Intelligent Automation Simplifies 5G
Operators must innovatively automate provisioning and inventory systems to meet the shifting needs of 5G networks and users.
5G demands a far denser network topology than previous generations to support the drastic increase in coverage and service, but this new type of network is considerably more complex. The sheer amount of devices in urban areas pose a particularly significant challenge due to the need of operator cell sites, including small cells, for provisioning to handle demand. All the normal challenges of 3G or 4G site selection, such as planning permission, coverage and legal contracts, still need to be addressed while managing the greater complexity of 5G ecosystems.
Fragmented 5G Ecosystems
5G services will be delivered over a blend of private, public and partner 5G networks. Hand-offs between each will be required, and there will be significant variations in service delivery depending on the network type.
This will turn traditional provisioning and inventory management upside down. Instead of building static capacity and then seeking to fill it with traffic, operators will be part of a service enablement chain and will require systems that guarantee service delivery. The network will need to grow or shrink to meet demand.
Provisioning and Inventory Management
Operators must provision 5G to adapt to fluid marketplace needs for everything from early site selection to interactions with 5G resources in service delivery. Inventory management to monitor available resources will also play a vital role in service delivery and orchestration. It will help meet the constant demands of emerging services, such as 5G fixed wireless access (FWA), by giving operators insight into likely demand at given times.
Intelligent Automation
Intelligent automation for provisioning and inventory are prerequisites for the dynamic network landscape of the future in which the only constant is change itself. Without the speed and flexibility that intelligent automation brings, operators will be unable to effectively roll out new services or support essential partner ecosystems for 5G.
Automated provisioning and inventory will intermesh with orchestration, network planning, network asset management and service provisioning. The end result will be IT infrastructure that effectively employs automation, AI and predictive analytics to ensure networks can meet the ever-evolving demands of service users.
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