5G is on the rise. And accelerating. communication service providers (CSPs) must move fast to secure the first-mover advantage to unlock 5G’s full business potential. To do so, building smarter networks is a pre-requisite, starting with the core.

Building a cloud native 5G Core (5G SA Core) is not just about implementing new technology. It is equally, if not more, also about transforming the way the network is operated. Cloud-native is the key to unlocking the full revenue potential of 5G applications. Being first to the cloud signifies being first to greater scale, efficiency, and interoperability. In short, opening up newer vistas than ever before.

So, what is cloud-native core, and how it helps to accelerate digital innovation?

Cloud-native is born in the cloud.

It is an approach to building and running applications that leverage the benefits of the cloud computing delivery model. Cloud by nature is all-encompassing and hides all complexities from the end-users, and cloud-native applications, designed to be scalable, resilient, and secure, do just that. So, when companies build and operate applications using a cloud-native architecture, they achieve increased automation at reduced costs to bring new and innovative solutions to the market faster and also respond to customer demands quickly.

Being hailed as the biggest enabler for disruptive technologies like 5G that are exploding the telecommunication landscape, cloud-native applications are built from the ground up to run in a public, private or hybrid cloud using cloud-based technologies.

Developing innovative 5G products and services is a complex process, with user expectations becoming more and more stringent. Innovative features, zero downtime, and quick responsiveness are the order of the day, while recurring errors, low performance, and delays are no longer acceptable. The customers simply move on to the competitor!

Deployed well, a cloud-native core allows the developer to focus on what matters the most –developing products and services that your customers would love, thus enhancing customer experience.

Designed to embrace rapid change, resilience, and scale, the cloud-native core is all about agility, and speed. It empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications in dynamic cloud-agnostic environments.

The speed and agility of cloud-native technology are driven by several factors, the primary being cloud infrastructure. However, there are five more pillars that are integral to laying the foundation of cloud-native systems, as illustrated below.

Cloud-native foundational pillars

So, in essence, cloud-native means the software is designed for cloud deployment. The software comprises independent microservices and can run on a container platform, like Kubernetes. It enables key capabilities that are critical for an organization to stay relevant in the emerging highly competitive business landscape.

Why move to a cloud-native 5G network? 

To unlock the full potential of the next-gen 5G technology and capitalize its full value, evolution to a cloud-native 5G core is imperative and a pre-condition. A 5G Core will enable innovation and new use cases in domains that require ultra-low latency, and in mission-critical networks that have hitherto not been possible to address.

This means the network must evolve to a platform that is accessible, agile, secure, and programmable. Also, where the network capabilities can be harnessed to the fullest. It is vital to establish the network as dynamic and agile to ensure value creation in the emerging business landscape where to a large extent, new services and products are conceived and developed through collaboration and co-creation in the ecosystems. Here one should lead with a microservices-based stateless implementation that can be managed easily and enables geographically distributed and quick deployment of applications.

Moreover, a cloud-native system will boost the development and verification capabilities of the 5G Core network function. And also enable automatic service upgrades and deployments for optimal operational efficiency.

The Key Benefits of Cloud-Native 5G Core

• Accelerates TTM (time to market) to gain a competitive advantage
• Delivers error-free next-gen 5G products and services
• New user adoption and user retention
• Supports continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) of new software
• Improves Life Cycle Management (LCM)
• Continued alignment with standards
• Significant reduction in the total cost of ownership (TCO)

Conclusion

Digital disruption is here to stay and is central to everything we do. It is what sparks innovation in businesses. A cloud-native infrastructure builds a strong foundation to help speed up an organization’s (big, small, or medium-sized) digital evolution, transforming it to enhance customer experiences and maximize its potential.

Clearly, the future belongs to cloud-native applications. In a digital-first world, innovators like Amantya Technologies can help your organization embrace the infinite possibilities enabled by cloud technologies.

Haven’t moved to the cloud yet, or want to upgrade? We specialize in delivering cloud-native solutions. Get in touch, and we will help you jumpstart your journey.

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