Skip to main content

Subscriber Data Management (SDM)

Reaping the benefits of 5G and cloud

For the past few years the telecom generation shift to 5G has gained momentum, placing new demands also on Subscriber Data Management (SDM). As well as supporting the operational needs of legacy networks, SDM must now also fulfill the 3GPP-defined requirements.

Nokia Subscriber Data Management (SDM) sits at the very heart of the core network, storing data used by diverse telecoms services. As always SDM offers data consolidation and carrier-grade robustness but now also a smooth evolution path to 5G.  By transforming your SDM into open, extensible cloud-native software applications that provide standards-based functions and enable rapid innovation, you can make the most of your 5G network.

What is Subscriber Data Management (SDM)?

 
Complying with 3GPP User Data Convergence and 5G standards, Nokia SDM centralizes user data into a single, robust Unified Data Repository (UDR) that hosts applications and ensures SDM security. The Unstructured Data Storage Function (UDSF) enables control applications to store their session data and become session stateless.
 

Support unified subscriber access management with Nokia Registers:

  • 5G subscriber authorization, registration and mobility management are supported by the Unified Data Management (UDM) and Authentication Server Function (AUSF). Nokia AUSF_UDM offers true cloud native capabilities for 5G.

  • 2G/3G/4G are supported by Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and Home Location Register (HLR) interworking with 5G UDM for domain spanning use cases.

Operator benefits of Nokia's 5G Subscriber Data Management

  • Suite of data and stateless, cloud-native applications with support for all accesses, all network domains and all IoT verticals, integrated with a common User Data Repository for storing and sharing data.
  • Highest services availability and robustness due to geo-redundant deployment with separation of service logic and data storage.
  • Full support of new 5G service-based architecture with service-based interfaces enables a fast introduction of new services and devices. 
  • Unified and real-time data provisioning via single provisioning interface prevents redundant and inconsistent data.
  • Open and standardized interfaces enable fast 3rd party application integration. 
  • A consolidated view of all subscriber profile data, shared across any application, enables an easy data exposure and monetization.
  • Automated software delivery, test and deployment via a continuous integration and continuous delivery pipeline accelerates the introduction of new functionality for new services and saves operational cost.

SDM data

 
With Nokia SDM, user data is centralized in a secure, highly scalable repository. As a single point of provisioning, this saves costs and substantially shortens the time taken to launch new technologies and services or to activate new customers.

The database is held in Network Directory Server (One-NDS) and Shared Data Layer (SDL) which provide a resilient and distributed data and application-hosting environment.

By combining several back-end repositories into one multi-use one, there are significant cost savings and minimised risk for down-time.

SDM Applications

The Nokia SDM offers front-end applications that use the centralised SDM data, such as Nokia AUSF_UDM (Authentication Server Function and Unified Data Management). The 5G adapted AUSF_UDM architecture is influenced by the cloud-native principles and implements the Service Based Architecture as defined by the 3GPP. AUSF_UDM provides services/features like authentication and authorization, capability exposure, slicing support, security, carrier grade robustness and reliability, flexible scalability and a programmable interface.

The AUSF_UDM is developed with independent services providing functionality over the Service Based Interfaces. 

How to boost revenues with the new market opportunities using SDM cloud architecture

Nokia SDM is open and flexible to easily integrate third-party applications that meet new customer demands. Operators gain the reliability, scalability and flexibility they need to address a wide range of requirements when deploying IoT or new services for vertical markets.

How to move SDM to 5G

Nokia SDM paves the way for networks to evolve to the telco cloud and 5G. Virtualized front-end applications are already available for the smooth progression to Nokia Shared Data Layer (SDL), bringing the benefits of the cloud. Your investment is protected and you can upgrade your network at a pace matched to your needs.

The SDM evolution to 5G

Geo-redundancy boosts operational excellence

With geo-redundancy and built-in mechanisms, our SDM solution is proven in the field to provide superior reliability. It also offers unparalleled scaling, from small deployments to networks with more than 250 million subscribers.

Save costs and reduce time to market

Simplify your network and operations with a cost-effective converged solution and single point of provisioning. Whether your customers subscribe to fixed, mobile, cable or Wi-Fi services, or you offer multiple play services  across fixed voice, mobile voice, broadband and video services, our SDM solution’s common subscriber data repository helps you achieve the highest operational efficiency.

Modernize your network with confidence

Our expert teams have the deep experience of network modernization and swaps needed to safely and efficiently upgrade your network in the shortest time. Nokia is the market leader in Subscriber Data Management and we have delivered our solution in more than 130 countries.

Want to know more about standards?

What is UDM in telecom?

Unified Data Management (UDM) manages network user data in a single, centralized element. The technology is similar to the 4G network's home subscriber service (HSS) but is cloud-native and designed for 5G specifically.


What is UDR in telecom?

Unified Data Repository (UDR) is a converged repository of subscriber information and can be used to service a number of network functions.


What is UDC in 5G?

User Data Convergence (UDC) is a 3GPP initiative which seeks to rationalize the databases found across the key mobile technologies such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and IMS.


What is UDF in 5G?

UDM sometimes also referred to as Unified Data Function (UDF) acts as a front-end to store subscription data for the user in the Unified Data Repository (UDR) and executes essential functions on request from other Network Functions (NFs)


What is UDSF in 5G?

Unstructured Data Storage Function (UDSF) supports in 5G the data storage for stateless network functions. That is, rather than a given network function holding its own storage resources, it will instead store UE context data in the UDSF.

Related solutions and products

Solution

Optimize telco cloud applications and architecture to achieve maximum benefit from the cloud

Product

Network directory server for subscriber data management

Want to know more?

Join our mailing list to stay in the know

Please complete the form below.

The form is loading, please wait...

Thank you. We have received your inquiry. Please continue browsing.