ZTE to transform 5G-Advanced core network with intelligence

The 3GPP Release 18 standard was officially announced as frozen in June 2024, marking the launch of the first version aimed at 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technologies and heralding the comprehensive commercial rollout of 5G-A. This milestone ushers in a new phase of development for 5G technology. As the pivotal brain of mobile networks, the core network will also embrace a transformative role in the 5G-A era.

Chen Xinyu, VP of ZTE, granted an exclusive interview to Light Reading, during which he elaborated on the new mission of the core network in the 5G-A era.

Q: As we move into the 5G-A era, the core network will continue to evolve. In your opinion, what are the most notable features that 5G-A core network should possess, and what surprises might it bring to operators?

Chen Xinyu: The telecom industry has reached a consensus that the full-scale intelligence of the core network is an inevitable. The rapid breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large language model technologies have further accelerated this transformation. The deep integration of AI with the core network brings inherent service intelligence, network intelligence, and operation & maintenance intelligence, unlocking unprecedented commercial potential for mobile operators. It will continually enhance 5G capabilities to deliver superior network performance, accelerate network monetization with new scenarios and services, and leverage AI technologies to optimize service delivery and network management, ultimately reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Q: In this wave of intelligence, what new opportunities for innovation will emerge in operators’ services?

Chen Xinyu: By fully utilizing AI technology, the 5G-A intelligent core network significantly revitalize traditional communication services.

New Calling, by integrating AI and the interaction capabilities of data channel, upgrades the simple human to human voice call to a richer multi-modal content communication with more scenaros including human to AI-agents , bringing a more intelligent capabilities and diversified calling experience.

New Messaging seamlessly integrate Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) capabilities into the 5G Messaging platform, allowing mobile operators to provide ChatGPT-like services for the brands without any modifications or upgrades, further enhancing user engagement and experience.

Moreover, intelligent application identification for data services has significantly improved efficiency, compressing the DPI library update cycle from weekly to hourly. This greatly enhances the dynamic identification and response capabilities of internet application, enabling operators to conduct refined operations.

Q: Telco networks have shifted from a focus on "traffic monetization" to "experience monetization." How can 5G-A core network ensure an enhanced user experience while unleashing the full potential of the network?

Chen Xinyu: The key to network intelligence lies in improving user experience and optimizing network resources. The 5G-A core network incorporates deep intelligence capabilities through Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) and AI engines embedded in network elements.

Through layered and graded service guarantees, operators can provide differentiated services based on actual user needs in real time, greatly enhancing user experience while achieving experience monetization.

Precise paging technology based on intelligent prediction of user movement trajectories can reduce paging signaling load by over 30%, enhancing the overall efficiency of the network.

Furthermore, the core network can activate intelligent energy-saving measures by dynamically activated energy-saving control with AI model based reasoning, reducing power consumption by 25% while ensuring service loss-less, thus aiding operators in achieving more economical network operations.

Q: As the network continues to evolve and scale, the core network has become increasingly complex, posing significant challenges for operations and maintenance (O&M). How can the core network leverage intelligent technologies to achieve OPEX saving and highly efficient operations and maintenance?

Chen Xinyu: ZTE has established the 5G-A Core Network O&M Intelligence Engine (CNIA), driving the evolution towards a high-level autonomous network, advancing operations and maintenance from L3 to L4+ and beyond. By introducing intent-based networking and integrating it with digital twin technology for intent verification and network interaction, precise execution of operational intents—such as SLA assurance and energy efficiency—can be achieved, paving the way for an advanced autonomous network.

Incorporating large language models (LLM) to construct a comprehensive core network signaling AI model allows for real-time analysis of network signaling. The AI model can detect abnormal behaviors, identify latent issues, and autonomously adjust signaling strategies, thereby optimizing O&M efficiency.

Additionally, AI agents are employed to build intelligent systems for alarm analysis, diagnostics, and remediation automation. Through collaboration between multiple agents, complex tasks are seamlessly orchestrated and executed, streamlining workflows.

The implementation of network LLM and core network intelligent AI agents has reshaped existing operations and maintenance processes, significantly reducing operational costs while enhancing efficiency.

Intelligence will become the defining theme of the telecommunications industry's future development. Chen Xinyu highlighted that ZTE will remain at the forefront of technological innovation, empowering global mobile networks to make a transformative leap from connectivity to intelligence.