Component disaggregation in the wireless core is not only a lever for optimizing networks today, but also a fundamental principle of the 5G network architecture. Since the user plane functions can be distributed to the network edge closer to users, the architecture greatly reduces round trip time so that it’s possible to support low-latency services, as envisioned by 5G ultra-reliable, low latency requirements.

Initiatives such as ETSI’s Multi- access Edge Computing (MEC) have developed a variety of use cases enabled by distributed edge intelligence – including augmented reality, IoT or video caching – creating new business models for wireless operators.