Why You Need a 5G Migration Strategy – from Evolved Packet System to 5G System

For most mobile operators, the introduction of the 5G System (5GS) will be a migration from existing Evolved Packet System (EPS) deployment to a combined 4G-5G network that provides seamless voice and data services. 

This migration requires a carefully tailored, holistic strategy that includes all network domains and considers the operator’s specific needs per domain.

Introducing the 5GS to provide mobile broadband (MBB) in an existing 4G EPS network has significant impacts across all network domains – from the RAN, to packet core, user data and policies, and services – as well as backend systems.

This Ericsson Technology Review article provides an overview of all the aspects that operators need to consider when putting together a robust EPS-to-5GS migration strategy and provides guidance about how they can adapt the transition to address their needs per domain.