SAN JOSE, Calif., May 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile service
providers say they are making substantial progress toward ushering
in a new generation of 5G Networks that will enable
ultra-high-speed mobile connectivity and a wide variety of new
applications and smart infrastructure use cases. Progress
includes steady work toward virtualizing core network functions and
a reexamination of the security investments they will need to
protect their networks and customers.
COVID-19 is not expected to significantly delay 5G deployments,
according to a new global study report, "Toward a More Secure 5G
World," developed by the Business Performance Innovation (BPI)
Network, in partnership with A10 Networks. The percentage of mobile
service providers who say their companies are "moving rapidly
toward commercial deployment" has increased significantly in the
past year, climbing from 26 percent in a survey announced in early
2019 to 45 percent in the new survey. Virtually all respondents say
improved security is a critical network requirement and top concern
in the 5G era.
Download the complimentary report at:
http://bpinetwork.org/thought-leadership/studies/77/download-report-toward-a-more-secure-5g-world
Early 5G networks are being designed in accordance with the
already-approved non-standalone 5G standard. However, 30 percent of
respondents say they are already proactively planning to add
standalone 5G, and another 9 percent say their companies will move
directly to standalone. Standalone 5G will require a whole new
network core utilizing a cloud-native, virtualized, service-based
architecture. Many respondents, in fact, say they are making
significant progress toward network virtualization.
"Our latest study indicates that major mobile carriers around
the world are on track with their 5G plans, and more expect to
begin commercial build-outs in the coming months," said
Dave Murray, director of thought
leadership with the BPI Network. "While COVID-19 may result in some
short-term delays for operators, the pandemic ultimately
demonstrates a global need for higher speed, higher capacity 5G
networks and the applications and use case they enable."
Among key findings of the survey,
- 81% say industry progress toward 5G is moving rapidly, mostly
in major markets, or is at least in line with expectations.
- 71% expect to begin 5G network build-outs within 18 months,
including one-third who have already begun or will do so in
2020.
- 95% percent say virtualizing network functions is important to
their 5G plans, and some three-quarters say their companies are
either well on their way or making good progress toward
virtualization.
- 99% view deployment of mobile edge clouds as an important
aspect of 5G networks, with 65% saying they expect edge clouds on
their 5G networks within 18 months.
"Mobile operators globally need to proactively prepare for the
demands of a new virtualized and secure 5G world," said
Gunter Reiss, worldwide vice
president of A10 Networks, a provider of secure application
services for mobile operators worldwide. "That means boosting
security at key protection points like the mobile edge, deploying a
cloud-native infrastructure, consolidating network functions,
leveraging new CI/CD integrations and DevOps automation tools, and
moving to an agile and hyperscale service-based architecture as
much as possible. All of these improvements will pay dividends
immediately with existing networks and move carriers closer to
their ultimate goals for broader 5G adoption and the roll-out of
new and innovative ultra-reliable low-latency use cases."
Challenges—the Security Mandate
The industry's top 5G challenges:
- Heavy cost of build-outs (59%)
- Security of network (57%)
- Need for new technical skills (55%)
- Lack of 5G enabled devices (42%)
Importance of security to 5G
- 99% rate security as important to their 5G planning, higher
than even network reach and coverage or network capacity and
throughput
- 97% say increased traffic, connected devices and
mission-critical use case significantly increase security and
reliability concerns for 5G
- 93% say their security investments are already being affected
(52%) or are under review (41%) due to 5G requirements
Top Use Cases Expected to Power 5G Adoption
Next two years
- Ultra-high-speed connectivity (81%)
- Industrial automation & smart manufacturing (62%)
- Smart cities (54%)
- Connected vehicles
Next 5 to 6 years
- Smart cities (62%)
- Ultra-high-speed connectivity (59%)
- Connected Vehicles (57%)
- Industrial automation & smart manufacturing (42%)
"Mobile operators globally need to be proactively preparing for
the demands of a new 5G world," Reiss said.
About the BPI Network
The Business Performance
Innovation (BPI) Network is a peer-driven thought leadership and
professional networking organization reaching some 50,000 heads IT
transformation, change management, business re-engineering, process
improvement, and strategic planning. The BPI Network brings
together global executives who are champions of change through
ongoing research, authoritative content and peer-to-peer
conversations. For more information,
visit www.bpinetwork.org.
About A10 Networks
A10 Networks (NYSE: ATEN) provides
secure application services for on-premises, multi-cloud and
edge-cloud environments at hyperscale. Our mission is to enable
service providers and enterprises to deliver business-critical
applications that are secure, available and efficient for
multi-cloud transformation and 5G readiness. We deliver better
business outcomes that support investment protection, new business
models and help future-proof infrastructures, empowering our
customers to provide the most secure and available digital
experience. Founded in 2004, A10 Networks is based in San Jose, Calif. and serves customers
globally. For more information,
visit www.a10networks.com and follow
us @A10Networks.
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SOURCE BPI Network