Network Softwarization View of 5G Networks

This chapter describes 5G networks based on the outcome of the study conducted in the 5GMF in Japan. The 5GMF identifies two key technologies necessary to support “extreme flexibility” and the wide range of use cases expected in the 5G era: “Advanced Heterogeneous Network” and “Network Softwarization and Slicing”. Network softwarization is an overall transformation trend about designing, implementing, deploying, managing, and maintaining network equipment and/or network components through software programming. Network slicing is the major feature provided by the overall trend expressed by the network softwarization. The chapter shows the breakdown of the end‐to‐end latency in the current mobile network. One of the aims of 5G is the provision of the emerging network paradigm that fits social requirements. Information‐Centric Network (ICN) is a promising candidate, with a variety of R&D activities ongoing worldwide. ITU‐T SG13 launched the focus group (FG) on IMT‐2020 in order to accelerate the study of the nonradio aspects of IMT‐2020.