5G: Service Continuity in Heterogeneous Environments

This paper introduces service continuity as the main driver for 5G systems. It addresses user- and service-aspects in recently opened LTE networks, and identifies the system challenges. The main challenges are related to radio coverage, especially for the provision of high data rates for indoor users. The paper covers also network-, user- and service-authentication as well as user and society requirements. 5G is addressed as a system of systems in order to provide service continuity. It addresses both technology challenges, user related issues and operator revenue. Collaborative radio and a system availability beacon are discussed to cope with heterogeneity in 5G. As the SIM card has evolved towards a third-party offering for storage, authentication and payment, functionality of this future SIM is elaborated providing SIM-based service examples. The paper finally addresses service optimization based on light-weight semantic reasoning.