H2020 backs 5G infrastructure project
A consortium has been awarded €8m in Horizon 2020 funding to develop the infrastructure required to support the future 5G network and communication systems.
Project SESAME will design and demonstrate virtualised, cloud-enabled, multi-operator, frequency-agile, 5G-oriented radio access and services. It targets innovations around the three central elements of 5G, namely network intelligence through Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) and Mobile Edge Cloud Computing; substantial evolution of the Small Cell concept to create targeted coverage and capacity; and the consolidation of multi-tenancy in mobile network infrastructure, allowing several operators and service providers to engage in new sharing models.
The venture runs for 30 months and partners comprise telecom industry vendors, IT companies, SMEs and academic organisations. The project is led by the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization and ip.access is one of the latest partners to join the research consortium.
Dr Nick Johnson, CTO of ip.access, says: “The old model for cellular, with dedicated hardware and dedicated spectrum per operator, is breaking down. As demand continues to grow exponentially, with limited additional spectrum, flat subscriber growth and falling revenues per subscriber, new ways have to be found to use the resources we have more efficiently. This project does this by allowing spectrum to be shared between operators in a controllable, measurable and agile way.”
The project builds beyond the current state-of-the-art infrastructure to make a commercially compelling, technically advanced solution for next generation 5G mobile networks. Johnson adds: “It sets the scene for hardware resources to be virtualised by providing new services close to the network edge, and places it within a standards-based context for maximum competitiveness and value to the consumer.
The project consortium includes 18 members, including representatives from the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Greece.
