Enhancing GSMA Operator Platform Group Standards to Enable Seamless Application Mobility in Multi-Domain Multi-Access Edge Computing Networks

Abstract

The emergence of multi-access edge computing (MEC) promised to facilitate convenient access to services for mobile users via edge networks. Frequently, these users are on the move, switching between operator network domains. At the network level, this is addressed via the well-known “roaming” facility offered by operators. At the application level, i.e., in terms of providing application services to users, this is being addressed via the GSMA Alliances' Operator Platform Group (OPG) initiative. One of the key aims of this initiative is to facilitate interoperability between operator networks in order to enable MEC. In particular, seamless migration and placement of services across edge nodes situated within multiple operator network domains would be essential to facilitate multi-operator MEC. To that end, in this position paper, we define this crucial research issue, present its various dimensions, and propose an architecture and solution approach to solve this issue. We also show how our architecture and approach can be used to enhance the emerging GSMA OPG standards.