The “Unlicensed Integration with 5G Networks’ whitepaper outlines the options and alternative approaches available for combining access over Wi-Fi-based and cellular-based networks in the run up to 5G. In a culmination of two years of analysis on the convergence of unlicensed and licensed technologies.
The report builds on the WBA’s previous report, “5G Networks – The Role of Wi-Fi and Unlicensed Technologies” to provide an analysis of the varied approaches for integrating cellular and Wi-Fi networks and defines three alternative approaches to integration, and describes key requirements for each approach:
• Access Centric Solutions integrate Wi-Fi into the cellular access-stratum.
• Core Centric Solutions integrate Wi-Fi into the cellular non-access stratum core network.
• Above-the-core Centric Solutions integrate Wi-Fi above-the-core network using IETF defined multi-path protocols.
