With the improvement of network functions and the emergence of new features, the network 5G National Security Agency (non-standalone) network 5G Safety Recent (standalone) networks.
The first 5G
5G NSA was the first 5G architecture standardized by 3GPP, based on the deployment of 5G radio stations controlled by an existing 4G network core. This 5G NSA configuration was designed to deploy the first 5G services, but the high performance and diverse simultaneous services that ITU specified for 5G networks in the IMT-2020 document can only be achieved by significant network improvements at both the radio access and core network levels. In this sense, the 5G SA configuration already incorporates a new 5G network core, no longer requires 4G connectivity for signaling management, and network functions are already fully virtualized. This allows automating management and providing advanced 5G capabilities for scalable and efficient deployment of services and resources to enable commercial deployment of new use cases.
One of the main new features of 5G SA networks is network segmentation (also known as Network SlicingNetwork slicing is an end-to-end(E2E) network architecture allows multiple customized virtual networks to be created over the same common physical infrastructure, allowing different operators to offer the networks as a service.(Network as a Service) to customers and businesses.
Indeed, at the moment there are already some solutions based on 5G NSA networks, and even LTE, that allow allocating network resources using identifiers such as Resource Partitioning (RRP), Quality of Service (QoS), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc. However, it must be noted that network slicing is a concept specific to 5G SA networks, and therefore has the potential to multiply the possibilities for flexibility in infrastructure usage and resource allocation with regard to these solutions.
service
At a high level, in the concept of network slicing, each virtual network (slice) contains an independent set of logical network functions supporting the requirements of a particular application or service. This functionality has been standardized by 3GPP as one of the core functions of 5G SA networks, defining four main service types:
- Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB). These are enhanced mobile broadband services related to user experience, enabling, for example, the delivery of ultra-high definition (UHD) content, virtual reality (VR) applications and augmented reality (AR) experiences, which is the only slice currently supported by the network and where mobile terminals reside.
- Ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC). These are reliable, low latency communications. They enable extremely low latency connections, improving network availability up to 99.99%, and enabling uninterrupted communications with devices moving at speeds of up to 500 km per hour.
- Massive Machine Based Communication (mMTC). mMTC communications provides connectivity to the Internet of Things (IoT) and increases capacity to support a higher density of connected devices. It is an evolution of the current NB-IoT and LTE-M.
- Vehicle to Everything (V2X). Connected mobility is currently in the standardization stage.
meaning
5G SA network slices are S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) Identifier. S-NSSAI is Nankai Standard Time (Slice service type), and SD (Slice Differentiation) Field.
The SST field indicates the service type of the slice and is standardized by 3GPP according to the corresponding service.
- SST for eMBB services 1
- SST 2 for URLC services.
- SST 3 for mMTC services.
- SST 4 for V2X services.
The SD field is used to identify different network slices that belong to the same type of service.
As the S-NSSAI identifier is defined transversally across all network planes, the slicing concept works from the connection establishment phase to the end of data transfer.
Usage Example
Telefonica has already conducted several pilots to demonstrate the potential of its network slicing architecture, one of which is a 5G pilot in the leisure and tourism sector. Hotel Melia Madrid Serrano For the first time in Spain, we have achieved indoor 5G NSA, 5G SA and network slicing coverage. In this pilot, multiple slices were configured to guarantee services for different connectivity needs, including video streaming services, even during periods of high concentration of guests and visitors.
Even now, Telefónica is working on developing new services based on this technology, such as those related to critical communications, vehicular communications and drones, as well as evolving existing services such as private networks (mobile networks with elements dedicated to a single customer).
As you can imagine, this is just the tip of the developments this new network architecture will bring. The incremental transformation and evolution of the network will make it possible to deliver these new capabilities over time. In the future, network slicing technology and the capacity of Telefónica’s 5G network will be key to the digital transformation, enabling latency-critical applications such as those related to medical and health.
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