Demo: Design and Implementation of an Open-Source NB-IoT Core Network

Extended adoption of network softwarization is a key feature of 5G and beyond networks. Embracing control and user plane separation, network services comprising the RAN to core chain of network services can be realized purely in software, and instantiated in a cloud-native manner. Such network softwarization is applicable to all elements of the network, regardless of their type (e.g. core cellular vs IoT edge) towards providing a holistic approach for the management and operation of the network. This is highly desirable feature as the connected devices increase and become denser, especially in the IoT context. In this work, we consider the case of a 4G disaggregated core network, that supports an NB-IoT cell. We use the OpenAirInterface Core Network open source platform, and extend it appropriately to support the signaling and data transfer of the NB-IoT cell. By adopting a cloud-native approach, we are able to deploy and operate the network in a single click manner, using the Kubernetes framework.