New Dynamic Network Slice Selection system could make service provision a lot easier for app developers and mobile operators
Ericsson has launched a Dynamic Network Slice Selection system that it says will simplify comms service provision for mobile operators. It claims the system, a new addition to its 5G Core portfolio, can make apportioning bandwidth to 5G devices much easier by automating and fine tuning the tricky processes, such as traffic steering, involved in apportioning bandwidth for each user’s experience.
5G phone users get better services
This will help end users benefit from differentiated services, it claims. Customers who want a basic consumer service can be set up for a generic mobile broadband slice, whereas a range of more bandwidth hungry users, such as gamers, will want minimal latency, while business users will demand a high-security slice for industry applications, explained Monica Zethzon, head of solution area packet core at Ericsson. Developers could use this technology to cut latency and improve the quality of experience for their apps, said Zethzon.
New business models for CSPs
According to Ericsson, there are enough ‘slice friendly’ smart phones coming on the market now to make this the right time for developing a support system for them. The first steps have been taken to enable enterprise services in smartphones for high-quality connectivity. Support for consumer services in smartphones will follow, as well as support in other 5G devices.
Ericsson’s system complies to 3GPP-standards based user equipment route selection policies (URSP) in 5G networks. URSP is one of the main functions installed in 5G smartphones and 5G network infrastructure that enables multiple network slices on the same device, with traffic detection and steering features.
Makes edge computing plausible
This separation of services and traffic steering is the key to effective edge computing deployments because it can allow the model to ‘break out of the user plane for optimised network characteristics’, according to Zethzon. “Dynamic network slice selection lets our customers provide differentiated 5G services to their enterprise and consumer customers, by enabling multiple tailored network slices on a single 5G device,” said Zethzon.
Significant step towards slice culture
“This is a significant step toward making network slices work in a real-world enterprise context,” Andy Hicks, principal analyst at GlobalData. In November last year FarEasTone and Ericsson demonstrated the world’s first 5G end-to-end multiple network slicing on commercial Android 12 devices based on an Ericsson-powered 5G standalone system. In January 2021 Ericsson launched 5G RAN Slicing to support customised business models and growth requirements. The system solution is part of Ericsson’s end-to-end network slicing offering with BSS, OSS, Core, 5G RAN slicing and Transport domains.