Autonomic Mobile Virtual Network Operators for Future Generation Networks

The effort of telecommunications operators in 5G design and implementation is oriented to effective and efficient verticals support. Full network softwarization will deploy tools such as software-defined networks and network functions virtualization to allow dynamic service provisioning on the same physical infrastructure. However, current 5G proposed architecture still requires further enhancement to guarantee full real-time on-demand services. Current virtualization technologies still miss complete automation and adaptation, while they do not have dynamic negotiation capabilities. These issues are bounding the desired complete automation and the significant reduction in OPEX and CAPEX. Thus, this article proposes a full architecture to realize autonomic mobile virtual network operators. These autonomic virtual operators can be deployed by Internet service providers to guarantee efficient and effective network adaptation to unexpected events and real-time resource requests. The objective of an AMVNO is to exploit softwarization of networks and experiential intelligence to play the role of a local operator by performing network management and service release without human intervention. Its autonomic character can also provide proactive actions against unwanted network states.