5G will have a profound effect on the converged transport network

At the 9th Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF 2018) in London on November 20, Huawei Rotating Chairman Ken Hu reported that 154 operators in 66 countries are conducting 5G tests and that the large-scale shipment of 5G devices have begun. 

5G sets the stage for innovation and transformation in consumer services and vertical industries. But 5G is more than “New Radio”, it will have a profound effect on converged transport network. 5G transport network requires new infrastructure rather than a new network. Operators have shifted from single services to multiple services, and are ready to build full-service operation capabilities in the 5G era.

Every generation of mobile services is accompanied by an evolution in the supporting transport network. A more powerful transport network is needed in the era of full-service operations. Generally, in the initial stages, mobile services, enterprise services, and home broadband services are deployed independently in the metro and access layer. However, in the post-4G and 5G era, the number of base stations will increase sharply. Enterprise services are accessed from a single point, and from large enterprises to SMEs. In particular, the development of home broadband services has reached a certain penetration rate, which leads to massive access requirements. If this is separately performed, investment is wasted and the flexibility and scalability of network and service access are severely restricted. 

The convergence of the transport network is prerequisite as we shift from passive access and on-demand expansion to top-down design and the active coverage of valuable areas. Operators can then develop full services capabilities and retain a favorable position.