Wireline–Wireless Convergence
Laurent Thiébaut, Christele Bouchat · Wiley 5G Ref · 2020
Abstract Virtualization and the development of the 5G architecture, i.e. a 5GCore (5GC) capable to serve a great variety of Access Networks have triggered the industry to work on Wireless–Wireline convergence. As opposed to previous attempts that were focusing on convergence at policy control level, the 5GC‐based solution focuses on defining an interworking function, the Wireline Access Gateway Function (W‐AGF), that terminates the legacy Wireline Access interface on one of its sides and the 5GC interfaces N1/N2/N3 on its other side. This architecture enables the 5GC to serve Residential Gateways modified to support 5G protocols and procedures (5G RG) but also legacy unmodified Fixed Network Residential Gateways (FN RG). 5G RG can benefit of slicing as defined for 5GC but also of a Hybrid Access where 5G RG are simultaneously connected via 3GPP radio and via Wireline Access, ensuring thus higher throughput and reliability for the traffic of the customer premises. Fixed Wireless Access (5G RG connection via 3GPP radio) enables flexible deployment of a mobile RG (e.g. in public transport or for short‐lived events). A 5G RG and its Wireline Access interworking function, the W‐AGF, can together be used as a trusted non‐3GPP AN serving 3GPP User Equipment (smartphone) with managed Quality of Service and accurate location information (e.g. for home‐based charging). The Broadband Forum (BBF) and 3GPP deliver a first release of the corresponding specifications for March 2020 (3GPP R16) that will likely be improved in the next release (3GPP R17).