Cloud-native networks: telecoms operator readiness and strategies for deployment and operations

Telecoms operators are increasingly adopting cloud-native network functions (CNFs) for the mobile core network domain. This adoption has been driven by the growing maturity of cloud-native technologies for telecoms networks, and a clearer business case for cloud-native networks is beginning to emerge. Operators increasingly understand that cloud-native networks will play an important role in driving improved operational efficiency and network agility, allowing them to reduce costs and the time that is needed to bring new software and services to market. To achieve these benefits, operators require effective automation and orchestration solutions. This includes using GitOps-based, cloud-native automation that leverages the inherent orchestration capabilities of Kubernetes (K8s) and that converges the automation of the cloud infrastructure and network function (NF) layers. 

However, operators continue to face organisational challenges (such as a lack of cloud-native skillsets) and technical challenges (for example, some CNFs from NF vendors do not fully align with cloud-native principles) that hinder their adoption of cloud-native networks. Furthermore, operators will only migrate from virtualised network functions (VNFs) to CNFs in a gradual, piecemeal fashion. Consequently, VNFs will need to coexist alongside CNFs in operators’ networks for some time. Operators must support this model of coexistence without driving up costs and complexity, introducing unnecessary duplication (of systems, processes and effort) or hindering network programmability.

The use of a horizontal network cloud platforms – a unified platform for running network functions as disaggregated software on a common cloud platform rather than on separate, dedicated hardware – can play a critical role in streamlining the adoption of CNFs, addressing challenges with VNF/CNF coexistence and automating cloud-native networks.

This perspective provides detailed recommendations for telecoms operators that are adopting cloud-native technologies for the mobile core domain.