Network-centric converged network solutions must overcome several challenges in order to be successful

So-called network-centric converged network solutions have existed for some time. Such solutions can be used to make modifications to existing fixed and wireless networks (at the core/OSS level) in order to control which network certain traffic should use, as well as to combine bandwidths from different networks and switch traffic between networks easily. Early examples of these solutions include LTE and Wi-Fi aggregation (LWA) and LTE and Wi-Fi aggregation at the IP layer (LWIP). More recently, the 3GPP has been working on standards for the converged packet core, and Access Traffic Steering, Switching and Splitting (ATSSS) is a feature of 3GPP release 16 that addresses network convergence. These standards may enable more-mature network-centric converged network solutions, but such solutions must address a number of obstacles in order to find broad market acceptance. In this article, we consider some of the challenges related to the business case for network-centric converged network solutions.