The Broadband Forum (BBF) has completed phase 2 of its work on 5G, which is aimed at providing a seamless converged experience between wireless and wired networks.
The BBF is working to help network operators transition from legacy to 5G networks. Phase 2 specifications are aimed at expanding deployment options, providing added functionality, and driving 5G system value.
Phase 2 work resulted in three standards that are aimed at building on the foundations of the first phase:
“The Phase 2 work has delivered multi-session and enhanced authentication support for legacy Residential Gateways that do not have any 5G capability,” Rosaria Persico, Principal Broadband Forum Delegate, TIM, said in a press release. “Multi-session will enable the same user to connect to multiple service networks, while previously the user was limited to a single data network. This additional improvement can be considered a foretaste of what will be possible with 5G-Residential Gateways. Operators are able to leverage innovation and common procedures specified by Broadband Forum that results in enhanced customer experience across available access network assets, and this specification development will ensure a smooth evolution path to a standardized 5G hybrid model.”
Phase 1, which the BBF says underpins all its subsequent on creating “a true convergence,” was released in 2020.