Solution — Core network
Cloud-native 4G/5G dual-mode core
One microservices platform that runs the Evolved Packet Core and the 5G Core together — so 4G traffic, 5G non-standalone traffic and 5G standalone traffic share the same infrastructure, the same operations team and the same upgrade path.
What Quantum delivers
A dual-mode core combines EPC and 5GC into a common multi-access, cloud-native platform. For an operator this means the 5G migration stops being a parallel network build and becomes a capability you switch on. Quantum plans the core, sizes it against real subscriber and traffic forecasts, deploys it on commodity servers, integrates it with the radio, transport, IMS and charging layers, and runs the acceptance campaign that proves it works.
- One platform, two generations. LTE and 5G NSA subscribers are served by the same core as 5G SA subscribers — no second operations model, no duplicated interconnect.
- Capex and opex both fall. Commodity servers instead of proprietary chassis, and one core team instead of two.
- Slicing is real, not roadmap. Release 16 slicing and MEC are delivered and accepted as part of the build, not deferred to a later phase.
- Voice is included. VoNR and EPS fallback are integrated with the IMS layer during the same programme.
Specification
The technical envelope
| Standards | Full 3GPP Release 16 compliance; 5G NSA and 5G SA |
|---|---|
| 5GC functions | AMF, SMF, SMSF, NRF, NSSF, CHF, PCF, UPF |
| 4GC functions | MME, SGW, PGW — combined with the 5GC on one platform |
| Service classes | eMBB (high bandwidth), URLLC (low latency), mMTC (high density) |
| Voice | VoNR and EPS fallback; SMS over NAS and SMS over IP |
| Advanced | Network slicing, multi-access edge computing, non-public networks |
| Capacity | 1–5 million subscribers; one cabinet supports 5 million |
| Throughput | 40 Gbps per socket, 80 Gbps per server |
| Platform | COTS hardware; cloud-native, microservices architecture |
Configurations are indicative and are dimensioned per network. Send your requirement and Quantum will respond with a specific configuration and bill of materials.
Straight answers
5G Core — frequently asked
What is the difference between 5G NSA and 5G SA?
In 5G non-standalone (NSA) the 5G radio is anchored to an existing 4G core, which gets faster data to subscribers quickly but cannot deliver slicing, URLLC or VoNR. In 5G standalone (SA) the 5G radio connects to a native 5G core, unlocking the full service set. A dual-mode core supports both, so an operator can launch on NSA and move to SA without replacing the core.
How many subscribers can one core support?
The dual-mode core Quantum deploys scales from one million to five million subscribers, with a single cabinet configuration supporting five million. Throughput is 40 Gbps per socket and 80 Gbps per server, so capacity is added by adding standard servers rather than by forklift upgrade.
Does the core run on standard servers?
Yes. The platform is cloud-native and microservices-based and runs on COTS x86 hardware. That is what keeps both the capital cost and the spares model manageable for operators outside tier-one scale.
Can Quantum integrate a new core with our existing 4G network?
Yes — that is the normal case rather than the exception. Quantum handles the interworking with the existing EPC, HSS/UDM, charging, IMS and OSS/BSS, runs interoperability testing against the live network and phases the migration so subscribers are not disrupted.
Adjacent
The rest of the stack
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ExplorePut a requirement in front of an engineer.
Scope, site count, coverage target, capacity or a part number — whatever you have. We reply within one business day.