The architecture is said to automatically adapt radio access and core network resources to meet the needs of different services, traffic variations and network topology, including transport.
The architecture utilises software defined networking (SDN) in order to offer operators network functions under a Network-as-a-Service business model.
“With our cognitive and cloud-optimised architecture for the 5G era, we have outlined an end-to-end architecture that will allow unprecedented and cognitive customisability to meet stringent performance, security, cost and energy requirements,” said Volker Ziegler, chief architect at Nokia Networks. “It will fuel economic growth through new business models across vertical sectors, such as Network-as-a-Service for other industries to use network functions as they need them."
Nokia is competing with the likes of Huawei and Ericsson for a leadership position in supporting carriers with the long-term migration to 5G.
The vendor has collaborated with universities in Europe, the US and China to research 5G technologies and has also launched several 5G related industry projects in Europe and is running 5G projects with major operators such as China Mobile, NTT DOCOMO, Korea Telecom, SK Telecomand Deutsche Telekom.