NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks)
Introduction
Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) is a global initiative aimed at defining the requirements, architecture, and capabilities of future mobile networks. The NGMN Alliance is a partnership of major telecommunications operators, equipment vendors, and research institutions, working together to develop the technological foundation for the next generation of mobile networks. The NGMN initiative was launched in 2006, and it has been instrumental in shaping the future of mobile networks. This essay will discuss the history of NGMN, the objectives of the initiative, and the technological advancements that are expected to shape the future of mobile networks.
History of NGMN
The NGMN initiative was launched in 2006, following the emergence of new technologies and the proliferation of mobile devices. The NGMN Alliance was formed as a partnership between leading telecommunications operators, equipment vendors, and research institutions, with the aim of developing a roadmap for the future of mobile networks. The founding members of the NGMN Alliance were AT&T, China Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, Telefonica, T-Mobile, and Vodafone.
The NGMN Alliance began by defining the key objectives of the initiative, which were to develop a common vision for the future of mobile networks, to define the requirements for future networks, and to identify the technological advancements that would be required to meet these requirements. The initiative also aimed to promote collaboration and cooperation among the various stakeholders in the mobile industry, and to ensure that the future networks would be capable of meeting the needs of users, applications, and devices.
Over the years, the NGMN Alliance has grown in size and scope, with more than 100 members from around the world. The members include leading telecommunications operators, equipment vendors, and research institutions, all working together to define the future of mobile networks.
Objectives of NGMN
The NGMN Alliance has set several objectives for the initiative, which are focused on developing a common vision for the future of mobile networks and identifying the technological advancements that will be required to achieve this vision. The objectives of the NGMN initiative can be summarized as follows:
Defining the requirements for future mobile networks
One of the primary objectives of the NGMN initiative is to define the requirements for future mobile networks. This includes identifying the needs of users, applications, and devices, as well as the capabilities that will be required to meet these needs. The NGMN Alliance is working to develop a comprehensive set of requirements that will guide the development of future networks.
Developing a common vision for the future of mobile networks
The NGMN Alliance is working to develop a common vision for the future of mobile networks. This includes defining the key features and capabilities that will be required, as well as the technological advancements that will be needed to achieve this vision. The common vision will serve as a roadmap for the development of future networks, ensuring that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal.
Identifying the technological advancements that will be required
The NGMN Alliance is working to identify the technological advancements that will be required to meet the requirements of future mobile networks. This includes identifying the key technologies that will be needed, such as 5G, network slicing, and virtualization, as well as the research and development that will be required to develop these technologies.
Promoting collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders
The NGMN Alliance is working to promote collaboration and cooperation among the various stakeholders in the mobile industry. This includes fostering partnerships between telecommunications operators, equipment vendors, and research institutions, as well as promoting cooperation between different regions and countries.
Technological advancements in NGMN
The NGMN initiative is driving several technological advancements that are expected to shape the future of mobile networks. These advancements include:
5G networks
5G networks are the next generation of mobile networks, and they are expected to
provide significantly higher data rates, lower latency, and increased capacity compared to previous generations. 5G networks will enable a wide range of new applications and use cases, such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and massive IoT deployments.
Network slicing
Network slicing is a technology that allows mobile networks to be divided into multiple virtual networks, each optimized for a specific use case or application. Network slicing enables operators to provide dedicated resources and performance characteristics to different applications and services, ensuring that each application receives the required quality of service.
Edge computing
Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the edge of the network, near the end-users and devices. By moving computation and storage closer to the edge, edge computing reduces latency and improves the performance of applications and services. Edge computing is expected to play a crucial role in supporting real-time and latency-sensitive applications, such as autonomous vehicles and augmented reality.
Virtualization
Virtualization is a technology that allows the decoupling of hardware resources from software applications and services. In the context of mobile networks, virtualization enables the creation of virtual network functions (VNFs) that can be dynamically deployed and scaled based on the network's needs. Virtualization improves network flexibility, scalability, and resource utilization, making it easier to introduce new services and adapt to changing demands.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that can communicate and exchange data with each other. IoT devices are expected to play a significant role in the future of mobile networks, enabling a wide range of applications, such as smart homes, industrial automation, and healthcare monitoring. NGMN is working to ensure that future networks can support the massive number of IoT devices and the diverse requirements of IoT applications.
Conclusion
The NGMN initiative is a global partnership of telecommunications operators, equipment vendors, and research institutions, working together to define the future of mobile networks. The initiative aims to develop a common vision for the future of mobile networks, identify the requirements and technological advancements needed to achieve this vision, and promote collaboration among the stakeholders in the mobile industry. Through technological advancements such as 5G networks, network slicing, edge computing, virtualization, and IoT, NGMN is driving the development of future mobile networks that will deliver higher data rates, lower latency, increased capacity, and support a wide range of applications and services. The NGMN initiative is shaping the future of mobile networks, enabling the next generation of connectivity and innovation.