The 5G network

The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) describes 5G as “an end-to-end ecosystem” that is expected to “enable a fully mobile and connected society”. The most prominent include fixed-wireless access, ultra-reliable low-latency (high volume of data messages with minimal delay) communications, enhanced mobile broadband and massive . The effective implementation of the 5G vision could translate into driverless cars, virtual or augmented reality experiences, , robotics and . However, the proposed 5G use cases rely on , pertaining notably to latency, throughput, reliability and transmission character.

To address all of these use cases, networks need to become more flexible. This is achieved through , a form of virtual network architecture built on common shared physical infrastructure. Each network slice consists of an independent set of logical (software-based) network functions that support the requirements of the specific use case. For instance, the driverless car will rely on vehicle-to-anything (V2X) communication, which requires low latency but not necessarily a high throughput, while a streaming service being watched while the car is in motion will require a high throughput and is susceptible to latency. are thus employed to optimise the use of the physical network. This can also enhance , by isolating attacks on the network slice, given that security poses the biggest challenge as these networks evolve, according to Ray Lahoud, Chief Operating Officer at Allstream.

Network slicing relies on and . SDN the data and control planes, which, along with the management plane, constitute the three basic components of a telecommunications . By removing the control plane from network hardware and implementing it in software, SDN enables programmatic access, making network administration much more flexible.ÌęWhile SDN enables network slicing, the NFV architecture is employed to and its constituent resources, and orchestrating their allocation to realize the virtual network functions (VNFs) and network service.Ìę In a nutshell, NFV provides the ‘what’ (virtualization architecture) and SDN provides the ‘how’ (Application Programming Interfaces and control protocols) to .

SDNs can be deployed today leveraging existing Application Programming Interfaces ().Ìę APIs constitute a point of interaction between a number of systems. From the users’ point of view, APIs allow them to complete the action . APIs speed up the communication between apps and platforms, allowing service providers to deploy innovative high-quality services by bypassing one-on-one, costly and time-consuming proprietary integration. As Ibrahim Gedeon, Chief Technology Officer at Telus, described it, before embarking on any technological transformation journey we need to “speak the same language to talk about innovation”, which in turn translates to the need for a .

Network softwarization is paving the way towards X-as-a-Service (XaaS). XaaS refers to the concept that , including the functions that control a telecom network, notably Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). With these resources made available by , telecom service providers maintain a major influence over the services they buy, while offloading the costs of Research and Development (R&D), security and optimization. XaaS extends , with Transportation-as-a-Service offered by Uber and Lyft, Grocery-as-a-Service by Safeway and Whole Foods, and Accommodation-as-a-Service by Airbnb.

New Business Models

According to the NGMN , 5G is expected to “empower value creation towards customers and partners, through existing and emerging use cases, delivered with consistent experience, and enabled by sustainable business models.” Essentially, this means that telcos will start shifting from their traditional Business-to-Customer (B2C) to a Business-to-Business (B2B) business model, by opening their networks to other stakeholders and allowing the latter to reuse their capabilities in order to deliver new services to customers.

Communication Service Providers (CSPs) can monetize new data-intensive Over-the-Top (OTT) services through partnerships with OTT providers or by charging them for access to their networks. In fact, operators have already started to leverage to deliver packaged services to end users. OTT players are expected to deliver more applications that require higher quality, lower latency, and other service enhancing capabilities, namely proximity, location, quality of service (QoS), authentication, on demand and in a highly flexible and programmable way.

In addition, as James Buchanan, Senior VP & General Manager of Ensemble ADVA Optical Networking, framed it, monetization of data is key to proving that it is worth investing in 5G. While telcos are now relying only on data to improve customer experience and QoS, with 5G network services combined with IoT and AI, new business models of monetization will arise, namely . New business opportunities will thus emerge for telcos not only through data monetization but also from the value delivered to enterprises via application and network intelligence layers.

IPR, RnD and Investment in 5G

The realization of the 5G vision, especially in terms of IoT-related applications, will require extensive R&D and investment. Robust intellectual property protection is an to this end. ÌęBased on the NGMN , the IP based business objective is to make 5G access affordable for all types of devices. The proposed NGMN recommendations include improving 5G Standard Essential Patent (SEP) Declarations, establishing Independent 5G SEPAssessments, and exploring and establishing Patent Pool licensing for 5G. All industry partners are expected to develop implementation plans for each of these recommendations.

Overall, this panel’s speakers strongly agreed on the fact that the 5G endeavor cannot be taken exclusively on by the private sector. This was consequently addressed by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, PC, MP, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development in his , during which he announced the launch of ,Ìę, the Evolution of Networked Services through a Corridor in QuĂ©bec and Ontario for Research and Innovation, which is a 3P between the governments of Ontario and Quebec and private sector partners. Minster Bains described ENCQOR as “a 5G test bed that will advance the development of 5G networking solutions and next-generation technologies and applications”. In addition, he proclaimed the launch of two consultations regarding 5G deployment, one of which pertains to the . Based on the aforementioned, the plan toward the 5G seems clearly drafted and in line with the telecom industry’s mantra of “flexibility, scalability and cost”, as epitomized by Mr. Lahoud.

Yonida Koukio is an IPilogue Editor and an LL.M. Candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School.Ìę

The post Telecom Network Innovation: XaaS and New Business Models in the 5G Era appeared first on IPOsgoode.

All things smartened up

Ìę5G is the next generation of wireless mobile networks. The speakers highlighted that 5G networks are primarily designed for increasing capacity and enhancing connectivity while operating at much lower latency values. These ultrafast 5G airwaves promise to through the sharing of information—as buildings, cars, people, and a myriad of devices will be able to communicate with each other. The new technology promises to further enhance the users’ experience with smart devices, smart cars, and smart homes. In addition, 5G networks will allow emerging technologies to operate at a much larger scale.

From connecting people to connecting things in real time

ÌęFor example, the panel on 5G networks remarked that, due to the myriad of new capabilities and disruptive applications made available using 5G wireless networks, virtually all industries will experience important changes in how they work and cooperate with one another. Industries will leverage real-time connectivity to the benefit of both consumers and businesses. New capabilities will allow segments of industries to experience real-time economic data, offering the potential to prompt the . To enable all of these features, 5G network communications will increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and big data to build new applications and create more services. As a result, interested parties will have to be attentive as a new regulatory landscape may develop to accommodate the demands of this increased data sharing reality.

How does society become 5G ready?

ÌęIn addressing this question, speakers at CTS 2018 remarked that putting the new technology to use will require several regulatory and policy discussions. Among other challenges, there will be massive amounts of data that can be quickly collected, mobilized, and exchanged across 5G networks. In the commercial and government space, several jurisdictions have engaged in devising regulatory frameworks for the deployment of the new technology (see examples and ).

Canadian policy makers know that this is an industry that needs investment as well as a modern regulatory landscape across municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. For example, in his , the Honourable , the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that the Government of Canada will be launching two consultationsÌę to support 5G deployment:Ìęthe government is to add an additional 1GHz of millimetre spectrum to support 5G and is beginning a in advance of the 3500 MHz auction.Ìę Minister Bains also discussed an initiative through a Canada-QuĂ©bec-Ontario partnership, (“ENCQOR”),Ìęwhich he described as “a 5G test bed that will advance the development of 5G networking solutions and next-generation technologies and applications”.

Other countries, such as the are taking a great leap towards leadership in the manufacture and operation of network infrastructure. In Canada, industry operators and other stakeholders are well positioned to develop relationships with different levels of the government with a view to speeding up the process of creating standards and laying out best practices for the operation of 5G networks.

Bottom line

5G networks promises innovation, disruption, as well as policy and regulatory discussions. Industry operators and other stakeholders should be attentive to the new opportunities arising from 5G networks, but they should also stay abreast of the impact the Canadian regulatory landscape may have in the industry — particularly by virtue of the challenges that may arise from the vastness amount of data that will be quickly collected, mobilized, and exchanged across 5G networks.

Bruna D. Kalinoski is a contributing editor for the IPilogue and holds an LLM from the Osgoode Professional Development Program at 91ŃÇÉ«.

The post 5G Networks Promise More Innovation and Disruption — But They Promise More Regulatory Discussions, Too appeared first on IPOsgoode.

Starting with quality, he emphasized the importance of having telecom services that are fast enough to allow everyone to participate in a digital community. One of the efforts that have been made to improve quality is the collaboration with Ontario and Quebec to launch (the Evolution of Networked ServicesÌęthrough a Corridor in QuĂ©bec and Ontario for Research and Innovation) partnership. This $400 million public-private partnership providesÌęaccess to 5G networks to SMEs, researchers and academia. Through ENCQOR, the federal government hopes to advance 5G networks and drive long-term economic growth across Canada.

Minister Bains also described the 5-year plan (to be implemented between 2018 to 2022), which has the objective ofÌęmaximizing the amount of spectrum that is available in order to avoid "" and ensure that Canadians have unhindered access to wireless networks.

With nearly 70% of all schoolwork being connected to the Internet, access to the Internet is a necessity for our youth today, not a luxury. However, with 1.2 million Canadian children living in poverty, such access is unequal and incredibly limited for a large number of young Canadians. Minister Bains stated that it is important to correct this imbalance and ensure that these children have access to high speed Internet so that they can progress in both their academic careers and future endeavours. Similarly, measures have been taken to ensure that rural communities have access to high-speed Internet with the . Through this program, $500 million will be invested by 2021 into rural communities to help bring new infrastructure and provide coverage nationwide.

The provision of free computers to schools nationwide is one way the government is tackling the issue of cost by making telecom services more affordable andÌęallowing low income Canadians the opportunity to participate in the digital economy.

Minister Bains's key message is that this is all “... about the kids”. The purpose of these government initiatives is to help young Canadians who do not have reasonable access to the Internet – "every youth should have the means to stay connected in this digital economy to fulfil their aspirations."

In conclusion, Minister Bains lauded industry support has being integral to the success of these initiatives and encouraged the IT industry to “” and make Canada a global centre for innovation. Despite the efforts and consequent successes that have resulted from actively addressing the issues of quality, coverage and affordability of innovative technologies, Minister Bain's demonstrate that building Canada’s innovation ecosystem is a never ending work in progress.

Neda Foroughian is an IPilogue Editor and a JD Candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School.

The post Canada's Progress with Making Innovative Technology Accessible & Affordable appeared first on IPOsgoode.

I. Preparing Canada for 5G Coverage

5G data coverage, which is the next generation of wireless data services, promises to make it possible for cities to become , as buildings, utilities, and people will be able to constantly share data. This connectivity can make cities more efficient by allowing businesses and government to mine this data, discover inefficiencies and redundancies, and correct them. Canada promises to be a major part of this initiative, with Google’s intention to build a , which will feature a fully interconnected neighbourhood.

The jurisdictions that can achieve 5G coverage will have a competitive edge in attracting new technologies and business opportunities that can take advantage of this new interconnectivity. , the CTO of Telus, noted that Canada needs a fully allocated 5G spectrum to take advantage of these opportunities. Mr. Gideon lamented that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has not yet fully auctioned the 3.5 – 4GHz spectrum, where 5G will be broadcasted, and this puts Canada at risk of falling behind other jurisdictions. Not only have Western counties like the US, UK, EU and New Zealand allocated or planned out this spectrum, but so have Saudi Arabia, India, China, Japan and South Korea have as well. In his keynote, Mr. Gideon called on the Federal Government to create a clear strategy and timeline on how the 5G spectrum will be allocated and when; only once this is done can businesses seize on the new opportunities that 5G offers.

II. Big Data Firms – The Home Invaders

, EVP of , a major US business-to-business telecom service in the Internet of things (“IoT”) space, spoke of the need for telecoms to partner with large technology companies like Apple and Amazon so that Internet service providers are not left behind by the coming technology changes.

As major technology firms develop new IoT applications, like Amazon with Alexa and Google with Home, these companies are creating new interactions inside their customers’ homes, which are new opportunities to connect with their customers and build goodwill. Since these IoT devices rely on Internet connections to work, telecoms are a crucial part of this experience. However, Amazon and Google will reap the rewards of positive customer interactions and when they don’t work, the telecoms are blamed.

This leads to a situation where technology firms will benefit from the goodwill and telecoms will continue to be viewed as a necessary evil to facilitate online-based services. Telecoms suffer from as no customer loyalty is developed when IoT devices work, but when the devices don’t work the telecoms take the blame. One solution is for telecoms to partner with these firms, allowing them to piggyback off the brand building they are engaged in. If Rogers can offer a “Rogers + Google” service, there is more likely to be a positive customer association with the Rogers brand every time Google Home helps a consumer. This strategy is increasing with Fido packaging a with their phone plans and a in 2014.

III. Privacy and the Digital Footprint

While Mr. Weening’s presentation opened up many interesting possibilities for the future of telecom service, as a law student I couldn’t help but be concerned by the . The panel on privacy and information security focused on the implications for these new services and the need to evolve consumers’ digital footprint beyond a mere email and password combination.

, a Senior Fellow at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers Leadership Centre and the former Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, noted that over the past two years, the percentage of consumer concerned about the privacy of their information has . Ms. Cavoukian pointed out that is more important and profitable for telecoms to build trust with their customers regarding the integrity and privacy of their personal information than to collect as much data as possible. She noted that when customers are informed that their data is private and only used for a specific purpose, they are more likely to consent to future requests for uses of their data in different ways.

Other panelists noted that since Canada adopted the Internet earlier than most countries, its and out of touch with the internet. Jurisdictions that were slower to adopt the Internet, like the EU, have observed the effects the Internet has on society and have had an easier time legislating accordingly.

A related panel, “Cultivating an Innovation Economy” discussed how telecoms need to help facilitate a revolution in digital identity. One of the biggest cybersecurity problems is that people protect their valuable data with an easily hacked email and password combination. However, smartphones are complex computers capable of acting as a digital fingerprint for online services. Telecoms that can create a secure digital identity for their customers could have a strong competitive edge as privacy and information security becomes a greater concern for consumers.

IV. Minister Bains on Connecting the Arctic and Rural Canada

The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit ended with a keynote speech from the Honourable , Minister of , the department in charge of the Telecommunications Act.

Minister Bains spoke of the government’s partnership with Bell to bring , connecting Inuit communities to the rest of Canada. The construction of over 15 cell towers across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut could also help stimulate commercial investment in Canada’s North beyond the traditional natural resource extraction industries.

Minister Bains also introduced the new , where the government is planning to extend data coverage to many remote rural communities in Canada that currently have no data coverage. This initiative will also provide up to 50,000 low income families with a personal computer and access to a low-cost public internet plan for $10 per month. The goal of this initiative is to help alleviate isolation and poverty in rural communities by connecting them with urban Canada and creating new opportunities in their community.

V. Conclusion

This year’s Canadian Telecom Summit showed that the commercial opportunities created by telecommunication continue to broaden and that Canada is far from a global leader in this area. At the same time, there is a clear sense that the current government wants to make Canada’s technology economy more competitive and ensure that issues of privacy and accessibility are addressed. There is great promise in the commercial opportunities in this space, but measures like a clear spectrum allocation strategy and more competition in the telecom space is needed to spur more growth in this area.

The post Highlights from Canadian Telecom Summit 2018 appeared first on IPOsgoode.