Deployment of 5G private networks to be faced with technology, cost challenges, says Wiwynn executive
While the National Communications Commission (NCC) of Taiwan will release operating licenses for enterprise-use 5G private networks by the end of 2022, deployment of such networks will be faced with many challenges in technology and cost, according to senior director Ted Pang for server ODM Wiwynn.
NCC has designated the n79 frequency band (4.8-4.9GHz) specifically for the deployment of 5G private networks and, as of mid-July 2022, had approved 42 cases of using 5G private networks to undertake PoC (proof of concept) for products and/or services, with 28 cases using n79 band sections and 14 using non-n79 ones.
5G private networks are complicated end-to-end systems characterized by a fusion of CT (communication technology), IT and OT (operational technology), and deployment of such networks entails cooperation and coordination among telecom carriers, equipment suppliers, system integration service providers, cloud computing service providers and IT service providers, Pang said. In particular, system integration service providers will play an important role in deploying 5G private networks, for what users need is complete solutions, Pang noted.
Smart factories based on 5G private networks have the advantages of high efficiency in data transfer, wide spatial coverage, connection with a large number of devices, high reliability, and low latency to enable factory operators to hike efficiency in remote management, Pang indicated, adding that application of 5G private networks can be extended via combination with cloud computing tools, Wi-Fi or other networks.
Enterprise-use 5G private network solutions provided by telecom carriers are basically of three types, that is, an on-premises model, base stations dedicated for use by enterprises, and network slicing, Pang said.
The on-premises model is for users of 5G private networks to install on-premises equipment consisting of RU (radio units), DU (distribution unit), CU (central unit), and core networks inside their fields (such as factories), Pang noted.
For dedicated base stations, 5G cell equipment is installed inside users' fields to match external core networks which may be provided by telecom carriers or cloud computing service providers such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, Pang indicated.
Network slicing is simply for telecom carriers to cut portions of resources from their networks for use by individual enterprises, Pang said.
Common problems occurring to the deployment of 5G private networks are as follows: compatibility of specifications among software and hardware equipment provided by different suppliers; needed functions differ between 5G private networks provided by telecom carriers and those deployed by users themselves; signal interference among different scenarios of application of 5G private networks or wireless communication protocols; cybersecurity for 5G private networks; manpower and capability of maintaining 5G private networks.
Wiwynn has deployed a 5G private network on its own and applied with NCC for using sections of n77 and n79 frequency bands, while parent company Wistron has had Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) install 5G cell equipment at its factories and the cell equipment is connected with CHT's 5G architecture, Pang noted. Affiliated Wistron NeWeb has deployed RAN (radio access network) on its own, with CHT providing Nokia Compact Mobility Unit as core network, Pang indicated.
Wiwynn has joined several international organizations, including O-RAN Alliance, Open Networking Foundation and Telecom Infra Project, since 2019, Pang said. Besides, Wiwynn has developed edge servers and tested them in a few scenarios in Taiwan as well as has tested such products with local partners in the US and Europe, Pang noted.
For the vertical application of 5G private networks, there appears to be a phenomenon of high fragmentation due to a large variety of needs among users in different industries, Pang indicated. Therefore, customized 5G private network solutions are quite important, Pang said.
Gloss