How DevOps Can Create Smarter, More Agile 5G Telecom Networks? – Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are adopting DevOps methodology for continuous deployment and integration of networks.

Legacy telco networks are framed with specialized hardware based on critical technical specifications. In the wake of technology improvement, these old kinds of equipment become obsolete requiring to be replaced with the latest version of hardware equipment. Transitioning from 2G to 3G to 4G and now, finally, 5G, every time operators have to change telecom equipment to operate and achieve desired output. However, the latest technology, 5G is very much different from its traditional networks.

Operators need to consistently integrate and deploy networks to make sure the network connectivity is excellent and can support various use cases depending on the industry verticals. Built with the amalgamation of IT operations and software delivery following an agile methodology and principles, operators expect to build a robust and secured 5G network with DevOps in a hassle-free way.According to a research, the DevOps market is anticipated to grow from 3.42 billion USD to 10.31 billion USD during the forecast period 2018-2023 having a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 24.7%.

Advantages of DevOps in telecom industry

What are the key factors of DevOps that are grabbing the attention of operators? Why are they adopting DevOps to execute their technical and/or business-related processes involved in deployment of critical networks like 5G? All of these questions can be answered with benefits of DevOps as listed below and that is why telcos are leveraging this new-age technology to develop interoperable, resilient and seamless networks across the globe.

  • Transparency with efficient control of various equipments deployed within the network
  • Reduction in investment of huge amount of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
  • Time to market for products, new features and services / solutions is reduced
  • Resilience in network structure which is highly scalable and 24X7 available
  • Reduced manpower with the elimination of manual configuration of hardware and other equipment’s in a network
  • Ease in validation of new services that will result in capture of high values with less investment required to deploy 5G networks
  • Provision of one click deployment as test cycles are streamlined with automation into action
  • Automated environment enhances security in 5G wireless networks

How DevOps are being deployed to build 5G networks?

DevOps plays an important role in the development of fifth-generation networks by meeting its requirements of widely distributing resources and faster time to deliver services to customer with greater service quality. First of all, the 5G network utilizes an architecture based on services for scalable and upgraded communication between various network components. Thus, it can be said that 5G maintains a highly dynamic and variable deployment methodology. 5G DevOps has come along with a way of software delivery as a service i.e., software-as-a-service (SaaS) and comprises of an automated workflow to deliver software, documentation, multiple test cases, and deployment components to the operators. As they move forward with continuous testing and implementation of new generation of networks.

The demand for DevOps is continuously growing and is driven by key elements such as agility, flexibility, faster time to products / services delivery. Small sized and medium sized enterprises are using DevOps based solutions and services due to the flexible and ease of approach to execute tasks and achieve operational benefits.

Revolutionizing Telecom Networks with DevOps approach

5G networks are deployed to satisfy numerous use cases depending on the business need for an industry. Operators looking to offer a competitive and dynamic mixture of these 5G use cases need to undergo shorter 5G tests cycles and deliver 5G-enables products and services with rapid updates in regular intervals. Devops has been the spotlight gaining quite popularity in the telecom industry for some time now, operators are strengthening their networks where processes for software development and infrastructure management are put into action to deliver applications and services at an accelerated speed in huge volumes.

Such a tool is being deployed to increase the capacity of mobile network operators to impart networking services to end-users in less time with high-speed connectivity. The main objective of using DevOps is to streamline their development and operations’ activities in a short span of time with less expenditure. Operators are constantly working to expedite 5G deployment with DevOps to ease their herculean tasks involving fewer staff members and fulfill business needs and excel in their activities to ultimately serve their clients in a positive way leading them to earn more revenues and create their own brand presence in the market.

Summing Up

As telcos are on the path to embrace DevOps in a large scale and maintain a strong relationship with vendors, this new-age concept is likely to benefit both the parties with the service-driven approach in the 5G era satisfying immediate requirements to deliver excellent network services to consumers and enterprises as well. Operators developing various strategies to deploy 5G networks worldwide are keen to adopt DevOps as a critical part of their plan of action and build a successful network enabling innumerable use cases thereby enhancing the overall livelihood and changing the way of doing business of the entire ecosystem.