Let’s start out by explaining why capabilities enabled by Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and network automation will be—and are becoming—the driving mechanism for evolving 5G network infrastructure. The true “driver” here is actually network monetization, in the form of new or expanded revenue streams. But monetization opportunities for 5G services can only arise if the network’s data can be effectively analyzed and used. That’s where AI/ML and network automation come into play.
5G networks: billions of endpoints, exabytes of data
The 5G network is already seeing the proliferation of highly coordinated endpoints. An explosion in network data is also looming. The volumes of data that we are talking about can only be parsed by AI-enabled network intelligence tools. We’re talking about way more data than people can feasibly manipulate on their own. At the same time, that data is a priceless resource, and the only means by which network operators will be able to exploit it is to apply AI/ML, both to automate network operations and optimize utilization, and to make use of the data. The automated, intelligent 5G network will be capable of generating advanced insights into the network’s performance, behavior, usage, and traffic load.
Monetizing 5G Networks
Quickly onboarding new organic and partner services, stitching services together, and stacking services for autonomous management and optimization helps operators monetize 5G networks. These prospects create an open and vibrant 5G RAN ecosystem that allows multiple vendors to coexist profitably, automating and optimizing different aspects of the software stack for mutual benefit. Not only will this unlock revenue potential, but it also facilitates the evolution and improvement of the network over time with competitive resources that are highly incented to cooperate. As 5G radio deployment with open and standard interfaces increases and supporting network infrastructure and automation grows, it will become easier and easier to monetize 5G networks.
What will come first?
The beauty of open networking is that operators really don’t have to implement these AI/ML and network automation-enabled capabilities in any particular order. Since they are all possible, operators have complete liberty to decide where they want to start. Thus, the innovations we’ll see in the market will be different for every operator.
To learn more, view my on-demand “AI-Enabled Telecommunication Networks & Services” keynote presentation from Fierce Network Automation week, October 31.