5G and mobile service assurance

Complexity. Customer (experience/centricity). Cost. To a certain degree, the high-level 5G monitoring challenges are similar to the challenges for 4G (and earlier Gs) monitoring. But there are also substantial differences:

• Key 5G features, such as ultra-low latency or end-to-end network slicing, and the 5G reliance on cloud and virtualization dramatically increase the complexity of network and service monitoring
• 5G targets new industries and mission-critical IoT applications, so network and service monitoring must not overlook performance issues that affect more than the experience of a few individual users (customers)
• The increased relevance and diversified as well as mission-critical nature of 5G emphasize the need to invest in advanced network and service monitoring solutions, including real-time monitoring

Without a doubt, 5G mandates a different approach to network and service monitoring.

How to address the 5G monitoring challenges

EXFO provides innovative monitoring solutions for end-to-end 5G network and service visibility. These expert solutions support the monitoring needs of different stakeholders—from operations and customer care to marketing and management—related to the physical, cloud/virtual and hybrid 5G network infrastructure.

EXFO’s solutions have been built upon years of experience working with network operators and service providers worldwide. By intelligently focusing on and using the “right” data derived through its own active and passive (virtual and physical probe) monitoring capabilities or through other means, EXFO can help its customers monitor, assure and monetize 5G.

EXFO’s 5G monitoring solutions address key 5G requirements including:

Intelligent automation

A prerequisite for 5G, from simpler (e.g., workflow) to more sophisticated (e.g., orchestration) monitoring-related network and service processes.

Actionable insights

Essential for 5G, based on real-time data, a more accurate view of the dynamic network and service topology, powerful diagnostics and AI-driven predictive/other capabilities.

Network focus

For holistic 5G network monitoring, from different domains (radio, core, transport) and the–critical for 5G–fiber infrastructure to the end-to-end hybrid network performance.

Service focus

For reliable 5G service monitoring, to understand how users/devices experience the network, to support customer-centric operations, and to maximize the benefits from exciting new services.