BT (EE) today announced the results of recent 5G-based mobile network slicing trials at its Adastral Park facility. The trial demonstrated how future products will be launched that establish network connectivity specifically optimized for online gaming, enterprise and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services.
To explain a little bit, 5G base network slicing Essentially, you can create multiple virtual networks on a single physical network, each with different characteristics (speed, latency, cybersecurity, capacity/device connection density, etc.). Each network slice is essentially treated as a separate end-to-end network. Slices can be dedicated to a specific location (office or campus) or an entire country.
Suffice it to say, this is one of the features of 5G SA networks that UK mobile operators are looking to take advantage of as they roll out their latest network upgrades. BT has been working together accordingly. Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies To test new technologies, allocate a portion of your 5G SA network specifically for experimentation and provide dynamic partitioning for specific use cases.
For example, this trial demonstrated Nvidia’s optimal mobile cloud gaming experience. GeForce Now platform (i.e. cloud-based remote video gaming/streaming), sustaining throughput that comfortably exceeds recommended 25Mbps It runs at 1080p (HD video resolution) even when background loads are generated.
Companies have started gaming sessions (tough life for some) fortnite using samsung s23 ultra On devices powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Mobile Platform, Ericsson implemented network slicing along with the Ericsson RAN feature Radio Resource Partitioning on EE’s network for a smooth experience. This experience was compared at the same time as a non-optimized eMBB RAN partition, which was congested by background load and resulted in a less-than-optimal gaming experience.
The trial also tested the potential of network slicing for BT’s enterprise customers. Consistent 4K video streaming using the same Samsung S23 Ultra device and similar setup with enterprise slices and eMBB slices configured with URSP rules that allow devices to connect to multiple network slices simultaneously depending on the application and demonstrated enterprise use cases. The one above.
Greg McCall, Chief Network Officer, BT Group, said:
“Network slicing will enable us to offer new and improved capabilities to our customers in the 5G SA era. We are working hard to launch our own 5G SA network, but how will slicing help us deliver new and improved capabilities to our customers? Today’s demonstration of how we can differentiate quality of service and guarantee performance for different segments is an important milestone and demonstrates the new services enabled by 5G.”
One potential difficulty with network slicing is maintenance issues. net neutralityThese are rules that exist to ensure that traffic carried over broadband and mobile networks is treated equally and that certain content or services are not prioritized or slowed down over others. .
However, Ofcom has updated its guidance on this in 2023 (here). This gives broadband ISPs and mobile network operators more flexibility.Premium quality retail packaging“However, that is a condition.”Make your customers fully clear about what they can expect from the services they purchase”
Additionally, providers still have to walk a difficult path because any service they launch must not negatively impact other Internet access services (quality or availability) on their network. However, the biggest obstacle to network slicing is the limited availability of 5G SA networks, even today. Most network operators are only in the very early stages of their rollouts, if they have started at all (Vodafone has, but most others have not).
