Ericsson has launched a 5G network slicing solution for radio access networks (RAN). The solution is available commercially now and aims to enable communications service providers to deliver customised 5G services with “guaranteed performance”. Ericsson 5G RAN slicing allocates radio resources at one millisecond scheduling and supports multi-dimensional service differentiation handling across slices.
Network slicing supports multiple logical networks for different service types over one common infrastructure. It is described by Ericsson as a “key enabler for unlocking 5G revenue opportunities” including enhanced video, in-car connectivity and extended reality.
Per Narvinger, head of product area networks, Ericsson, said, “What makes our solution distinct is that it boosts end-to-end management and orchestration support for fast and efficient service delivery. This gives service providers the differentiation and guaranteed performance needed to monetise 5G investments with diverse use cases. With 5G as an innovation platform, we continue to drive value for our customers.”
Ericsson has ongoing network slicing engagements for RAN, transport, core network and orchestration globally involving use cases for the consumer segment and enterprises/industry verticals such as video-assisted remote operations, AR/VR, TV/Media for sports event streaming, cloud gaming, smart city and applications for Industry 4.0 and public safety.
Sue Rudd, director, networks and service platforms, strategy analytics, added, “Ericsson is the first vendor to offer a fully end-to-end solution with RAN slicing based on dynamic radio resource partitioning in under one millisecond using embedded radio control mechanisms to assure Quality of Service, Over the Air, in real time.
“This truly end-to-end approach integrates radio optimisation with policy-controlled network orchestration to deliver inherently secure virtualised private RAN slicing without the loss of the 30 - 40 per cent spectrum capacity due to ‘hard slicing’. Ericsson's real-time dynamic RAN slicing bridges the ‘RAN gap’ to make e2e slicing profitable.”