Telco hard standards often clash with Kubernetes best practices. Many so-called “cloud-native Network Functions” (CNFs) are in reality just “Containerized Network Functions” and remain box-centric: Helm install mimics hardware mounts, Multus wires up virtual cables, and NETCONF configures boxes. Marketed as “telco grade,” these designs bypass Kubernetes’ strengths like IPAM, networking, and high availability—limiting real cloud-native gains.
This session shares practical examples, including why a User Plane Function (UPF) isn’t inherently cloud-native, and explores how 6G can align telco design with Kubernetes-first patterns. We will also highlight how exposing APIs can enable treating the network as a product, unlocking new use cases and business models. With a Kubernetes foundation, mobile networks can evolve to be simpler, faster, and more open, bridging the gap between telco standards and the cloud-native community.