Network Automation and Data Analytics in 3GPP 5G Systems

We are witnessing an “automation revolution” in mobile networking, thanks to the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. These require vast amounts of data, which for the case of mobile networking are typically collected and stored using proprietary procedures, a methodology that precludes a faster development of AI and its adoption by network operators. The first release (Release 15) of the 5th generation of mobile networks (5G) addressed this challenge by introducing a novel standards framework for data analytics. Its cornerstone is the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), whose main purpose is to issue network analytic reports, which can be used by Network Function (NF)s to take automated decisions. While in Release 15 the use of NWDAF was limited to a single use case, in Release 16 more functionalities are added, extending the number of use cases and confirming that 5G is embracing automation. This paper provides an overview of the ecosystem, empowered by the data analytics architecture, discussing its functionality, and use cases enabled by the NWDAF and the other enablers for network automation in Release 16, highlighting the extensions recently added in Releases 17 and 18.