Subscriber Data Management (SDM)

A telecom SDM provides a unified platform for both 4G and 5G subscriptions, helping operators make a smooth transition to 5G while supporting legacy services alongside advanced next-gen services. It lets operators respond dynamically to changing demands by easily scaling up or down; they can swiftly configure and launch new services. Its cloud-native architecture supports flexible deployment and reduces CAPEX and OPEX. It also offers the potential for new partnerships and collaborations to introduce advanced services such as enterprise IoT and 5G slicing.

What functions does SDM perform in 5G?

To facilitate the high-value CX-driven use cases that 5G offers, service providers need to upgrade their legacy core so it can support 4G as well as 5G (and private 5G) networks through subscriber data management (SDM). A telecom SDM solution makes it easy to expand and operate the network and add innovations to meet customer demand. It helps bring fixed and mobile networks together with robust and scalable single-point data storage. 5G SDM can manage SIM services and subscriber data more efficiently, which are essential for 5G. It ensures hassle-free migration to 5G and enables CSPs to leverage partnership and collaboration opportunities for advanced 5G use cases. It also ensures swift TTM and unlocks a host of revenue streams by supporting the launch of next-gen services like IoT, eMBB, M2M, URLLC, and more.

Carries out authentication for services in 5G networks:

• Based on 3GPP standards
• Support for 5G authentication based on 5G-AKA
• Manages authentication session states in the external centralized database
• Handles authentication confirmation timeout
• Support for re-synchronization failure management
• Support routing based on SUCI and SUPI

A common subscriber repository that holds SIM identities and subscription profiles for 4G and 5G subscriptions as well as policy subscriptions:

• Based on release 16 (July 2020) 3GPP TS 29.504, TS 29.505
• Storage and retrieval of 4G+5G subscriptions and policy data
• Subscription for notifications of subscriber data changes
• High-performance and scalable 4G+5G subscriber repository
• Support for single- and multi-site deployment
• Web-based admin portal for managing subscriptions, SIM identities, service configurations, and policy data for subscribers
• REST (real-time) or batch (bulk) SIM provisioning
• Support for roaming use cases
• Support for V2X subscriptions
• Integrates with third-party UDM and PCF over standard 3GPP interfaces

A converged offering for authenticating and authorizing access to services in 4G and 5G networks:

• Support for 3GPP S6a with MME and Nudm interface with AMF and SMF based on 3GPP TS 29.272 R16 and TS 29.503 R16
• Supports EPS-AKA, 5G-AKA authentication methods
• Manages user identities (storage and management of SUPI/SUCI/IMSI/GPSI for each subscriber in the 4G+5G)
• SUCI de-concealing (SUCI to SUPI conversion) using Profile A, Profile B, and null scheme method
• Handles 4G authentication and service authorization using subscription data
• Stores and manages AMF/MME and SMF contexts for UEs
• Support for V2X subscription data and Dedicated Core
• Support for PLMN-based authentication and authorization (including roaming use cases)
• Supports inter-RAT, intra-RAT mobility
• Enables service and session continuity by managing SMF/DNN contexts for ongoing sessions
• Supports for Interworking Function (IWF) for interfacing with 4G network nodes