On the Effects of PLMN Interconnection, Data Roaming Schemes and Cloud vs Edge Operation for 5G Enabled Cross-Border CAM Use Case

The Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services enabled by 5G connectivity are expected to change the automotive industry by offering safe, secure, and efficient autonomous capabilities to vehicles. These services depend on the ultra-fast/reliable connectivity offered by 5G, to ensure that all vehicles remain always connected and aware of their environment. This pre-condition however is challenged in cross-border areas, where vehicles change countries and consequently network service providers and may experience significant service degradation or even complete service unavailability for an extended period (up to minutes with legacy mobile networks). This paper presents a thorough evaluation of the effects of inter-PLMN Handovers on CAM applications’ performance including an analysis of the impact of different data roaming schemes, neighboring 5G networks’ interconnection (over public internet or via a direct leased line) and CAM application placement (remote Cloud vs nearby Edge). The analysis is based on real-life data from the neighboring 5G networks of the 5G-MOBIX project’s Greece-Turkey Cross-Border Corridor and offers insights on the expected mobility interruption time and end-to-end (E2E) latency of 5G enabled CAM applications when crossing national borders. The results indicate that with proper network configuration the 3GPP Rel. 15 NSA 5G networks can meet and even exceed the E2E latency requirements of certain CAM use cases, but mobility interruption time during HO remains a significant challenge.