The demand for mobile networks with high speed and reliable internet connections is growing. Internet providers are always searching for efficient ways to provide that service to their customers. Even modest estimates show continued large-scale demand for these services. The fact is, that smart homes and smart cities encourage the growth of the internet of things (IoT).
5G network slicing provides internet providers and network managers the ability to meet these ever-growing demands. Better yet, it can meet the diverse needs of each of its customers without creating thousands of physical networks.
Previous networks, 4G and below, could not support the growing demand for internet service or network slicing. 5G network slicing will revolutionize the abilities of internet connections and mobile networks. This revolution will allow for greater internet functionality in more geographical locations.
What Is 5G Network Slicing?
5G network slicing involves multiple virtual networks. Each network overlays a single set of shared network and computing resources, known as network domains. With network slicing, 5G networks are much more flexible, programmable, and powerful than the networks before them.
5G slicing allows the service provider to provide customers with a "slice" of the core network. This slice offers the customer all of the functions and connectivity of the entire network without affecting overall network performance. In some ways, 5G slicing completely transforms the concept of networking. It creates an architecture of individual users divided into separate networks while sharing a network's resources.
How 5G Network Slices Improve the Modern Network
5G network slicing provides many distinct advantages to independent networks that are 5G capable and larger, more established network providers. It has created new business models and revenue opportunities free from the confines of a network operator's physical resources. 5G fits into cloud infrastructure easily and has opened new network management techniques we have yet to explore.
Two of the most apparent advantages of network slicing 5G and others are:
- The increases in a network's resources
- The opportunity for various services without needing more physical networks.
Increases Network Resources
By overlaying virtual networks over a physical network and its computing resources, 5G slicing vastly increases the resources of that single network domain. These increased resources would soon become more than a single network management firm could handle if these virtual networks weren't largely automated. Once customized to meet specific needs, they do much of the work independently.
Network slicing can also help operators with their financial resources. Because slicing makes for more efficient network resources, companies that provide these services can see significant economic gains. Network slicing manages to do all this while reducing capital expenditures and other expenses.
Network Providers Can Support Diverse Services
Network operators no longer have to construct separate networks to meet their customers' diverse needs. Providers can allocate one slice to service their customers who need low latency and data transfer rates. Using the same network domain, they can provide high latency and data transfer rates to other customers. And it prevents wasted network resources and increases overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
In addition to customized network resources without increased costs, network slicing also decreases the time needed to create them. Since there is no need to create a new physical network, programmers can create new slices quickly. The slices can provide high-speed connectivity and data transfer for:
- smartphones, automatic vehicles, smart refrigerators,
- and GPS-guided forest fire alert systems.
The 5G Network Slice Architecture
The network slice architecture begins with a single physical network domain. That network is divided into a series of virtual networks partitioned off this network, which may have different performance requirements. Each of these individual virtual networks, or slices, provides its user with the software and resources needed.
Service Requirements for Physical Networks
The physical networks that support 5G slicing must be able to handle the rigours of managing and supporting multiple, diverse use virtual networks. A few service requirements include:
- Provisioning: The ability to create, modify, maintain and, when necessary, delete network slices.
- Slice Management: The ability to configure the connections between the network domain and the virtual networks. It includes adding or removing users from those networks.
- Being Interoperational: Must support roaming and non-roaming operations within a single slice. And it must make connections to multiple slices from a single device.
- Able to Support Elasticity and Adaptability: Each slice must be able to adapt to the changing needs of its user. The network must be able to support this adaptation rapidly and reliably.
The Challenges and Business Opportunities
There is a big challenge. We need to construct physical networks capable of servicing those slices. 5G networks and their slicing ability will ultimately expand internet accessibility. However, much work is still needed to create the network domains to make this a reality.
The opportunities 5G slicing offers to businesses across the globe are almost unlimited. For established companies and those already involved in networks, 5G slicing offers them more effective, customized, and flexible internet service. This technology can help businesses with limited access to quality mobile or internet services open their doors to international trade.
How You Can Benefit From 5G Network Slicing Capabilities
The advent of 5G slicing technology unlocks huge opportunities for almost every business and industry. How this technology will benefit you depends mainly on what you want it to do. If you are in sales and need to boost leads and generate leads, it can help you do that. It will help in the healthcare industry a lot. It’s an industry that uses edge computing to manage, store and secure large amounts of personal data. The possibilities are almost endless.
Find exactly how 5G slicing technology can benefit your business and find a partner to help you successfully make the transition. Contact us at Novotech.