The three new specifications will allow telecom companies to build their 5G networks with open, cloud-native platforms that use software and hardware components from different vendors, eliminating vendor lock-in and allowing operators to deploy new 5G services more quickly, securely, and flexibly.

Building on the Forum's mission to drive a consolidated future approach to 5G, the standards will reduce development time, as well as capital expenditure (capex) and operating expenditure (opex), for traditionally disparate fixed broadband and 5G networks. Ultimately, they will deliver a common, managed broadband experience to the end user, regardless of their final connectivity technology.

"True convergence requires a single, converged 5G core network that allows us to offer compelling services to customers, whether they connect wirelessly or via wired technologies," says Santiago Tenorio, Head of Network Architecture at Vodafone. "It also requires a unified customer view to enable a common approach to authentication credentials and associated network policies. This set of new convergence standards from the Broadband Forum is an important step toward realizing the vision of seamless and consistent customer connectivity in the era of 5G and Gigabit access."

Three major sets of technical specifications have been finalized, including the 5G Wireless Wired Convergence Architecture (TR-470), the Access Gateway Function (AGF) Functional Requirements (TR-456) , and the Device Data Model (TR-181). Together, these documents provide functions and interfaces for Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), AGF, and customer premises equipment (CPE), such as 5G-enabled routers.

TR-470, developed jointly with 3GPP, describes the 5G FMC architecture, providing high-level guidance for network architects and planners and enabling fixed and mobile functions to coexist on a shared infrastructure. This will facilitate multi-access connectivity and provide consumers with a seamless, access-independent service experience.

For operators, the network functions required to operate their infrastructure will be streamlined, and common technology, onboarding, training, services, and subscriber management will be achieved across fixed and mobile divisions. Furthermore, additional revenue streams will be created by expanding the geographic reach of 5G core networks and the service offerings of fixed networks.

“As the global adoption rate of 5G continues to grow, the work of the Forum represents an important milestone for operators seeking to deliver a common and unified broadband experience to their customer base,” said Rosaria Persico, Principal Delegate of the Broadband Forum, TIM. “Especially for operators with a broad base of mobile and fixed customers, the three new standards will provide a significant opportunity to deliver revolutionary 5G services to homes as well, maximizing the key benefits of different access network assets and leveraging all the service platforms that will be deployed to unlock the full potential of 5G.”

TR-456 outlines the functional requirements for the AGF. The AGF sits between the fixed access networks and the 5G core network to support both wired and 5G residential gateways, creating a truly converged deployment. Furthermore, the Broadband Forum's Device:2 data model (TR-181 Issue 2 Amendment 14), used by the User Services Platform (USP), has been extended to address 5G residential gateways. The Device:2 data model applies to all types of devices enabled by TR-069 or the USP, including end devices, residential gateways, and other network infrastructure devices.

"Operators are keen to leverage and deploy fifth-generation technology to exploit new opportunities to enhance existing revenue streams and secure new ones by launching new services and applications," said Broadband Forum Executive Director Robin Mersh. “Covering the entire network, including CPE, these specifications take a holistic approach to network management and operation and will greatly accelerate 5G deployments, ensuring operator confidence through an open ecosystem.”

Furthermore, the Functional Requirements for Broadband Residential Gateway Devices (TR-124) specification is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2020. Moving from the network to the home, TR-124 has been expanded to include requirements related to the 5G residential gateway, which extends the 5G control plane into premises to unlock new real-time service opportunities.