5G network slicing will allow operators to split a single physical network

into multiple virtual networks.

Telecommunication vendors and mobile operators are taking the necessary steps in order to get
ready for 2020, the year commercial 5G networks are expected to become a reality. But the
industry consensus is that 5G networks will be much more than just new radio access as these
future networks will be an integration of cross-domain networks.

5G systems are expected to be built in a way to enable logical network slices, which will
allow telecom operators to provide networks on an as-a-service basis and meet the wide
range of use cases that the 2020 timeframe is expected to demand. In a single 5G
system, network slicing technology can provide connectivity for smart meters with a
network slice that connects internet of things devices with a high availability and high
reliability data-only service, with a given latency, data rate and security level. At the
same time, the technology can provide another network slice with very high throughput,
high data speeds and low latency for an augmented reality service.
With network slicing technology, a single physical network can be partitioned into
multiple virtual networks allowing the operator to offer optimal support for different
types of services for different types of customer segments. The key benefit of network
slicing technology is it enables operators to provide networks on an as-a-service basis,
which enhances operational efficiency while reducing time-to-market for new services.
Network slicing can support customized connectivity designed to benefit many
industries by offering a smarter way to segment the network to support particular
services or business segments. With this technology, slices can be optimized by myriad
characteristics including latency or bandwidth requirements. Since the slices of the
network are isolated from each other in the control and user planes, the user experience
of the network slice will be the same as if it was a physically separate network.
According to a white paper published by Ericsson, some of the 5G network slicing use
cases will include expanded mobile broadband with more video, higher speeds and wide
scale availability; massive machine-type communication with transportation monitoring
and control; mass market personalized TV with big data analytics; and critical machine-
type communication with remote operation.
According to the white paper, each of these use cases will require a different
configuration of requirements and parameters and thus is why each use case will
require its own network slice. Ericsson said future 5G networks will have a flexible
structure so that speed, capacity and coverage can be allocated in logical slices taking
into account the specific demands of each use case.
Ericsson also said the implementation of network slicing technology requires the use of
service provider software-defined networking, network functions virtualization and
network orchestration tools. These technologies are seen as key to enable the many
network slices necessary to meet the requirements of the many 5G use cases.
Vendors and mobile operators are already cooperating in the development of 5G
network slicing. Ericsson said its working with South Korean telecom operator SK
Telecom in this field, with the firms having signed a memorandum of understanding to
develop and deploy network slicing technology optimized for 5G services, build a joint
5G test bed and provide 5G pilot services. In October 2015, both Ericsson and SK
Telecom demonstrated 5G network slicing technology at SK Telecoms corporate
research and development center in Bundang, South Korea. The demonstration featured
the creation of virtual network slices optimized for services including super multiview
and augmented reality/virtual reality, massive IoT offerings and enterprise solutions.
In 2016, Ericsson and Japanese telecommunications firm NTT DoCoMo completed a joint
proof-of-concept of dynamic network slicing technology for 5G core networks. In the
PoC, a slice-management function and network slices based on service requirements
were autonomously created, enabling varying services to be delivered simultaneously
via multiple logical networks.
Also, Huawei and Deutsche Telekom carried out a joint demo of network slicing
technology in DTs 5G lab based in Bonn, Germany.
Last year, ZTE and China Mobile unveiled their 5G-oriented future network architecture
design concept and network slice prototype system. The network slice prototype is
designed to create dynamic 5G application scenario network slices via a visible
orchestration environment, including mobile broadband, IoT and mobile edge
computing.