A Simple Guide To Next-Generation Network

The primary concept behind Next-Generation Networks (NGN) is to build a unified network that transports all types of data in the form of IP packets (similar to those used on the Internet). Every service that currently uses networks, wired or wireless, will be able to use NGNs. Now that’s what we call next-gen!

The International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) defines Next Generation Network (NGN) as "a packet-based network which provides telecommunication services using generalized mobility approaches to allow the consistent and ubiquitous provision of services to users." These advanced open-source networks will provide features and capabilities that current networks simply cannot.

So, are you ready to move to the next level of networking?
 

What Is A Next-Generation Network?

Q: What are Star Wars fans called?

A: Humankind

That’s our way of saying, everyone loves Star Wars! The franchise has united people from all walks of life thanks to its awesome storylines, sci-fi elements and special effects. Similarly, the Next-Generation Network (NGN) is a key architectural change in telecommunications networks that will unite services and service providers. The general idea behind the development of NGN is to build a single converged network to transport all information (audio, video, data, multi-media, etc.) by encapsulating them into IP packets. Think of IP packets as postage stamps on a letter; they inform networks where the data needs to be delivered.

Users can access multiple services flexibly thanks to this innovative network. Additionally, using a unified network to deploy and deliver services by multiple service providers cuts infrastructure and maintenance costs for businesses. It also encourages generalized mobility, enabling the consistent and all-encompassing delivery of services to users. Yet, like the Star Wars movies, it did not come out of the blue - let's take a look!
 

How Did Next-Generation Network Evolve?

To understand the origin of NGNs, we need to travel back in time and look at the evolution of telecommunications networks. Let’s go!

 

• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back:

  During the 80s, the most common type of data that networks carried was voice data. This was due to the ubiquity of voice transmission such as audio calling. This technology was based on analog signals and was known as 1G (1st generation).

• Star Wars: The Attack Of The Clones:

  From the early 90s to the 2000s, we saw a rise in SMS (Short Message Service) and mobile data networks. These transmissions used digital signals and were called 2G (2nd generation). During this era, technologies such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) were developed to transfer IP packets to networks such as the Internet.

• Star Wars: The Revenge Of The Sith:

  The mid and late 2000s was the era when network services bloomed. We developed mobile internet, TV streaming, video calling and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) to share more information faster and effectively. Newer networking technologies such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service) allowed transmission of text, digitized voice, video and multimedia at data rates up to 2 megabits per second (Mbps). Later, the High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) protocol improved the speed and capacity of telecommunications networks. This is what we call 3G (3rd Generation).

• Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker:

  Today, we have high-speed internet, virtual live streams and HD broadcasting. These services required providers to use completely new networks for effective deployment, provision and management of services. Modern telecommunications networks run on LTE (Long-Term Evolution), what we call the 4G (4th Generation) wireless standard. It provided increased network capacity and speed for cellphones compared to previous generations.

As the technology improved from 1G to 4G, there was a dire need to update the networking architecture as well. Next Generation Network (NGN) will serve as a replacement for obsolete networks such as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Without the previous episodes, umm we mean advancements, we could not have arrived at Next-Generation Networks.

NGNs will primarily operate on the latest 5G (5th Generation) telecommunications standard, owing to its speed, availability and range – in other words, it will be Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi in our analogy! Yet, some Star Wars fans ask, “do we really need prequels?” – yes, just like you need NGNs.
 

Why Do We Need Next-Generation Network?

There is an ever-growing demand for Internet connectivity and accessibility to cloud-based services. Heck, we're sure everyone here has grumbled about wanting faster network speeds! Enhancing the existing networks to meet these demands is critical. Yet, it is quite expensive as these networks are complex and old, making it challenging to scale up and interoperate. Moreover, the marginal revenue increase brought by the new demand is a fraction of the cost it would take to upgrade current networks.

This is why we need Next-Generation Networks. It is a better network architecture as it can facilitate the convergence of disparate networks and services. NGNs also offer the following characteristics that are lacking in modern networks:
 

• Open-Source Architecture:

  NGNs are open-source. Hence, they support service creation, maintenance and incorporation by third parties. They also enable “distributed control” so separate entities can operate on the same network with robust security and protection. Although, we're not sure if the Alliance Army and The Republic can use the same network!

• Independent Provisioning:

  NGNs can separate service provision from operation using distributed, open-control mechanisms. Hence, multiple vendors can offer discrete services over an NGN without disrupting the other existing services.

• Multiplicity:

  NGN's functional architecture allows highly flexible configuration capabilities for multiple access. Businesses can thus experiment with several providers for the various services they need.

Now, let’s look at how it all works!
 

How Do Next-Generation Network Operates?

A Next-Generation Network essentially unifies multiple dedicated transport networks that were previously built for distinct services into a single core transport network. For example, it helps migrate voice data from a circuit-switched architecture to a modern VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Similarly, it transforms legacy services into modern IP-based services or emulates the "legacy service" on the NGN. To accomplish this, NGNs are equipped with a variety of broadband technologies, both wired (such as DSL, cable, optic fiber, etc.) and wireless (such as LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, etc.).

Next-Generation Networks are structured into four functional layers, each with its own task: the Access Layer, the Transport & Switching Layer, the Control & Intelligence Layer and Service Layer. These layers are independent, that is, they can be modified or upgraded regardless of other functional layers. That is one of the greatest advantages of Next-Generation Networks – here are some more!
 

What Are The Benefits Of Next-Generation Network?

Next-Generation Networks offer various benefits, such as:
 

• Enabling various categories of customers to receive a wide range of services including voice, data, video and multi-media over the same network.
• Offering unrestricted access to several service providers and services with ease.
• Offering better control and personalization through integration of existing legacy services.
• Providing enhanced revenue generation through optimized connection, service uptime, flexibility and efficient network management capabilities.

Master Yoda once said…


We agree – although, we used our Dark Force to get a glimpse at the future of Next-Generation Networks. (We promise that’s the only time we’ve used it!)
 

What Can We Expect From Future Next-Generation Network?

Here's something interesting – Japan is currently developing a “New-Generation Network” that will offer speeds of one Petabit/sec - that's 125,000 Gigabytes per second! You could probably download all Star Wars movies faster than you can say, "A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." Moreover, 100 billion terminals (devices) could be connected simultaneously to this network. Its power consumption will be 1/1000th that of existing networks. NGNs are the stuff of the future!

Businesses that provide network-based services will need to rethink governance as multiple services, vendors and users will be leveraging the same network soon. The biggest challenge for them will be to effectively manage the (inevitable) transition from legacy systems to Next-Generation Networks. 
 

It’s A Wrap

There has always been a need to innovate and bridge consumer demands with new technology. That's what NGNs aim to do through IT rationalization and technological advancement. Next-Generation Networks will offer businesses innovative service opportunities and create new revenue streams when consumers and vendors switch to this new-age network. We will see entirely new business models being deployed soon. So, are you ready for next-generation networking?