IoT will require 5G, NFV
NICE, France – Predictions are always a tricky proposition, even more so in the telecom market where unpredictable change is the name of the game. Despite the inherent risk, Ken Dilbeck, VP of collaboration research and development at the TM Forum, at this week’s TM Forum Live event highlighted the “Internet of Things,” “5G” and network functions virtualization as the three main technology disruptors he sees for the telecom market going forward.
IoT has been one of the top buzzwords over the past 12 months, signifying the wave of new devices expected to rely on connectivity, both wired and wireless. Dilbeck cited advances in connected home initiatives, automated automobiles and smart cities as core drivers for the IoT market.
Dilbeck explained that these IoT advances will require greater reliance on big data and analytics to handle the significant increase in data traveling across networks, as well as more advanced automation to remove human-related latency that could render such programs inoperable.
“Humans cannot be in this analysis path,” Dilbeck said. “We need to realize automation will be required.”
These connectivity challenges will also require planned advances in network technology, which for the wireless space is centered on 5G. While 5G specifics are still being worked out, Dilbeck noted that many of those being discussed run beyond simple radio access models and will require virtualization, and, again, to an extent, less human intervention.
“In order to support IoT, you will need a 5G network in place,” Dilbeck said. “And again, humans can’t be in the path of data running over these networks.”
Finally, Dilbeck touched on the move toward virtualization using NFV technology, which he said would be “table stakes for future networks.”
“You have to be able to virtualize infrastructure to support the IoT and 5G space,” Dilbeck explained. “If you can’t, you won’t be a server for these new services.”
However, the move toward virtualization will not come without challenges, as Dilbeck explained the transformative nature of the technology will alter corporate structures.
“They will need to know where the boundaries and delegation of responsibility exist,” Dilbeck said.
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