With the implementation of 5G over the next decade, both network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) and operators will face new challenges in testing their hardware, software, and end-to-end deployments. 5G technology, as currently envisioned, is quite different from 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE) and will bring together some of the most challenging aspects of existing approaches and introduce new challenges. What is needed is a new approach for 5G test architecture that will help operators and equipment suppliers validate their hardware, software and configurations to ensure they perform as expected and deliver an excellent customer experience. This white paper describes the 5G technology roadmap, the implications of 5G for test architecture, and the requirements for testing the three major 5G use cases.
