NGMN proposes new framework for simplifying 5G networks
The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) today announced new guidance designed to help Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) simplify 5G network operations, to reduce total cost of ownership, cut operational complexity, and achieve sustainability goals, ultimately enabling more reliable, efficient and innovative services for the benefit of customers.
In its latest publication, ‘Framework for Network Simplification – An Operator View’, NGMN outlines a high‑level framework that can be used as a reference by MNOs in their journey towards 5G network simplification.
The scope ranges from advanced-stage operators that have already deployed a cloud native 5G core with extensive 5G roll out in the RAN, to early-stage operators with networks that are primarily LTE based and looking to roll out 5G NSA.
“As mobile networks evolve, MNOs face both growing complexity and new opportunities. To minimise operational costs, enhance efficiency, and unlock new services over 5G, network simplification must be a core pillar of network evolution strategies — across both architecture and operations”, stated Laurent Leboucher, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and Orange Group CTO and EVP Networks, and added, “NGMN’s latest guidance provides operators with a clear framework to understand where and how simplification can be achieved, and to assess its targeted benefits against domain-specific goals and constraints, enabling informed deployment choices aligned with individual business and regulatory environments.”
The publication proposes a three-step approach, while examining the key technological and non-technological focus areas relevant for MNOs to evolve towards a simpler, more efficient network, and the challenges they face in realising these benefits.
The first step identifies the key trends in technology evolution that MNOs must harness to introduce simplification in their networks. It identifies Cloud Native, Agentic and Generative AI, the exposure of federated network services and evolution in optical fibre technology as key technological trends driving network simplification. It further identifies the adoption of agile ways of working as a key non-technology enabler that will help MNOs deliver new services at pace.
The next step is for MNOs to get insight into the challenges they will face in adopting identified enablers for network simplification. The publication identifies the challenges that NGMN MNOs are facing in radio, core and transport domains.
As a third step, NGMN advises that MNOs should prioritise adoption of technology enablers and the domains where they will be applied depending on their context and state of network evolution. The publication identifies three common MNO archetypes based on their 5G-network deployment maturity and presents how each may evaluate the technological enablers and identify the ones which deliver the most benefit via prioritisation.
As a follow up to this publication, NGMN will adopt the Network Simplification targets in the Cloud Native, Network Automation and 6G Projects.
“As mobile networks become ever more complex, MNOs need to constantly strive to introduce simplification in how they create, deploy, expose and manage their differentiated service offerings for their customers,” said Anita Döhler, CEO, NGMN Alliance. “By bringing together the insights from leading global operators, we are providing practical guidance to help MNOs navigate technological and organisational changes on the road to simplified, future-ready networks.”
The publication can be downloaded from here.
Collaboration is key to driving the industry’s most important topics such as NGMN’s strategic pillars: Mastering the Route to Disaggregation, Green Future Networks, and 6G. NGMN therefore invites all parties across the entire value chain to join the Alliance in this important endeavour.
