ProSe-Serv, an acronym for “Enabling Proximity Services: A Server-based Practical Deployment,” represents a vertical experiment initiated by Hopcast and is among the 15 projects selected for the inaugural Open Call of Imagine-B5G.
Proximity Services (ProSe) within the 3GPP framework facilitate direct device-to-device communication based on proximity. Primarily serving public safety and commercial discovery, ProSe utilises proximity awareness to actively or passively seek value in physical or virtual proximity. While currently limited to mobile phones, ProSe plays a crucial role during network downtime or out-of-coverage scenarios. Despite being defined in 3GPP, it has not yet been implemented in telecom equipment. Hopcast’s proposal suggests deploying ProSe independently of 5G implementation, leveraging existing 5G and WiFi Direct capabilities. This solution, aligned with Open5GLab and O-RAN, supports IMAGINE-B5G goals, offering flexibility and programmability within a disaggregated RAN framework.
The proposed solution will impact IMAGINE-B5G in different ways:
- Management Level: Our solution significantly impacts resource management, introducing efficiencies and optimising the utilisation of key network resources. This includes bandwidth optimization, energy resource efficiency, load balancing, spectrum efficiency, and resource conservation in emergency scenarios.
- Societal Level: The multifaceted impact contributes positively to various aspects of community life. ProSe integration enhances connectivity and communication, supports public safety communications, promotes resource efficiency, and addresses privacy and security concerns related to personal information protection.
- Technical Level: The project, conducted from an end-to-end perspective, covers the full value chain, demonstrating the integration of different IoT/cloud/edge/computing environments toward a distributed environment with unified management. The outputs are expected to demonstrate the applicability of 6G key performance indicators (KPI) and key value indicators (KVI) to specific use case requirements.
- Vertical Area(s): IMAGINE-B5G aims to attract the participation of vertical industries to stimulate strong European involvement in future downstream standardisation phases. Therefore, we seek partners with a demonstrated strong impact on standardisation.
In summary, ProSe-Serv’s innovative approach to Proximity Services aligns with IMAGINE-B5G objectives, offering a comprehensive solution that spans management, societal, technical, and vertical dimensions.
This project has already started its work in the IMAGINE-B5G first open call. If you want to learn more about this and the other selected projects stay tuned to our website and our social media channels.
