Local edge-services through N3IWF in 5G networks

In a 5G System (5GS), in addition to the standard 3GPP Access via a gNodeB (Radio Access Network (RAN)), there is the possibility to access 5G services also via alternative access networks with the use of dedicated inter-working gateways, such as the Non-3GPP Inter-Working Function (N3IWF). In this alternative type of access, defined as Non-3GPP access, the User Equipment (UE) can establish a 5G compliant data connection, for instance via Wi-Fi, to the 5G Core (5GC) Network. Furthermore, Non-3GPP access can represent a gap-filler for the use of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)-based access, which is often non-3GPP as of today, to a 5GC Network. Non-3GPP access to a 5GC is useful to enhance coverage in under-served areas (rural, off-shore, in flight, indoor, etc.), as well as enabling compelling use-cases deploying Non Public Networks (NPN) leveraging unlicensed Wi-Fi access, including possible backhaul connectivity via, e.g., Satellite. In this context, we propose an innovative approach to offer part of the 5G services via Local Edge Services (LES), directly hosted and handled by the N3IWF component. Even if this approach is outside the scope of present 3GPP specifications, it can be beneficial in several use cases by serving directly the contents next to the users. To prove the feasibility of this approach, we present in this paper a real-time demonstrator implementing with success the LES component in an end-to-end realistic 5GS deployment, using emulated UEs, a custom N3IWF implementation and a commercial 5GC.