreover, enjoy baseball, golf and K-pop, as well as AR, VR and hologram content based on 5G.  CEO Ha Hyun-hoi plans to meet with senior officials of major mobile operators, including Verizon, T-Mobile and Vodafone, to discuss 5G strategy and fresh business opportunities, LG Uplus said.

“LG Uplus’ 5G technologies and services will illustrate how the advanced cellular technology can change everyday lives in a better way,” the company said in a release.  LG Uplus, which provides Netflix videos on its set-top boxes, expressed a hope to form partnerships with major media players to provide AR, VR, AI and Internet of Things services in connection with 5G.

LG Uplus is teaming up with LG Electronics Inc. to unveil the latter’s first 5G smartphone, V50 ThinQ, on the eve of MWC.

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Among the MWC conference sessions we’re interested in are:

Unlocking the benefits of 5G for the Enterprise Market

What’s Keeping Operator CTOs up at Night?

5G Summit 2019 — Embracing 5G Era (ZTE)

Huawei Product & Solution Launch: 5G is On

The Internet of the Skies – Connecting Drones

China Unicom MEC Edge-Cloud Commercial Acceleration Plan

Aligning 5G Technology and Policy

Cloud without Limits (VMware)

Smart Buildings & 5G: The Use Case

First 5G tele-mentored Live Surgery!

5G Cities: Connecting People, Here, There and Everywhere

IoT Debate: LPWA Let’s get to ready to RUMBLE

References:

http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20190224000155

http://koreabizwire.com/s-korean-tech-telecom-firms-to-present-5g-future-at-mwc/133090

https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/conference-programmes/agenda/#day=7808

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