China Mobile and Huawei Demonstrate World’s First Microservice-based 5G Core Network

At the 2018 Mobile World Congress (MWC), China Mobile, together with Huawei, demonstrated the world’s first microservice-based 5G core network constructed on top of service-based architecture (SBA). The demonstration is a follow-up of their joint release of an SBA-based 5G core network prototype at 2017 MWC Shanghai.

Huawei believes the 5G core network software architecture needs to be further broken down into microservices under 3GPP-compliant SBA architecture to achieve 5G standalone (SA) networking. This fully exploits the structural advantages of service-based network functions, interfaces, and operation. Based on the concept of “slice-as-a-service”, microservices are designed on demand and can then be flexibly deployed. Scaling and upgrades can be performed independently for each microservice. This leads to agile design, deployment and operation of microservice-based 5G core network.

This successful demonstration unveils a service-based interface that complies with HTTP2.0 protocol, and microservice lifecycle management. In addition, based on containers, it implements dynamic loading of third-party apps and service switching. It also shows operation-oriented slice instantiation and management.

Zhang Tongxu, General Manager of China Mobile Research Institute, said, “A well-functioning 5G network requires an E2E system and calls for well-proven 5G SA networking. China Mobile will continue to collaborate with partners along the industry chain to advance 5G development. We will spare no efforts in contributing to the development of this next-generation communications technology to realize our vision of 5G Making a Difference for Society.”

Felix Qiu, General Manager of 5G Core Networks at Huawei, said, “SBA is maturing and will definitely be deployed commercially. Huawei’s microservice-based 5G core network helps carriers implement agile operation, with functions arranged and resources defined on demand. Huawei will continue to collaborate with China Mobile and partners to launch a commercial microservice-based 5G network at the earliest possible time.”

MWC 2018 runs from February 26 to March 1 in Barcelona, Spain. Huawei is showcasing its products and solutions at booth 1J50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1, booth 3I30 in Hall 3, and the Innovation City zone in Hall 4. For more information, please visit www.huawei.com/mwc2018/.