free5GC: free the cellular core networks
Conference Room: E1301
The free5GC is an open-source project for the 5th generation (5G) cellular core network based on the 3GPP Release 15 (R15) specifications. The ultimate goal of free5GC is to implement a full commercial operational core network including Operation, Administration and Management (OAM), orchestrator, and network slicing complied with 3GPP R15 and beyond. The cellular core network is very expensive, and it is not easy to access the source code. For people doing research in this area, they usually could only conduct mathematical analysis and simulation to verify their ideas. With free5GC, researchers not only can get the source code for free but also can realize their own ideas in a real core network environment. The free5GC can also help ICT industry to develop and test 5G products, which is critical and essential for the development of the 5G industry. In the past, the computer industry was dominated by few big companies, which sold the hardware and software all together. Nowadays, computer hardware and software are developed and sold separately by different companies, making the industry prosperous. The cellular core networks have been dominated by few giants. With free5GC, our dream is to "free" the cellular core networks. By using free5GC as the "soul," many hardware manufacturers can build hardware for cellular core networks.