Automation in 5G – Part 2

Substantial Automation Impact

Altran researchers’ analysis suggests that automation led to an improved network failure prediction within the core network, orchestration of intelligent network, and control of traffic congestion up to 40%. There was an improvement in network optimization on radio networks, which resulted in a call drop rate prediction and network slicing up to 30%. There was an improvement of up to 50% in-network and service operation centers when automation was applied for predictive maintenance, root cause analysis, and autocorrelation.

The operator was also able to observe an improvement in subscriber churn reduced by automation by 50%. Automation can also reduce power usage by 30% in data operations and drive cognitive workload management and capacity planning. Automation also reduces DDos by up to 40%.

Automation challenges

While automation brings out a picture of an end of network issues, Futuriom’s research encountered many challenges that operators can face while integrating automation. More than 30% of the respondents were basing their argument on the lack of a budget for investment in either the staff or technology to support the automation process. 29% were daunted by the level and the implementation of the network automation.

Another main challenge is the formulation of a digital transformation strategy that guides an operator in the automation effort. This was informed because operators do not have a well-planned strategy and try to piecemeal it. With such an approach, inefficiency would be experienced, leading to wastage of resources due to unnecessary costs.

During the structural changes to capitalize an automation process, operators often merge or distribute the responsibilities of running an automated network across the network and IT teams. This may be a challenge, especially in instilling the DevOps principles and retention of existing staff. The fact is, when automation is being introduced into the network, a different set of skills is required, and it is very hard to find. Sometimes, when highly skilled talent is found, resentment may be created at times, making the process very slow.

To deal with these challenges, a strategy that is well-informed should be drafted by the operators that address the introduction of automation and use it in the generation of business value and ROI. Operators should develop a roadmap that defines when and how the changes will occur and specify the technological requirements with an objective to achieve the set goals.

Don’t be left by the wave

As the day goes, many Telecom industry operators are now conversant with the need to modernize their networks. They have observed from the sidelines as big cloud-based service providers like AMAZON and Google have championed the revolution of value-added service delivered over the operator network at fantastic speeds.

Meanwhile, there is an exponential growth in traffic loads in video streaming, gaming, and other bandwidth-consuming, including data traffic from IoT technologies. The change is so exponential that mobile data volumes are projected to be double worldwide from 35 exabytes in 2021 to 73 exabytes by 2022.

An operator must find network automation a big blessing due to the enormous opportunities it brings on board, though with some formidable challenges. As the 5G era continues to shape itself, automation should be a robust digital transformation strategy that every operator should associate themselves with. Provides the roles it stands to play in securing and improving the efficiency of a network, and the ball is now on your side when you are ready to kickstart the process.