Nokia Networks and SK Telecom have opened a new 5G research and development centre, as the two companies announced a breakthrough in next generation technology.
The companies said they have verified the performance of a new means of separating the user plane and control plane. This technology is “essential” for building hybrid core network architecture, which will deliver the benefits of both centralised and distributed network models.
The new architecture has distributed user plane functions, which are run by a centralised control plane. The companies said this new structure would be suitable for delivering the huge amounts of data expected to run across 5G networks.
The project was undertaken because of the expected strains on operators’ networks as the industry shifts to 5G. End user traffic must travel through both the radio access and core networks before reaching the internet, meaning new ways of building core networks must be developed, the companies claimed.
Nokia Networks and SK Telecom’s new research and development centre, which will be located at the vendor’s Korean offices, will focus on core 5G technologies, including gigabit level data transmission and cloud-based virtualised base stations. A test bed will open by the end of this year where the companies will verify and demonstrate new 5G technology.
Lauri Oksanen, VP Research and Technology, T&I Research, at Nokia Networks, said: “A flexible and programmable network architecture is a key part of 5G. Our cooperation with SK Telecom has demonstrated key enablers for it and we look forward to continued cooperation for early 5G introduction.”
Alex Jin-sung Choi, the Chief Technology Officer of SK Telecom, said: “SK Telecom is spearheading the efforts to develop 5G enabling technologies and architecture to flawlessly support high-speed transmission of massive data, including immersive multimedia contents. We will continue to work closely with Nokia Networks to optimise network architecture in preparation for the 5G pilot service demonstration in 2018.”