IT SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
CTIA | January 13, 2022
CTIA today announced the launch of its 5G Security Test Bed (STB), a security testing and validation initiative dedicated to commercial 5G networks. CTIA created the STB in partnership with organizations across wireless, tech, and academia to test 5G security recommendations across real-world conditions using commercial-grade equipment and facilities. The 5G Security Test Bed's founding members—AT&T, Ericsson, T-Mobile, UScellular, MITRE, and the University of Maryland (UMD)—contribute invaluable industry expertise that strengthens the STB's ability to enhance the wireless security ecosystem and ensure strong protections on 5G networks.
5G is the most secure generation of wireless technology, with enhanced protections built into it from the ground-up. The STB was created to build on this foundation, testing use cases, making recommendations, and further bolstering 5G's security to benefit consumers, enterprises, and government.
Governed by industry leaders, guided by government priorities, and managed by CTIA, the test bed is the latest in a series of steps the industry has taken to make 5G the most secure network ever. Its founding members developed the initiative through their participation in CTIA's Cybersecurity Working Group, which convenes the world's leading telecom and tech companies to assess and address the present and future of cybersecurity.
The STB primarily focuses on verifying the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Communications Security Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) VII recommendations for 5G networks. The STB will also serve as a valuable industry resource for CSRIC VIII, focused on 5G security, which launched in June, and includes CTIA SVP and CTO Tom Sawanobori among its members.
"This initiative will complement and bolster the FCC's 5G security efforts, validate its recommendations, and demonstrate 5G security features, with cross-industry groups working collaboratively to test use cases and products on an actual 5G network using real-world hardware and software," said Sawanobori.
The test bed's first configuration, built with Ericsson equipment, mirrors the initial setup for most 5G networks—a 5G radio access network is connected to a 4G core to create a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network. In 2022, the STB's configuration will shift to a 5G standalone (SA) network using a 5G core, which will enable testing of 5G SA use cases.
The STB is located at a secure lab facility at the University of Maryland, leveraging personnel with extensive experience in wireless security. The wireless core network is hosted in Northern Virginia by MITRE, a not-for-profit research and development company.
The 5G Security Test Bed's evaluations and recommendations cover issue areas that will help transform cities, government, and industries. Applications include autonomous vehicles, immersive augmented reality and virtual reality, automated factory operations, private 5G networks for enterprises, and much more.
5G STB Member Quotes
"We are excited to have a network dedicated to testing security, which is paramount for the success of 5G. This effort builds on the work underway in standards setting bodies, such as 3GPP, and will enable the industry to demonstrate 5G security in a real-word setting for consumers, enterprise businesses and government."
— Chris Boyer, VP, Global Security and Technology Policy, AT&T
"Ericsson has worked closely with operators to provide the latest equipment to expand secure 5G networks and devices across the nation. We are pleased to play a major role in this next critical step in ensuring robust 5G security for all users. Critical Infrastructure, in particular, must have secure and resilient communication end to end, while maintaining the trust and integrity of its supply chain. Ericsson is proud to be such a trusted supplier, as we provide much of that next-gen equipment from our 5G Smart Factory in Lewisville, TX and services from across the U.S." —Jason Boswell, VP and Head of End-to-End Security, Ericsson North America
"5G is the most secure generation of wireless networks to date, and we are dedicated to enhancing those protections even further. We're thrilled that the 5G Security Test Bed will provide an environment to assess potential threats to 5G security raised by security researchers." — Drew Morin, Director, Federal Cyber Security Technology and Engineering Programs, T-Mobile
"The work being done by this collaborative group to evaluate and validate assumptions is important for protecting the integrity and security of 5G data. We're looking forward to contributing to the security of 5G for consumers, business and government, now and as the technology continues to evolve." — Narothum Saxena, Vice President of Technology Strategy & Architecture, UScellular
"Securing 5G networks is whole-of-nation problem with significant implications for our economic and national security that requires collaboration across industry and government. Ensuring the next generation of wireless networks is secure and reflective of democratic values will provide an invaluable foundation for further innovation." — Charles Clancy, Senior Vice President, General Manager, and Chief Futurist, MITRE Labs
"At UMD, we pride ourselves on training the next generation of engineering leaders and conducting research that advances network and device performance and security. This industry collaboration greatly enhances our ability to meet those objectives." — Wayne Phoel, Ph.D., Visiting Research Engineer, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland
About CTIA
CTIA represents the U.S. wireless communications industry and the companies throughout the mobile ecosystem that enable Americans to lead a 21st century connected life. The association's members include wireless carriers, device manufacturers, suppliers as well as apps and content companies. CTIA vigorously advocates at all levels of government for policies that foster continued wireless innovation and investment. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices, hosts educational events that promote the wireless industry and co-produces the industry's leading wireless tradeshow. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.
Read More
HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE
Geoverse | June 14, 2021
Geoverse, a national operator of private cellular networks for the enterprise, announced it has agreed to provide a private cellular solution for Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) at the Port of Oakland. The private LTE network will leverage Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) to enable multiple intermodal container yard management applications in the first and new innovative port use cases and applications in follow-on phases. The private LTE deployment will be one of the first intelligent port solutions rolled out with CBRS in the U.S.
OMSS deploys the Geoverse GeoCore Evolved Packet Core (EPC) as the critical control element to manage the CBRS network infrastructure and the connected endpoints across the port. In addition, several mobile devices and endpoints will be populated with a Geoverse SIM card, enabling them to securely connect to the private network and utilize capabilities such as outbound roaming should they need to transit off-site.
OMSS plans to accelerate its digital transformation by using the Geoverse service platform to enable sitewide wireless coverage, Industrial IoT, and advanced analytics to make its container yard operation more productive and efficient. With Geoverse, OMSS is leveraging the cellular network to manage better its increasing container traffic, the tightening demands on the supply chain, and the growing, dynamic handling volumes.
In working with Geoverse, OMSS is seeking to:
• Maximize benefits of its container yard management assets
• Better utilize automated cargo handling equipment
• Improve safety and security
• Reduce operational costs
• Increase drayage efficiency
• Support communication services and generally operate in a more sustainable way
About Geoverse
Geoverse is a licensed mobile operator that provides turnkey connectivity solutions for enterprises, property owners, and communities. The company’s private 5G/LTE cellular network offering—based on citizens band radio network (CBRS) and licensed spectrum—interconnects with major mobile operators, delivering a secure, flexible solution enabling value-added applications and high-performance coverage for users and devices. Geoverse, the largest Neutral Host operator in the U.S., is a subsidiary of ATN International, a company with more than 30 years of experience building and cellular operating solutions for enterprises, carriers, and consumers.
About OMSS
Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) is a truck and container parking and services facility for the 8,000+ drayage trucks moving containerized freight to and from the Port of Oakland daily. OMSS is currently modernizing, expanding, and relocating its existing facility to a 15-acre parcel at the former Oakland Army Base, further reducing the impact of truck activity in the West Oakland community. The new OMSS Center will be a one-stop service destination for trucks at the Port of Oakland, providing auto and truck fueling stations, parking, container storage, truck scales, trans-load facility, a convenience market, restaurant food court, office space, and other services. In addition, the OMSS Center will be a “green” state-of-the-art trucking services facility showcasing clean energy alternatives, including a biodiesel fueling station.
Read More
APPLICATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Anritsu | January 10, 2022
Anritsu Corporation is pleased to announce that the first enhanced Network Slicing and User Equipment (UE) power-saving Protocol Conformance Tests for 5G New Radio (NR) Standalone (SA) have been verified on the 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR powered by the Snapdragon® X65 5G Modem-RF System, the world's first Release 16 modem-RF system.
Network Slicing is a key 5G NR feature that enables support of specific use cases on a network slice, which is a set of network resources dynamically configured for the purpose. Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 16 introduces support for interworking from Evolved Packet Core (EPC) to 5G Core (5GC) for network slices and introduces authentication and authorization controls.
Power saving for UE is another area where 3GPP Release 16 has defined a number of new features, such as Wake up signal, Enhanced Cross-slot scheduling, Adaptive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Layer reduction, and Relaxed radio resource management measurement.
"3GPP Release 16, which is described as the next stage for 5G NR, enables new use cases and monetization opportunities for vertical industry segments,We are proud that our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. enables us to help the industry to implement and test the new features quickly."
Shinya Ajiro, General Manager of Mobile Solutions Division at Anritsu Corporation
The conformance tests are defined by 3GPP in TS 38.523-1 corresponding to core requirements in TS 38.331and have been submitted to 3GPP Radio Access Network Working Group 5 (RAN WG5) by Anritsu. These tests will also be submitted to Global Certification Forum (GCF) Certification Agreement Group (CAG), and PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB) PTCRB Validation Group (PVG) for approval in the upcoming meetings.
5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR Outline
The 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR is registered with both the GCF and PTCRB as Test Platform 251.
The ME7834NR is a test platform for 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies. It supports 5G NR in both Standalone and Non-Standalone, in addition to LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, and W-CDMA. When combined with Anritsu's OTA RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR covers the sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.
About Anritsu
Anritsu is a provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions. Anritsu engages customers as true partners to help develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multidimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimization. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for emerging and legacy wireline and wireless technologies used in commercial, private, military/aerospace, government, and other markets.
Read More