5G RSS

Recorded: 3rd May 2022 This webinar aims to clarify why there is a requirement for more radio spectrum for 5G systems, what bands have been identified, and why, and the challenges and solutions these new bands bring.      Topics covered include: The relationship between bandwidth and bit rate The relationship between frequency band and coverage Bands identified for 5G by regulators Impact of radio channel bandwidth on spectrum allocations Impact of wavelength upon antenna dimensioning Propagation issues associated with Millimetre wave bands (mmWave) How higher frequencies facilitate the realisation of massive MIMO Impact of mmWave on device power consumption Webinar Speaker: ...

Recorded: 28th April 2022 Network Function Virtualization (NFV) has capitalised on Cloud Computing to revolutionize the way Communications Services are deployed and used, using virtualized IT infrastructure, to generate major improvements in flexibility and availability, offering opportunities to reduce the time to deploy new services and realise cost savings. Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC; formerly Mobile Edge Computing) extends the NFV concept to deploy the virtualization resources at the network edge rather than in the core/public network – near to the users, thus enabling a range of additional benefits in terms of application performance, support for users, access to network information, data...

Recorded: 12th April 2022 This webinar aims to clarify why there is a requirement for interconnecting legacy LMR technologies with 4G/5G systems, and explain the steps taken by 3GPP and the relevant LMR Standards Authorities to facilitate interworking.  It will also highlight some of the challenges associated with interconnecting networks possessing operational and functional requirements, and service limitations, that are so different. Topics include: Interconnecting Networks 3GPP Interworking Function (IWF) Interfaces Functions to be Supported via IWF LTE to ETSI TETRA Interworking Interworking Security LTE to ATIS/TIA P25 and Analogue FM Interworking P25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface LTE to GSM-R Interworking Other...

Watch the recoding of our recent live webinar were we introduced the Certificate & Diploma in Telecoms training programmes and learn how you can become a certified expert in Cellular Radio Engineering, Core Network Engineering, LTE or 5G Engineering. During the session we'll introduce you to the Certificate & Diploma in Telecoms, how the programme is structured, who its designed for, how you'll learn as well as an overview of the specialist learning pathways. You can view the recorded webinar below You can lean more and register for the certified training courses here:

Background 5G is set to change the picture significantly in terms of spectrum allocation and use, and in this article, we aim to provide more clarity in terms of the many issues related to the licensing, standardisation / harmonisation, and use of spectrum as we head towards the 5G era. Spectrum is highly sought after, primarily because it allows an operator to increase capacity on the network efficiently. The additional spectrum can be added to existing base stations which reduces the number of new base stations needed. This makes spectrum highly valuable, hence regulators will charge a fee for licensed...

Recorded: 28th February 2022 The 5G standards support many different use cases and deployment scenarios using a wide range of techniques and design principles. In turn, these support diverse network capabilities and performance centred on attributes such as data rates, capacity, latency, energy use, user density, reliability, and security. In order to map these capabilities to the use cases in a way that maximises overall efficiency and cost effectiveness, the concept of the “Network Slice” has been introduced. It allows for a range of “capability sets” or “virtual networks” (supporting different use cases, deployment scenarios, or even different customers) to...

In the original version of LTE (3GPP R8), a UE only communicated with a single eNB, by means of a single cell. LTE-A (R10) introduced CA (Carrier  ggregation), in which a UE supports a higher data rate by communicating with multiple cells on multiple carrier frequencies. All the cells are controlled by a single eNB. There is one PCell (Primary Cell), which carries traffic and RRC signalling messages, and optionally one or more SCells (Secondary Cells), which carry traffic alone. The PCell supports both UL and DL, but the SCells can be DL-only.DC (Dual Connectivity) was introduced in 3GPP R12. When using...

Many of the benefits of 5G, such as low user plane latency, high data rate and support of high radio frequencies, can be achieved simply by transmitting data over the 5G New Radio. Furthermore, there are market pressures on network operators for an early roll-out of 5G networks in which those benefits are delivered to the user. To reflect these issues, 5G is designed to support an evolutionary roll-out in which operators can gradually introduce the capabilities of 5G into their networks, without the immediate need for wide-area 5G coverage. This is achieved using a number of different architectural options,...

Many of the benefits of 5G, such as low user plane latency, high data rate and support of high radio frequencies, can be achieved simply by transmitting data over the 5G New Radio. Furthermore, there are market pressures on network operators for an early roll-out of 5G networks in which those benefits are delivered to the user. To reflect these issues, the 5G New Radio is designed to support an evolutionary roll-out in which it inter-operates closely with LTE. The resulting architecture is closely based on the architecture for DC in LTE.In the first phase, the mobile continues to communicate...

Webinar Recorded: 13th October 2021 The Service Based Architecture (SBA), standardised as part of 5G, represents a paradigm shift in the way the telecoms core network is planned, deployed, and operated. Using virtualisation principles, the SBA provides a more flexible, efficient, and capable set of features – provided by the different Network Functions in the form of NF “Services”. SBA techniques can also be applied to 4G, and if adopted early, would enable a smooth transition to the 5G Core.This talk examines the principles of the SBA, before looking in more detail at the architecture, network functions, protocols, and operation. We also...

Webinar Recorded: 12th October 2021 Delivering ever-increasing data volumes to a growing customer base who are willing to accept mobile and nomadic broadband services places enormous strain on telecoms operators in terms of capacity requirements and network densification. New broadcast-based services and business models, as well as connected innovation and IoT, add to the challenges. A range of measures can be used to ease the pressure, and many have been the subject of ongoing development as part of the 4G LTE Radio. The introduction of 5G New Radio, however, has provided an opportunity to take a fresh look, optimise techniques, and,...

A network slice is a virtual logical network, which runs on common underlying physical infrastructure, and whose capabilities are optimised for a particular use case. Examples might include slices serving a utility company, a VN operator or a factory remote control system, or a slice that is optimized for the delivery of streaming video. Different network slices are isolated from one another, notably in respect of data transport (so that congestion in one slice does not affect any of the others) and security (so that an attack on one slice does not affect any of the others). An individual UE attaches to one or more...

In deploying 5G, operators are committing to a significant investment cycle. It therefore follows that they expect a return on that investment within a reasonable timeframe. The question is how! Fundamentally, in terms of both the radio on the overall infrastructure architecture, 5G works in a similar way to 4G. However, the implementation is very different, and this gives 5G several key advantages over 4G in terms of supporting both the existing broadband business model, and industry-specific use cases. The advantages are realised across the entire 5G system, but in particular, the 5G New Radio (NR) air interface is where...

As part of the study item FS_SMARTER, ‘Study on Stage 1 for New Services and Markets Technology Enablers’, 3GPP examined the market segments whose needs should be addressed by a 5G mobile communication system. TR 22.891 identified over 70 use cases, and collected those use cases into the five categories shown in the diagram. The first four categories are based on common requirements in support of a vertical service or market: eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband): Human-oriented access to multimedia content, services and data. The category includes hotspots, characterised by high user density, very high capacity and low mobility, and widearea coverage, characterised...

A cellular radio communications system is subject to a number of threats, which are outlined in the diagram below..The motivations for attacks against cellular networks typically fall into one of the following categories: attempts at unauthorised network access to get free services attempts at ‘grabbing’ user identities to make clones attempts at eavesdropping on network traffic to gain unauthorised access to information attempts at tracking users by eavesdropping on signalling traffic The vulnerability of cellular systems to these threats is based mainly on the fact that they employ radio-based user connections.Typically, the most vulnerable parts of the cellular system are...

We are delighted to announce a partnership that will see the delegates at FutureNet Asia in October gain free access to a Wray Castle virtual telecoms training course focusing on 5G SBA (Service based architecture), which is an important theme at the event. 5G SBA Virtualizing the Core:  13th October @ 4pm-5.30pm (SGT, UTC+8) The Service Based Architecture (SBA), standardised as part of 5G, represents a paradigm shift in the way the telecoms core network is planned, deployed, and operated. Using virtualisation principles, the SBA provides a more flexible, efficient, and capable set of features – provided by the different...

Introduction – 5G and Use Cases As well as supporting the existing operator mobile broadband business model in a very efficient and flexible way, 5G also enables a wide range of new Use Cases and deployment scenarios. The key phrase here is “wide range”, because it throws up significant issues for operators, who are used to defining and working with a fairly constrained service set that is primarily based on human communication and broadband access to internet-hosted content and apps. To support the wide range of use cases, 5G, compared to previous generations, is much more capable in a number...

Railways across Europe rely on GSM-R for voice and data communications including ETCS (European Train Control System) signalling, however GSM-R is predicted to reach end-of-life by 2030.  A replacement needs to be found.  The International Union of Railways (UIC) having already specified GSM-R have now outlined the Future Railway Mobile Communications System.  FRMCS is not intended to simply be a replacement for GSM-R but it’s an opportunity for railway undertakings to harmonize all of their railway related communications needs.  GSM-R is ideal for voice and low bit rate data communications, but a modern railway demands broadband capability to support applications...

WHERE IS THE OVERALL 5G VALUE AND WHO REALISES IT? There are two obvious answers in terms of the main generators of overall 5G value. One is that 5G facilitates cost-effective additional capacity through access to new spectrum, efficient use of that spectrum and ease of base-station deployment critical to realising the full potential of that new spectrum. Secondly, it allows new use cases to be supported encouraging connected innovation and new deployment scenarios.  Looking at cost-effective deployment of additional capacity, though - this is a way of reducing, or at least constraining, costs for their existing business model, whether...

Learn online, anytime, with our self-study courses. Our self-paced on-demand distance learning courses include an extensive blend of core reading materials and video resources, scenario-based assignments, a dedicated Instructor, live virtual workshops and tools to communicate effectively with fellow students, all in a modern, intuitive and secure cross-device Virtual Learning Environment.Each course is accessible on any computer, tablet or smartphone and allow you to study at a time and location that is convenient to you. Subjects covered include key network technologies including 5G, LTE, eSIM, RAN, GSM-R and Network Security. Enrol and you'll get instant access so you can start learning straight...