Sheldon Anthony IO

There will be an explosion of business opportunities for mobile operators with 5G network slicing. It introduces a new way of specifying services and delivering them in a flexible, agile, and automated manner. Nokia has proprietary that they'll offer slice services for 4G L.T.E too, however, it will not have an identical impact as 5G.^[1] 4G ultimately cannot carry on with the range of demands as time goes on. 5G enables mobile operators to create and manage multiple virtual networks on the same physical infrastructure, each with its own characteristics and service level agreements. This way, they can offer customized solutions for different market segments and use cases, such as smart cities, industrial IoT, e-health, gaming, and more. With 5G network slicing, mobile operators can deliver services faster, more efficiently, and more securely than ever before.

For a long time, we have relied on a single network that provides wireless communication services to the public. This network called a public land mobile network (PLMN), uses various cellular technologies such as GSM, UMTS, and LTE to offer voice and data services to mobile users. However, this network has some limitations that prevent us from meeting our growing and diverse mobile connectivity needs. One of these limitations is that the network is shared by many users and devices, which can result in congestion, interference, and security issues. Another limitation is that the network provides a uniform service to all users and devices, regardless of their specific requirements and preferences. For example, some devices may need low latency, high bandwidth, or long battery life, while others may not. The network does not differentiate between these different needs and allocates resources equally to all devices. This can result in inefficiency, waste, and dissatisfaction for some users and devices.

During a trial conducted by FarEasTone and Ericsson, they demonstrated how network slicing can be applied to commercial Android devices. They showed that one device and one network can support multiple network slices, each with its own communication channel and service level agreement. This means that each app on the device can use a different network slice that suits its requirements. For example, an app for video conferencing may use a network slice that provides high speed and low latency, while an app for email may use a network slice that provides moderate speed and reliability. The trial also showed how network slicing can enable "one device with two profiles". This means that one device can have two separate network slices for work and personal use. This can help users to keep their work and personal data separate and secure on the same device. For example, a user can have a work profile that contains work-related apps, emails, calendars, documents and photos, and a personal profile that contains personal apps, emails, calendars, documents and photos. Each profile can use a different network slice that provides the appropriate level of security and performance. The work profile can be managed by the IT team of the user’s employer, while the personal profile can be managed by the user. In both profiles, no data is shared between the network slices, and the IT team cannot access the user’s personal information.^[2]

5G network slicing is a technology that allows the creation of multiple virtual networks on top of a single physical infrastructure. Each network slice can be customized to meet the specific requirements of different applications and services, such as latency, bandwidth, security, and reliability. This enables mobile operators to offer tailored solutions to various customers and industries, such as automotive, healthcare, public safety, media, and IoT. By using network slicing, mobile operators can optimize the use of their resources, increase their revenue streams and enhance their competitiveness in the 5G market. Network slicing also opens up new possibilities for innovation and collaboration among different stakeholders, such as service providers, network operators, and end users. Therefore, 5G network slicing is expected to generate an explosion of business opportunities for mobile operators shortly.

“Cloud At Edge” is a revolutionary technology that transforms the mobile network market. It builds on the 5G network slicing feature, which allows the network to be divided into multiple virtual slices, each with its own characteristics and capabilities. By adding a “Cloud At Edge” layer on top of the network slices, cloud providers can offer more customized and efficient services to their customers. For example, they can provide storage and computing resources closer to mobile devices, which can reduce latency and the load on the core network. This enables faster and smoother data processing and delivery for applications like gaming, video streaming, and augmented reality. Cloudlets are the key components of “Cloud At Edge”. They are mini clouds that operate on devices at the edge of the network, such as routers, switches, or servers. They can be deployed in public buildings or spaces, such as malls, stadiums, or airports. They act as intermediaries between consumers and communication service providers (CSPs), facilitating communication and data exchange between them. This area is highly innovative and competitive, creating new value propositions and business models for both cloud providers and CSPs. It will also enhance the consumer’s experience by offering more personalized and reliable services.