Network slicing

The concept of network slicing is not new. It allows CSPs to operate a variety of network services with different services requirements -- such as bandwidth, latency, or availability -- on the same network infrastructure. With 5G, this is now possible for end-to-end services that span any combination of mobile, fixed, transport and core networks. With the wide range of new applications that 5G networks can enable, network slicing brings a much better user experience and ensures more satisfied customers.

In consumer markets, CSPs are looking to generate new revenue growth and create new value through partnerships with vertical industry enterprises, as well as continued ARPU growth. The increased capabilities of 5G-era networks, including bandwidth, speeds, security and latency, offer a value that CSPs can bring to these markets.

5G-era networks are complex. They run on virtualized and containerized infrastructure with 100-fold* more actions within the network. The automated operation of network slicing allows CSPs to package these valuable network capabilities into differentiated, SLA-based services in a cost-effective way that can drive profitable growth.

*Appledore Research

Network slicing enables a broad range of use cases running on the same network. These use cases may be related to similar applications but still have different requirements. Consider motor vehicle applications where the driver and the passengers may consume mobile streaming services. At the same time, the vehicle is providing engine sensor data to the manufacturer and distance sensor data to a traffic control agency to support assisted driving services.  

Explore our Network slicing case studies
 

Network slicing requirements for different applications

Different applications have varying requirements for throughput and latency and the impact can also be very different. A latency of several hundred milliseconds would not be noticed for music streaming, or for voice calls where buffering can be applied. However, an assisted driving application would be affected. With network slicing, CSPs can provide the right network performance for each application, driving broader acceptance and making 5G a game changer in our lives.  

A similar variety of use cases can be supported in other verticals, e.g. in manufacturing, logistics, sports & entertainment.

To ensure success in network slicing, CSPs will need to drive the following activities:

• Developing a strategy to design and operate services which run across network domains – access, transport and core
• Adding capability within all those network domains
• Participating in a marketplace of devices that can connect to network services

The first two items -building and packaging services running across network domains and implementing connectivity capabilities within networks - are fully in the CSPs’ control.

As for the third item - there are already billions of 4G devices in the marketplace today, capable of supporting the emerging slice-based services. Operators can begin to offer slice-based services that support the existing variety of devices while they roll out their 5G networks and while device manufacturers are beginning to deliver new 5G-capable devices.

Nokia's Digital Operations Center provides a comprehensive solution to effectively manage the design, deployment and assurance of slice-based services end-to-end and at scale.

• Nokia Orchestration Center is where the end-to-end slice-based service management lifecycle begins. At this point, service-level agreements (SLAs) will be designed-in to the services and this ensures that the templates, models and policies of services are common throughout each slice instance lifecycle.
• The Nokia Assurance Center module of the Digital Operations Center leverages AIOps to support SLAs during slice service runtime and provides operational feedback into the Orchestration Center for further design and deployment of slices.

A network slice extends from an end device to an application and includes all intermediate functions and domains. Those domains include access, transport, and core. Nokia has a strong value proposition in each of these domains to deliver a true end-to-end solution. End-to-end slicing can be seen as a chain which can only be as strong as its weakest link.

Nokia offers a comprehensive set of capabilities in the networks and in the operations systems to support CSPs with their move toward slice-based business models. These are standards-aligned products and software that are being deployed and operated by CSPs globally. For the network connectivity part of network slicing, Nokia has solutions in each of the network domains; access, transport and core. For the round-trip orchestration of the cloud and network resources and slice-based services, Nokia provides the complete software stack.