I’m thrilled to sit down with Vladislav Zaimov, a seasoned telecommunications specialist whose deep expertise in enterprise telecommunications and risk management of vulnerable networks offers a unique perspective on the future of connectivity. With a career dedicated to navigating the complexities of mobile network evolution, Vladislav is the perfect guide to help us understand how 5G and the mobile core are transforming the digital landscape. In this conversation, we dive into the historical journey of mobile core technology, the groundbreaking features of 5G, the role of AI in network innovation, and the exciting applications that are reshaping industries and everyday life.
How has the mobile core shaped the history of connectivity from its early days to the present?
The mobile core has been the backbone of connectivity since the beginning of mobile communications. In the 1990s, with 2G, it laid the groundwork by enabling digital voice calls and SMS, moving us away from analog systems. Over the decades, it evolved to handle more complex demands—3G brought mobile internet, 4G introduced high-speed data for streaming, and now 5G is redefining everything with cloud-native architecture and AI integration. Each step addressed growing needs for speed, reliability, and scale, turning the core from a basic switching system into a dynamic platform for innovation that powers everything from personal devices to smart cities.
What sets the transition to 5G apart from earlier generational shifts like 2G to 3G or 4G?
Unlike previous upgrades that focused primarily on speed or data capacity, 5G represents a fundamental redesign of how networks operate. It’s not just faster—it’s programmable, intelligent, and built for convergence. With 5G, the core isn’t limited to mobile connectivity; it unifies mobile, Wi-Fi, satellite, and fixed-line networks under one platform. Plus, features like network slicing and ultra-low latency enable entirely new services, like real-time autonomous vehicle control or mission-critical IoT, which earlier generations couldn’t support. It’s a shift from incremental improvement to a complete reimagining of network potential.
Can you walk us through the key technological leaps in mobile core evolution from 2G to 5G?
Absolutely. Starting with 2G in the ‘90s, we had circuit-switched networks that made digital voice and SMS possible, but data was almost nonexistent. 3G moved to packet-switching, introducing mobile internet and video calls, though it struggled with scalability due to limited spectrum efficiency. 4G, with LTE, brought all-IP networks, optimizing spectrum for high-speed data like HD streaming, but its rigid architecture couldn’t easily adapt to diverse access types. 5G changes the game with a cloud-native, service-based design. It uses virtualization and software-defined networking to support ultra-low latency, massive device connectivity, and tailored services through network slicing, solving the flexibility and scalability issues of past generations.
What are some of the most transformative features of the 5G core for mobile operators?
The 5G core is packed with game-changing features. Its cloud-native design means operators can run it on standard hardware, cutting costs and avoiding vendor lock-in. Network slicing lets them create virtual networks customized for specific needs—like low-latency for gaming or high-bandwidth for video streaming. Then there’s control and user plane separation, which, along with open APIs, makes networks programmable and adaptable in real time. Multi-access support unifies mobile, Wi-Fi, and satellite connectivity, ensuring seamless service across environments. And energy efficiency is a big win—AI and optimized resource allocation lower power use, which is both cost-effective and sustainable.
How does the cloud-native approach of the 5G core benefit operators in terms of cost and scalability?
The cloud-native design is a huge advantage. By running on commodity hardware instead of specialized equipment, operators save significantly on upfront costs and aren’t tied to specific vendors. It also allows for rapid scaling—need more capacity? You just spin up additional resources in the cloud, without overhauling physical infrastructure. This flexibility means operators can respond to demand spikes, like during major events, without breaking the bank. Plus, updates and maintenance are simpler and less disruptive since they’re handled through software, not hardware replacements.
Can you explain network slicing and why it’s such a critical feature for different users and applications?
Network slicing is like carving up a single physical network into multiple virtual ones, each tailored to a specific purpose. It’s critical because not all users or applications need the same thing—online gamers want low latency, while 4K video streaming needs high throughput. Slicing ensures each gets exactly what it requires without wasting resources. For industries like healthcare or manufacturing, it provides ultra-reliable, low-latency connections for things like remote surgery or robotic automation. It’s a way to deliver personalized, high-quality service across diverse needs, from consumer apps to mission-critical operations.
How does the 5G core enable seamless integration across mobile, Wi-Fi, and satellite networks?
The 5G core is built for convergence, meaning it can manage multiple access types—mobile, Wi-Fi, satellite, and even fixed-line—under a unified platform. This is done through a service-based architecture and multi-access support, which ensure consistent performance no matter how a user connects. For example, a device might switch from mobile to Wi-Fi without dropping a call or losing data flow. This is huge for operators serving global or diverse markets, like enterprise IoT or smart cities, as it eliminates the need for separate infrastructures and provides a seamless user experience everywhere.
In what ways is AI enhancing the performance of the 5G core?
AI is a game-changer for the 5G core. It powers predictive network management by analyzing traffic patterns to allocate resources before congestion happens, ensuring smooth performance even during peak times. It also automates maintenance—machine learning can spot anomalies or predict failures, cutting downtime. For network slicing, AI dynamically adjusts slices based on real-time demand, so a gaming slice gets priority during a tournament, for instance. And security-wise, AI-driven threat detection helps identify and mitigate risks across complex, multi-access networks, keeping everything safe and reliable.
How does the design of the 5G core make it easier to integrate AI compared to older systems?
The 5G core’s architecture is inherently suited for AI integration. Its cloud-native, service-based design, with open APIs and control/user plane separation, provides a flexible framework where AI can access robust data and act in real time. Older systems, like 4G, were more siloed and hardware-dependent, making it tough to implement dynamic, data-driven solutions. With 5G, AI can plug into the system seamlessly, leveraging detailed statistics and programmable networks to optimize everything from resource allocation to security, which just wasn’t feasible with the rigid setups of past generations.
What are some of the most exciting applications enabled by the 5G core that you see transforming industries or daily life?
There are so many exciting applications. Autonomous vehicles are a big one—5G’s low latency and high-bandwidth slicing enable real-time HD video feeds and steering control, which could revolutionize transportation and logistics. In healthcare, telemedicine benefits from secure, instant connections for remote diagnostics or even surgery. Then there’s industrial automation—smart factories use 5G slicing for synchronized robotics. Even emerging fields like urban air mobility, with electric flying taxis, rely on 5G for reliable navigation and safety systems. These use cases show how 5G isn’t just about faster phones; it’s reshaping entire sectors and how we live.
What is your forecast for the future of 5G and the mobile core in the coming years?
I see 5G and the mobile core continuing to evolve as the foundation for a fully connected, intelligent world. With advancements like 5G Advanced, we’ll see even lower latency and better support for massive IoT, enabling smarter cities and more autonomous systems. AI will play a bigger role, creating self-healing networks that predict and prevent issues before they occur. I also expect broader adoption of private 5G networks for enterprises, tailored to specific needs like manufacturing or logistics. Ultimately, the mobile core will become a universal platform, seamlessly integrating emerging tech like extended reality or quantum communications, driving innovation we can only begin to imagine today.
