Easy network: the way to go for 5G

To satisfy the explosive growth of mobile data traffic and communication connections in the year 2020 and beyond, the 5th generation (5G) mobile network will have to support more access schemes, frequency bands and diversified scenarios compared with the existing networks. Throughout the development of communication systems, the diversified combination of different technologies always makes the network more and more "heavy", e.g., heavy deployment, heavy investment, heavy operation and maintenance (O&M), which has brought great challenges to the network applications. Therefore, 5G system should be designed as an easy network, characterized by easy deployment, low investment, easy O&M and delightful experience. According to this discussion, this paper identifies several technical components which can make up an Easy Network for 5G air interface, and the details of the Easy Network features are analyzed. Our study aims to make efforts to promote a healthy and sustainable environment for 5G at the beginning of the system design.