scope:

Given the current stage of 5G deployments and the focus on eMBB, the present document, will primarily concentrate on QoS parameters in relation to eMBB performance scenarios and the most prevalent eMBB related service scenarios. Therefore, the focus will be on QoS parameters that reflect the network capabilities in the case of visual applications such as UHD video and Virtual and Augmented Reality. However, whilst these technologies, are primarily categorized as requiring high data rates, it is necessary to be mindful and examine the relationship and requirements in high data rates and low latency scenarios.

In the scope of this analysis, the term QoS relies on service-related characteristics without knowing any details about the underlying network sections [i.6], the network architecture and the network or application deployment strategies. The scope will concentrate on measuring the network capability, assessed primarily through network QoS parameters, such as data rates, capacity, coverage, latency and continuity measurements. The readiness of the network to support the QoS needs of existing services and applications such as voice, data and video and those newly enabled technologies and use cases mentioned earlier that benefit from the higher data rates associated with eMBB will also be considered.

The approach therefore will be to assess network capabilities by first identifying the performance scenario requirements, then discovering the QoS parameters that will measure those requirements and finally defining the test scenarios to measure those QoS parameters as follows:

1) Identify scenarios in terms of performance, service and user types to determine the performance measurement requirements and the key performance factors that will satisfy those requirements:

- Performance scenarios [i.2] which are dependent on traffic types, traffic densities and service areas.

- Service scenarios that consider the use cases, technology and applications that place data service requirements on the network for effective operation.

- User type scenarios that examine various types of users and how they place different requirements on similar services.

2) QoS parameter discovery to identify and define the parameters that represent the key performance factors and scenario requirements. The QoS parameters will define how to effectively measure the network technical performance as well as examining how a use case or application might be affected by those network conditions. The QoS parameters in as much as possible will refer to existing definitions and best practises.

3) Provide test scenario analysis to detail the types of tests to be executed to verify the network capability. Define how to represent the measurement scenarios and where to collect data to calculate the QoS parameters. The test scenarios will reproduce typical service activities to derive quality measures and will identify the measurement points and the expected data sources.

The aim therefore is to identify the QoS parameters of interest, based on the identified scenarios, referencing existing specifications and technical reports where available. There are already significant relevant references available from a number of bodies to identify QoS aspects for a number 5G scenarios, which are at various stages of maturity. This includes analysis of primary use case scenarios, identification of performance measurement scenarios and definitions of quality measurement indicators. The expectation is that, the present document, through its analysis will put in place a means to assess 5G network capabilities and readiness of the network to support those aforementioned prevalent eMBB applications and use cases.