Vendors Alcatel-Lucent, NEC and Nokia Networks, as well as operators Deutsche Telekom, Orange and Telefonica, are backing a group with the brief to think creatively about the mobile network architecture for 5G.

The 5G NORMA (Novel Radio Multiservice adaptive network Architecture) group, which is part of the 5GPPP initiative, will begin work this month (July) for a period of 30 months.

The objective is to create and spread innovative thinking around mobile network architecture for 5G, but the group also has a wider and major aim: to “define the overall 5G mobile network architecture, including radio and core networks, to meet the demanding 5G  multiservice requirements”

5G networks must blend new and existing technology, as well as Wi-Fi, into a new system, says the announcement. An architecture is required that can manage such a multi-layered mix, as well as factoring in future applications.

5G NORMA is also about acquiring a leadership position for Europe in 5G.

“The NORMA approach breaks away from the rigid legacy network paradigm,” the announcement says.

Instead, it will attempt to adapt network usage to varying service requirements, as well as changes in traffic demands and network topology.

The group will also analyse the socio-economic benefits that 5G NORMA innovations will have. This will determine the value to the mobile industry, users and wider society of the kind of services enabled by the proposed architecture.

The full, 13-strong consortium is composed of leading vendors and IT firms (Alcatel-Lucent, NEC, Nokia Networks and ATOS); operators (Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica); SMEs (Azcom Technology, Nomor Research, Real Wireless); and academia (University Kaiserslautern in Germany, Kings College London, University Carlos III Madrid).

The NORMA initative is just the latest in a long line of industry efforts to determine a path for development of 5G technology. Last month United Nations agency ITU claimed to have established an overall roadmap for 5G development, including goals, process and timeline but, while unveiling “IMT-2020″ as the name it will use for the mobile standard, the announcement was sparse on details.