Geneva, Switzerland, 15 November 2017
Contact: tsbevents@itu.int
Introduction
ITU-T Study Group 11 is the lead study group of the ITU standardization sector on signalling and protocols. ITU-T SG11 became famous as the parent group of Signalling System 7 (SS7) which is the main signalling stack used on PSTN and PLMN networks for establishing phone calls and relevant supplement services. This work was continued by developing signalling procedures for IMT-2000, which was a basis for UMTS-based networks. In general, for the last two decades, ITU-T SG11 developed a number of protocols that are widely used in telecom networks all over the globe.
In spite of the fact that most of the studies of existing protocols were completed last century, they still need improvement due to new threats coming from the Internet. As an example, there is a growing number of complaints from telco’s customers on attacks on their bank accounts through intercepting two-factor authentication codes delivered by SS7 (see outcomes of the ITU-T Workshop on SS7 security). Moreover, this issue will migrate to 4G and 5G networks through the Diameter protocol, which is based on SS7 signalling procedures.
Most of operators migrating to 4G networks face some challenges with interconnection of the VoLTE/ViLTE. This issue was discussed at the ITU-T workshop (2015) which triggered ITU-T SG11 to develop a relevant framework. Similar issues of interconnection may appear in 5G-based converged networks. The study of signalling requirements and protocols for control, management and orchestration of network resources in SG11 expands to new ITU-T study areas such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to satisfy the requirements of 5G and emerging networks.
Currently, ITU-T SG11 focuses on protocols and control plane of the new networks based on 5G/IMT-2020 technologies and its applications. In general, the control plane based on the flat network architecture needs to focus on network slice signalling procedures and protocols to be used for 5G interconnection and interworking with legacy networks.
The Workshop was scheduled to take place during the ITU-T SG11 meeting (8-17 November 2017) and aimed to brainstorm issues related to control plane of 5G/IMT-2020, emerging networks and other relevant issues highlighted above.
Objectives
This workshop intended to offer a platform for all involved stakeholders and aimed to:
- Discuss current issues and ITU-T progress on signalling protocols for emerging networks, their applications and their interconnection;
- Discuss worldwide practices and perspectives on the implementation of 5G/IMT-2020 networks and emerging networks;
- Discuss new standardization issues concerning control plane of the 5G/IMT-2020 networks and emerging networks.
Target Audience
ITU members and non-members are invited. In particular, the participation of operators, vendors, testing laboratories, research institutions and academia, standards bodies and other such similar organizations are welcome.
