Sector-specific autonomous 5G cloud networks are key to digital transformation

But despite the many glittering examples of transformative 5G solutions, achieving critical mass for any sector depends on how readily their ecosystem can support it.

Many factors play a role here, but among the most important is the underlying cloud architecture that 5G’s digital services rely on. High-speed data transfer and intelligent, autonomous operations will define next-generation services, and all depend on the underlying network and architecture. Equally as important is how easy it is for any business to get hold of this infrastructure in a way that suits them. Successful digital transformation is possible when business is able to select, buy and use cloud infrastructure the way they would a basic utility – knowing things will work simply and effectively, like turning on a tap.

There are however some key impediments to this model within the current, fragmented cloud infrastructure. First is the great difficulty in quickly converting industry demands into cloud network requirements, which results in manual examination being lengthy and costly for both customer and supplier; this process is not made any easier by the vast differences between industries which each require customized cloud network operation solutions. In the same vein, these complexities are reflected in lengthy implementation processes which require testing and on-site configuration – which are a barrier to forming SLAs. Even after implementation, current provisions do not allow to CSPs to detect SLA fulfilment in real time or evaluate the performance of autonomous operations.

The solution lies in converging cloud infrastructure so that network capacity, throughput and services are simplified and readily available to all relevant parts of the economy that need them. Reaching this goal is the purpose of the Autonomous cloud networks for vertical industries Catalyst, led by China Telecom, Huawei, AsiaInfo Technologies, and ZTE. Underpinning the proposed convergence model is a combination of China Telecom’s new generation cloud network operation system and the CSP’s three-layer autonomous network architecture – which, when brought together, create comprehensive, end-to-end autonomous operation capabilities for a cloud-based network. The result is new functionality and autonomous operation capabilities that help realize agile provisioning, preventive maintenance, self-healing and self-optimization – which will come to define best practice in 5G cloud network convergence.

The Catalyst project team are focusing their efforts on a working example fit for the energy and mining industry which can be used as a scalable model. By making use of the features now available, a range of industry-specific applications can be easily served in future – including automated, on-demand network access for equipment and vehicles, intelligent scheduling, automatic driving, and digital transformation plans for energy mines. Once deployed, by drawing on TM Forum’s autonomous network level standard (which includes the cloud network autonomous operation level evaluation standard), the cloud network could precisely identify any capability shortcomings in the whole operation process of 5G customized network business, including ordering, acceptance, design, activation, use and management.

Success in this Catalyst will pave the way for deployment of converged networks across all sectors, provide solutions to tasks which currently rely on inefficient use of labour for manual operations or gathering of data, particularly for roles which have a record of difficulty in recruitment, or involve safety concerns. By deploying sufficient autonomous operations for 5G converged cloud networks, whole economies will be brought much closer to digital transformation, enabling thousands of industries to achieve fundamental improvements.

According to Ke Zhang, China Telecom Research Institute, Catalyst Project Lead, “this Catalyst will attract more industry customers for CSPs, and have decisively positive impacts on their revenues, costs, and supply chains. China Telecom has built over 2,500 customized 5G network projects enabling digital transformation of entire industries – which we anticipate will bring exponential revenue growth over time from each of our vertical customers.”