5G Smart Connectivity Platform for Ubiquitous and Automated Innovative Services

Offering seamless connectivity for Next-Generation Internet (NGI) services has become a widespread concern to achieve global sustainability goals. In this position paper, we focus on the design of a smart connectivity platform that can extend its capabilities beyond the boundaries of what today’s 5G architecture can support. The proposed platform encompasses and integrates a wide range of technologies, spanning from Non-Terrestrial Networks, NTNs (GEO/LEO satellites, and airborne) to terrestrial cellular 5G and long-range low-power Internet of Things (IoT) networks. We enhance 5G technology with novel network architectures and network intelligence to meet coverage and capacity requirements; and by strengthening infrastructure management and control components with autonomous capabilities to decouple operational costs from growth in network traffic, cloud computing, and IoT. Finally, we discuss the technical, commercial and market challenges that need to be overcome before the commercial deployment of the designed platform becomes reality.