Spark tests New Zealand’s first independent 5G network

• New Zealand’s first mobile network provider promotes comprehensive independent 5G network development and ‘real 5G’ testing
• Spark created and implemented two proof-of-concept to lay the foundation for standalone 5G deployment in New Zealand, working with Mavenir (a core 5G cloud-based solution), Amazon Web Services (multi-access edge computing and 5G cloud solutions), and Nokia (cellular site infrastructure) and OPPO (5G devices)
• First mobile network deployment on AWS Outposts in New Zealand
• First Global Edge Deployment on AWS Snowball Edge for Mavenir

To pave the way for Spark to deploy independent 5G at scale in the future and explore the future benefits of 5G, Spark has created and implemented two independent 5G proofs of concept with technology providers Mavenir (a 5G standalone cloud core solution) and AWS (multi-access edge computing and cloud solutions optimized for 5G networks) and technology partners Nokia (cellular site infrastructure) and OPPO (5G devices).

From “Non-Standalone” 5G to “Standalone” 5G

New Zealand carriers are currently implementing “non-standalone” 5G – while networks have been updated to 5G, data centers and network centers are still running on legacy non-5G systems, which rely on 4G infrastructure.

To realize the independent 5G network, the data centers and mobile core networks must be upgraded and deployed on a cloud-native platform. Legacy mobile networks running from a central data center have relatively fixed use cases and are complex to customize.

5G Autonomous Network is “cloud-native,” meaning it is fully virtualized, can run on any cloud service, is built using a microservices approach, and is built to meet changing customer needs in a scalable way, while providing inherent flexibility.

This creates flexibility in an end-to-end 5G solution and allows network users to experience the full range of benefits of an independent 5G network, including low latency and advanced capabilities such as network slicing, private networking, and edge multiple access. informatics.

Test standalone 5G capabilities for enterprise customers

5G has game-changing potential for businesses and organizations with new use cases that take advantage of low latency (fractions of one digit in milliseconds) and high throughput, such as virtual reality, augmented augmented industrial automation, and real-time video analytics with intelligence and digital twins. and the massive Internet of Things.

Standalone 5G enables low-latency access to multi-access computing solutions, enabling customers to deploy solutions that can push core network compute capacity to the business site, factory floor, or customer premises.

To test these benefits, Spark deployed a core cloud-native Mavenir 5G solution on the AWS Snowball Edge, a physically powerful device that provides advanced computing and data transmission services. This is the first global deployment of Mavenir on the AWS Snowball Edge. Using the AWS Snowball Edge hardware allowed Spark to create a highly portable edge solution that could literally fit into a bag — to process and store data close to where it was created, allowing for low latency and real-time response.

Spark tested the video analytics tool on the solution – results showed low latency to deliver real-time video analytics, with latency reduced by 70% to single-digit milliseconds, before deployment to the edge of the 5G standalone core solution and analytics service.

The proof-of-concept allows Spark to experiment with how to slicing a highly customizable network and adapting it to changing business needs. For example, create dedicated virtual networks with service-specific or client-specific functionality on a public network infrastructure. The proof-of-concept demonstrates how organizations such as port authorities (with large fleets of mobile devices that require high throughput and low latency) can operate on virtual network chips that improve physical private network utilization.

Self-testing 5G wireless broadband capabilities for consumers

Since Spark launched 5G, the initial use case has been to increase the speed and capacity of Spark’s wireless and mobile broadband products. The company saw another opportunity to explore how its wireless broadband service would benefit more from working on a standalone 5G network.

To test this, Spark deployed a standalone Mavenir 5G native cloud core solution on AWS Outposts, a fully managed solution that provides AWS infrastructure and services for virtually any on-premises or high-end site. This is New Zealand’s first mobile network deployment on AWS Outposts. Wireless broadband service testing based on proof of concept showed faster download speeds and lower response time compared to pre-release results, providing a better experience for Spark wireless broadband customers.

Josh Bahlman, Director of Spark Tribe for Telco Cloud He explains: “These proofs of concept enable us to deliver the enhanced benefits of a standalone 5G network – to both New Zealand businesses looking to innovate with 5G connectivity and multi-access edge computing, and to New Zealand citizens accessing a network that supports applications such as instant video streaming, cloud-hosted gaming and response times. The Action Needed for Self-Driving Vehicles The 5G autonomous network opens the door to low capacity and latency to help accelerate Internet of Things trends, such as connected cars, smart cities and IoT at home and in the office.

“The solutions offered by AWS and Mavenir provide an opportunity to test and learn by leveraging cloud-native solutions and multi-access edge computing services optimized for 5G. Testing technology in this way allows us to identify the optimal mix of vendors and solutions to deliver the benefits we want to achieve. We have other proofs of concept In progress as we work to provide relevant use cases for New Zealand’s local requirements.”

Mavenir is a network software provider of cloud-based network solutions for 5G use cases deployed on cloud services such as AWS. Ashok Khuntia, President of Core Networks, Mavenir states, “Our cloud-based network solution provides flexibility and advanced features such as network slicing to enable efficiencies in end-to-end service design and deployment times to accelerate testing and deployments. Services. We are excited to work with innovative organizations like Spark NZ to explore what is possible as telecom service providers move Network solutions to the cloud.

Tiffany Blomquist, Head of State, Commercial Sector, AWS New Zealand He says, “It is exciting to see Spark leverage AWS to pilot and drive innovation across its network for its customers. AWS continues to invest in cutting edge computing capabilities, and we are excited to partner with Mavenir and Spark to develop their standalone 5G network and identify more use cases and opportunities to deliver cutting-edge mobile solutions to customers in New Zealand.

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