Broadband Forum boosts 5G developments for converged services

Broadband Forum has implemented crucial advancements for the development of next-generation applications, increased network resilience, and further support of converged services to residential customers, courtesy of their pioneering work in 5G technology. With these modifications, Broadband Forum is bringing about the integration of wireless and wireline networks.

The latest specifications under Broadband Forum's Phase 18.1, which builds on 3GPP's Release 18, are set to increase the range of value-adding capabilities in a common format. These enhancements will enable operators to provide a customised Quality of Service and an easier transition to a single, converged 5G Core utilising a multi-vendor broadband network.

These innovations aim to bring more value and enhance the Quality of Experience for customers. Furthermore, they will enable operators to streamline their IT systems for more efficient operations, which will substantially reduce their Total Cost of Ownership.

"By defining these functional improvements and capabilities for multi-vendor 5G broadband networks, BBF's work addresses the needs of both fixed and mobile operators," remarked Manuel Paul, Deutsche Telekom and Broadband Forum WWC Work Area Co-Director. "They can combine offerings and provide a uniform experience to subscribers irrespective of the access in use, supported by a common control plane and streamlined back office."

Paul added, "As standards mature, the industry has the foundations available for mass deployments in the residential and enterprise markets to start."

The Broadband Forum's Wireless-Wireline Convergence (WWC) Work Area is focusing on five new specifications as part of its Phase 18.1 of 5G projects. Some key use cases include support for business services, hybrid access, network data analytics, as well as support for devices behind a 5G Residential Gateway (5G-RG). Network slicing, another noteworthy feature of this phase, will allow for prioritising different subscriber groups like home workers or gamers with increased bandwidth as required.

The documents contributing to expanding operators' deployment options include WT-456 Issue 3 (Access Gateway Function Functional Requirements), WT-458 Issue 2 (CUPS for 5G Wireless Wireline Convergence), and WT-470 Issue 3 (5G Wireless-Wireline Convergence Architecture). The extensions of CPE device requirements and device data models also fall under this header.

"Our Phase 18.1 work is driven by industry demand and the priorities of operators, as we focus on providing them with increased flexibility, revenue potential, and deployment options," stated Christele Bouchat, Nokia and Broadband Forum WWC Work Area Co-Director. "By working in close alignment with 3GPP, we are ensuring synergy for the broadband industry. By leveraging convergence, operators can cost-effectively deliver broadband in the home and office."

The preceding phase of work incorporated Control-User Plane Separation (CUPS) for multi-vendor support (TR-458) and specified the combined AGF-5G-User Plane (Broadband-UPF). It facilitated the operative and economical use of the Broadband User Plane with the 5G Control Plane. Broadband Forum's Technical Reports TR-493 and TR-494 have also been released, integrating residential voice support into the current 5G networks.