As 5G Core networks evolve, operators are discovering that the promise of a fully interoperable, service-based architecture is more complex in practice than in theory.
Network Functions from different vendors – and sometimes even within the same vendor’s own product line – behave differently. Variations in HTTP/2 implementation, routing logic, and support for Model C versus Model D are increasingly common. These differences introduce friction that slows down integration, complicates operations, and can delay service launches.
This growing complexity has made one thing clear: mediation capabilities are becoming essential in the 5G Core.
Real world example: harmonizing a mixed vendor 5G Core
In a recent deployment, an operator combined Network Functions from two major NEPs. Some NFs supported Model C, others required Model D. At the same time, the vendors implemented subtle but meaningful differences in HTTP/2 behavior – header formats, JSON structures, and routing expectations that did not align out of the box.
The operator faced a familiar dilemma: wait for vendor Change Requests, accept long lead times, or find a way to mediate the differences themselves. Mediation proved essential to harmonize the environment and ensure consistent signaling behavior across the entire 5G Core.
Even single vendor 5G Cores show divergence
Multi-vendor complexity is expected. What surprises operators is that even single vendor 5G Cores are not uniform. In multiple deployments, we have seen NFs from the same vendor requiring different routing models or exposing different interpretations of HTTP/2 behavior.
This inconsistency is not accidental. Large 5G Core product lines are developed by different R&D teams, often working in parallel on separate NFs. As a result, features evolve at different speeds, interpretations of specifications diverge, and internal alignment is not always perfect. The outcome is a 5G Core that behaves less like a single system and more like a collection of independently evolving components.
This reinforces the need for a mediation layer that can absorb these differences without forcing operators into vendor specific dependencies or architectural lock in.
Why mediation matters
A mediation layer in the 5G Core provides stability in an environment where specifications are interpreted differently, releases evolve independently, and vendors prioritize features at different times. It helps operators to:
- maintain architectural control
- avoid vendor lock in
- reduce integration delays
- minimize reliance on vendor CRs and professional services
- ensure consistent signaling behavior across all NFs
In short: mediation is becoming a structural requirement for modern 5G Core operations.
The 5G SCP as the Haarlem Oil, the Dutch equivalent of calling something a “panacea”
The metaphor of Haarlem oil (Dutch: Haarlemmerolie) dates back to the 17th century, when a patented medicine from the city of Haarlem became known as a special remedy – one that “cures all sorts of illnesses”. The term is still used today in the Dutch language to describe a solution that provides an ideal fix that makes everything run smoothly.
It is a fitting analogy for mediation in the 5G Core. As networks become more heterogeneous, operators increasingly need a “Haarlem oil” layer that reduces friction, aligns behaviors, and helps the system operate more coherently. Not because it solves everything, but because it addresses the structural inconsistencies that inevitably arise in modern 5G Core environments.
A final note
This industry perspective highlights a trend that BroadForward sees across operators worldwide: a 5G Core cannot run reliably without dedicated SCP mediation. At BroadForward, we don’t just advocate for this standard – we deliver the independent SCP that powers it.