Study on the wireless and wireline convergence for the 5G System (5GS) architecture
The objective of this study is to enhance the common 5G core network defined in TS 23.501 [2] and TS 23.502 [3] in order to support wireline access networks and Trusted N3GPP.
The key areas of the investigation are:
- Support of wireline access networks:
- Definition of the 5G Core network (5GC) with respect to wireline access functional split;
- Investigation on whether enhancements are needed to interfaces (e.g. N1, N2 and N3) used to connect wireline customer devices (CPE/Residential Gateway) and wireline access network to the converged 5GC;
- Study the impact of the common framework for authentication and security, policy and QoS, Network Slicing and investigation on whether enhancements are needed;
NOTE 1: The area of investigation for authentication and security will be limited to the part relevant to SA WG2 scope and responsibility.
- Study on how to support CPE/Residential Gateway (RG) capable of connecting via wireline and/or wireless access to the 5G CN;
- Study on how to support end user devices, with or without UICC, connected to the convergent 5GC from behind a CPE/RG;
- Identification of the impacts on mobility, session management and interaction with Access Traffic Steering, Switching and Splitting for UEs accessing the 5G convergent network studied in TR 23.793 [4] and investigation on whether enhancements are needed;
- Study on how to support CPE/RG capable of connecting simultaneously via both NG RAN and wireline access to 5GC.
NOTE 2: The above scenario is referred as Hybrid Access in Broadband Forum (BBF TR-348 [5]).
- Definition of architecture for the Trusted N3GPP scenario applicable not only to wireline accesses.
- Support of Trusted access networks:
- Requirements for the Trusted Non-3GPP access in 5G system;
- Architecture definition for the Trusted Non-3GPP access in 5G System;
- Investigation on whether enhancements are needed to interfaces (e.g. N1, N2 and N3) used to connect the trusted non-3GPP access network to converged 5GC;
- study the impact of the common framework for authentication and security, policy and QoS, Network Slicing and investigation on whether enhancements are needed.
NOTE 3: The study will consider whether "Trusted" terminology or a different terminology would be more suitable for representing the scenario where there is a more tight relationship compared to Untrusted case between the WLAN Access Network and the 5GC.
This study will follow the high level principles, agreements, and conclusions of the normative work agreed in TS 22.261 [7], TS 23.501 [1] and TS 23.502 [2].
The study will take into account information provided by the BBF on wireless and wireline convergence.