defining future 5g networks (summary)

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5G SME Workshop 18th May 2015

Defining Future 5G Networks: SME Workshop Digital Catapult18th May 2015

2 5G SME Workshop 18th May 2015

After my welcome and introduction to the Digital Catapult, I explained the purpose of this gathering with the aim to answer:

- What are the top ten requirements for Future 5G Networks, giving advantage to UK SME community?

SME Workshop 2015/05/18


Paul Ceely, Head of Network Strategy at EE and our chairman for the Software and Services Session, introduced each speaker to the podium and noted their questions to the groups

Session 1 – Software and Services


Andy Sutton from EE provided a view into 5G Research - technologies for connecting everything! This was followed by a 5G Vision on capabilities and their markets, leaving us with the question:

What new or enhanced applications might 5G allow?



Nigel Linge from the University of Salford provided a view on the potential of connected media and innovation through engagement, asking:

How can SMEs, user communities, researchers and stakeholders work together more effectively to exploit the potential of 5G and Connected Media?



Reza Nejabati from Zeeta Networks provided a case for the implementation of SDN and NFV solutions.

Can SDN enable a convergence of 5G technologies?

Are optical and wireless network platforms ready for SDN?

Can 5G networks benefit from an Android-like Network Operating system?



Toktam Mahmoodi from King’s College London noted SDN & NFV can be a means for enabling programmability, agility and lower costs to upgrades:

Building abstraction for the dynamic natures of mobile/wireless.

For various reasons including simplicity, privacy, etc:

Possibility of open app-type platformRole of DevicesRole of supporting technologies…?



Ben Shenoy from Surrey Business School, provided his view on the Ecology of 5G Technology, seeking to bridge the chasm between invention & industrialization.

• What truly novel categories of service/applications might 5G open up?



Following the group discussion, Paul Ceely summarised the groups’ lists of requirements as:

- Low latency- Security, trust, privacy, identity- Open shared system network OS, common

universal sensor interoperability- Flexibility – trade off capabilities

- Open test beds

Group Discussions, seeking top 5 requirements


Networking Sessions


Howard Benn, Head of Standards and Industrial Affairs at Samsung Electronics Research Institute, and our Chairman for the Technology Enabler Session, introduced each speaker to the podium and noted their questions to the groups

Session 2 – Technology Enablers


Dirk Trossen provided a view into Architecture-as-a-Service in discussing the 5G Drivers, requirements and its many stakeholders in moving towards Pervasive video, IoE, tactile internet and mission critical services.

What key components need to be opened & how in order to enable SME-driven innovation in 5G?

o Is OpenFlow & NFV enough?o Is it down to the hardware?

o Is it down to the wire/frequency?



William Webb provided an insight into the technology enablers who are forming the foundation of 5G networks including IoT, SDN/NFV, mm-Wave. William also highlighted many areas for improvement, such as batteries and lower cost quality processors.

- What technologies can already meet the capability we have identified and what is the gap?

- What new technologies might 5G require?



Gerry Foster talked about the network capability of the 5GIC test-bed, highlighting its aims in demonstration of an ultra-dense LTE-A capability. It provides indoor and outdoor wireless network test capability over the University of Surrey campus.

What existing technologies prove how 5G is improving?

What kind of things can we enable with 5G (that we could not do before)?

What is the first to demo and with who?



Stephen Temple explained the 5G IC SME Engagement Programme. His message was that they are now open for “pioneer” SME (Technology) members to join, but are on hold for SME (Applications) until the 5G Test Bed is fully operationalised.

• What are the priorities for developing the 5G IC SME (technology) membership benefits?



Paul Wilson from Bristol is Open (BIO) described their City Bed Test Facility as ‘City Experimentation as a Service’. This uses an open SDN, IoT and Big Data solutions to offer “a city-scale digital research infrastructure”. They are ready for small technology companies to engage with them by Autumn 2015, as they establish 5G test-beds between 2015-17 with SME exploitation for 2018-22. His questions were:

- How many test-beds are there?

- What is the shortlist?



Ray McConnell from Bluwireless Technologies presented their mm-Wave applications for Access/4G-5G Backhaul. They also demonstrated their low cost 60GHz mm-wave link solution at the Digital Catapult Centre, as well as describing their implementation in Bristol as part of BIO. Their wish list/questions included:

- Operators to clarify demand, requirements and possible volume for mm-Wave technology to stimulate development and availability

- Harmonise EU 60 GHz radio regulations to support deployment of 60GHz phased array

- Align Baseband Technology roadmap for mm-Wave gigabit-capable user access, with network backhaul to be part of 5G specification?



Matthew Turner, CEO and founder of Goshawk, talked about his challenges from innovation to market of his Specialist Codec Solution. His concern was around the scaling of his solution at an affordable cost as it will require cloud based DSP processing.

- Will the DSP be a bottleneck for me when we want to scale this as a service?



Group Discussions, seeking top 5 requirements


Howard Benn summed up the points raised by each group in his summary of top requirements:

- SME/Operator/Vendor defined Business model & Engagement Plan

- Multi-RAT Technology- Open NW API- Intelligent Networks + Spectrum Sharing- SDN & NFV- Test Beds



While this is a summary of the moments presented and debated during this workshop, a short report listing the top 5G requirements and SMEs’ concerns will be issued as a white paper, based on the information gathered from each group on the Digital Catapult Web Site.

Official pictures from are at our Digital Catapult’s Flickr and Facebook:https://www.flickr.com/photos/107855666@N05/sets/72157651167113023 https://www.facebook.com/DigitalCatapult?fref=photo&sk=photos

Close of the Workshop

https://www.flickr.com/photos/107855666@N05/sets/72157651167113023

https://www.flickr.com/photos/107855666@N05/sets/72157651167113023

https://www.facebook.com/DigitalCatapult?fref=photo&sk=photos

