4G/5G Slicing

5G RAN slicing is essential for supporting new innovative use cases that 5G enables. RAN slicing solution helps operators provide high performing, high quality, secure and independently manageable  services to their customers.

RAN slicing consists of network capabilities that are configured to meet the agreed service-level requirements tailored for each slice. With network slicing, operators can optimize and prioritize the use of their 4G and 5G network resources.

Nokia RAN slicing solution is based on an innovative implementation of user, application, and service awareness in the Radio Access Network. Nokia RAN slicing works in 4G LTE, 5G non-standalone (NSA) and 5G standalone (SA) networks simultaneously and supports all commercially available 4G, 5G NSA and 5G SA devices. Slice continuity between 4G and 5G radio networks allows operators to make best use of their network assets including spectrum.

Nokia RAN slicing technology is a combination of air interface and radio transport capabilities that enable isolating high-value business traffic from regular Internet traffic (patent pending technology) . In addition, the Nokia solution supports Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to meet the customer needs.

When the amount of customers and slices starts increasing, automating RAN slice management is the key to achieving cost efficiency and scalability. Nokia provides an automated RAN slice management solution for 4G, 5G NSA and 5G SA slices. It allows operators to select, deploy and manage slices across multiple radio sites in just minutes. You can deploy slices in an area consisting of one or more 4G/5G base stations, a campus, a city, or even a wider area as required by the end customer.

With our solution, you can manage service quality, dynamic radio resource allocation, RAN traffic isolation and engineering as well security separately for each slice. By collecting defined Key Performance Indicators from 4G/5G base stations operators can ensure they meet network slicing service levels agreed with customers. We also provide open APIs for connecting with orchestration and assurance systems to enable end-to-end network slice life cycle management.

Nokia’s RAN slice management automation solution is compatible with 3GPP architecture including R-NFMF and R-NSSMF functionalities.