IMT and 5G Network Lifecycle: Architecture, Design, Deployment and Operations

Overview

IMT and 5G networks represent the next generation of mobile communications, built on international 3GPP and ITU standards. This course provides a comprehensive, vendor-neutral overview of the full 5G network lifecycle — from architecture and design through deployment, operations, and security — equipping professionals with the practical knowledge required to plan, build, and maintain modern 5G infrastructure.

This live instructor-led remote course is aimed at mid-level telecommunications professionals seeking to understand the end-to-end 5G lifecycle and apply this knowledge in planning, engineering, operations, and security roles.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain IMT-2020 requirements and 3GPP evolution to 5G.
• Compare NSA and SA architectures and describe 5G Core service-based design.
• Identify RAN and Core network functions and their key interfaces.
• Design transport networks for fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul.
• Evaluate Open RAN architecture and multi-vendor interoperability.
• Apply virtualization and cloud-native principles in 5G deployments.
• Plan and dimension 5G networks for coverage and capacity.
• Operate and monitor 5G networks using modern observability practices.
• Manage incidents, changes, and operational continuity.
• Implement 5G security measures and security-by-design principles.
• Apply network slicing, MEC, and automation in 5G environments.
• Evaluate vendors and technologies using structured decision frameworks.

Course Format

• Interactive lecture and discussion.
• Lots of exercises and practice.
• Practical implementation in a live-lab environment.

Prerequisites

• Understanding of mobile network fundamentals.
• Familiarity with LTE/4G architecture and protocols.
• Basic knowledge of IP networks and routing.
• Experience in telecom operations or engineering.

Target Audience

• Network design engineers.
• Transport engineering professionals.
• Core network engineering specialists.
• RAN engineers.
• Network operations personnel.
• Maintenance teams.
• Technology planning professionals.
• Network architects.
• Telecom security specialists.
• Spectrum management professionals.

Introduction to IMT and Evolution to 5G

• IMT-2020 vision and key requirements
• 3GPP releases and standardization timeline
• Evolution path from LTE to 5G
• 5G use cases: eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC
• Spectrum bands: low, mid, and high
• Key performance indicators for 5G networks

5G Architecture

• Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) deployment architectures
• 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA)
• gNB functional split into CU and DU
• RAN architecture options and deployment choices
• Control plane and user plane separation (CUPS)

RAN and Core Network Components

• gNB components: CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU
• Core network functions: AMF, SMF, and UPF
• Data management: UDM and AUSF
• Policy and repository functions: PCF and NRF
• Network Slice Selection Function: NSSF
• Key interfaces from N1 to N15
• Protocol stacks across 5G interfaces

Transport Networks for 5G

• IP/MPLS transport architecture for 5G
• Fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul design
• Comparison of eCPRI and CPRI interfaces
• Synchronization with IEEE 1588 PTP and SyncE
• QoS and traffic engineering in transport

Introduction to Open RAN

• O-RAN Alliance architecture and principles
• RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) functions
• Separation of O-CU, O-DU, and O-RU
• Open interfaces and multi-vendor interoperability
• Benefits and challenges of Open RAN deployment

Virtualization and Cloud-Native Technologies

• NFV architecture and its role in 5G
• Containerization of network functions
• Kubernetes for telecom workloads
• Cloud-native 5G Core deployment
• Edge computing concepts and patterns

Network Slicing

• Network slicing concepts and principles
• NSSAI and slice identification
• Slice types for different use cases
• Resource isolation between slices
• Slice lifecycle management
• SLA enforcement mechanisms

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC)

• MEC architecture and key components
• ETSI MEC framework overview
• Edge deployment scenarios
• Enabling low-latency applications
• Integration of MEC with 5G Core

5G Network Design and Planning

• Coverage planning and propagation models
• Capacity dimensioning for RAN and Core
• RAN planning with link budget analysis
• Transport network dimensioning
• Site selection and Core network dimensioning

Deployment Planning and Technology Integration

• 5G network deployment strategies
• Migration paths from LTE to 5G
• Integration with existing infrastructure
• Multi-vendor considerations in deployment
• Testing and validation approaches

Network Operations and Observability

• NOC operations and workflows
• KPI monitoring and performance management
• Telemetry and streaming data collection
• Distributed tracing and logging
• Alarm correlation and event management

Incident and Fault Management

• Fault detection and isolation techniques
• Root cause analysis methodologies
• Automated remediation approaches
• Escalation procedures and workflows
• Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) optimization

Change Management and Operational Continuity

• Change control processes and governance
• Maintenance window planning
• Rollback and risk mitigation strategies
• Disaster recovery planning
• High availability design patterns
• Backup and restore procedures

Preventive and Corrective Maintenance

• Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Software upgrade procedures
• Hardware lifecycle management
• Proactive monitoring strategies
• Spare parts inventory management

Spectrum Management

• Frequency bands for 5G deployment
• Spectrum licensing approaches
• Interference management techniques
• Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS)
• Regulatory coordination and compliance

Mobile Network Security and Security by Design

• 3GPP TS 33.501 compliant 5G security architecture
• Authentication via 5G-AKA and EAP-AKA
• Encryption and integrity protection
• Network domain security
• Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP)
• Roaming security considerations
• Threat modeling in 5G networks
• Secure architecture principles
• Vulnerability assessment practices
• Security monitoring and incident response
• Zero-trust architecture in 5G

Operational Resilience and Compliance

• Resilience frameworks for telecom networks
• Business continuity planning
• Regulatory requirements overview
• Standards compliance and governance
• Audit readiness and preparation

Network Automation

• Automation frameworks for 5G networks
• Orchestration platforms and tools
• Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
• Intent-based networking concepts
• CI/CD pipelines for network functions
• AI and ML in network operations

Technology and Vendor Evaluation

• 5G technology evaluation criteria
• Proof of Concept (PoC) design
• Interoperability testing approaches
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis
• Vendor-neutral decision frameworks

Practical Case Studies

• RAN design for a regional operator
• Transport dimensioning scenario
• Security assessment exercise
• Fault management simulation
• Change management simulation
• Operational continuity planning